Exploring Oakland University: A Comprehensive Guide to Campus, Academics, and History

Oakland University (OU), a public research university located in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication to academic excellence. Founded in 1957 through a donation from Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband Alfred G. Wilson, the university has grown into a vibrant institution offering a wide array of programs and opportunities for students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Oakland University, covering its history, academic offerings, campus features, and more.

A Legacy of Philanthropy: The Founding of Oakland University

The story of Oakland University begins with Matilda Dodge Wilson and Alfred G. Wilson, who donated their 1,443-acre estate to Michigan State University in 1957. This estate included Meadow Brook Hall, Sunset Terrace, and all the estate's other buildings and collections, along with a generous $2 million endowment. This act of philanthropy laid the foundation for what would become Oakland University.

Matilda Dodge Wilson's journey to becoming a co-founder of Oakland University is noteworthy. In 1920, she inherited her first husband John's fortune upon his death. She remarried to Alfred G. Wilson, a lumber baron. Together, the Wilsons played a pivotal role in establishing what was initially known as Michigan State University-Oakland.

Campus Overview: A Blend of History and Modernity

Oakland University's campus spans 1,443 acres (5.84 km2) across Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. The site is comprised of the Main Campus, Meadow Brook Estate, and two nationally ranked golf courses. Main campus buildings were completed on Squirrel Road in Pontiac Township (now the city of Auburn Hills). The campus seamlessly blends historical landmarks with modern facilities, providing a unique and enriching environment for students, faculty, and visitors.

Meadow Brook Estate: A Historic Treasure

One of the most iconic features of Oakland University is the Meadow Brook Estate. This portion of Oakland University consists of the historic Meadow Brook Hall and the land and buildings surrounding it. Completed in 1929, the hall is a 110-room Tudor revival-style mansion that served as Matilda Dodge Wilson's Oakland County estate. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Meadow Brook Hall stands as the fourth-largest historic house museum in the United States. It houses a vast collection of historically significant art and furniture, including paintings by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Anthony van Dyck, Rosa Bonheur, Gilbert Stuart, Joshua Reynolds, John Constable, and Thomas Gainsborough. Sculptures by Antoine-Louis Barye, Frederic Remington, Cyrus Edwin Dallin, and Herbert Haseltine also grace the hall.

The Meadow Brook Music Festival is an outdoor entertainment venue with an on-site pavilion which accommodates close to 8,000 people. In addition to being the site of spring-time graduation ceremonies, Meadow Brook Music Festival also hosts comedians and musical acts.

Academic and Recreational Facilities

Beyond the historical landmarks, Oakland University boasts a range of modern academic and recreational facilities.

Kresge Library: The main library of Oakland University, Kresge Library, offers four floors of study rooms and open-area tables. It also houses the Oakland University Archives, the Historical Abraham Lincoln Collection, and the Jane M.

Oakland Center: The student union, known as the Oakland Center, was renovated and expanded in 2018. It serves as a hub for student activity, housing the offices of student organizations, a large food court with multiple restaurants, the student bookstore, a cafe, a pool hall and gaming center, a Student Technology Center, the campus newspaper The Oakland Post, computer labs, conference rooms, as well as the offices of the university radio station, WXOU (88.3 FM).

Golf Courses: Oakland University has two nationally ranked golf courses that make up most of the southern portion of its land. Katke-Cousins sits on 320 acres (130 ha). Some of the course's 18 holes remain from the 9-hole course John Dodge built when he lived at the estate.

Oakland West Center: In April 2022, the Oakland University Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 18 acres of property two miles west of the main campus. The property contains a 141,245 square-foot building that had previously been used by Baker College. The property is now named "Oakland West Center". The university began offering classes at the center in late Summer 2022, with Baker College and Oakland University classes co-existing in the center during the Summer and Fall 2022 semesters.

Anton/Frankel Center: An office plaza in downtown Mount Clemens, in Macomb County, was donated to the university in 2010 by Gebran Anton and Stuart Frankel. It was repurposed and opened for the fall 2011 semester as the Anton/Frankel Center. It offered several undergraduate and graduate programs. In the summer of 2024, the university discontinued class offerings from the location and vacated the building.

Oakland University Art Gallery: The Oakland University Art Gallery is a civic art exhibition venue in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Former Professor of Art History and Archeology Carl F. Barnes Jr., and Anna M. Barnes donated their collection of over 500 prints in 1999. Collections highlights include the print oeuvre of English print maker and portrait painter Gerald Brockhurst. The Tagore Collection was donated by Dr. Abanindranath Tagore in 1989. It contains calligraphy, rubbings, and scrolls. G. Mennen Williams, the 41st Governor of Michigan, donated his collection in to the gallery in 1968. Williams held the position of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during the Kennedy administration and bequeathed objects acquired during his tours of duty. The Oakland University Art Gallery hosts at least five exhibitions per year, in addition to hosting a variety of lectures, performances, and symposium.

Grizzly Oaks Disc Golf: In 2009, an 18-hole disc golf course opened.

Read also: OU Careers: A Guide

Academic Programs: A Diverse Range of Opportunities

Oakland University offers a wide array of academic programs, catering to diverse interests and career aspirations. The university offers 132 bachelor's degree programs and 138 graduate programs (professional certificates, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees). These programs are housed within several main academic units:

College of Arts and Sciences: Offers a broad range of programs in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
School of Business Administration: Provides comprehensive business education, with accreditation from the AACSB-International in both business and accounting.
School of Education and Human Services: Focuses on preparing educators and human service professionals.
School of Engineering and Computer Science: Offers programs in various engineering disciplines and computer science.
School of Health Sciences: Provides education in health-related fields, preparing students for careers in healthcare.
School of Nursing: Offers nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine: A partnership with William Beaumont Hospital, offering a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB)

In 2007, plans were established to start a medical school on the Oakland University campus in partnership with William Beaumont Hospital, called the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB or OUWBSM) came to fruition. The medical school was founded in 2008 with classes starting in fall of 2011. OUWB is the fourth medical school in the state of Michigan to offer the M.D. degree, received over 3,200 applications for the inaugural class of 50 students.

Student Life: Activities and Housing

Although many of Oakland's students commute from surrounding areas, there are more than 3,000 who live on campus in a variety of residence halls and student apartments. The residence halls include Hillcrest Hall, Oak View Hall, Hamlin Hall, Van Wagoner Hall, and Vandenberg Hall. Residential learning communities on Oakland University's campus include Scholars Tower and the Residential Honors College community. Eight additional buildings make up the George T. Matthews student apartments, and six major Tudor-style buildings house the Ann V.

Research and Recognition

Oakland University is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity". This classification reflects the university's commitment to research and scholarly endeavors. Oakland University is one of the eight research universities in the State of Michigan. The university fosters a culture of innovation and discovery, with faculty and students engaged in cutting-edge research across various disciplines.

Admissions and Rankings

For the Class of 2025 (enrolled fall 2021), Oakland University received 10,475 applications and accepted 9,661 (92.2%). Of those accepted, 2,025 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 21.0%.

Oakland University has received recognition from various ranking publications.

A Look at the Identity: Mascot, Colors, and Song

Oakland University's athletic teams were previously known as the Pioneers. In 1998 they were renamed the Golden Grizzlies. The university's fight song is "OU Fight".

Key Moments in Oakland University History

Throughout its history, Oakland University has experienced several significant moments that have shaped its identity and trajectory.

1957: Matilda Dodge Wilson and Alfred Wilson donate their estate to Michigan State University, establishing Michigan State University-Oakland.
1958: Matilda Wilson demands that the university's address match Meadow Brook Hall's Rochester address, even though the main campus lies in Pontiac Township (now the City of Auburn Hills).
1998: Oakland's athletic teams were renamed the Golden Grizzlies.
2003: University and city officials signed a partnership agreement in 2003 to officially recognize the relationship between Rochester and Oakland University.
2009: Tenured faculty members represented by the Oakland University chapter of the American Association of University Professors went on strike. In 2009, an 18-hole disc golf course opened.
2011: Oakland University hosted a debate between Republican presidential candidates on 9 November 2011.
2013: The Oakland University Board of Trustees approved a $65 million investment in campus expansion and improvement projects.
2014: Projects completed included construction of a nearly $30 million student housing complex; dramatic enhancement of outdoor recreation and athletic fields; construction of a 1,240-space parking structure, and; construction of new headquarters for facility and grounds maintenance operations.
2017: On 4 May 2017, the board announced Ora Hirsch Pescovitz as Oakland University's seventh president. Her tenure began on 1 July 2017, under a 5-year contract.
2018: The Oakland Center, was renovated and expanded in 2018.
2022: In April 2022, the Oakland University Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 18 acres of property two miles west of the main campus. The property is now named "Oakland West Center".
2024: In the summer of 2024, the university discontinued class offerings from the location and vacated the Anton/Frankel Center building.

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