Alumni News

Belinda Allyn (BM Music Theater ’12) is starring as Belle in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Beauty and the Beast” in New Jersey.

Cedric Bond (BA History ’14, JD ’17) is an attorney for the Federman & Sherwood firm.

Ali Bradley (BFA Acting ’17) was crowned Miss Greenville County in South Carolina.

Kristin Chenoweth (BM Musical Theatre ’91, MM ’93, DHL ’13):

• ...was featured in a feature story in The Oklahoman about her May 14th concert at the Civic Center.
• ...was included in a Times Connection story headlined “10 celebrities you didn’t know were adopted”.

Paul M. Doolittle (JD ‘87) of Jacksonville, FL, now mediates Longshore as well as Defense Base Act cases, full time, throughout the U.S.

Laura L. (Simpson) Drumb (BA ‘70) has self-published her debut novel, available in both e-book and paperback formats. An award-winning Christian historical romance, From Now Until Forever is set in 1853 Indian Territory and tells the story of the impact of one woman’s faith on the Kiowa warrior who takes her captive. The second novel in the Forever series, Together We Stand Forever, will be released later in 2019, with the third one due out early next year.

The Jerusalem Post ran a story about Drew Feldman (BFA Acting ’13) and the video production company he co-founded, Cinemad Productions. In a quote, he called OCU “one of the jewels of the South in terms of their performing arts program”.

Melissa Ford (BPA Dance ’04) joined MTH Theater at Crown Center in as director of development.

Ronald C. Griffin (JD '99) was appointed United States magistrate judge in the Midland/Odessa division of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Andrea MacMullin (BM Instrumental Performance ’88) will present Morning Music on Saturday in the downstairs museum of the Arcadia Round Barn.

Tabbatha Mays (non-degree, ’01), founder and executive director of Spirits Landing after-school program, was in a Q&A story posted in Thrive Global.

Kelli O'Hara (BM Vocal Performance ‘98, Honorary DHL ‘15):

• ...earned her seventh career Tony Award nomination with a Best Performance by an Actress nomination for her role in “Kiss Me, Kate.”
• O’Hara appeared on NBC’s "Today" show Tuesday for an interview and cast performance.
• The Hollywood Reporter featured her in a story and podcast.
• ...was included in Playbill's story, "Schools of the Stars: Where the 2019 Tony Nominees Went to College".

Chip Morgan (MBA ’87) is executive vice president and chief operating officer of OMRF.

Peter Markes (BM Instrumental Education ’01) was pictured performing at the Festival of the Arts in a photo page in The Oklahoman.

Barbara McAlister (BA Music ’64) will give a presentation Thursday for the Muskogee County Historical Society.

Bob Ravitz (JD ’76) received the Journal Record Award during the Oklahoma County Bar Association’s annual Law Day luncheon.

Karen Scott (BA Mass Comm/Broadcast ’12) was the subject of a Muskogee Phoenix Health Spotlight.

Tony A. Scott (JD ’91) will be honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from East Central University in Ada in May.

Herbert Sim (BA Liberal Studies ’10) was named chief marketing officer at Cryptology Exchange.

Lyndy Franklin Smith (BPA Dance ’02) and Jeromy Smith (BS Dance Management), co-founders of the Lexington Theatre Company’s summer season, were in a story in The Lexington Herald.

Kathryn Wayne-Spindler (JD ’94) was featured in a business profile story in The Spinal Column newspaper in Michigan.

Belinda Allyn (BM Music Theater ’12) is in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Benny & Joon” in New Jersey.

A column in the Pawhuska Journal-Capital by Patti Beth Anderson (Speech Theatre ’84) mentions her chance encounter with fellow OCU alumnus in China.

Kristin Chenoweth (BM Musical Theatre ’91, MM ’93, DHL ’13):

• Chenoweth is performing a concert in Idaho Falls in October.
• Chenoweth received the Philanthropist Award during Tuesday’s GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards in Washington, D.C.

Allison Cowan, M.D. (BM '02) will be promoted to the rank of Associate Professor at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in July of 2019.

Sara Edwards (BPA Dance ’04) returned to campus earlier this month to talk with students about her success as a performer and career as an associate choreographer. Edwards has extensive performance experience and has worked on numerous Broadway productions and national tours with high profile talent. As an associate choreographer, she prepared Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce, Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber and Donna Murphy for Broadway’s “Hello, Dolly!” She went on to re-stage the production for the national tour. Before that, she was resident director/choreographer on Broadway’s “After Midnight,” which won the Tony Award for Best Choreography.

Stephanie Francis (BM Music Education ’18) was accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Vanuatu on April 28 to begin training as an education volunteer.

Brintha Gardner (MBA ’04) will be returning to Oklahoma City next month for an author showcase event for her children’s book "The Amazing Adventures of Little Right Sock." The Barnes & Noble bookstore near Quail Springs mall is hosting the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4.

Keith Hines Jr. (MA Musical Theatre ’07) is playing Thomas Jefferson in the Muny production of “1776” in St. Louis.

Sasha Hutchings (BPA ’11) played a dancer in the season premiere of the FX series “Fosse/Verdon,” which was broadcast Tuesday.

Ken Jacome (BS Physical Education ’91) was featured in a story about coaching baseball for the Pima College Aztecs in The Arizona Daily Star in Tucson.

Tanisha LaRaye (BA Theatre Performance ’08; MLA ’10) acted in and co-directed the historical documentary film “Voices of the Golden Ghosts”.

Peter Markes (BM Instrumental Education ’01) will play three shows at this year’s Festival of the Arts, starting with a solo performance at 11 a.m. today. He will join fellow OCU alumnus Kyle Dillingham (BM Instrumental Performance ’02) & Horseshoe Road for a show at 7:30 p.m. tonight, and will play a second solo session from 2 to 4 p.m. on the festival closing day Sunday. The Oklahoman ran a front-page story about Markes today.

Jason Martinek (Prior Learning & University Studies ’97; MBA ’01) was hired as senior vice president in the commercial loan department at First State Bank.

Elliott Mattox (MA Musical Theater ’14) is in the ensemble of a Broadway production of "Beetlejuice."

Barbara McAlister (BA Music ’64) was featured in The Muskogee Phoenix about receiving the Governor’s Arts Award.

The Amarillo Police Department dedicated a classroom to its former Chief Jerry Neal (deceased ‘18; Arts & Sciences ’73 & ’75).

Kelli O'Hara (BM Vocal Performance ‘98, Honorary DHL ‘15) was featured in a story in the Mansion Global, "Kelly O'Hara and Her Five Favorite Items,” which includes a photo of her with voice professor Florence Birdwell as one of her treasures.

The Oklahoman ran a story about Tuesday’s Governor’s Arts Awards, mentioning dance Chair Jo Rowan and alumna Barbara McAlister (BA Music ’64) as honorees, Sarah Coburn (MM Vocal Performance ’01) as a featured performer, and including a photo of OCU dance students in attendance.

Emma J. Payne (JD ’16), a trial lawyer and former federal judicial clerk, joined the McAfee & Taft firm.

Steven D. Powell (BS Nursing ’14) was named one of the Top 150 Nurses for this year’s Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses.

Tara Roberts (MS Energy Legal Studies ’17) was appointed vice president of business development for Foothills Exploration, an independent oil and gas exploration company engaged in properties in the Rockies.

Dusty Reasons Thomas (MA Theater ’07) is directing the North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre production of “Steel Magnolias.”

Gabrielle Ruiz (BPA ’07) was in a feature Q&A story in the Texas Monthly, and she was quoted as stating being accepted to OCU “was the best thing that ever happened to me”.

Nathan Sammons (BS Biology ’99) was awarded Louisiana State University-Alexandria’s Bolton Award for teaching excellence for 2018-19. Sammons is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and was the recipient of LSUA’s Teaching Innovation Award last year

Matthew Schultz (BA Music Theater Performance ’09) was named president of the Stuhr Museum Foundation in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Misti Shaw (BM '01) has been awarded tenure at the Cook Music Library at Indiana University after three years in her position as Head of Music Library Public Services and Outreach at the rank of Associate Professor.

Christopher Smith (JD ’98), a 19th Judicial District Court judge, was in a feature story in The Collegian, the Southwestern College student newspaper in Winfield, Kansas.

The Journal Record ran a photo of state Rep. Collin Walke (JD ’08) giving the Law Firm of Distinction award during a ceremony at the law school.

Buzz Williams (BS Physical Education ’94) was named men’s basketball coach for the Texas A&M Aggies. Additional stories about Williams’ coaching position were in the CBB Today and the Dallas Morning News SportsDay.

John K. Williams (JD ’73) joined the law firm of Fellers Snider.

Bill Boudreau (MBA ’84) donated to the Seminole State College Language Arts and Humanities Division’s Howlers and Yawpers Creativity Symposium.

Heather Botts (Musical Theatre ’12) is in the Lincoln Center Theater production of “My Fair Lady.”

Kristin Chenoweth (BM Musical Theatre ’91, MM ’93, DHL ’13) is performing at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California, March 22.

Melinda Coburn (BM Vocal Performance ’07), a kindergarten volunteer in Colorado, was the topic of the “Left Hand Laurel” series in the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper.

Christina Melton Crain (JD ’91) was appointed to the University of Texas System Board of Regents.

Brandon Creighton (JD ’98) is a Republican state senator for Conroe, Texas.

Kyle Dillingham (Music Instrumental Performance ‘02) performed in Thailand, reprising his role in the stage production of “Lilit Phra Lor.”

Harold L. Dump II (JD ’10) became an associate circuit judge of Henry County in Missouri.

A panel discussion at this year’s annual meeting of the Association of American Law Schools on political polarization included two OCU law alumni ─ former Oklahoma Congressman and Harvard professor Mickey Edwards (JD ’74), and former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and current trustee T.W. Shannon (JD ’04).

Nicole Mikala Ferguson (BM Musical Theater ’11) is part of Fiasco Theater's off-Broadway production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”

Michael A. Ferrara (Music ’09-’10) is conducting the New American Songbook Orchestra's inaugural performance in New York City on Sunday.

Joe Gappa (JD ’91) was named general counsel of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Katie Goffman (Musical Theatre ’09) was featured in the world premiere of “Clueless the Musical.”

The Oklahoman ran a story about the Governor’s Arts Awards, which will honor dance Chairwoman Jo Rowan and alumni Barbara McAlister (BA Music ’64) and Juanita Pahdopony (MEd ’90).

Oklahoma City University will host a reading and book signing for author and alumnus Brandon Hobson (BA English ’92) at 7 p.m. March 20 in the University Center Great Hall. Hobson was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for his novel “Where the Dead Sit Talking.” The book, set in rural Oklahoma during the late 1980s, follows two Native American teens’ experiences in the foster care system as they try to navigate relationships and their own emotional scars. The book reached number one on Oklahoma’s Bestseller List, and it made the best book lists for 2018 from NPR’s “Code Switch,” Kirkus Reviews, and Southern Living magazine.

Kari Hoffhines (JD ’10), a director at Crowe & Dunley and member of the firm’s Real Estate and Banking & Financial Institutions Practice Groups, was featured in The Edmond Sun's “Someone You Should Know” series.

Theresa Hottel (BA English '15) recently completed her MFA in creative writing at Columbia University and has just been named one of nine artists-in-residence at the National Homestead Monument of America in Nebraska. She will live at the restored prairie National Parks site while working on her novel that explores human relationships with the environment.

Ronnie Irani (MBA ’90) joined the Seven Generations Energy board of directors.

Jane Jayroe Gamble (BM '69):

• The Oklahoman ran a feature story about her new book, "Practice: Unleashing the Power of Faith."
• OCU alumna and trustee was featured in a story in 405 magazine about Jackie Cooper, whose family founded the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund and its Red Tie Night fundraiser. Cooper, who opened the “Cooperville” complex of car dealerships, loaned cars to Jayroe Gamble for her statewide tours as Miss America 1967.

Louise Goldberg (MM Piano Performance ’78) is performing a concert May 10 at the UCO Jazz Lab.

Jeffry Grogan, Orchestral Activities Director was named to the Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis Master Educator Program.

This year’s Achievers Under 40 list in The Journal Record newspaper include three OCU alumni:

• Tim Gallegly (Finance ’03, JD ’13) of the Crowe & Dunlevy law firm
• Collin Walke (JD ’08) of the Walke Law Firm, and
• Erick Worrell (BA Public Relations ’07) of the ghost marketing firm.

John Kennedy (BA History ’76) was appointed to the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma board of trustees.

Hannah Leffler (BA Instrumental Performance ’09) is performing at Adams State University in Colorado as part of the Woodwired duo.

Jeff Luke's (Music ’87) arrangements are featured on the award-winning debut studio CD by Seraph Brass.

Kris Woolly Markes (MBAM ’01) was appointed interim executive director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. A longtime member of the Philharmonic's leadership team, she joined the organization as an intern in 2001, working her way up to general manager.

Elliott Mattox (Musical Theatre ’14) returned to Broadway in “Beetlejuice The Musical.” Previews begin March 28 before a scheduled April 25 opening.

Alyson Morse (BS Human Performance ’18) presented a research poster titled “Energy Expenditure Between Bicep Curl Set Configuration” at the annual Northwest Chapter meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Bend, Oregon. Morse completed the research before graduating last spring.

Nida Nadir (JD ’07) was promoted to managing attorney of The Gibson Law Group.

Mary Beth Nelson (BM Vocal Performance ’14) made her Bronx Opera debut as the Secretary in Menotti’s “The Consul.”

Minami Okamura (Music ’09) was cast as Milo Davenport in the Japanese-language version of “An American in Paris” with the Shiki Theatre Company.

Kelli O’Hara (BM Vocal Performance ‘98, Honorary DHL ‘15):

• Sang the role of Fiona in Ghostlight Records' New York City Center cast recording of “Brigadoon.”
• Earned her first nomination for the Olivier Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in London theater, in the Best Actress in a Musical category for her role in "The King and I” on London's West End. The West End reprise of her Tony-winning performance as Anna Leonowens in “The King and I” is now available via BroadwayHD.
• Will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award during the Drama League Awards in New York City on May 17.

Luke S. Pitman (MBA ’11) was promoted to vice president and lending officer of NBC Oklahoma.

Gabrielle Ruiz (BPA ’07) was featured in a Forbes Q&A story about her career and her time on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend."

Molly Rushing (Musical Theatre ’12) was a cast member of “Anastasia” on Broadway.

Sarasota Opera's February production of Puccini's Turandot features three alumni singers: mezzo-soprano apprentice artist Liz Wasson (Vocal Performance ’17) was a member of the chorus, while studio artist Samuel Schlievert (Opera Performance ’17), tenor, sang the role of Pang, and studio artist Caitlin Crabill (Opera Performance ’16), soprano, covered the title role.

Jay Wadley (Music Composition ’05), past president of OCU’s Project 21 and co-founder of NYC-based Found Objects Music Productions, is scoring the new Netflix series “Tales of the City.” He also recently scored the indie drama “Adam,” which makes its debut at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and the indie comedy “Olympic Dreams,” premiering this month at the SXSW Film Festival.

Robert Watson’s (Vocal Performance ’11) continues to receive rave reviews for his debut as the title character in “Les Contes d'Hoffmann” at Deutsche Oper Berlin. Critic Aka Imamura noted: "tenor Robert Watson in the title role had a handsome stage presence, with muscular and ringing voice...his inexhaustible stamina served him well." He performed as Cavaradossi in Tosca before making his Kennedy Center debut in the role May 11-25 at Washington National Opera.

Manjia “Coco” Zhao (MBMK ’02) was appointed to serve as a member of the board and as secretary of Moregain Pictures.

Belinda Allyn (BA Music Theater ’12) is a standby for the character of Joon in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Benny & Joon” in New Jersey.

Rachel Caid (M.Ed. in Early Childhood/Montessori ’18) received the Golden Apple award as a first-year teacher at Emerson Public Montessori School in Tulsa.

James Cooper (MFA Creative Writing ’15), alumnus and film studies professor, won the election Tuesday for Oklahoma City’s Ward 2 city council seat.

Peyton Crim (BA Vocal Performance ’09) is playing one of the actors in “The Play That Goes Wrong” in Tulsa and was featured in a story in the Tulsa World.

Suvir Dhar (JD ’07), a Simmons Hanly Conroy firm shareholder focusing on mesothelioma litigation, was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty list for 2019.

Kyle Dillingham (Music Instrumental Performance ‘02) is performing at the Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Women’s Auxiliary annual Celebration of Hope fundraising event on April 10.

Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley (MBA ’85), president of the Higher Learning Commission in Chicago, Illinois, was named an International Honorary Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Fewer than 40 people have received the honor in its 100-year history.

Michael Harker (BA English ’99), a professor at Georgia State University, is co-editor of a new book, “The Archive as Classroom: Pedagogical Approaches to the Digital Archive of Literacy Narratives.”

Allen L. Hutson (JD ’10), attorney for the Crowe & Dunlevy firm, began his second term on the Oklahoma Bar Foundation’s 2019 board of trustees.

Tinasha La Raye (BA Theatre Performance ‘08, MA Liberal Arts ’10) performed a spoken word piece for a Black History Month celebration in California.

John David Luton (JD ’85) was sworn in as the new special judge in Wagoner County.

Kelli O’Hara (BM Vocal Performance ‘98, Honorary DHL ‘15), who is starring in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of “Kiss Me, Kate” in New York City in March, was featured in a Backstage magazine feature story.

Todd Pauley (JD ’06) was named director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives.

Shannon Warren (MLA ’11), CEO and founder of the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium, was featured in The Oklahoman’s Executive Q&A series.

Emily Webster (BS Chemistry ’15), former OCU wrestler, was named to the Sedalia Schools Athletic Hall of Fame in Missouri.

Dr. Shakenna K. Williams (MBA ’01) was named director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Global Initiative at Babson College.

Travis Barnes (BS Nursing ’09 & JD ’09), RN at the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, was in an Oklahoma’s Nursing Times profile story.

Teri Bibb (BM ’82) will play Abigail Adams in a 2019 California production of the Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone musical "1776" from Jan. 13 through Feb. 3. Bibb was featured in The Oklahoman.

Brian Cowing (BM Musical Theatre ’12) is in the second national tour of “Something Rotten!”

Edgar Cruz (BA ’86) and his performing career as a guitarist was a feature story in The Oklahoman.

Nick Drago (BPA ’03) was featured in the Cross & Crescent, the magazine of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

Dennis Franks (MBA ’84), CEO of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, was in a profile story in the Chanute Tribune in Kansas.

Charles Gass (JD ’81) was appointed special judge for Canadian County.

Daniel Gerber (JD ’13) was featured in The Dallas Business Journal regarding a story about the general counsel of Summit Financial and as a finalist for the 2018 Outstanding Corporate Counsel’s General Counsel of the Year Award for a Small Legal Department.

Paul Kapsner (MBA ’90) was named global vice president of sales for CathWorks, a medical technology company.

Karli McMurray (JD ’11) was in a feature story in The Odessa American in Texas about her efforts to provide clean water to villages in Ghana through the One Love Worldwide charity.

Andrea Nesbitt (M Education ’18), Casady School teacher, was selected for the American Montessori Society Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program. From a national application pool, Nesbitt was one of 14 selected. She will take part in professional development, experience in-depth mentorship, and collaborate monthly with the other fellows through video conferencing and online forums.

Ashton Parrack (BM Vocal Performance ’17) is playing Agent Melody in an Off-Broadway production of "Rhythm Boom Boom” and in the production’s 60-city tour of China.

Steven Powell (BS Nursing ’14) started a two-year appointment this month to the American Nurses Association’s Political Action Committee.

Carman Rainbolt (JD ’03) will become the assistant district attorney for Okmulgee and McIntosh counties this month.

Ariel Richardson (BFA ’16) is making her Northlight Theatre debut as Sephronia in “Nina Simone: Four Women” in Skokie, Illinois.

Benjamin Rivera (BPA ’14) will make his debut Sunday in a major televised production in the live broadcast of the musical “Rent.”

Jerry Steichen (BM ’86) was selected as the next conductor of the Longview Symphony in Texas.

Emma Velez (BA ’13), a former political science and philosophy major and SGA president, published an articleon the Women in Philosophy blog titled “Why the Decolonial Imaginary Matters for Women in Philosophy.” The article is about her experience of visiting liberal arts universities to encourage students of color to consider graduate study in philosophy.

Eric Waltman (BFA Film Production ’13) was named production operator for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).

Alice Wasson (JD ’03) joined the Gilmore & Bell, P.C., firm as lead compliance counsel for its Kansas City office.

Erick Worrell (BA Public Relations ’07) was named vice president of client service and creative strategy for Ghost, an Oklahoma City-based creative agency. Worrell will oversee the agency’s client relationships and copywriting, and will help guide the agency’s positioning and presence in the OKC market.