Bonnie Stout, BA 2006

Director of Organizational Development, Oklahoma State University Foundation

A 2006 grad with a degree in Liberal Arts Studies, Bonnie has the pleasure of helping
to make Oklahoma State University Foundation a great place to work. She assists the
organization in looking at the people, processes, systems, and tools to ensure they
are using them to the best of their ability, in order to raise private funds that
support Oklahoma State University. The organization has been named one of the top
2020 non-profits to work for in the United States by the Non-Profit Times.

Learn more about Bonnie:

Why did you choose to attend Southeastern?

I chose to attend Southeastern because it was a great way to transition from a community
college to a 4-year institution as a non-traditional student. I wanted to have smaller
classes as well as more facetime with my professors.

Is there one thing or iconic place on campus that reminds you of your time spent at
Southeastern?

Sims Memorial Library was a place I spent a lot of my time. I commuted from Baton
Rouge, so I tried to use my time wisely and schedule all my classes for specific days.
I used the library as an office per se…you know to get things done. The smell of the
books with a great cup of PJ’s coffee always helped me get a mindset to research,
study, do homework, or read.

What is your fondest Southeastern memory?

Graduation, of course! Feeling the sense of accomplishment and sharing that with family,
friends, classmates, and professors. Graduation is a big deal and celebrating it is
a memory I will always remember.

Did a Southeastern professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?

I always enjoyed reading and loved the thought of getting wrapped up in plot lines
and stories. When I met my academic advisor, Dr. Ply, I knew we would be kindred spirits.
Her love of Shakespeare and Kate Chopin opened a new perspective of worlds to me.
I enjoyed her classes and learning more about the protagonists and how the stories
were shaped based on who they were. Her classes opened a whole new world of literature
to me. You see stories were not just stories anymore they had thought behind them
that made each character who they are.

How did your Southeastern degree prepare you for success in your career?

My Southeastern degree gave me new perspectives of the world around me. It showed
me historical events and made them relevant to the future. My degree gave me a love
for literature and the ability to ascertain the story being told. Philosophy gave
me the ability to appreciate other thoughts whether I agreed with them or not. I would
like to think Southeastern prepared me to look at the world with a whole new lens
of appreciation and using my experiences to shape who I am today.

What unexpected experience or event has shaped and/or influenced your current professional
life?

Three years before I graduated from Southeastern, at the age of 28, I lost my husband
of eight years in an automobile accident. Keith Williams always supported my education;
he was my biggest cheerleader and supporter. He was always a person who was optimistic
about life – I am doing my best to continue to carry that torch. No matter what adversity
or hardship I face, I keep moving forward and realize to everything there is a beginning
and an end. I can make and shape anything, just pull my boots on and get to work.

What advice would you give to a driven college student about to enter the “real world”?

Give yourself some grace if you do not take the path that you initially intended.
Use every set back as a learning experience and an opportunity to improve yourself.
There is always something greater around the bend just be willing to continue to move
forward.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I am currently the mother to an amazing little guy who is three years old. I thoroughly
enjoy what I have now coined as toddler wrangling. I also enjoy traveling, golfing,
fishing, and my morning/evening strolls outside.

Do you have a fun or interesting fact that you would like to share about yourself?

I am introverted at heart. People often think I am the life of the party, the model
extrovert. To me, being around people is a lot of work…don’t get me wrong I do love
people. But I truly enjoy the comfort of a warm blanket in my home watching a sappy
Hallmark movie to unwind.