In 1985, three TU Finance alumni, Bob Prince, Bruce Currie, and Bob Harrison, and two TU faculty members, Mark Collins and Roger Bey met to discuss how support could be gained for the Finance Department and how the Finance Department could better serve TU’s Finance alumni and the Tulsa business community. From that meeting the concept of a Friends of Finance (FOF) organization was born. Today, FOF is an incredibly strong support group for TU’s School of Finance and Operations Management, has raised more than $8 million that is managed as a Student Investment Fund (SIF), and has an Executive Speaker series of nationally prominent business and public leaders. More than 200 students have received approximately $1 million in scholarships from the SIF.
Friends of Finance is an organization of business professionals, TU alumni, and supporters of the Collins College of Business. Members share a passion for business–particularly finance and operations management–and are committed to helping TU gain national prominence in these areas. In addition, Friends of Finance provides a forum where business professionals, many of them TU alumni, can network and share perspectives.
The Executive Speaker series brings leading executives to the TU campus to share their knowledge and explore important business issues. Recent speakers include Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, Bank One; Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Diana Ferguson, SVP, Sara Lee Corporation; Steve Malcolm, Chairman, President, and CEO, Williams; Lee Scott, President and CEO, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Kenneth Lewis, President, Bank of America.
Mission and Goals
Mission
The mission of Friends of Finance is to help gain national prominence for The University of Tulsa Finance and Operations Management Department’s educational programs, students, alumni, and faculty.
Goals
- Develop open and effective communication channels and regular interaction between the business and academic communities.
- Promote the professional development of our members.
- Continue to develop outstanding curricula for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Enhance student placement into business and finance careers.
- Attract nationally distinguished MS in Finance and MBA students, undergraduates, and faculty.
- Promote awareness of the accomplishments and activities of TU business alumni.
Officers and Directors
The officers and directors are committed to achieving the mission of Friends of Finance, serving the membership, and making Friends of Finance the best organization possible.
Officers
| Office | Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| President | T.D. Eureste | ONEOK, Inc. |
| Vice President | Roberta Preston | Preston Napier LLC, Adjunt Professor TU |
| Treasurer | Tanya Wilson | Arvest Bank |
| Secretary | Whittney Stauffer | The Trust Company of Oklahoma |
| Ex-Officio | Mike Neal | Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce |
Directors
| Name | Company |
|---|---|
| Amy Bailie | Rogue Monkey Media |
| Nirav Bhavsar | Williams Companies |
| Brian Brumfield | ONE Gas |
| Danny Daniels | AAON Inc. |
| Doug DeJarnette | Vast Bank |
| Kelly Taylor | ONEOK, Inc. |
| Becca Wilson | Spherexx.com |