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 USAO Alumni Association,
served two terms as the association’s treasurer and as an alumni representative to
the USAO Board of Regents. She was also a member of the USAO Alumni Association Golden
Endowment Club. She was involved in several improvement projects in the USAO Student
Union, including the elevator project and the Alumni Chapel Committee. She was a charter
member of the USAO Library Society, a Century Member of the Education Development
Fund, and served as a USAO Foundation Board of Trustees board member for nine years
and as its secretary. Wood served on the USAO 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.