Thelma Ball Wood spent eight years as a student on the university’s campus, but she
spent a lifetime supporting the institution. She graduated from OCW in 1926 with a
major in Home Economics and minors in art and chemistry. But she was no stranger to
the campus, having also attended the OCW Prep School from 1918-22. While Wood was
a student, she served as editor of the Argus, was vice president of her senior class
and was a member of the Art Club, YWCA Cabinet and the Home Economics organization.
She continued her service to her alma mater as a life member of the Science & Arts
Alumni Association, served two terms as the association’s treasurer and as an alumni
representative to the Science & Arts Board of Regents. She was also a member of the
Science & Arts Alumni Association Golden Endowment Club. She was involved in several
improvement projects in the Science & Arts Student Union, including the elevator project
and the Alumni Chapel Committee. She was a charter member of the Science & Arts Library
Society, a Century Member of the Education Development Fund, and served as a Science
& Arts Foundation Board of Trustees board member for nine years and as its secretary.
Wood served on the Science & Arts Home Economics Advisory Council, was a member of
the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, a life member of the Women’s Society
of Christian Service of the United Methodist Church, and was active in the American
Association of University Woman, Chickasha League of Women Voters and Delphian Study
Club. Three years after graduating from OCW, Wood taught home economics and coached
a girls basketball team for Cordell High School.