From every corner of The University of Tulsa, our impressive students, faculty, staff, and alumni shared with us their explorations and accomplishments throughout 2024. In this end-of-year issue of Headlines & Happenings, we are highlighting a few of the stories that our readers let us know were among their favorites. We hope you enjoy revisiting – or encountering for the first time – these pieces and that they inspire you to look forward to 2025 with the excitement and optimism that are the hallmarks of the UTulsa community.

SkinCheck goes SXSW

In this story from February, we shared the news that Hurricane Venture startup SkinCheck, founded by UTulsa students Julian Abhari and Daniel Marques, had been selected as a finalist for the 16th annual global South by Southwest (SXSW) Pitch competition. Find out what happened next.

Drew’s news

Two UTulsa students received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear on national television last spring when their unique living situation at Tulsa's Montereau retirement community caught the attention of producers at “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

The highest court

The Supreme Court Fellows Commission appointed two-time UTulsa alumna Hope Forsyth as one of four 2024-25 U.S. Supreme Court Fellows. Forsyth will observe and participate in the federal judiciary's work at the highest level during this prestigious term.

MBA MVP

Collins College of Business recently welcomed back one of its most well-known alumni: Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon, who sat down for a Q&A with President Brad Carson and a standing-room-only audience of students.

Mussel memory

Walking along a riverbank in southeast Oklahoma, Professor Kenneth Roberts noticed the shells of dead mussels. Looking closer, he realized something strange about their growth layers and it gave him an idea with a big impact.

Lights, camera, classroom

Sterlin Harjo is an award-winning filmmaker, MacArthur Foundation Fellowship recipient, and creator of the Emmy-nominated series “Reservation Dogs.” His next gig? Teaching at UTulsa.

Out of the house, into the lab

Every other Wednesday, 12 home-schooled students from the Tulsa area gather to gain hands-on experience in a physics lab in The University of Tulsa’s Keplinger Hall. The program, now in its second year, has been a tremendous success.

ECE Expertise

UTulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science welcomes Hazem Refai, Ph.D., as chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. With more than 30 years of expertise, Refai is a leader in wireless technology and medical device communication.

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