The University of Tulsa Magazine SPRING/ SUMMER 2007 the university of The University of Tulsa Magazine ISSN 1544-5763 is published by The University of Tulsa, 600 South College Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3189. Publication dates may vary according to the University’s calendar, events and scheduling. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Tulmagazinesa The University of Tulsa Magazine, Office of Alumni Relations, The University of Tulsa, 600 South College Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3189. departments Steadman Upham features PRESIDENT Janis Zink 2 University News SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR PLANNING AND OUTREACH Research: Bright ideas 8 College News Joan Crenshaw Nesbitt (BA ’86) VICE PRESIDENT, Research is electricity for ideas. It powers the classroom INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT and lights the path to discovery. 31 Athletics News Sandy Willmann It makes businesses succeed, ensuring that producers DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AND DONOR RELATIONS sell and consumers buy. 33 Alumni News Amy Freiberger (BSBA ’96, MBA ’99) It fuels discoveries that improve our lives, from ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to vehicles OF SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES that make travel convenient. 36 Classnotes Lindsay Myers (BS ’05) This issue of the alumni magazine explores research ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS at The University of Tulsa, recognizing the impact it has not only at this institution, but also throughout the Nancy Meyer (BS ’72) 45 President’s COORDINATOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS community, the country and the world. Report TU’s researchers flip the switch, encouraging ideas ADDITIONAL WRITING: to light up the minds of students, professors and Sally Adams community leaders. 53 Bookend The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state 14 g Building a legacy through alumni law in its programs, services, aids or benefits. Inquiries regarding implementation of this Many former students have made careers out of research. policy may be addressed to the Office of Legal Compliance, 600 South College Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74014-3189, (918) 631-2423. 19 g Fueling the economy Requests for accommodation of disabilities may be addressed to the University’s 504 Research at TU has an economic impact locally and nationally. Coordinator, Dr. Jane Corso, (918) 631-2315. To ensure availability of an interpreter, five About the cover: The “realistic with a twist” illustrations of to seven days is needed; 48 hours is recom- 23 g Enhancing the community mended for all other accommodations. Tim Jessell (BFA ‘85) have These researchers saw community needs and met them. appeared in editorial, advertising and books. He illustrates the best-selling series Secrets to contact us or to comment 27 g Engaging students Of Droon, the first children’s on this magazine: picture book by Stan Lee of (918) 631-2555 Research is one of the many ways TU students are encouraged to learn. Marvel Comics, and covers for 1-800-219-4688 the reissue of Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s Newbery Honor Books. g e-mail: [email protected] 30 We asked, you answered. Tim has worked with companies such as Texaco, American Research has become a lifelong endeavor for many alumni. Airlines, Nike and Apple Computer to name a few. p. 13 p. 28 p. 29 p. 24 universitynews University dedicates Bayless Plaza TU advances in university U.S. News rankings ot many TU graduates get two chances to ring the the University of Tulsa has 10 percent of their high school news historic Kendall Bell. advanced its position among the classes. N But Bernice Bayless top 100 national doctoral universities “The fact that TU continues (BS ’49) relished her opportunity to ranked in U.S. News & World to enroll such high-achieving do just that during a Sept. 6, 2006, Report’s 2007 guidebook, America’s freshmen is a very strong ceremony dedicating the new home Best Colleges. indicator not only of our for the historic bell. The U.S. News & World Report growing reputation, but also of Her generous contribution results rank TU 88th out of 248 the intellectual vitality that is helped fund the construction of national doctoral universities. Last central to academic excellence, Bayless Plaza, providing a permanent year, TU was ranked 93rd among the career preparation and college home for the Kendall Bell, which top 100. life,” Upham said. “As a growing for the last 75 years has been “The University of Tulsa’s number of top students make ceremoniously rung by students continued ascent in the rankings TU their university of choice, this Program and Tulsa Undergraduate completing their last final TU exam. is a welcome endorsement of so influx of talent is shaping our Research Challenge. The plaza, located immediately much that makes our University university in a profound way.” The University also continues south of Tyrrell Hall and Sharp exceptional,” TU President Steadman Upham attributed TU’s strong to receive national recognition from Chapel, features brick walkways, Upham said. recruitment record to top-quality other college guides, including The benches and landscaping. The plaza’s Among the factors that academic programs, a student-to- Princeton Review’s Best 361 Colleges centerpiece is the bell, housed in its determine the national doctoral faculty ratio of 11 to 1, an average that recently cited TU as sixth in the bronze cupola surrounded by cast- university rankings, TU’s greatest class size of 19, a distinguished nation for quality of life and eighth stone columns. growth was in the percentage of teaching faculty, and enrichment in the nation for having the happiest The Bayless gift commemorates freshmen coming from the top programs, such as the TU Honors students. the time Bayless and her late husband, Bob (BA ’49), spent at TU, where the couple met TU receives record number of more than 50 years ago as applications for Class of 2010 Fall 2006 Snapshot undergraduates. FRESHMAN CLASS Bernice was This year’s freshman class of 660 students represents The mean high High school GPA ................ 3.8 a journalism a 4.6 percent enrollment increase over last year’s group. These school grade point major, the students represent the second-largest freshman class in The average of this year’s Average ACT ..........................27 senior class University of Tulsa’s history and were selected from a record incoming class is 3.8, States represented ............ secretary and 2,720 applicants. The largest freshman class in university which represents an 28 editor of the Kendallabrum, while history occurred in 2004 when 681 students enrolled. increase from last’s Countries represented .....17 Bob was a management major and The University continues to attract students who have year’s average of 3.7. senior class treasurer. earned National Merit Scholarships, which are widely Nearly 60 percent of Total enrollment ......... Soon after graduating, they recognized as the premier award for incoming college the class was ranked in 4,125 Pictured, left to right, are: Layne Fisher, Student Association president; Fulton Collins, TU Board of Trustees married and relocated to New and university students. With the addition of the newest the top 10 percent of Total undergrads ........... 2,882 Mexico where Bob built a successful Chairman; Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor; Bernice Bayless (BS ’49); TU President Steadman Upham; and Mike Metcalf (MBA ‘97), President of the Tulsa Chapter of the TU Alumni Association. class of National Merit Scholars, nearly one in 10 of all TU their high school senior oil and gas exploration business that undergraduates is a National Merit Scholar. class. This year’s class Total graduate/law .........1,243 continues under the leadership of Farmington, N.M. 11th Street. Additional projects “With the new freshman class, the Class of 2010, we posted an average ACT their sons, Rob and Tucker, and sons- Bayless Plaza is the first in include an oval drive leading up to welcome yet another group of truly outstanding students composite score of 27, in-law, Kevin and Tommy. In addition a series of current construction the plaza, an expansive commons to our academic community,” said TU President Steadman which equaled last year’s result. Members of the freshman to their support of TU, the Baylesses projects that will transform the with a fountain and formal gardens, Upham. “This class meets our enrollment goals in every class represent 28 states and 17 countries. also have been great philanthropists southern part of the TU campus and Collins Hall, a new alumni and way: It is geographically and ethnically diverse; it is Total enrollment for TU for fall 2006 was 4,125 students, and supporters in their hometown of and create a formal entrance from student services building. academically accomplished; and it contains leaders and comprising 2,882 undergraduates and 1,243 graduate and thinkers who will distinguish themselves and the University.” law students. 2 SPRING/SUMMER 2007 | VOL. 10 | NO.1 SPRING 2007 | VOL. 10 | NO.1 3 university Upham selected news for Asian Education Mission news Pedaling to class. university During the fall semester, TU initiated an innovative program allowing students to check out a University- owned bicycle for the school year. The bicycles – painted in distinctive Golden Hurricane colors – are used by students to travel on and around campus, minimizing their need for automobile transportation. TU President Steadman Upham joined U.S. Excited students in August Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in camped out for several hours November for a nine-day educational mission for the chance to sign up for the bicycles, which were distributed to Asia promoting U.S. higher education. in less than an hour. The delegation included 12 university and University School celebrates silver anniversary. Natalie Cronk, Gavin college presidents from across the country Hernandez and Yerina Hur – all students with TU’s University School – release doves during a September event marking the school’s 25th anniversary.