Beverly Endicott, Director of Sponsored Programs, is planned to retire this June. We decided to interview Beverly to learn more about her adventures at the Univerisity of Central Oklahoma in the College of Mathematics and Sciences.

1. How did you get involved in UCO? “I was hired in 2002 as director of grants and major gifts. At that time, centralized development was located in the Alliance for Institutional Advancement. In 2003, the university moved development directors to each college and I came to CMS as development director in October 2003.”
2. What would you say has been your largest contribution to the College of Mathematics and Science? “After arriving at UCO in 2002, I began working with former CMS dean, Dr. Bill Caire, to fund construction of nine Biology labs that were not finished when the lab annex was completed in 1997. The university barely had any alumni records at that time, so I had to research CMS alumni and create a database. Drs. Peggy Guthrie and Jenna Hellack (former Biology department chairs) were instrumental in helping me build that database. Dr. Caire and I were introduced to CMS alumnus Dr. Lee Beasley, who agreed to chair the Investment in Excellence campaign to complete these laboratories. Dr. Beasley helped secure two grants from the Inasmuch Foundation, along with funds from private donors. All nine labs were completed in three phases for a little over $1 million.”
3. What is your favorite memory at CMS? “I have many great memories, but these are my favorites: 1. the aforementioned Biology lab campaign; 2. When former dean, Dr. Wei Chen, came into my office and asked me to log into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) eRA Commons database to upload the summary statement and reviews for an NIH R01 grant proposal he had submitted six months prior. As we reviewed the documents online, it was clear that his scores were within the funding range. I still remember both of us jumping around, screaming and high-fiving. It was an incredible accomplishment for Dr. Chen. The grant was the first NIH R01 awarded to a non-research institution in the state; 3. Traveling to annual National Science Foundation grant meetings in Washington DC; and 4. Any time one of our faculty receives a grant!”
   

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4. What are you looking forward to most about retirement? “Having more time to do things I already enjoy doing—gardening, cycling, cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. I am looking forward to my second COVID vaccine in April so that I can return to my regular workouts at the Y. Traveling is high on the list, as well as attending concerts and sporting events when it is safe to do so.”
5. One piece of advice you want to leave with CMS. “Something I have said many times before – let others proof your proposal drafts.”
6. One thing you have learned from CMS? “Patience!”

Thank you Beverly for fighting for our professors and for taking care of our college! You will be truly missed.

Buddy Broncho

Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.