In 2008, when Nicholas McGouran was deciding where to attend college, he found himself torn between two schools.
As the May 1 commitment deadline approached, his mother, Laura, encouraged him to think beyond rankings and scholarships. “I asked him which felt most like home, since it would be his home for at least four years,” she said. “He immediately responded, ‘Tulsa!’”
That decision became the beginning of a family tradition that now spans seven siblings and nearly two decades.
This fall, brothers Nathaniel and Niall McGouran will become the sixth and seventh McGouran siblings to attend The University of Tulsa, bringing the family’s UTulsa journey full circle. Nathaniel is transferring to campus to study business information systems, while Niall will begin his first year in nursing. They join older siblings Nicholas McGouran (B.S.B.A. ’12), Katlyn Lepine (B.S.B.A. ’14), Victoria Blandino (B.A. ’15), Tiffany McGouran (B.A. ’19) and Carissa Hess (B.S. ’20), who is now a graduate researcher, instructor and doctoral student at UTulsa.
The McGourans, from Duncan, Oklahoma, have always placed a high value on education. But after Nicholas found his place at UTulsa, the younger siblings saw firsthand what the university had to offer.
“Our ongoing connection has been a natural outcome of each student watching their elder siblings enjoy TU, finding community, academic success and excellent professional opportunities,” Laura said.
Although the siblings chose a wide range of academic paths, Laura said they all found the same sense of belonging.
“We believe one of the greatest human desires after having loving relationships is the need to matter,” she said. “Tulsa feels like a small town, where one is known and where one has the opportunity to make a difference. Each of our students has found their niche, a place to fit in, learn and contribute.”
Along the way, the university became more than a place where the McGouran children earned degrees. It became a backdrop for family milestones.
One of the family’s standout memories came in 2013, when Katlyn married fellow alumnus John Lepine Sr. (B.A. ’13) in Tyrrell Hall on the opening day of football season. After the ceremony, family and friends headed to H.A. Chapman Stadium to watch the Golden Hurricane complete a fourth-quarter comeback victory.
Not to be left out, Victoria and Carissa also are married to UTulsa alumni: Nicholas Blandino (B.S. ’15) and Alex Hess (Ph.D. ’23), respectively. And the connections don’t stop there. Other family alumni include the siblings’ grandfather F.J. McGouran Jr. (B.S. ‘63), their aunt Melanie McGouran Conant (B.S.N. ’12) and their uncle James B. Conant (J.D. ’94).
Now, as Nathaniel and Niall begin classes this fall, the family is reflecting on how far that first college decision has carried them.
“Though we have been so pleased with the outstanding education each of our children has earned and the wonderful experience each has had, we never dreamt every single one would choose TU,” Laura said. “This fall term, with our final two students attending UTulsa, is very meaningful and feels like coming full circle.”
With 11 grandchildren so far, Laura said the McGourans are looking ahead: “We’ll be awaiting the next generation of Hurricanes.”