PETREE SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES - Spring 2023
David Grann gives a presentation on “Killers of the Flower Moon” for the Martha Jean Lemon Distinguished Speaker Serie
OCU hosted David Grann, bestselling author of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” for the Martha Jean Lemon Distinguished Speaker Series in September 2022. Grann gave a talk titled “Killers of the Flower Moon: the Arc of Justice” with Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear of the Osage Nation participating in the event.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” swept the literary world upon its publication in 2017 as a shocking, dramatic true story of murder and injustice against a Native American tribe in Northeastern Oklahoma. In the 1920s, Osage Nation citizens became some of the wealthiest people in the world after oil reserves were discovered in the territory on which they were forcefully relocated years before. Subsequent brutal killings followed, which became known as the “Reign of Terror,” as Osage citizens were murdered to obtain control of their wealth.
During his talk, Grann illuminated how the struggle for Native American rights extends from the first contact with whites to the present day with Standing Rock. Grann highlighted the saga of the Osage and documented how one of the most sinister crimes in American history connects to Native Americans’ current fight to control their land and resources.
“Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” spent more than 30 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and ranked first on Amazon’s Single Best Books of the Year. The highly anticipated film adaptation with Martin Scorcese as director and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Brendan Fraser is scheduled for release later this year.
Dean Amy Cataldi participates in Tinker Air Force Base Honorary Commander program
Petree College of Arts & Sciences Dean Amy Cataldi was one of 17 leaders from across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area chosen to participate in the Tinker Air Force Base Honorary Commander program in 2022. The program develops integral interpersonal relationships to better learn and understand how each partner's activities impact the community and Tinker Air Force Base. In October, Cataldi had the opportunity to participate in an aerial refueling flight with the 507th Air Refueling Wing.
OCU Valorant team named national winner
The OCU Valorant team claimed the National Association of Collegiate Esports Varsity Plus National Grand Finals title. The competition was a best-of-three event with the athletes competing for more than two hours. This is the first national championship title for the OCU Esports program. Team members included Edward Bennett, Ryan McLaughlin, Kaleb Cosgrave, Karl Huber, and Cooper Patrick.
First Breakfast with Santa community event at OKC’s Overholser Mansion
Students from the fall 2022 Mass Communication Media Relations and Event Management course helped plan and execute the first Breakfast with Santa community event at Overholser Mansion. Course instructor and Preservation Oklahoma Executive Director Chantry Banks oversaw the collaboration to provide hands-on experience for OCU students.
Art show Realm created with student assistance
Students from the OCU Special Topics course taught by Norick Art Center Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery Director Heather K. Lunsford with acclaimed artist-in-residence Jason Hackenwerth created a sculpture from balloons for their on-campus show, Realm. Students worked alongside Hackenwerth, whose work can be seen at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, to create the ephemeral work.