Thank you to everyone who made our 2023 Banquet a great success!
The University of Oklahoma Army ROTC Sooner Battalion plans to host its 21st annual Alumni and Friends Banquet at the University of Oklahoma, Memorial Union Ballroom on Friday, November 8, 2024, 5:30 PM for social time with dinner served at 7:00 PM.
This year, we are pleased to announce a very special and distinguished guest speaker: Medal of Honor recipient Dwight Wayne Birdwell. Birdwell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation who grew up in Oklahoma, received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the 1968 Tet Offensive. After his military service, Birdwell remained in Oklahoma, attending and graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He then went on to serve as a judge for the Cherokee Nation and practiced as an attorney in Oklahoma City. Please click here to read his Wikipedia entry, or click here to download a complete biography (Adobe PDF file).
This event allows all former graduates and friends of our program the ability to reunite with one another, meet our cadets and their families and catch up on old times.
We also want to encourage all of our alumni and friends to meet and talk to as many cadets as possible. The cadets are always curious to hear our “war” stories and how ROTC benefited us.
We will be awarding 82 scholarships and awards worth $121,650 to our outstanding cadets. The OU Alumni Association names our group number ONE out of over 100 alumni clubs due to our commitment to scholarships (awarding 82 scholarships/awards each year that range from $500 to $5,000) and numerous other events we sponsor. To our alumni–thank you for making this possible.
We wish to invite the proud parents and family friends of our cadets so that they can see first hand how proud we are too. We hope to surpass our excellent attendance of around 300 attendees for the last 4 years.
ATTENTION OU Army ROTC classes of 2014, 2004, 1994, 1984, 1974, and 1964: This year is your reunion year! Reconnect with friends and your ROTC program at the OU Army ROTC program at the OU Army ROTC Alumni Banquet on Friday, November 8, 2024. Starting this year, we will host a reunion for commissioning years in 10 year increments. We encourage you to bring photos and memorabilia from your time at OU and in ROTC and share at the banquet. ALSO—The Armory will be open prior to the Banquet on Friday afternoon from 2-4 P.M. Please join us for an Armory tour as major changes have resulted due to the Mulva grant.
The cost of the banquet will be $50 for Alumni and guests. We expect a large number of attendees, so please register early on our website while space is available!
Attendees will be required to electronically register and pay by check or credit card. Attendees must also provide information on choice of meal (beef, chicken or veggie) and any dietary considerations.
Cadets should register themselves and their spouses or dates with their primary Military Science Instructor. Cost for Cadets will be paid by the Alumni Association. Cadet spouses and dates will receive a special rate of $25. Donations are welcome and encouraged.
Free parking will be provided in the parking lot East of the Field House (2 handicapped, 150 regular). Additional parking will be available in the Memorial Union garage (171 parking spots) for $2.00 per hour
NOTE – To pay by credit card, when registering click on Paypal link then enter credit card information beneath Paypal login link. It may look like you are using your Paypal but you are not. Paypal account is not required and no paypal password is needed. Please only register once and before October 30, 2024.
Hats, lapel pins, and coins will be available!
Minimum donations of $5 for the lapel pin, $10 for the Challenge Coin, $15 for the Logo Hat or $25 for the complete set. Available at the banquet as supplies last.
For questions concerning this event or to report problems with the registration process, please contact us at ouarmyrotcalumni AT gmail DOT com.