Denise Flis, the senior director of student financial services, is retiring from the university.
She will retire after working at the university since 1994. She oversaw financial aid, student accounts and student employment.
“I was initially hired as a secretary, then I got promoted to an assistant. I was the data systems analyst for human resources,” Flis said. “Then I moved to financial aid. The director got sick, and I rolled my sleeve up and kept things going. They made me the interim director. There had been a lot of turnover, and there was a lot of clean up I had to do.”
Flis said she loves her staff, and she knows they will be able to handle everything after she is gone.
“I have a great team,” she said. “If I’m out of the office, there is always someone who knows what they are doing. The students are never waiting on someone to get back to them. We play hard together, and it’s been such a blessing to get to know these guys. It is wonderful to have a staff that gets along so well.”
Flis said her favorite memories involve students and how she was able to help them.
“One of the most difficult things we do is the beginning of the fall semester,” she said. “It’s the high energy and the excitement of the new class going in. There’s also getting to see old students, and seeing what they’ve done this summer. It’s amazing to go to graduation and say, ‘Yes, I helped that kid get there!’”
After retiring, Flis said her main goal is to spend time with family. Her husband has dealt with cancer and recently had a triple biopsy, and taking care of her mother is also a priority, she said.
“My mom is 80, and she lives in Ohio. She’s a top priority. My husband and his health are also a priority,” Flis said. “I also have grandchildren. I’m in walking distance to their house, so I can take care of them. I’m also looking for volunteer opportunities with Children’s Hospital. My son is also in Seattle, so I will go and see him. ”
Kurt Grau will take over her position. Grau was originally the director of financial aid operations at Arizona State University and has also worked at Indiana Wesleyan University.
“I had previously worked at a small private university in Indiana,” Grau said. “I really enjoyed it, and I wanted to join a smaller environment again. I’m happy to do it. I feel like Oklahoma is much more similar to Indiana, so I don’t think the transition will be so hard.”
Grau said he is looking forward to collaboration and to helping students.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to help people,” he said. “I’m excited to work more closely with a good collaborative team and to work with more students.”
Flis said she thinks Grau will be perfect for the position.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the person coming in will be ready,” Flis said. “He’s coming from a big state university, but he used to work at a private university.”
Evan Juedeman, public relations senior, is interning with marketing and communication, and said he loved working with Flis.
“Denise is an Oklahoma City University institution herself,” he said. “She has always been super helpful. Even before I was a student employee, she was so helpful with my financial aid. I’m going to miss her a whole lot, she’s been really great to work with.”
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