Sooner Schooner taking a ride on Owen Field
Hello class, this is my formal introduction post to tell you more about me.
I guess we should start off with the basics, my name is Ryan Ard, I am a junior here at OU, and my major is Public Relations. One of my favorite things to do is to be an active Oklahoma RUF/NEK member. Through the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS I care for the school's official mascot the Sooner Schooner as well as care for and maintain Boomer and Sooner, OU's two white welsh ponies.
When people ask me if I have hobbies I usually can't think of any on the spot because I am always busy fulfilling responsibilities with the club or planning for future events with the club. I guess some would say that my membership in this club has consumed my life but I think the contrary is true.
This club has opened up so many opportunities for me and without my membership, I wouldn't be involved with many of the opportunities I have had. Through this organization I have joined Camp Kesem, I've had internships, and I have future commitments on the horizon. These different opportunities were all brought upon by relationships with people I've made through this organization. I would say that at least 70% of my other involvement across campus and across the professional world are due to the relationships and connections I've made within this club.
I guess that covers my introduction post, I am stretched about as thin as I can be and I wouldn't have it any other way and most of that is due to my membership to this wonderful program.
Hello Ryan! I hadn't heard about the Oklahoma RUF/NEK before I read your post, but I admire your dedication to the club. The way you were able to branch out to other areas through this club
ReplyDeleteI can tell that you're passionate about the club, and I agree that it has enhanced your life rather than consume it. Your opportunities with Camp Kesem, internships, and other upcoming commitments prove that you've reaped many benefits from your club position and responsibilities. One such benefit I imagine is getting to be close to Boomer and Sooner. You are living the dream of every My Little Pony fan.
All jokes aside, it's nice to have you as a classmate this semester. I read your story "The Wolf Who Saw" and I adored it. I look forward to reading more!
Hi Ryan!
ReplyDeleteI have never met someone involved with the Oklahoma RUF/NEK organization. It sounds like you are very dedicated and spend a lot of time as a member. I do know, however, a little bit about Camp Kesem. I have some friends involved, and I have only heard amazing things about it. As a PR major, I am sure your connections are especially helpful for your future career path.
Hi Ryan!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to see how passionate you are in the Oklahoma RUF/NEK club! I actually did not know what this club was until I read your post. I am interested in learning more about it seeing how interesting it sounds. I hope your junior year is a success and goes by easily! I also loved the picture you included!
Hey Ryan!
ReplyDeleteI love to see the you are a part of the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS! What an amazing club it is! How was your internship this summer? I had an internship as well, but I wasn't a huge fan of mine. I hope you enjoyed it! I love to see that you are successful while you are involved in everything that you are involved with! You're going to do amazing things throughout your four year here at OU and in the club and I can't wait to see what they are!
Hey Ryan,
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you're in the RUF/NEK club! I know a few people in it and they've only had glowing things to say about it! I bet it definitely does get exhausting, but I it's probably worth it to run across the stadium right before game-time starts. I'm involved in the Soonerthon Exec committee, which definitely takes up a lot of my time as well. Hope to keep reading more from you.
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI always wondered if the RUF/NEK's were the ones who took care of the schooner and the horses, or if there were other people dedicated to that. I always hold my breath when I see one of the club members hanging out of the back, it seems so scary! I'm glad you've had a great experience with the club and that it has led to so many wonderful things!
Hey Ryan! The RUF/NEK club sounds really enjoyable and rewarding, I'm glad you've been afforded so many great opportunities due to your involvement there. Internships and friendships are always good things! I thought about majoring in Public Relations as a freshman, I hope you've enjoyed your classes in that department. Best of luck on the rest of your semester and junior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Ryan!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it is an amazing opportunity to be RUF/NEK. I am so happy that is has opened so many doors for you. I feel that one the most helpful benefits in joining any type of club is the connections that you make. Connections are so important for the future, as it is always nice to have someone that you can go to for advice. Also, it sounds so fun to be able to care for Boomer and Sooner. I love Boomer and Sooner, as I specifically remember seeing them and the schooner when I was little when I went to OU football games!
Hey Ryan, good to see a familiar face (or screenname, I suppose) in the class! I'm glad to see you're still having the time of your life with the RUF/NEKs! It's definitely a big time commitment but it's clearly been worth it for you. I had no idea you were involved with Camp Kesem too – that's so cool! I have friends who work with them too and I love hearing about it. Good luck this semester, can't wait to read all of your stories!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Ryan!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fun fact that you get to care for the schooner and Boomer and Sooner! I am sure they are wonderful horses and that you have a blast getting to know them. It is great that you have found your passion and truly enjoy what you are doing even though it is time consuming. I hope you get to continue doing what you love in the RUF/NEK club and that you have a great semester!
I am such a fan of those ponies, Ryan: how cool that you are one of the people who helps to take care of them. Maybe they can make an appearance in a story that you write for class this semester. I honestly think of those ponies as being our school mascot, even though I know it is officially the schooner. And of course storytelling is a big part of public relations, so I hope this class can be a chance for you to try out some public relations storytelling styles just to see what happens. EVERYBODY needs help with public relations after all, including the characters in folklore and mythology, ha ha. I don't know if you noticed this project from India Epics, but it is a PR firm for the characters of the Ramayana; even if you don't know the Ramayana story it's a fun project to look at for public relations on a mythological scale :-)
ReplyDelete+IMAGE.PR: India's highest ranked PR Firm
Hello Ryan,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you and to be able to know a bit about you! What made you chose Public Relations as a major and what would you like to do with that? I can understand being such a busy person that you don’t really have hobbies. Life seems to carry you from one thing to the next without much rest. I am glad you have something that helps you to grow like this club you’re in.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see you in this class! Your intro post was fascinating and shared many incredible facets of your life. I love that you enjoy being a RUF/NEK, y'all bring the school spirit to a new level! Public Relations is my major as well, I am sure we are taking much of the same course load right now! Glad to have you here, and can't wait to read some of your stories!
Hi Ryan! I loved reading about how much you enjoy being an active RUF/NEK member! I know two people who are RUF/NEKS and they both love being a part of an organization that brings so much school spirit! I too am stretched really thin this semester, but I think I like it better than having fewer things to do! Anyways, I hope you have a great rest of the semester!!
ReplyDeleteRyan, I think being a part of an organization through the school is such a great idea for your future. I am a copy editor for the OU Daily and it has helped me so much! It sounds like you are a little stressed, which is totally natural as a college student. I feel stressed myself of course. It is always good to take time to treat yoself! I wish you luck in the rest of your time at OU.
ReplyDeleteHi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do sound busy! I think it's great that you're throwing yourself into your school and career. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that at this stage in life. I would be part of more clubs and stuff if I lived in Norman, which I'm hoping to next semester. It's interesting that you're a Public Relations major. I'd like to know more about why chose that as your major.
Good luck this semester!
- Cate
howdy ryan,
ReplyDeletewow, it sounds like you are really committed to the ruf neks, that is impressive. It is awesome that that has been so helpful with your life and all of your endeavors, it would suck if you didn’t love it. I enjoy having free time and hobbies, but I also like to keep myself busy. There is something kinda nice about always having stuff to do.
Hi Ryan! I cannot believe you are a RUF/NEK! Those guys are so dang cool and fun. The Lil'Sis look like so much fun too. I bet it is a pretty cool feeling shooting the ceremonial shot guns and driving the schooner. Also, congrats on being a part of so many things. I bet you stay busy. I can't wait to see what you accomplish this year and next. See you out there on the field. Boomer
ReplyDeleteHi Ryan! I think it's so cool that you're a RUF/NEK! I have always admired what you all do for the moral of the University! Often times, it is you guys that encourage the crowd and reach out to the community! Kudos to you! I, like you, am a busy body and am always doing things, but I wouldn't change it! Thank you so much for sharing! Boomer Sooner!
ReplyDeleteHey Ryan!
ReplyDeleteWow it sounds like you stay really busy while at school. That is not a bad thing because it seems that makes school go by faster. I bet being part of the RUF/NEK’s is a ton of fun. It is neat that that organization has helped you make connections for the real world once you are done with school. Keep up the good work!
Hey Ryan!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you've found an organization you are so passionate about and committed to! Finding connections is such an important part of being in school, and it sounds like this club has brought you lots of opportunities. Do you actually get to help take care of the ponies? I've always wondered where they resided and who looked after them. Best of luck with the rest of the semester!
Hi Ryan! That is so cool that you are part of the RUF/NEKs. I can imagine how pumped you must get for the OU football games. I really do hope the Sooner Schooner is fixed quickly however after the game against West Virginia. It was a scary sight to see and I hope everyone was fine. It is definitely one of my favorite traditions of OU, and it is amazing that you are able to be a part of it! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRyan,
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the RUF/NEKS before, but I don't really know what it's all about. I do think is awesome that you get to take care of Boomer and Sooner by being a part of that organization! It sounds like you are super dedicated to it, and that is inspiring. I'm glad that you have gained so many friendships and also have been given so many opportunities within it. It sounds like a really great organization that not many people get to be a part of!
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to meet you. I have met a couple RUF/NEKs before. Do you know Robert Riley? It seems like you have found something you love and it is great that it opens up so many opportunities for you. What are you planning to do with PR? Those connections you made with the club would definitely come in handy! Gook luck on your last few semesters.
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you're a RUF/NEK member! I bet that's a lot of fun, getting to fire up the crowds. I can't believe what happened to the Sooner Schooner. Games just aren't the same without it. Connections and relationships are definitely important and clubs are a great way of improving those. Hope everything is going well and good luck this semester!
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI'm on OU Pom! And I feel same way! Pom was the very first thing I was involved in college. From then on, most of my involvement with other things on campus has stemmed from the relationships that I have made with people in this wonderful program. I couldn't imagine the past three and a half years of college any differently. I hope you enjoy the rest of your year!
Hello Ryan!
ReplyDeleteSURPRISE! I am a member of the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis spirit organization. Is that you driving the Schooner or another RUF/NEK? Are you almost finished with this semester or do you still have more work to get done? Are you looking forward to the Big 12 game this weekend? Look forward to seeing you soon.
-Sam