LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” found its way into Walter Hall’s Governance Room Friday.
The recorded performance that went viral of the Marching 110 playing that song was one of OU President Roderick McDavis’ “Points of Pride” during his presentation at the Board of Trustees full board meeting.
McDavis also spoke about composing a letter of protest regarding the sale of leases for hydraulic fracturing in Wayne National Forest. After consulting with OU’s Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee as well as the President’s Advisory Council of Sustainability, McDavis wrote encouraging the U.S Bureau of Land Management to “take time to ensure” that the process would be beneficial.
“I wanted to weigh in on that issue and address that stoppage is a positive sign,” McDavis said.
McDavis also discussed Chancellor Jim Petro’s Enterprise University Plan, which aims to provide relief from state mandates for state universities and create a scholarship fund for students with who qualify through both merit and need.
A committee has been formed with the city of Athens to develop a Memorandum of Understanding. McDavis said he hopes the memorandum will strengthen OU’s ties with Athens — an example of which is OU’s role in buying a new ladder fire truck for Athens.
“We have had good relations with the city in the past,” McDavis said. “We wanted to write this memorandum and put our agreements into writing.”
McDavis recognized OU’s Fulbright Scholars; 22 applied for the scholarship this year.
“We are very proud of this,” he said. “Our students compete, and they compete very well.”
He also highlighted student efforts by recognizing the students working at the Statehouse News Bureau, a new program the Scripps College of Communication helped to create, and Zachary Schumacher, an OU student who recently presented at a conference in Amsterdam.
McDavis discussed Senator George Voinovich, an OU alumnus, who was recently honored when OU named the Voinovich Seminar Room in Alden Library. Voinovich was named OHIO Visiting Professor of Leadership and Public Affairs.
McDavis also spotlighted the College of Business for its recent successes. Several students spoke about their experiences in the business college, and College of Business Dean Hugh Sherman indicated that beginning with the incoming class next year, under semesters, business students would be required to complete an internship before they graduate.
“I feel encouraged our futures are so secure with these young people,” Trustee Gene Harris said.
sj950610@ohiou.edu
