2015 — Susie Collins Hentschel

You can never have too much TU blue in your wardrobe, according to Susie Collins Hentschel. For more than 30 years, she and her family have supported the university as generous donors and loyal friends. A vibrant presence on campus, she is a member of the Board of Trustees who has established herself as one of TU’s most enthusiastic advocates.

“TU is the city’s school, and I’m so proud of our campus, its programs and growth,” she said. Hentschel’s genuine and energetic personality shines in projects she has overseen with the board’s student life committee. She is a strong proponent of campus beautification initiatives that elevate TU’s image as a top national university and is a member of the building and grounds, executive and nominating and governance committees.

A retired teacher and reading specialist, Hentschel holds a special place in her heart for education. An adventurous spirit led the Iowa native to college first at Barat College near Chicago and later California State University, but TU is home. When she and her late husband Fulton Collins, a three-time Stanford alumnus, moved to Tulsa (his hometown) in 1981, TU pulled at their heartstrings.

“Fulton knew that if he made a donation to Stanford, it wouldn’t have as big of an impact as it would at TU,” Hentschel said.

Collins passed away in 2008, and in his final days drafted a 9-page letter to her and TU President Steadman Upham. Handwritten on simple notebook paper, the words describe in detail his wishes for further expansion and advancement of a university he’d grown to love.

“It’s been wonderful to pick up the baton and carry on Fulton’s vision and university traditions,” she said. “It was never a plan for us to become so involved at TU, but when we did, it was a natural progression to follow in his footsteps.”

In addition to TU and her role as president of Collins Investments Inc., Hentschel’s priorities are faith, family and fitness. She and her husband, Dave, are involved in many nonprofit organizations such as Day Center for the Homeless and San Miguel School. Hentschel also is active in the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma and Philbrook Museum. Together, they enjoy a blended family of six children and 12 grandchildren.

A competitive tennis player, Hentschel also enjoys golf, cycling and hiking. Throughout the years, her family’s interest in fitness and Golden Hurricane athletics has inspired several state-of-the-art TU facilities including a fitness center and softball complex. Three decades after discovering TU, Hentschel’s campus involvement has not only advanced the university but also cultivated a treasured friendship. “It turned out to be an amazing opportunity. TU is my family – my Tulsa family.”