Introducing the new Oklahoma State University Alumni Association president
Thursday, September 3, 2020
New Alumni Association president details the route he’s taken to OSU
On April 30, Rob McInturf began his tenure as the 15th president of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association. McInturf brings an extensive background in alumni relations and university advancement to OSU, including a six-year stint as executive director for alumni relations at the University of North Texas. He recently sat down with STATE Magazine for a Q&A to introduce himself.
Can you tell us a little bit about your childhood?
I grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, which is about 2½ hours east of Chicago. I was raised in a music and sports-loving family. My sister and I both played everything we could and had really great family support. Our nights and weekends were filled with practices, games and concerts. When it was time for me to go to college, I wanted to play baseball in warmer weather and ended up at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama.
Where did life take you after college?
My senior year, I took an internship in the university’s advancement office. It turned out to be a pivotal experience. After I finished my master’s degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, I was invited to come back and work for West Alabama as the alumni director. I got to wear a lot of hats. I worked in alumni engagement, managed the university’s annual fund and handled UWA’s public relations and marketing efforts.
Where did you head next after receiving all of that experience in Alabama?
There was an opportunity at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, which is on the southern coast of the state. It’s a beautiful community and campus. It is only a five-minute drive from the ocean. I met my wife, Emily, there and had a wonderful experience. In 2014, we moved to Dallas-Fort Worth for a role at the University of North Texas. There are a lot of OSU alumni in Texas, and it was easy to hear about the great things happening in Stillwater. I thought if I ever got the opportunity to be a part of that, it would definitely be something to explore.
What made OSU stand out to you?
Several things stood out to me. The OSU brand and the Cowboy Code are what hit me first. The passion and pride of alumni in what they stand for and how they treat others is the best amplifier of what it means to be a Cowboy. The word family gets used a lot, too, and it’s accurate. People here are genuinely interested in others’ success and look out for each other. It’s a very welcoming community.
What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?
Getting to know our alumni and learning what’s important to all of our constituents, which is challenging in this COVID-19 environment. The OSU Alumni Association represents more than 260,000 graduates and more than 100 chapters and affinity groups. I look forward to working with each to develop the vision and strategic plan for the future of the association.
What do you like to do for fun outside of the office?
Emily and I spend all our “free time” chasing our 3-year-old daughter, Cora. She’s our world. It’s so much fun to watch her grow and develop. It seems like each new stage is our favorite. On the rare occasion that we can get a babysitter, Emily and I like to go to a nice dinner for date night.
Do you have a fun story about you to tell our alumni?
My first collegiate at-bat was against Mark Buehrle. His Major League Baseball career (with the Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays) included a no-hitter, a perfect game, five All-Star Game appearances and a World Series title. You can guess how that at-bat turned out.