GOODEN GROUP/Public Relations

OSU's Scientific Addition

2010-10-12T13:41:00.012-05:00

The Henry Bellmon Research Center is impressive.

The exterior of Oklahoma State University’s newest addition, along busy Monroe Street in Stillwater, continues the school’s traditional bricks and faux-Georgian architecture. The windows are tall and the building curves slightly inward, drawing in the viewer. But it’s what’s inside – both in aesthetics and functionality – that really wows you.

I got a chance to tour the HBRC with the OSU/A&M Regents on their first visit to the facility. They were duly impressed, as was I.

The first thing you see is the Wall: a beautiful dark wood expanse embedded with a series of ethereal, color-shifting lights that cast a welcoming glow over the lobby. I heard a worker at the adjacent café (the aptly-named Newton’s) tell one of the Regents the lights can be programmed to have any sort of lighting effect: a wave, a rainbow – perhaps even OSU orange? The Wall isn’t much, but it provides a beautiful welcome to anyone entering the building.

But the building is more than just the lobby. Beyond security doors, graduate and research students are able to access the building’s high-tech laboratories with a swipe of a card.

OSU VP for Research and Technology Transfer Dr. Stephen McKeever took the Regents through the vast hallways and research labs of the HBRC. Like the Wall, the study rooms are decorated with glowing lights or hanging LEDs. The main areas’ staircases are broad and open from floor to floor, designed specifically to facilitate interdepartmental interaction. But that’s just the aesthetics. The labs themselves – for everything from chemistry to biophysics – are the Center’s real focus.

The university definitely didn’t skimp in this area. All labs have state-of-the-art technology, fashioned to put OSU ahead of the curve in scientific research.

And it’s being noticed – from high places.

McKeever related a story to the Regents of an executive from a top medical company who toured the facility and called it one of the top five in the nation.

The Regents appreciated that, to put it lightly.

We heard from several of the HBRC’s top scientists and researchers who have only recently set up shop in their new facilities, including Dr. Li Ma, from the Department of Food Safety and Biosecurity. Ma told us how she’s already begun a collaborative project with another department, simply because their departments are now directly next door and can share ideas and resources easily. That’s something that could never have happened before, when the departments were in completely separate buildings.

The building is named after the late Henry Bellmon, a former U.S. senator and Oklahoma governor, and is the first step in a future three-phase research complex. The two additional phases include the renovation of the current Physical Sciences building and a completely new building.

The center is definitely an advantage for the university, and the Regents all seemed to agree. While Oklahoma State University already stands out in other areas, the Henry Bellmon Research Center is a major addition that will attract top-notch faculty and continue to produce the best students for years to come.

Classen Curve Up and Running

2010-10-05T16:19:00.002-05:00

There’s been plenty of buzz and speculation surrounding the highly-anticipated Classen Curve, the newly developed retail and restaurant center in Oklahoma City, and with good reason. Have you seen this place? Unique architecture, chic restaurants and retail rivaling Fifth Avenue. Anyone familiar with Rand Elliott’s work (i.e. Pop’s, Chesapeake Boathouse, RED Prime Steak) realizes this place screams “Rand”- sharp angles, large windows, open layout. He created the entire complex to look like a trophy case, which is fitting considering the products are worthy of display- Balliets, Uptown Kids, Café 501, RePUBlic, Upper Crust, On a Whim, Red Coyote, Metro Shoes, 105 Degrees, and who can forget the soon-to-be Whole Foods. Walking along the shops at Classen Curve will take you back to a time when window shopping was king and individualized customer service was standard. Aubrey McClendon, the developer of Classen Curve, envisioned creating a “modern Main Street”. The intimate experience of Classen Curve is exactly what consumers are missing in this superstore society. In talking with some tenants about the design of their stores, I noticed a pattern. They each referred to their stores as art. When you walk into Balliets or even Uptown Kids, you get the sense that these products are not just clothes on hangers, but true works of art. Gary Goldman of Uptown Kids told me that Rand designed the store with that particular concept in mind, framing the products in such a way that it feels more like attending an art gallery than shopping! So, I suggest you go ahead and skip the art gallery and head on over to Classen Curve and see what all the buzz is about!

Tweeting Away

2010-08-31T15:59:00.002-05:00

When Twitter was first gaining steam and on the verge of becoming the giant it is today, there was a sense it could have huge ramifications for the PR industry. But the thought of giving in and signing up intimidated me so much I almost didn’t do it. I felt there would be benefits, but I didn’t know exactly what they would look like. I started by signing myself up for a personal account (@tristanshutt) and following three friends. I didn’t know what to write or how to write it. Facebook was easy. You had infinite space. But 140 characters?! And what were these ‘@’ and ‘#’ symbols all about anyway? Slowly and awkwardly I began to grasp the concept. Eventually, The Gooden Group decided signing up was a strategic move. We started off simple: just the occasional Tweet about a client or event. But soon we started actually recommending clients join the Twitter fun. If The Gooden Group could say something about an event, why not have the client double our efforts? It seemed elementary. Before we knew it, a majority had their own accounts. Like much of the world, we saw it as a way to drive business while connecting with consumers and the general public. A client can post something and have it viewed by thousands with a click of a button. No distro list or mailers- just 140 characters.

Twitter has been an invaluable tool as we continue to learn to maximize its capabilities. Clients are able to engage and interact with the public. Pops Route 66, in Arcadia, Oklahoma, actually announces where their new Pops Mobile Kitchen will be via Twitter. With over 1,500 followers, they can alert their followers where the Mobile Kitchen will be efficiently and even last minute if need be. It is a tool they find easy and effective.

Not only can clients inform customers, they can also gauge public opinion. Twitter is a great tool to monitor what people are saying. We recently held a press conference for a client, and after the announcement, we were able to gather feedback and assess the general attitude of the public from what people were tweeting. Who needs focus groups when you have instant access to the opinions of the tweeting public!

This word-of-mouth micro-blogging went from an unknown to a must-have for our clients virtually overnight! As we continue to recommend Twitter, we will also tap into its many resources and uses. Come join the fun! Follow us @goodengrouppr .

Gooden Group Public Relations 25th Anniversary

2010-05-21T10:34:00.000-05:00

This is my first blog. The younger (much younger) members of our office have been pushing me to blog for a long time and I developed very creative reasons not to do so, contrary to our advice to clients. My colleagues finally won. I am going to blog about a subject close to my heart – Gooden Group Public Relations.

This is the 25th anniversary for our business, a perfect time for me to pause for a quick moment from my typical frenetic work pace to reflect on these years with humility and gratitude. It’s easy to remember the companies, institutions and organizations that have given us their trust as partners down through the years. We never underestimate the importance of those relationships. We have been with clients through incredibly wonderful times and very difficult times. We have always stood proudly with our clients no matter what, because we feel blessed and fortunate to work with the finest people and companies you could ever imagine.

Nothing is more important to us than the success of our clients. I would rather be behind the curtain than in front of the curtain. I guess it’s because my Mom taught me to say “We” not “I”. Mom always gives the right advice. (Her 86th birthday is today - Dinner tonight – yeah!) For me personally, I love the challenges and opportunities this fast-paced, high-variety business brings every day.

No reflection on these past 25 years can forget the family, friends and faces that became the Gooden Group Public Relations team. When I was a kid, my dad always told me no one can succeed alone. He was right. I am sorry he passed away at a relatively young age. What I wouldn’t give to have his smiling face sitting in my office sharing with him thoughts and ideas – lots of laughs…his humor was incredible.
Starting with Brent Gooden and Company, then The Gooden Group Inc. and now Gooden Group Public Relations, great team members are a crucial element of our success. I am indebted to all who have ever worked with us. Each one has contributed mightily and Valerie and I are most thankful. We expect one of them to head one of the top PR firms in the nation sooner rather than later. Valerie is my wonderful and talented wife. She’s my partner in life – glad she is. Our company would not be what it is today without her capable hands steering the finances.

To all our tremendous clients, business leaders, company managers, esteemed colleagues, creative employees and enduring family and friends who have intersected with Gooden Group Public Relations through all of the years – thank you for a wonderful experience that is ongoing. What can I say – let’s keep rolling ahead!

Respectfully and appreciatively,
Brent

Oklahoma Virtual High School Hosts First iConnect Day

2010-04-27T18:11:00.006-05:00

Oklahoma Virtual High School, one of the oldest and largest online programs in Oklahoma, held its first ever iConnect event in Bricktown recently. iConnect gave more than 100 virtual high school students a chance to meet their peers and teachers face-to-face.

iConnect was designed to get the students and their parents away from the computer for a day of fun and new relationships. Students and teachers used creative, interactive games and activities to make new connections with each other.

Rockin’ Acoustic Circus, a well-known Tulsa bluegrass band was a big hit with the students. Band members are also Oklahoma Virtual High School students who crisscross the country as a warm-up band for big name blue grass bands. The virtual classes allow the band members the flexibility to accel in school at the same time they are accelling on the music stage.

iConnect was also an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers and learn more about virtual learning from the source of the teaching. Oklahoma Virtual High School is part of Oklahoma City-based Advanced Academics who partners with schools and districts throughout the nation to deliver customizable online learning solutions that include web-based curriculum, highly qualified teachers, a 24/7 support environment, and a proprietary technology platform specifically designed for middle and high school education (grades 6-12).

Branding Success The Campaign for Oklahoma State University

2010-04-26T15:30:00.003-05:00

Ride ‘Em Cowboy blasted through the atrium of the OSU Student Union as an orange-clad crowd of more than 1000 cheered OSU President Burns Hargis as he announced a $1 billion campaign to raise private funds to strengthen student scholarships and aid, endowments for faculty support, as well as fund advanced research and academic initiatives, and upgrade teaching and research facilities.

This was the culmination of more than a year’s behind-the-scenes work by Gooden Group Public Relations.

Our team crisscrossed Oklahoma and Texas to interview the biggest names in Orange – Boone Pickens, Garth Brooks, Barry Sanders, Robin Ventura and countless alums, teachers and students to create a series of videos for the campaign.

It was thrilling to catch the vision President Hargis has for the University and the commitment Billionaire Boone Pickens still has for his alma mater. It was fun to hear Garth Brooks talk about his days in Stillwater, what he calls “a great place to birth your music!”

The experience brought back great sports memories from OSU’s past listening to Robin and Barry humbly recall their glory days as Cowboys. It was moving to hear the story of campaign co-chairs Ross and Billie McKnight who met at OSU as young students and began an amazing life together that spans three mighty industries of banking, cattle and energy.

All were once simply students – who took their talents to unrivaled new heights - and now inspire the next generation to pick up the OSU mantel and carrying it even farther. That is the essence of Branding Success the Campaign for Oklahoma State University.

New Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Joins American Heart Association Urging Women to Wear Red Friday

2010-02-09T16:01:00.002-06:00

The new Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus was the location for the 2010 kickoff of Wear Red Day in Oklahoma. This year’s event featured Oklahoma women with heart disease who were revived in a 911 emergency. Their rescuers were nominated for the 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero award.

Wear Red Day is to heart disease what the pink ribbon campaign is to breast cancer. The goal is to better educate women about their risk of heart disease. Most women don’t realize heart disease is the number one killer of women.

Three Oklahoma women and their rescuers were featured. This is the 4th year for the Oklahoma Heart Hero award that in the past has honored family members, friends, strangers and emergency professionals who sometimes put their own lives on the line to save another. The story of one winner was so compelling the story literally circled the globe as news outlets from as far away at Japan and Germany came to Oklahoma to tell the story.

This year’s winner is Albino Garza from Hobart. Garza’s was about to go to sleep around midnight a little over a year ago when he realized his 32-year-old wife Amy was making strange sounds in her sleep and looked very strange. Panic began to rise and when he checked her – he could find no pulse. Albino quickly began CPR and called 911. He told their 8-year-old daughter Jolie to wait outside for the ambulance and bring the EMT’s to her mother when they arrived. Amy reached the Oklahoma Heart Hospital alive but in a coma. The immediate worry was that Amy’s brain had been oxygen starved for an unknown period of time. To save her brain, Amy was placed in a hypothermic state and remained in a coma for 14 days. When she suddenly awoke with no apparent permanent injury, he doctor called it a miracle. Amy has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Long QT Syndrome. Because of Amy’s near death event they discovered daughter Jolie also has the same heart defect. Both Amy and Jolie now have Defibrillator/pacemakers to prevent their heart from going into that deadly rhythm.

Hardly a dry eye was left in the house after Albino told his story. The purpose of the Oklahoma Heart Hero award is to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, and serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator).

More than 41 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five view heart disease as their greatest health threat. One in three women has cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman died as a result of this health threat. That’s why Go Red for Women, powered by the American Heart Association’s research, is educating and connecting millions of women of all ages in an effort to beat women’s number one killer.

Bal de Nuit 2010 Oklahoma City Ballet

2010-02-09T15:54:00.006-06:00

The 2010 Bal de Nuit fundraiser for the Oklahoma City Ballet replicated a Hollywood-style red carpet experience as its draw.

The theme for the 2010 gala was “A Night when you’re the Star”. Patrons arrived in camera-ready attire and were greeted by a red carpet and a crushing crowd of fake paparoozzo. Several dancers with the professional company of the Oklahoma City Ballet were on hand to present a live, edgy, modern dance adding to the kinetic atmosphere of the evening. Bal de Nuit or “dance of the night” is the Oklahoma City Ballet’s major fundraiser for the season.

Later in the evening all eyes turned to a silent and live auction items donated by a variety of Oklahoma City outlets such as the Thunder basketball team.

OKC Ballet Volunteers at Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City

2009-12-21T15:09:00.004-06:00

Christmas toys spring to life, sugar plum fairies sparkle, princes and soldiers battle evil kings and little girls dance their dreams as the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker comes alive on the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall stage.
The classic tale literally leaps off the stage and into your heart this year as the ballet has added new sets and dazzling new costumes. The reviews for Nutcracker 2009 have been outstanding reflecting the fresh, innovative style of the new artistic director Robert Mills, now his is second year in this role.
The ballet is taking this year’s performance on the road – staging a production in Ada, Oklahoma to a packed house for the rural audience of southeastern Oklahoma.
Many of the dancers volunteered their time and talent for a performance of many of the dances at the Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City. Sugar plums sparkled in the eyes of young children who got to see the dancers and costumes up close and even get a quick lesson in dance. Who knows what tiny spark may have been lit in a young heart because of that moment.

Advanced Academics Corporate Open House

2009-12-11T10:49:00.003-06:00

Advanced Academics, an Oklahoma City-based online learning provider, recently held an open house to celebrate its new corporate headquarters. The 25,780 square-foot space, located in the historic Bunte Candy Factory in Bricktown, houses instructors, teacher's aides, curriculum developers, couselors, IT staff and corporate functions.

Mayor Mick Cornett was on hand to congratulate the company on its growth, as was Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, who is slated to become Gov. Henry's Chief of Education Strategy and Innovation when her term ends later this month. Other attendees included Oklahoma customers and educators and local business leaders.

Guests were able to tour the new facility, see a demo of the company's proprietary online learning platform, watch while instructors interacted with students online in real time and view student testimonials.

Jeffrey A. Elliot, the company's president, commented that the new headquarters will help Advanced Academics capitalize on the explosive growth taking place in online learning, as more students and parents discover its benefits. Some experts predict half of all courses in the U.S. will be taken online by the year 2019.

Advanced Academics operates online middle and high school programs in more than 30 states acorss the country. In Oklahoma, it operates a statewide program for 6-12 grade students called Oklahoma Virtual High School. See the Oklahoman's coverage here.

Pickens Plan comes to Stillwater

2009-11-02T11:05:00.005-06:00

It’s not unusual for Boone Pickens to be in Stillwater – but Thursday his visit was about America’s energy future and not football. Oklahoma State University benefactor and national energy leader, T. Boone Pickens, conducted a Pickens Plan town hall meeting on the nation’s movement towards a new energy future.
Pickens stressed the single biggest crisis facing America today is without question our ever-growing dependence on foreign oil from hostile nations. He says our energy habits continue to put the economy and security in danger. He told the audience of nearly 5,000 people that recent developments in the Middle East with Iran once again underscore the grave risk our country faces if we do not move to address this issue.
Pickens sees positive movement in Washington D.C. to reverse decades of inaction with smart initiatives to use American-produced energy sources such as natural gas, wind and solar to power our economy. PickensPlan.com has enlisted 1.6 members and attracted 41 million visitors to his Internet site. Pickens wanted to bring his message to the city and university he has given so much support. “I love Oklahoma State and I know Oklahoma has a major role to play in America’s new energy future because it is situated in the wind corridor and has been blessed with an abundance of natural gas.”
In a capsule, the Pickens Plan is a detailed solution for ending the United States’ growing dependence on foreign oil. It calls for investing in power generation from domestic renewable resources such as wind and using America’s abundant supply of natural gas as a transportation fuel-a step that would replace more than one-third of our imported oil. http://www.pickensplan.com/

To view a town hall meeting video click here

Headless Horseman Downtown OKC!

2009-10-30T15:26:00.005-05:00

Headless Horseman Rides Through OKC!

The Headless Horseman made a cameo in downtown Oklahoma City recently to celebrate OKC Ballet’s performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow during Halloween weekend. The horseman turned heads as he strolled around downtown on a perfect cold, windy, Sleepy Hollow day.

View video here!

OSU Hall of Famers

2009-10-30T14:48:00.004-05:00

OSU Alumni Hall of Fame

We had the extraordinary opportunity to privately interview three Oklahoma State University greats when Garth Brooks, Barry Sanders and Robin Ventura were inducted into the OSU Alumni Associations Hall of Fame.

The trio had agreed they would not go into the Hall of Fame without the other – three giants of music, football and baseball. Their humility and joviality in each others company was apparent. As a student at OSU, Sanders remembered Brooks as a music legend and Brooks was in awe of the athletic ability of both Sanders and Ventura as an OSU Alum.

Brooks is the number one selling solo artist in U.S. history – Sanders is the second leading rusher of all time in the NFL and the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner – Ventura earned six Gold Gloves in the NLB and holds an NCAA 58-game hitting streak while at OSU.

Despite their accomplishments each was gracious to stop and talk to fans and offer autographs. They talked about Oklahoma State University in terms of its extraordinary people who pushed them as students to excellence and gave them many of the values that catapulted their later success.

2009-09-12T15:52:00.003-05:00

Pickin' a Winner

The American Banjo Museum, the nation’s premier museum celebrating America’s instrument, the banjo, opened in Bricktown Oklahoma City on September 10th, 2009.

Banjo Legend Earl Scruggs led a prestigious guest list of some of the nation’s most significant banjo notables in attendance. Mr. Scruggs was impressed with the museum. “I’m very pleased – I’m for the banjo 100%!,”

Scruggs was joined by a number of other banjo notables including John McEuen, founding member of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Buddy Wachter, considered to be the most influential four-string banjoist of this generation; the Byron Berline Band, playing traditional bluegrass and swing; the Young Family Bluegrass Band; Georgette Twain the Queen of Banjo; jazz banjo entertainer Debbie Schreyer; and Doug Back classical/jazz banjo player.

McEuen said the banjo plays the happiest notes in the world. And now, with the American Banjo Museum open, this remarkable and truly American instrument is finally getting its due recognition." He tells a funny story about his instrument. "When I pick up the banjo to play, the audience always applauds the instrument before I play a single!"

The American Banjo Museum is a $5 million, world-class 21,000 square foot facility honoring the rich history, vibrant spirit and unlimited future of the banjo. The museum contains more than 300 instruments, the largest collection on public display in the world. Examples include replicas of primitive banjos developed by African slaves in the Old South, Minstrel Age instruments from 19th century, post WWII instruments used in bluegrass, folk and world music, and museum’s core collection of ornately decorated banjos made in America during the Jazz Age of the 1920’s and 30s.

For the bluegrass music fan the name Gibson is synonymous with quality banjos. A special gallery in the museum spotlights a large collection of Gibson “Mastertone” banjos manufactured during the company’s golden years of the 1920s and 30s, including an extremely rare, pre-war Gibson five-string banjo valued at more than $175,000.00.

People came from as far away as Germany for the opening. The diehard fans spent hours in the Shakey’s Pizza Parlor duplicate restaurant listening to performer after performer and smiling the hours away.

The American Banjo Museum is located at 9 E. Sheridan in Bricktown, downtown Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Ballet on the Move

2009-09-04T15:35:00.002-05:00

Downtown Oklahoma City was spinning with sound, dance and drama this week as members of the OKC Ballet gave two free performances to lunch hour crowds gathered on the steps of City Hall. A gorgeous Oklahoma sky and the city skyline were the stage and the dancing was so close you felt a part of the company. Little children were entranced in the moment, dancing their own steps to the music on the lawn of City Hall. City employees were transfixed as classical and modern dance filled the stage.

OKC Ballet is soaring from the ashes of the decline of Ballet Oklahoma just two years ago.

The 09-10 season kicks off with Legend of Sleepy Hollow around Halloween – tickets will be going fast.

NewsOK.tv coverage here

Boone and OSU: Absolutely the Best

2009-08-19T14:16:00.005-05:00

What a proud day for Oklahoma State University athletics. This past Monday, Boone Pickens toured the new west end zone facilities in which he played such a large role in funding (around $250 million), facilities so impressive that fans and players alike will renew their faith in the color orange, and OSU will undoubtedly be propelled to the forefront of collegiate recruiting. As the saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” Boone has done his part, and judging by this tour, he has done it well.

Pickens walked through the new training room, locker room, and 20,000-square foot weight room before holding a press conference in the team’s uber-impressive, leather-clad theater room. Each addition manages to exceed the high expectations set for the new west end zone, as each possesses just the right amount of orange and a first class polish that can only exist in a program of the highest caliber. As a past OSU graduate, walking with Boone –and the many, many media members present- made me feel light on my toes. It truly was amazing.

Perhaps what is most impressive – besides the fact that at 82 years old, Boone Pickens showed that he can still pump some iron – is the feeling the west end zone creates, that OSU’s football past is forever linked to where it is now. In walking through the new facilities still brimming with that new car smell, it is to be considered a major accomplishment and testament to those involved in the end zone’s construction that the new facilities feel like OSU. Yes, the brand new weightlifting equipment will work more muscles than ever before, and the state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pools will soothe the majority of aches and pains, and the new locker room will give the players a plush sanctuary in which they can hang out, but all of these additions do nothing to cover up a sense of swagger that can only be called Orange Pride.

Instead, the new facilities are brimming with signs of pride in OSU’s past, a feeling reflected in the huge, orange O-S-U, which is seemingly engraved in the locker room’s ceiling, to the same logo, though smaller, etched into every leather chair in the theater room. There is a quality to the whole facility which clearly states OSU has arrived, and is here to stay. This is a pride that will surely serve the program well in the future, and it all started with Boone, whose passion for his alma mater was clearly evident when he asked head athletic trainer Rob Hunt: “Have we got the best?” Just looking around, you know Rob could only give one answer. “Absolutely,” he said.

Givers in the Dell

2009-08-07T16:29:00.004-05:00

We applaud companies like Dell who take the time and put forth effort for the community. Dell just kicked off its Global Community Involvement initiative last week. Dell, OKC will spend the next 3 1/2 months sending employees out to volunteer in the community. Below is a letter to the editor from a Dell employee submitted to the Oklahoman. Also, check out a YouTube video from Dell's Community Involvement Fair: here. The fair was a two day event where over 40 nonprofit organizations from Oklahoma City had the chance to engage with over 700 Dell, OKC employees.

Givers in the Dell

As a Dell employee, I couldn’t be more proud of the continued emphasis Dell puts on community involvement. My coworkers and I have used lunch breaks, vacations and personal time to help in any way we can with various local organizations. Commitment to giving back to the communities where its employees live and work is an integral part of Dell’s culture.
At the beginning of July, the 2009 One Dell: One Community campaign began. This campaign drives our community engagement. Its three guiding principles are:

→Learn: Make a connection that aligns with your passion.
→Engage: Give time and talent through team-building activities.
→Commit: Contribute directly to change.

Dell’s annual Community Involvement Fair encourages employees to make a connection with local nonprofit agencies. Employees learned about volunteer and monetary giving opportunities in the metro area. This year, more than 40 local nonprofit agencies visited Dell’s Oklahoma City campus and more than 700 Dell employees spoke to these organizations. Some of the conversations led to volunteer opportunities; others led to new friendships.

As the economic climate continues to affect everyone, most importantly nonprofits, it’s more important than ever that we lend a hand to ensure that the goals and missions of these organizations are carried out. In this time of need, I’m proud to be a Dell employee.

Pamela Schlegel, Oklahoma City
Schlegel is a site administrative specialist for Dell.

OKC Named Olympic Training Site

2009-07-29T15:57:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a great day for our city and state. Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma River were officially named the USA Olympic training site for USA Rowing and Canoe/Kayak by the United State of America Olympics Committee. Having the USA Olympic brand associated with Oklahoma means our facilities will house tomorrow’s Olympians. What an honor and thrill this is to change something that used to be a simple, mowed field. It makes me wonder what current Oklahoma grassy field can be future NASA launch pads or symphony halls.

Along, with the river being named the official site for Rowing and Canoe/Kayak, The University of Central Oklahoma was named the Olympic Training Site for archery and volleyball, as well as Paralympics sports. I don’t even think we can begin to realize how special it is to have two sites contributing to Team USA’s mission .

Seeing the civic, business and sporting communities come support the announcement at the Chesapeake Boathouse points to the vision our leaders had and the undeniable effort everyone gave to make this happen. The collaborative brain power to get this done is as vast as the river is long, as are the benefits OKC will see from this milestone. I know that Oklahoma is ready to do its part to support the mission of the USOC, and to support United States Olympic and Paralympics athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence and to preserve the Olympic Ideals which can only serve to grow stronger and more united communities.

What started as a dream 16 years ago is ending with dreams, the dreams of the athletes who come to Oklahoma to train for the Olympics. The river and these athletes parallel each other in that sense, both are rooted in hard work and perseverance. May our nation’s future gold medalists look back at the Oklahoma River and see a place where dreams become reality.

Welcome to the Gooden Group PR blog

2009-07-29T11:05:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Gooden Group PR blog. Here you will find our thoughts on the happenings of today and the events of tomorrow. We might even tell you what we think. Feel free to browse and tell us what you think. Thanks for stopping by.