OU Alumnus Gives Back To Preserve Charter Class History

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY-OAKLAND, SEPTEMBER 17, 1959

On this warm fall day, Greg Demanski and more than 550 students gathered on the campus of Michigan State University- Oakland, later to become Oakland University, for the convocation of its Charter Class. The young men and women excitedly filed into the crowded auditorium as university founders Alfred and Matilda Wilson looked on with pride.

For Alfred and Matilda, this day marked the realization of a bold dream to create a university in Oakland County. Two years earlier, they had donated their 1,400-acre estate, its buildings and $2 million to establish Michigan State University- Oakland.

Matilda, especially, would form a special bond with Charter Class members over the next few years and while she may not have known it at the time, the memories created at her home, Meadow Brook Hall, would last a lifetime for these students.

The students, trailblazers in their own right, looked up at the podium where Michigan State University President John A. Hannah stood in his traditional black regalia. He acknowledged the important role the Charter Class would have in the development of the university.

“Today we take our first step into the history of Michigan State University- Oakland,” he said. “It is you who by the quality of your leadership, example, and application will determine whether the bright promise will be realized … whether, in short, Michigan State University- Oakland will live up to its advance notices.”

Greg Demanski and his Charter Class peers took this challenge to heart and courageously took those first steps towards building the future of Oakland University. It is through their leadership and dedication to excellence that Oakland University stands today a doctoral institution that impacts Michigan and the world through education, research and scholarship – and the university of choice for more than 110,000 alumni.

GREG DEMANSKI HONORS THE CHARTER CLASS

Charter Class members have fond memories of their days at OU. Many recall square dances, picnics and archery on the lawn.

For Greg Demanski, his favorite memory at OU was meeting his late wife, Lucile (Sirko) Demanski, who would graduate one year after Greg with a degree in elementary education.

“So much of my life has had a direct line to OU,” he says. “I saw my beloved wife for the first time at the Oakland Center. There are so many memories from that time.”

Now retired after a long career in business and real estate, Demanski wants to honor his time at OU and pay tribute to the members of the Charter Class who hold a special place in his heart. He has directed a gift to the place all Charter Class members remember best – Meadow Brook Hall – to fund a new visitor’s center.

MEADOW BROOK HALL VISITOR’S CENTER

Meadow Brook Hall serves a central role in Oakland University’s history.

The Hall, former home to university founders Alfred and Matilda Wilson, is now a national historical landmark that welcomes thousands of community members each year.

Charter Class members, however, knew the hall as a homey, welcoming place to visit, have tea with Mrs. Wilson and attend events. Matilda Wilson was quick to welcome students into her home and formed a special bond with the first class. Upon their graduation, she held a senior dance for the students and presented them with a gold class ring that was set with a diamond and included the legend “Oakland University Charter Class.”

Demanski still remembers the first time he entered Meadow Brook Hall.

“I was blown away by the hall,” he says. “It’s marvelous. It was then, and it is still. It hasn’t changed one bit.”

“I always like to try counting the number of chimneys,” he adds laughing.

Demanski给访问者的中心将provi的礼物de a way to share the rich history of the hall with community members and current students. Through the center, today’s students will be able to see their university through the eyes of its trailblazing Charter Class.

“The gift is another way of giving back to the university that gave so much to me,” says Demanski. “Oakland has always been an important part of my life. I met my wife there. I launched the career of my dreams. I made many great friends that are still an important part of my life today.”

A list of Charter Class members will be featured in the new exhibit at the Visitor’s center to honor the remarkable individuals who helped pave the way for a successful future for OU. Construction for the new visitor’s center is expected to be complete in 2023. Learn more aboutMeadow Brook Hall.

Demanski looks over rendering of new visitor's center