SPRING 2013 SYMPOSIUM

Student Philanthropists of the Year

Marti Going is a multimedia journalism junior and views philanthropy as giving part of yourself through your time, talent or creativity to improve the quality of life for someone else. The Pryor native is a reporter for The Daily O’Collegian and volunteers for adult special education and Habitat for Humanity. She was a 2012 President’s Honor Roll student and received the Top Multimedia Production Junior Award.

Alysa Hooper, of Norman, is a human development and family science freshman with a passion for children. She embodies this through involvement in organizations such as Community Action Ministries, Teen Advisors of Norman, Cornerstone Kids’ Ranch and several others.

Hannah Langley is a biochemistry and molecular biology junior, and also has a heart for children. The Winfield, Kan., native organized and participated in numerous events benefitting Children’s Miracle Network and volunteered at several hospitals, among many other activities.

Rebekah Sook is a biochemistry and molecular biology freshman from Midwest City. She is active in Cru, The Biochemistry Club and the Pre-Health Club. Sook volunteers with organizations such as Feed the Children, Oklahoma Food Bank, Mission Arlington, i-Go Youth Ministries and numerous others.

Chris Stockton, a Duncan native, is a management and accounting sophomore. He volunteers with Pencils of Promise and Toys for Tots as well as being a National Fraternity Executive member, Dance Marathon Finance Director and OSU Top Ten Freshman.

Philanthropist of the Year

Sue Taylor is a philanthropist, community leader, homemaker and loyal OSU alumna. Since 1964, she and her husband, John, have supported the OSU Foundation, where both have been trustees and governors. Among their most significant gifts are establishing the College of Human Sciences’ first professorship in 1990; endowing four President’s Distinguished Scholarships; providing for the creation of Taylor’s Dining Room; and becoming Founding Partners of the Distinguished Chef Scholarship Series. She has been honored with numerous awards and served OSU loyally.

Keynote Speaker

The keynote speaker for the 2012 Spring Symposium was Holly Robinson Peete, an actress, activist, author and philanthropist. In 1996, Peete and her husband, Rodney, a former NFL quarterback, formed the nonprofit, HollyRod Foundation, with a mission to improve the quality of life for people plagued with devastating life circumstances. Peete has received numerous awards and honors for her philanthropic deeds. She believes profoundly in the power of philanthropy and lives by the motto, “Service is the rent you pay for living.”