March

2024
The OU Center for studies in democracy and culture
Wiesbaden, Germany
From the Center's collection of ethno-photography.
"We believe that informed and engaged citizens are the foundation of a healthy and enduring democracy."
march
26
Reception for Urs Broennimann, Consul General of Switzerland (Atlanta), co-hosted by the Center.
limited attendance; contact the center director for more information.
march
29
Dr. Randy Kluver, Dean of Oklahoma State University Global Studies, will lead a luncheon discussion of China.
limited attendance; contact the center director for more information.
April
1
Tulsa City Council member Laura Bellis will talk about her expereinces serving on the City Council.
limited attendance; contact the center director for more information.
April
16
(This date is held for a large open attendance event on the OU-Tulsa campus. Details to be announced.)
open attendance with lunch available for purchase; in the Learning center on the OU-tulsa campus.
may
13
Bob Burke, Oklahoma's most widely published authority on Oklahoma history, will talk about the wild and wooly days of our political past. Politics may be bad now, but he will explain how it was once even worse.
open attendance with lunch available for purchase; in the Learning center on the OU-tulsa campus.
mayo
21
Dr. Zidane Zeraoui del Instituto Tecnológico e de Estudos Superiores de Monterrey va a visitar a OU-Tulsa para una serie de reuniones y debates sobre política en Estados Unidos y México y el futuro de las relaciones entre los dos países.
participacion abierta a todos pero las actividades se realizarán en español; contacta al director del Centro para más información.
June
7
Seminar program on contemporary Africa with Dr. J. Holmes Armstead presiding and featuring Amb. Mpho Mophuting from Botswana and Dr. Kedibone Phago from South Africa.
Open attendance; location to be announced.
June
15
Celebration activities to commorate the official birthday of King Charles III.
Details to be announced.
Please join us! To be added to our invitation list,
simply send an email to the Center's Director, Prof. Rodger Randle .
Tulsa Studies

Every city is different. Each is a product of the experiences of history that formed its culture and character, but cities are always dynamically changing. New forces from within, as well as broader societal influences from outside, are producing constant transformations.

Tulsa, however, is a city with a striking stoy to tell. In these studies we look at Tulsa from various different perspectives. Looking backwards, we review examples of how we became the Tulsa we are today. Looking at today's Tulsa, we search for new trends and directions that are shaping our city now …and that are shaping the Tulsa we will become in the future. For each of these objectives we are using multi-media formats.

Ethno-Photography
My time in other countries has taught me how urgently we in Oklahoma need to broaden our horizons and to learn about other peoples, and how to see beyond what separates us to what we share in common. My photographic documentation of other cultures (“ethno-photography”) is a contribution towards stimulating greater interest in the world beyond America’s borders and beyond the daily news headlines. My contribution is small but the purpose is large, and I’m deeply appreciative of the University of Oklahoma , and the financial supporters of my Center, for allowing me to continue this work. Building bridges of understanding is the only way to escape our constant cycle in the worlds of wasrs and conflicts.
Oklahoma Studies

We have launched a new project to preserve a selected record of details of Oklahoma legislative processes and politics from several periods of modern Oklahoma history. This collection will be a sampling of permanent historic value.

Understanding our roots is the key to understanding modern Oklahoma. Our projected is two parts: (1) preserve records that are being lost, and (2) make these records accessible to the general public through the Center’s website.

This history is difficult to preserve because it is currently mostly oral. Our collection is designed for the general public, but it is also designed to create a record that iwill be of long lasting value to researchers as well.

Past Events
2023-24 Academic Year
March 13
Dr. Ebony Johnson spoke to a crowd of over 200 at a community luncheon on the OU-Tulsa campus about public schools in Tulsa.
March 4
Dr. James Armstead spoke to a limited attendance luncheon on Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
February 26
Dr. Ebony Johnson spoke at a small luncheon of community leaders. The luncheon organized and hosted by the Center.
February 21
The Center Director spoke on the formation of Tulsa culture at the Downtoen Rotary Club in Tulsa.
February 9
The Center's Cercle d'Honneur met in Oklahoma City for a program on current political trends.
February 5
Charles Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, and Bryan Warner, Deputy Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, spoke at a large luncheon on the OU-Tulsa campus.
january 26
The Center hosted a Robert Burns Supper, one of the most traditional annual celebrations of Scottish culture.
january 21
The Center provided the kickoff lecture in the 2024 Great Decisions series sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries.
january 12
The Center hosted a forum on polarization in American politics featuring Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn (Republican) and State Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa)
DECEMBER 7
Christoph Wolff, the renowned Bach scholar from Germany (and currently visiting professor of music at Harvard), spoke on Bach's life.
Organized in partnership with the German-American Society of Tulsa.
NOVEMBER 28
OSU Dean Randy Kluver led an informal luncheon discussion on China and Xi Jinping's meeting with President Biden.
NOVEMBER 9
In partnership with Tulsa Chorale, the Center presented a seminar on the significance of "A German Requiem" by Johannes Brahms.
NOVEMBER 1
The Center hosted a luncheon for J. Holmes Armstead, retired Naval War College professor.
OCTOBER 30
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond spoke to a luncheon with nearly 300 guests on the OU-Tulsa campus.
OCTOBER 19
Free Speech, Fake News, and Downright Lies: a panel discussion at OU-Tulsa
OCTOBER 12
The Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish was the speaker for a luncheon meeting of the Center's Cercle d´Honneur in Oklahoma City.
OCTOBER 11 AND 13
The Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish was the speaker for two luncheons.
OCTOBER 3
Former congressman and US Ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Rooney, was the Center's guest for a luncheon.
SEPTEMBER 26
Rick Dickson, University of Tulsa Athletic Director, spoke on bridging divides at a large luncheon at OU-Tulsa..
SEPTEMBER 21
John Croisant and Susan Lampkin, members of the Board of Tulsa Public Schools, reported on education in Tulsa.
AUGUST 21
Dr. Robert Donaldson, former TU presdient, spoke about Russia at a large luncheon on the OU-Tulsa campus.
AUGUST 4
Dr. Randy Kluver, OSU Dean, spoke about China at a large luncheon on the OU-Tulsa campus.
JULY 14
The Center hosted a meeting of its "Cercle de l'Honneur" members in Oklahoma City.
What's New at the Center...
Celebration of the King's Birthday
Join with us in traditional celebration of the King's Official Birthday, the national day of the United Kingdom.
This will be attendance event.
Robert Burns Supper Held in January
A traditional Robert Burn Supper was held in late January with a very special guest, The Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland, as the main speaker. Our first Burns Supper organized by the Center was held in 2023.
This was a limited attendance event.
Cherokee Nation Leaders
Spoke on Campus in February
Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, and Charles Garrett, head of Cherokee Nation Businesses, presented a program on the importance of the Cherokee Nation to modern Oklahoma. The luncheon in Founders Hall on the OU-Tulsa campus attracted 300 guests.
This was an open attendance event on the OU-Tulsa campus.
Dr. Ebony Johnson Will Speak on
the State of the Schools
Tulsa Public School’s Acting Superintendent as agreed to speak at one of our large luncheons. We are working on finalizing with her the date for her appearance. The former superintendent, Dr. Deborah Gist, had been scheduled to speak for one of our luncheons, but between the announcement of her speaking date and actual event she left her post as TPS Superintendent.
This will be an open attendance event on the OU-Tulsa campus.
About You, About Us
You are at the center
of all we do.
We are based on the American ideal that citizens are the foundation of our democracy, and we create opportunities for people of all types and backgrounds to come together, to learn together, and to share together.

In addition to organizing events and activities for you, we publish on the web. In our “Tulsa Studies” section you will find a variety of articles and reflections about our city. In our “Ethno-Photography” section you will find illustrated articles about other peoples and cultures. These articles are part of our efforts to connect Oklahoma and the world.

OU-Tulsa was created as an urban campus with a special mission of bridging the university and the community. The activities of our Center are in furtherance of this mission.

Here is how you can participate with us:

JOIN OUR INVITATION LIST AND ATTEND OUR EVENTS.
All of our large luncheons on the OU-Tulsa campus are free if you bring your own lunch, but a nominally priced lunch will also be available for purchase.

BIRNG A FIREND WITH YOU.
We will always have space for one more. Don't forget to add your friend to your reservation.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT LUNCHEONS.
There is always a lot of work to be done on the day of an event. If you can come early or stay late, we'll put you to work. Tell the Center Director of your interest by sending an email to Prof. Rodger Randle

MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION.
OU does not cover all the expenses of the Center and we are dependent on the generosity of friends. If you are willing to consider making a donation, please contact the Center Director, Prof. Rodger Randle . Contribution are made through the OU Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization.


The Center is the Home of the
BRITISH HONORARY CONSULATE
in Oklahoma.
We organize community events
for you, and much more.
Our events on the OU Tulsa campus regularly draw over 150 guests. These are held more or less monthly, and we sponsor smaller events with greater frequency.

The center has existed for a couple of decades, but in recent years our activities and audience have expanded greatly.

Over the years our events have attracted noted academics, national and international journalist including the New York Times and the Financial Times of London, ambassadors and other diplomats, writers and historians, and public officials at the local state and national levels.

We often partner with other organizations for projects and activities, including internationally. We are currently launching a new project with the Instituto Maria Quitéria in Rio de Janeiro. Past activities have included partnership activities in South America, central America, Africa, and Europe.

Prof. Rodger Randle
photo: Tulsa World
The Director of the Center is Prof. Rodger A. Randle. His public service began with the Peace Corps in Brazil and continued later as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and then to the State Senate where he was twice elected to its top leadership post. Following his legislative service he was twice elected mayor of Tulsa.

Prof. Randle has served in may civic posts, including as nation Chair and President of Sister Cities. He has received recognitions and awards for his public service from Brazil. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela (pre-Chávez), and Pakistan.

Currently he serves as British Honorary Consul for Oklahoma.

The seal of the Center depicts the island of Rokovoco at sunset. The red and white in the sky are the colors of OU.
Cercle
d'Or
The generosity of our supporters allows us to do all we do,
and we are deeply grateful to each of them.
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We are proud to have a distinguished Council of Advisors.
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Our partners are an important source of our support.
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OU Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture

Prof. Rodger A. Randle, Director
The University of Oklahoma Tulsa
4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135
E-mail: randle@ou.edu

Click here to visit our homepage.