Pursuit of Excellence Class - 2019
The Pursuit of Excellence Class of 2019
The Pursuit of Excellence Class was established to recognize and honor outstanding young alumni for their contributions to the Gallogly College of Engineering and the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, through engagement, investment, and advocacy. We are proud to present the second class.
NASA – International Space Station Flight Controller
Ryan East is a native of Greenwood, Arkansas and earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 2008. His fondest memories of his time at OU include Sooner football and spending time with friends in the Union.
East proudly supports Diversity & Inclusion Programs (formerly known as MEP), Engineering Annual Giving, and scholarships. He regularly returns to campus to speak to students and hosts students at NASA. He enjoys the opportunity to get to know future engineers and stay connected to OU. He is eager to have a hand in recruiting OU students and is planning on establishing a scholarship for students in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
In addition to D&I, East is involved with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and his local church. East lives in Houston, TX and enjoys traveling, fitness, musicals, concerts, quality time with friends and reading. He also jumps on any opportunity to see his sister, a 2011 OU grad who works in tv and film in LA.
East proudly supports Diversity & Inclusion Programs (formerly known as MEP), Engineering Annual Giving, and scholarships. He regularly returns to campus to speak to students and hosts students at NASA. He enjoys the opportunity to get to know future engineers and stay connected to OU. He is eager to have a hand in recruiting OU students and is planning on establishing a scholarship for students in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
In addition to D&I, East is involved with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and his local church. East lives in Houston, TX and enjoys traveling, fitness, musicals, concerts, quality time with friends and reading. He also jumps on any opportunity to see his sister, a 2011 OU grad who works in tv and film in LA.
Pro tip: "Giving back allows you the opportunity to pass on insights and advice that you wanted as a student.”
Akintunde Ehindero
Amazon.com – Principal Product Manager
Akintunde Ehindero came to OU from Lagos, Nigeria. He earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 2004. His fondest memory as a student was the 2000 OU vs Nebraska home game, which ended with oranges on the field and a goal post coming down.
Ehindero is a corporate recruiter and gives back to engineering scholarships.
Ehindero currently lives in Seattle, WA and enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and indulging in sports like Sooners football, Sooner basketball.
Ehindero is a corporate recruiter and gives back to engineering scholarships.
Ehindero currently lives in Seattle, WA and enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and indulging in sports like Sooners football, Sooner basketball.
Pro Tip: "The opportunity to pay it forward is gratifying.”
Pariveda Solutions – Manager
Greg Gustafson is a native of Owasso, OK and earned his bachelor's degree in computer science in 2011. His fondest memory of OU were game days. "Where else can you find people more passionate about the sport and their love for OU?"
Gustafson is a supporter of the Cathryn and John Withrow Computer Science and Engineering Scholarship. He is motivated to support students due to the continued decrease in support from the state legislature. His goal is to help remove these barriers for future students.
Gustafson also supports the Ronald McDonald House and the Dallas Regional Science & Engineering Fair. He is passionate about flying and traveling the world. He recently obtained his private pilot license. He hopes to join the Computer Science Advisory Board. He lives in Dallas and has a sister, Amy Gustafson, who also earned her degree from OU in ISE in 2014.
Gustafson is a supporter of the Cathryn and John Withrow Computer Science and Engineering Scholarship. He is motivated to support students due to the continued decrease in support from the state legislature. His goal is to help remove these barriers for future students.
Gustafson also supports the Ronald McDonald House and the Dallas Regional Science & Engineering Fair. He is passionate about flying and traveling the world. He recently obtained his private pilot license. He hopes to join the Computer Science Advisory Board. He lives in Dallas and has a sister, Amy Gustafson, who also earned her degree from OU in ISE in 2014.
Pro Tip: "Giving donations to scholarship funds that supported me, is my way of paying it forward for another student.”
Hilcorp Energy Company – Geologist
Colton Key is a native of Sugar Land, Texas and earned his bachelor's degree in geology in 2013. He boasts that OU changed his life. This is where he met his fiance, made lifelong friends, earned his degree, and lost his voice countless times cheering on the Sooners!
Key is a proud member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, OU President's Associates, Mewbourne College Houston Alumni and the OU Club of Houston.
In his free time, Key is an avid outdoorsman, Sooner football fan, and involved with Hilcorp Helping Hands! He is excited to continue to help grow the OU Houston Alumni network. Key lives in Houston and is engaged to Olivia Kintigh, an OU Meteorology 2013 graduate.
Key is a proud member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, OU President's Associates, Mewbourne College Houston Alumni and the OU Club of Houston.
In his free time, Key is an avid outdoorsman, Sooner football fan, and involved with Hilcorp Helping Hands! He is excited to continue to help grow the OU Houston Alumni network. Key lives in Houston and is engaged to Olivia Kintigh, an OU Meteorology 2013 graduate.
Pro-tip: “It is important to continue growing your network and stay connected to OU.”
Moises Martinez
Shell – Project Manager
Moises Martinez is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 2012. His fondest memories are the relationships and bonds fostered by the Diversity & Inclusion Program, (formerly known as MEP) which gave him a family he could count on, relate to, and have fun with throughout his time at OU and beyond.
Martinez supports the D&I as a corporate recruiter. His desire to stay engaged stems from the support he received as a student which he credits for the empowerment to achieve his goals. He would like to be that support and encouragement for students. He would like to get involved with mentorship programs at OU, to work one-on-one with students in engineering, and sit on a board.
Martinez is heavily involved with his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as various affinity networks at Shell, focused on volunteering for community organizations such as the Ripley House and the Houston Food Bank. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his kids, soccer, woodwork, and gardening. He lives in Houston and has been happily married for 6 years to Eva and together they have two beautiful daughters, Ivy (4) and Ava (3).
Martinez supports the D&I as a corporate recruiter. His desire to stay engaged stems from the support he received as a student which he credits for the empowerment to achieve his goals. He would like to be that support and encouragement for students. He would like to get involved with mentorship programs at OU, to work one-on-one with students in engineering, and sit on a board.
Martinez is heavily involved with his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as various affinity networks at Shell, focused on volunteering for community organizations such as the Ripley House and the Houston Food Bank. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his kids, soccer, woodwork, and gardening. He lives in Houston and has been happily married for 6 years to Eva and together they have two beautiful daughters, Ivy (4) and Ava (3).
Pro Tip: “We now have the opportunity to be helping hands for students, and we should take advantage of that opportunity.”
Shell – Project Manager
Moaning supports Diversity & Inclusion (formerly MEP), Gallogly Hall, OU Women in Engineering, and the Dean's Discretionary Fund. She is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Diversity, a corporate recruiter, a mentor in the Jerry Holmes Leadership Program, and active with OU Young Engineering Alumni in Houston. "Who I am today is greatly in part to the MEP program and their enormous support and dedication to the students. I am grateful for the lifelong impact that not only faculty and staff made on my life, but also the numerous alumni that have made a difference. I also see tremendous value in connecting with current students to share my post-university experiences while also helping them navigate their choices as they journey through their time at OU and strive to reach their dreams."
Moaning plans on growing her involvement to include serving on the Gallogly College Board of Visitors, joining the Felgar Society, and continued service to the student body. She also plans to establish a scholarship in of memory sister, who also attended OU.
Moaning also supports her community through the Houston Alumni Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineering and the Houston Area Urban League, Young Professionals org. She enjoys traveling the globe (37 countries and counting!), searching for vintage records, teaching English as a second language for adults, training for my first fitness competition and hosting themed dinners. She is always cheering on her Sooners with her OU family.
Pro tip: "It is crucial for young engineering alumni to recognize the importance of supporting Gallogly College as they have a significant role in helping current students fulfill their desire to become engineers. Gallogly College would not exist as the model of excellence it is today without the numerous alumni that have given back over the decades. I’m reminded of the quote “There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”
Burns & McDonnell – Civil Engineer
Ceara Parks came to OU from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 2013. Some of her favorite times as a student involved spending time with friends and collectively procrastinating, which resulted in group late night study sessions to catch up.
Parks helped OU Engineering launch the Women in Engineering program and is a member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board. She regularly supports OU President's Associates, Civil Engineering, OU Giving Day, and OUWiE. She also acts as an advocate for her corporation, securing corporate charitable gifts for Gallogly College and helping students through the interview process. "After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, I vowed to give back to the University just as those who had given so much to me. I would not have graduated if it weren't for the scholarships that I received or the mentors that guided me. Now it is my turn to help those that may need me."
Parks also supports her community through Women in Transportation and the Dallas Running Club. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering, painting, and exercising her mind and body. "I would like to continue my advisory role with the CEES Visiting Council, build a strategic relationship between the University of Oklahoma and Burns & McDonnell, and provide mentoring to students." Parks is close with her family who has always supported her education and is engaged to fellow OU Engineering alum, Jonathan Oliver (2013 Aerospace). In 2018 they welcomed a 1966 Beechcraft Musketeer airplane to their growing family.
Parks helped OU Engineering launch the Women in Engineering program and is a member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board. She regularly supports OU President's Associates, Civil Engineering, OU Giving Day, and OUWiE. She also acts as an advocate for her corporation, securing corporate charitable gifts for Gallogly College and helping students through the interview process. "After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, I vowed to give back to the University just as those who had given so much to me. I would not have graduated if it weren't for the scholarships that I received or the mentors that guided me. Now it is my turn to help those that may need me."
Parks also supports her community through Women in Transportation and the Dallas Running Club. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering, painting, and exercising her mind and body. "I would like to continue my advisory role with the CEES Visiting Council, build a strategic relationship between the University of Oklahoma and Burns & McDonnell, and provide mentoring to students." Parks is close with her family who has always supported her education and is engaged to fellow OU Engineering alum, Jonathan Oliver (2013 Aerospace). In 2018 they welcomed a 1966 Beechcraft Musketeer airplane to their growing family.
Pro-tip: "A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because of someone that thought they could." Mentoring is one of the most effective means of giving back. Imagine where the world would be if our brightest minds had at least one person who believed in them."
Freudenberg – Director, Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development
Mary Schanne was Sooner Born and Bred, growing up in Norman, Oklahoma. She earned her bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering and her MBA, both in 2008. Her fondest memories from her time at OU include the lifelong friends she met.
Schanne currently serves on the ISE Advisory Board. She also supports the University through OU Giving Day, OU Women in Engineering, ISE, and the Alumni Association. "I believe education is extremely important in developing the next generation workforce who will continue to progress our society and solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. We continue to need good engineers who are analytical and creative thinkers, who are interested in solving problems and working for diverse teams. I feel that the College of Engineering at OU prepared me to do just that. I felt just as prepared if not more prepared to work alongside other engineers from big universities like Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Texas A&M. I also made life-long friends and had some of the most fun times while at OU. I hope that my experience can inspire more students to become interested in Engineering and see what kind of diverse careers engineers can have."
Schanne enjoys sharing the importance of engineering with prospective students and hopes to continue to serve future engineers in that way. She currently lives in Germany, with her husband Scott and their dog Sunday. In October 2018, they welcomed their son, Grant. Together they enjoy the opportunity to travel while living abroad.
Pro-tip: "Continuing to give back to OU and Gallogly College is important, so the university can continue to stay ahead of the latest trends and needs. It also can inspire other students or prospective students to become engaged and then to give back to the university in the future and continue to make OU a better place.
Schanne currently serves on the ISE Advisory Board. She also supports the University through OU Giving Day, OU Women in Engineering, ISE, and the Alumni Association. "I believe education is extremely important in developing the next generation workforce who will continue to progress our society and solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. We continue to need good engineers who are analytical and creative thinkers, who are interested in solving problems and working for diverse teams. I feel that the College of Engineering at OU prepared me to do just that. I felt just as prepared if not more prepared to work alongside other engineers from big universities like Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Texas A&M. I also made life-long friends and had some of the most fun times while at OU. I hope that my experience can inspire more students to become interested in Engineering and see what kind of diverse careers engineers can have."
Schanne enjoys sharing the importance of engineering with prospective students and hopes to continue to serve future engineers in that way. She currently lives in Germany, with her husband Scott and their dog Sunday. In October 2018, they welcomed their son, Grant. Together they enjoy the opportunity to travel while living abroad.
Pro-tip: "Continuing to give back to OU and Gallogly College is important, so the university can continue to stay ahead of the latest trends and needs. It also can inspire other students or prospective students to become engaged and then to give back to the university in the future and continue to make OU a better place.
ConocoPhillips - Drilling Engineer
Tyeshia Waters came to OU from Houston, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering in 2012. Her fondest memory of her time at OU was the first day she walked into the MEP office as a freshman. Liz Cook, the former director, welcomed her in with warmth and laughter. The office became her home away from home.
Waters serves on the Deans Advisory Board on Diversity and as an Alumni Ambassador. She supports Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Programs and Gallogly Hall. She is a true believer in reaching back and lending a helpful hand, especially with the impact that D&I has on Gallogly and Mewbourne students. She looks forward to expanding her efforts and becoming more accessible to students. She wants to mobilize other alumni to get involved, give back, and impact students.
Waters currently lives in Houston, where she also is active with Habitat for Humanity, Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, and the Houston Food Bank. She enjoys traveling, immersing herself into new cultures, and spending time with family and friends. She has recently joined a women's clay shooting group.
Pro-tip: "Giving back, not only financially, but with time is a great deed and will have high a large impact on the lives of current and future students. At times it is not an immediate result but know that the wisdom shared, donations given, and interactions made will touch many lives for years to come. It is important to remember your experience in school, the impacts made in your life and those invaluable memories of others giving back to you."
Waters serves on the Deans Advisory Board on Diversity and as an Alumni Ambassador. She supports Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Programs and Gallogly Hall. She is a true believer in reaching back and lending a helpful hand, especially with the impact that D&I has on Gallogly and Mewbourne students. She looks forward to expanding her efforts and becoming more accessible to students. She wants to mobilize other alumni to get involved, give back, and impact students.
Waters currently lives in Houston, where she also is active with Habitat for Humanity, Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, and the Houston Food Bank. She enjoys traveling, immersing herself into new cultures, and spending time with family and friends. She has recently joined a women's clay shooting group.
Pro-tip: "Giving back, not only financially, but with time is a great deed and will have high a large impact on the lives of current and future students. At times it is not an immediate result but know that the wisdom shared, donations given, and interactions made will touch many lives for years to come. It is important to remember your experience in school, the impacts made in your life and those invaluable memories of others giving back to you."
Whitney Woodson
Invicro, LLC – Vice President, Research Operations
Whitney Woodson is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and has earned her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering (2010) and her master's in bioengineering in (2011). Some of her favorite memories from her time as a student were getting "creative". Her Senior year she, and fellow students, rewrote the words to "I Gotta Feeling". The new version starred CBME and was recorded as a music video for the class.
Woodson serves the University as Chair for the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board, the Gallogy College Board of Visitors, a Jerry Holmes Leadership Program mentor, and member of the Felgar Society. Her engagement is driven by her desire to help shape the future of the SBME and OU Engineering programs and to ensure the lasting success of OU across the nation.
Woodson lives in Boston and enjoys singing, painting, and cooking. She stays involved in Alpha Phi and Antioch Community Church of Brighton. Her family are proud Sooners and she is excited to welcome her nephew, and future Sooner, very soon!
Woodson serves the University as Chair for the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board, the Gallogy College Board of Visitors, a Jerry Holmes Leadership Program mentor, and member of the Felgar Society. Her engagement is driven by her desire to help shape the future of the SBME and OU Engineering programs and to ensure the lasting success of OU across the nation.
Woodson lives in Boston and enjoys singing, painting, and cooking. She stays involved in Alpha Phi and Antioch Community Church of Brighton. Her family are proud Sooners and she is excited to welcome her nephew, and future Sooner, very soon!
Pro-tip: "Interacting with young engineers can reinvigorate your passion for science and give you a chance to help someone else's future be brighter.”
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