Natalie Knowles - Derby
Brayden Steven - Bishop Carroll
James Bailey Caughran - Derby
Isabel Harmon - Ark City
Katrina Mason - Derby High
Natalie Knowles - Derby

The OU Club of Wichita has awarded six scholarships to Wichita-area high school seniors who will begin attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall of 2019.

They are

Natalie Knowles – Derby High School
Natalie was selected as our Sheridan Drowatzky Scholarship Award winner for her impressive display of devotion to the military forces through her participation with the Air Force JROTC, and dedication to the community service of honoring our service members and military veterans. She is the daughter of Kim Gray and plans to major in Political Science and minor in Mandarin.

“You have to learn that you aren’t always right and that everyone isn’t always going to agree with your decisions. How you respond to these reactions and learn from them going forward makes you a better leader”
Brayden Steven – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Brayden is the daughter of Jenni and Johnny Steven; She plans to study Marketing and Advertising.
“There are problems in this world that are bigger than the day-to-day issues that I face. It is a great feeling for me to know that when I participate in these things [volunteer activities] that I know I am part of something helping someone or some issue greater than myself.”
James “Bailey” Caughran – Derby High School
Bailey is the son of Brad and Jennifer Caughran; he plans to major in Human Health and Biology.

“I believe my passion, effort, and creativity allow me to effectively lead and motivate my groups to complete their tasks quickly and effectively, and work through the problems that frequently arise when working with inadequate supplies or unfamiliar people.”

Isabel Harmon – Ark City High School

Isabel is the daughter of Kelly and Eva Harmon; she plans to major in Biology.

“…when you commit to something, you must follow through even when not enjoyable so you do not to let down those counting on you.”

Katrina Mason – Derby High School

Katrina is the daughter of Patrick Mason and Melina Sengchanh; she plans to major in Biochemistry.

“Succeeding means more when we succeed together. I’ve always been the type to lead by example and service rather than by command.”

Malayna Unkel – Derby High School (no picture available at this time)
Malayna is the daughter of Curtis and Shara Unkel; she plans to study Biomedical Engineering.

“Through [Chick-Fil-A Leader Labs] I have had the opportunity to work with others as we collectively increase our abilities to lead and be examples in our worlds.”

Club Announces Scholarship Recipients

Three Wichita-area students have been awarded a scholarship from the OU Club of Wichita for the 2018-19 school year.

Gracyn Reynolds – Derby High School

Gracyn Reynolds

Gracyn, a National Honor Society Member, served as Volleyball Team Captain, attended Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy, and served as new student Ambassador at Derby High School. She will be the first in her family to attend the University of Oklahoma. Amidst her collegiate studies and hard work, she looks forward to having attending OU football games this fall.

Parents: Craig and Kristin Reynolds

“Leadership experiences help build a solid foundation to one’s character and success in life. I know the Sooners are dedicated and exceptional people, and I hope to keep this expectation alive by becoming a leader in my new community.”

Academic Major: Biomedical Engineering to prepare for Medical School.

Jordan RenardJordan Renard – Derby High School                                                               

Parents: Amber & Daniel Finneran and Christopher & Shamra Renard

Jordan, a National Honors Society Member, played with the Derby High School Varsity football and helped his team to earn two state titles. He also served as Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America. Jordan loves to read and watch movies. Looking forward to his OU, he plans to play intramural athletics and states he is looking forward to his first ever college football game watching one of the best teams in the nation – the Sooners!

“Accounting is not always about spreadsheets or Excel documents, but that it can also involve you going out and interacting with your clients, helping them make better financial decisions, reducing their expenses, and making sure they too are people and not just pieces of paper.”    

Academic Major: Accounting

Vivian Nguyen – Kapaun Mount Carmel

Vivian-Nguyen

Vivian, a National Honor Society member who graduated Cum Laude, served as Student Ambassador, Secretary of Cultural Diversity and Community Club, Treasurer, Lead Tutor, and Volunteered at Via Christi St. Joseph! At OU she plans to pursue the Pre-Med track majoring in Biology. She will rush in a couple of weeks and is excited to explore Norman and call it her home.

A true leader means that you have to keep others in mind. It cannot be about you or your wants. It has to be for the good of others.”

Parents: Johnny and Hannah Nguyen

Academic Major: Undetermined

In the past ten years, the OU Club of Wichita has awarded 42 scholarships valued at $87,400. Half of those scholarships are from the club’s treasury, the other half represents a match from the university.

Sooner Send-Off Scheduled for July 28

The OU Club of Wichita’s 2nd Sooner Send-Off Party will take place Saturday, July 28, from 1:30 – 3:00 at Deano’s Grill and Tapworks. 15 Wichita area high school seniors, along with their families, have been invited to meet Sooner fans for a special send-off as they begin their careers at OU.

The event is free and Deano’s will be providing some appetizers and the club will provide door prizes.

Spring. Good time to renew your membership

Join or Renew OU Club of Wichita onlineWatch parties. Summer send-off parties and scholarships. Just a few of the reasons why you should join the OU Club of Wichita. Your dues help us organize local events and continue to support local high school students who need extra money to offset the expense of attending a great university like OU.

In the past ten years, the OU Club of Wichita has awarded 42 scholarships valued at $87,400. Half of those scholarships are from the club’s treasury, the other half represents a match from the university.

Renewing or joining is easy. Just click the JOIN THE CLUB tab on the home page and you’ll go right to the payment portal. You can also download a membership form and use regular mail. You do not need to be an OU graduate to join the club. Just being an OU fan qualifies you.

Thanks for your continued support.

Live on, University.

Mark Chamberlin
President

Bill Sims spends the day with fans in Newton

Former OU running back and now restauranteur, Billy Sims spent the day meeting fans at his new Billy Sims BBQ restaurant in Newton on Saturday, July 16. Sims spent four hours signing autographs and posing for pictures as folks from the area dined on great food.

Club scholarship chair Bryce Matteson poses with Billy Sims

Club Scholarship chair Bryce Matteson poses with Bill Sims

Chris Zeurcher and Lori Ellison-Zeurcher strike a familiar pose with Bill Sims

Chris Zuercher and Lori Ellison-Zeurcher strike a familiar pose with Bill Sims

Billy Sims and Bill Wilson from the Wichita Business Journal.

Billy Sims and Bill Wilson from the Wichita Business Journal.

Brain Latta and David Dunn

Board member Brian Latta and franchise owner David Dunn take a moment during the grand opening.

OU Club of Wichita board members flying the colors.

OU Club of Wichita board members flying the colors.

The day was made even more special with the introduction of the club’s 2016 scholarship winners.

Scholarship Winners

Shown here with Billy are Ashley Lesser (Kapaun Mt. Carmel), Mary (Molly) Wallace (Kapaun Mt. Carmel), Scott Tesser (Rose Hill), and Allison Herreen (Andover).

Seam Waugh soars at School of Meteorology

Sean Waugh works on weather lab vehicle

Sean Waugh at work on science lab on wheels, part of his work at the OU school of Meteorology and the National Severe Storms Lab in Norman, Oklahoma

Sean Waugh, a 2005 High School graduate of Arkansas City, was a 2005-06 OU Club of Wichita scholarship recipient. Sean is a Meteorology student at the University of Oklahoma and has so far obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. He plans to receive his Ph.D. in Meteorology in May of 2016.

As a junior at OU, he received the Outstanding Junior Award in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences for 2007-2008. This award is based on GPA, the number of hours completed and participation in service activities on the OU campus. Sean has been actively involved with the Weather Festival at the National Weather Center and organizes weather balloon launches at the event each year.

He was the recipient of the Lloyd Noble Trailblazer Scholarship Award which is granted to the outstanding junior in college. During his junior year, he was selected as a Hollings Scholarship recipient, a prestigious national recognition. This scholarship included a paid internship at a NOAA office of his choosing, and gave Sean access into the National Severe Storms Lab (NSSL) and started his research career. Since becoming involved with NSSL, he has assisted in many different research projects, including traveling to Galveston, Tx to test new mobile radar equipment during Hurricane Ike.

Sean Waugh working with youngsters at the National Weather Festival.

Sean Waugh working with youngsters at the National Weather Festival.

As a senior at OU, he was an integral part of tornado research project called VORTEX2 (Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment). He designed and built vehicles for the project and drove one of the lead vehicles as the convoy of 100 scientists and 40 specialized vehicles traveled 11 states for over a month, during the 2009 and 2010 severe weather season. Since then, his work at the lab has continued to grow and he has become the foremost point of contact when designing instrumentation for field campaigns.

Sean currently works for the University of Oklahoma in the National Weather Center in Norman and the National Severe Storms Lab, while working on finishing up his Ph.D. studies.

Meet the 2015 Scholarship Recipients

Thank you notes from scholarship recipients

Thank you notes from scholarship recipients

Four Wichita-area students awarded scholarships from the OU Club of Wichita.
All begin their OU careers in the fall of 2015.

Send notes of thanks to club

They are Hannah Day from Wichita Northwest, Garrett Holmes from Maize South, Kyndal Pistotnik and Zachary Seabrook, both from Andover.

Hannah Day graduated first in her class with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She intends to study architectural engineering.

What Hannah says, “”I realize that I could take out a loan, but I hope to be able to graduate with little or no debt so I can put all my future income towards graduate school rather than paying off old school debt. The less money I have to pay back, the sooner I will be able to afford graduate school and pursue my dream career.”

What others say about Hannah –
“Hannah is not only a joy to work with but a wonderful example, hard worker and determined to succeed. Quitting is not in her vocabulary.” Gail Starns, Bethel Life Center.

“Hannah is amazingly gifted in mathematics…she is a brilliant student.” Roger Powell, NW Mathematics Teacher

“In my 26 years of teaching, I have encountered few students who have the many talents and outstanding character that Hannah exhibits.” Jim Woody, Gifted Facilitator, NW High School

Garrett Holmes is a football player and swimmer who graduated 7th is his class at Maize South. He finished at Maize South with a 4.0 grade point average and will study Biology and pre-med at OU.

What Garrett says, “”I have always had an interest in the human body and in science, but until then, I did not know which career path I would follow.
My family members’ cancer diagnosis triggered my drive to assist others. Seeing disease strip away my dad and sister’s goals made me realize my own fortune.”
What other say about Garrett
“Leader among his peers.” Brady Berman, Church Pastor

“Teachers, not just his peers, have recognized him for his leadership abilities and athletic excellence.” Greg Shelly, Teacher

Kyndal Pistotnik takes a 4.0 grade point average to OU where she’ll study Mechanical Engineering and Pre-Med. She is well rounded in school participation. She is a student athlete (tennis & swimming), student government representative and a volunteer with the American Heart Association.
What Kyndal says, “”I do not just want to make an impact in one person’s life, but change the world. I plan to be an innovator, using abstract thinking to find cures and better outcomes for previously unbeaten problems.”

What others say about Kyndal
“Kyndal is one of the hardest working and most focused students that I have ever had in class.” Cathy McGuire, Math Teacher

“She has exhibited reliability, care and responsibility.” Pam Meyers, Animal Foster Care Coordinator

Zachary Seabrook claims to have been an OU fan since the days he was born. The high school basketball and football player is undecided as to his course of study. He graduated 20th in his class at Andover.

What Zach says, “My parents have generously offered to cover my in state expenses but out of state expenses is my responsibility, this scholarship would go a long way in helping me reach my goal.”

What others say about Zach

“I can say without reservation that he is a commendable student who exhibits strong leadership qualities. He is an admirable representative of Andover High School and a worthy candidate for scholarship recognition.” Jon M. Lee, English Instructor and Head Football Coach, Andover High School.