CAAE Member Spotlight, March 2024

Name: Dave Hail

Institution: The University of Oklahoma

Q: Are you new to alumni relations, new to your institution, neither, or both?

A: Neither. I came to OU as an undergrad in the late 90’s and haven’t left yet. My student assistantship in the Alumni Association became involvement in the Student Alumni Board and that became a full-time position upon graduation. I have served in international alumni programs, club and chapter relations, operations, and for one edition as interim editor of our alumni magazine. I’ve been Executive Director since 2010. 

Q: Best perk of the job so far:

A: The opportunity to meet so many of our alumni from around the world and hear the commonality and uniqueness of each of their stories. I also get to go to some pretty awesome football games.

Q: Biggest challenge so far:

A: Adjusting to the changing realities and receptions of the role of both alumni and alumni engagement in higher ed.

Q: If you needed to, could you sing your school’s fight song and/or alma mater?

A: Anyone who has ever heard “Boomer Sooner” knows this is a pretty low bar, but for sure. I hear that song in my dreams.

Q: What would it surprise people to know about you?

A: I used to occasionally perform as a singer in a Rat Pack tribute show. Sometimes as Frank, sometimes as Dean.

Q: Who would be your dream dinner guests?

A: Bob Iger, Deion Sanders, Walter Isaacson, Mark Rober, Adam Grant, Taylor Swift, Daniel Kahneman, Lin Manuel Miranda, Taika Waititi, and Jordan Peele. It’s a big dinner.

Q: When I’m not on the job, you’ll find me…

A: At this stage in my life, probably a youth sports complex or a dance recital.