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Olympic Gams
Longtime Alumni Staff Member Named 2004 Oklahoma Senior Olympian of the Year
By Elissa K. Harvill
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Atop those practically world-famous weightlifting, leg-pressing, race-walking limbs stands Winnie Perdue. She seems to be everywhere, always has something to say, is always right. The sheer quintessence of joy and abundant life. You simply cannot miss her. If you've been anywhere near the Alumni Relations office--now in LRC 616--you will hear her declarations, prophesies, and electrifying recitations of poetic masterpieces..."Have some alumni benefits, have some...Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner..." You'll also find her dining at Marie Callender's every second Tuesday of the month at the Golden Eagle Business Connection luncheon.
And anyway, what was the point of all this? Oh, right, the award.
Much to her surprise, Ms. Perdue--actually Mrs. Perdue; she is married to Ron, who is not her agent--was singled out for the prize of "Senior [Oklahoma] Olympian of the Year." Overly qualified, long overdue, Winnie is truly the consummate athlete, which she has skillfully proven over the past 10 years by "qualifying" every year by finishing first or second in a variety of events. She's competed in the 5K and 1500-meter race walks, and has won the gold and silver in weightlifting and leg press. Her competition schedule has taken her to Baton Rouge, San Antonio, Tucson, New Orleans, Hampton Roads, Orlando, and Pittsburgh. In the fall of 2002 she blew everyone away by representing the United States in the World Masters Games in Melbourne, Australia, at THE original Olympic stadium.
How does she do it? And what you're really wondering, one can be certain, is how old is this runaway phenomenon?--and she would probably try to convince you that pushing 80 isn't as telling if you're a Cherokee, or something illusory, but she's really not 80--only God (and possibly Ron) know the truth. Exercising five times a week is her beauty secret. That means running, cycling, training at LaFortune park, and keeping up the competitive edge by participating at Corporate Challenge, the Cherokee National Holiday 5K run in Tahlequah, the Field of Dreams run, and lots of other runs. "I do it all..." she says. "I was also the first [Cherokee] woman to do the hoop dance."
And just why has she stayed at ORU so remarkably long? "The quality of the current students," she says, "as well as the quality of the alumni who return...QUALITY, QUALITY, QUALITY, and I totally believe in the healthy lifestyle promoted at ORU and lived out by our students and alumni. We all must exercise on a regular basis! I love being a part of getting people involved in the 'whole-person' lifestyle!"
So, alumni everywhere, when you're in Tulsa, or at one of the city events, be sure to stop by and congratulate Winnie on her outstanding achievement. ORU is still a great place to come to school, and much of the credit for that goes to extraordinary staff members like Winnie Perdue who keep the university on its toes.
If you want to congratulate Winnie, contact her at wperdue@oru.edu.
