Trish Bloemker Sowers Named Executive Director of Development

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After a national search, Trish Bloemker Sowers has been named Executive Director of Development for the Gallogly College of Engineering, effective April 20.

Sowers is an OU alumnus having earned her B.A. in Political Communication and Political Science. She brings an abundance of experience and knowledge from her career in fundraising.

Previous roles include director of Development for the University of Denver’s Pacific Northwest Region, executive director of the California 4-H Foundation, director of Development and Strategy for Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering and senior development officer for Missouri University of Science and Technology. In addition, she served in leadership roles for non-profit associations including president of the Denver Advertising Federation; executive director of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Rocky Mountain Chapter; interim executive director of Chi Phi Fraternity and director of Student Activities and Greek Affairs at Colorado School of Mines and Eureka College in Illinois.

Sowers is a native Nebraskan, transferring from the University of Nebraska to attend the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication and Political Science and a minor in Congressional Studies. Some of her favorite collegiate memories include serving on the Campus Activities Council as university homecoming chair, president of Kappa Delta sorority, OUSA Student Government and Sooner Welcome Week.

She later received a Masters in Educational Psychology with a specialization in College Student Development from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Sowers became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2012 and has coached many colleagues in their journey to earn the certification as well. She and her husband are proud parents of three rescued English Setters and enjoy traveling, exploring the National Parks, wine tasting, and cheering on their favorite teams.

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