Author Archives: TU Community

Tuesday with Tulsa: The Honors Program

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Today’s Tuesday with Tulsa blog post was written by Dr. Denise Dutton, Assistant Provost & Director of the Honors Program at TU.

Yesterday I had the privilege of talking about the Honors Program here at TU with some prospective students who were participating in Tulsa Time. It happened to be Presidents’ Day. And so, unsurprisingly, as I described how the Honors seminars invite students to investigate the big question, “What constitutes a well-lived life?” I was struck by the similarities between the virtues that mark great statesmanship and the habits of mind honed by our Honors scholars. In the course of reflecting upon just two of these similarities, I hope to give you a taste of the kind of intellectual community that grows out of our Honors seminars and the larger tradition of living freely and deliberately of which it is a part. Continue reading →

Study Abroad Guest Blog

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Arriving in Oxford

Grace W., one of our University Ambassadors, is studying abroad at Worcester College at Oxford this semester. Grace is a junior at TU, double-majoring in Biochemistry and Philosophy. Here is a peek at Grace’s blog from across the pond:

We took the bus up from London and arrived in Oxford around lunchtime. We were escorted around to our different rooms to drop off our things and then hurried to lunch where the four of us who came through IFSA Butler met another visiting student named Victoria. Lunch was Thai curry, there seems to be a universal British agreement to make up for the lack of interest in their own traditional foods by adopting those of various different ethnicities. Afterwards, we did the necessary paperwork and forms. It doesn’t seem to matter what University you go to, everyone has the system of having to register online but not being able to get online until after you register… More interestingly, we went on a quick tour of Worcester (pronounced Wooster or even Woosta) and the surrounding area in Oxford. Worcester was founded as a Benedictine house of study in the 15th century, and was closed when the Church of England separated and all of the monasteries were closed. In the 18th century it was re-founded by a man from Worcestershire for which it was named. Here is some more information if anyone is interested http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester_College,_Oxford. The effect is a very interesting mix of old buildings and older buildings (most say old and new, but being from Texas, 18th century seems quite old to me as well). One doesn’t expect to see 15th century cottages on the same quad as rather palatial 18thcentury buildings, but the effect is quite intriguing. The lake and the gardens were the prettiest part. I can’t wait till it gets just a little bit warmer and I can go running around the lake! Here are a few pictures:

Front Entrance

Benedictine Cottages

Courtyard

Traditional Staircase

Thanks, Grace! The pictures are beautiful! We will check in with you periodically and publish some of your blog posts here so our prospectives students can follow you on your adventures abroad. Have a great semester.

Tuesday with Tulsa: MIS Faculty Member

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Today’s Tuesday with Tulsa blog post was written by Dr. Lori Leonard, Associate Professor of MIS at The University of Tulsa. We asked her to tell us about the Management Information Systems program at TU. Here’s what she had to say…

I am often asked about the MIS program and why it is less heard of than other business programs such as accounting and finance.  My answer generally is, “when people hear the word computers, they immediately think of computer science.”  MIS is business-based, where as computer science is not.  If you like technology and business, read on to learn more about what an MIS degree can do for you.

What is the value of a Management Information Systems (MIS) degree?  MIS involves designing information systems that make the business run better and developing technological solutions that match the business needs.  That means that a fundamental understanding of business is needed along with considering the value of computer technology.  MIS is difficult to outsource because the MIS professional has to be present to interact with other business units on a daily basis in order to ensure the technology is working for them.  Since all businesses use technology, every industry needs MIS majors, which means many job opportunities!  MIS is a great major because it allows movement into different job functions as you progress through your career as well.

Why join the MIS program at TU?  The MIS program enjoys small classes with a few, dedicated faculty.  The program has approximately 45 majors which means that class sizes are anywhere between 10 and 20.  The MIS professors know each student’s name and care about the success of the students.  Students also are able to interact with the same peers in projects throughout their MIS courses.  That translates into a lot of individualized attention and hands-on interaction!

Do MIS students find internships and full-time employment?  Typically, there is 100% placement in MIS positions.  That is because there is a shortage of MIS students versus MIS positions.  This is good news for a prospective MIS student!  Not only is placement high but the average starting salary is $55,000, with some starting salaries being in the high-$60s.  Starting MIS jobs typically fall into one of three categories: (1) designing technology solutions for businesses whose core business in not technology, (2) consulting with different clients to develop and deploy solutions, or (3) providing technical sales and service support.  There are also internship opportunities.  While internships are not required for the MIS degree, many students are employed in paid summer internships that can translate into full-time positions upon completion.

How can I find out more about the MIS degree program?  The MIS faculty are always glad to discuss how MIS can fit in your future.  Call, write, or stop by anytime! Dr. Lori Leonard, lori-leonard@utulsa.edu, (918) 631-2787, Helmerich Hall, Room 313.

Caution: Extreme awesomeness ahead

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It’s Emily here. I won’t lie: this semester got off to a rough start. There really isn’t anything quite like getting strep twice in a row to zap your energy and excitement. But starting this week, I will (finally!) not be on an antibiotic. Plus, Thursday is my birthday! I LOVE birthdays. Things are really looking up.

On Wednesday, I’m going to see They Might be Giants at Cain’s. I’ve seen TMBG in concert before and they put on an energetic show packed with fan favorites. Yay!

Thursday is my birthday(!!). I wish I could get myself a kitty, but I’m going to have to continue yearning for a feline friend for a little bit longer. As soon as I move in to a pet-friendly place I am going to the shelter! I’m also going to try really hard not to buy myself every pair of shoes I want for my birthday. This is challenging. I have a (not so) secret, shameful addiction.

But seriously, can you blame me?

Saturday there will be brunch, which I think is a classy, under-21 friendly birthday celebration activity. Plus, Tulsa is brimming with awesome, reasonable brunch places. Seriously, when I lived in DC I missed the brunch here. It is that good. After brunch my boyfriend has promised to take me shooting, which is one of those when-in-Rome activities I have actually started to enjoy.

The brunch here is heaven.

Sunday is the Super Bowl, and while my beloved Steelers choked, at least I get to cheer for the hometown favorite Giants. I’m still a little sore about the Steelers loss, since I expected much better from them and just bought a Mendenhall jersey over winter break. Now I have to wait until next season to wear it again. Alas.

Monday my friend Nathan and I start training for the OKC Memorial half marathon. Running a marathon last semester was fun and all, but I’m looking forward to catching a few more z’s on Saturday morning. Nathan won my eternal devotion by naming his goldfish after enzymes (cpd photolyase and executioner caspase). On Monday I will also be going to the Polyphonic Spree concert at Cain’s(!).

I hope your week ahead is just as exciting! Here’s to getting back on track and making my last semester at TU one to remember!

Victory Lap

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Work it

This is how excited I am to graduate!

It’s Emily here.

This week marks the beginning of the last semester of my senior year, and I am counting down the days until graduation. Last semester, a combination of class, my internship, and writing for the Collegian put a damper on the frequency of my blog posts. This semester is just as crowded (and the job search is piling additional items onto my list of things to do), but I still plan to be more consistent.

I’m planning to make some other changes this semester:

    • My boyfriend and I have started cooking on a more regular basis. We trade off days and basically cook the cheapest meals we possibly can while using minimally processed foods. Some of my posts will probably include our creations.
    • I’m going to try to go to more events on campus. The biology department is in the process of hiring a new faculty member and is hosting talks given by the applicants. I like to think of these as auditions, and they’re a fun way to learn a little bit more about topics that come up in class (and some that don’t).
    • I’m going to get out more. And by out, I mean off campus, maybe even out of Tulsa. Last weekend I went to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and it was amazing. I’m doing a story on my visit for the Collegian this week! I also want to get down to some of the museums in OKC.
    • I’m going to lift weights. Any ability I once had to do a proper pushup has basically evaporated. It’s embarrassing.
rawr

See this girl? I want her arms

I hope you guys also have great goals for the year. For those of you about to graduate from high school, this is the year you will start college!

I obsessed with Laura Marling lately (Mumford and Sons got their start as her backup band), so I leave you with her incredible voice:

Tuesday with Tulsa: TU Treks

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Today’s Tuesday with Tulsa post comes to us from Corey H., the former president of TU Treks, a student organization on campus.

Hello Prospective Students!

My name is Corey H., and I am a sophomore Petroleum Engineering student here at Tulsa! I am also the former President of TU Treks, the outdoor adventure group on campus. I am going abroad this semester, so we elected a new president for spring. We  had a fun fall, and I want to encourage you to check us out if you do decide to come to TU. Here’s our fall semester in a nut shell.

As the outdoor adventure group on campus, you may think we like camping. You’re wrong. We LOVE camping. To kick off the semester, we started with a combo camping/kayaking trip. We went to Tahlequah, OK to kayak the Illinois river. It was a lot of fun, but with some spills.

We also had a paintballing event, with great success! We played capture the flag, civil war, Alamo, and more.

We recently went camping at Greenleaf State park, where we Geocached, fished, and camped. 

We have also gone indoor rock climbing, twice! 

Overall, it has been a fun semester. TU Treks is school supported, meaning that all of these events were free! We are always looking to include new members, and your level of involvement is entirely up to you. You can plan the events with the executive council, attend meetings, or just come partake in the events! Come check us out when you arrive on campus, we look forward to Trekking with you!

Corey H