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James Hawkes survived an interview with notoriously abrasive four-star Adm. Hyman Rickover, served in the U.S. Navy on a nuclear submarine, is the retired CEO and chairman of Eaton Vance and is a recreational pilot. One thing he hasn’t been able to check off his bucket list is attending the commencement ceremony to receive his aerospace engineering degree at the University of Oklahoma. Honored as this year’s Distinguished Graduates Society member, Hawkes will finally be able to add that last one to his list of accomplishments.
“Celebrating the achievement of earning a college degree is a privilege we want all of our graduates to experience,” said Thomas Landers, dean of the OU College of Engineering. “We are honored that Mr. Hawkes has chosen this moment to celebrate a milestone event.”
From 1960 to 1964, Hawkes attended OU on a Naval ROTC scholarship, completing his aerospace engineering education in the College of Engineering. Originally from Georgia and having never been farther west than the Georgia-Alabama state line, Hawkes looked forward to his Oklahoma adventure.
“I enjoyed college life in just about every way,” Hawkes said. “From Navy serviceman to CEO businessman, the skills I learned and experiences I had at OU have been very influential in my life.”
But before he could walk across the stage to receive his diploma, the Navy required his service immediately. Within a week of completing his undergraduate education, Hawkes missed commencement to drive to New London, Connecticut, where he would serve four years in the Navy. Hawkes’ deteriorating eyesight would destine him to the nuclear submarine program rather than his desired position as an airman. His naval service ended in 1968, just as funding for the U.S. space program was winding down and many engineers were being laid off. While many of his colleagues and contemporaries were looking for work as taxi cab drivers and delivery men, Hawkes attended Harvard Business School where he earned a master of business administration degree. Soon after he combined the analytical, problem-solving and management characteristics of his two seemingly unrelated degrees to join the investment management team at Eaton Vance.
Hawkes spent the next 37 years climbing the corporate ladder at the investment management firm, eventually serving at the top rank for more than a decade. After retiring from Eaton Vance in 2007, he now serves as chairman emeritus.
He isn’t able to travel to Oklahoma often, but this weekend will be special for Hawkes when he flies his plane into Max Westheimer Airport, where his dream of flying was realized, he took his first flying lesson and made his first solo flight. He will also finally attend an OU commencement.
“I’m honored to join such an accomplished group of graduates,” Hawkes said. “It’s fitting to revisit my roots at OU, where my future in engineering and leadership began.”

by Vickie Jenkins
Sommerset Assisted Living and Memory Care Senior Community is a place you are sure to feel welcome. Recently, I talked with Yvonne Gutierrez, Life Enrichment Coordinator for the Memory Impaired and Progressive Care units. It’s easy to see why the residents love it here. Yvonne is very energetic, enthusiastic and enjoys spending time with the residents of Sommerset. She has been the Life Enrichment Coordinator for the last 3 years.
Yvonne enjoys spending time with the residents as they meet to share conversations, discussing the latest news, reading, playing dominoes and working puzzles. “There is a time and a place where the women like to get pampered, getting their hair done and getting the perfect manicure. They look forward to that,” Yvonne says. “It makes each one of them feel very special,” she adds. The Memory Care and Progressive Care residents enjoy a family day on the second Saturday of every month.
Asking Yvonne what her favorite thing is about being the activity director, she replies, “I love seeing the residents having fun and enjoying their time together. I look forward to the many activities that we have and I enjoy talking to all of the residents. We really get to know each other. Most of all, I like the hugs. Something so small but it goes so far. I love my hugs.” “If you were describing yourself in 3 words, what would they be?” I ask Yvonne. “I am definitely outgoing, very vocal, and I am always ready to help someone.”
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 65. Estimates vary but experts suggest that as many as 5 million Americans age 65 and older may have Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning; thinking, remembering, reasoning and behavior abilities to such an extent that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia is severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living.
P.K. Beville, a geriatric psychologist and founder of the nonprofit senior citizen advocacy group Second Wind Dreams created the Virtual Dementia Tour, an experiential kit used to simulate the symptoms of age-related Alzheimer’s and dementia to help caregivers better identify and cope with their resident’s behavior and needs.
In the last few months, Yvonne Gutierrez and Connie Flowers, Director of Marketing and Admissions have been working on setting up the Virtual Dementia Tour at Sommerset. A walk-through exercise is given where 5 tasks are to be completed. The latest results show that out of the 5 tasks assigned, the average person accomplished 2. The most common comments were: angry, confused, powerless, embarrassed, scared and rethinking what their loved ones go through.
I also spoke with Dave Gooshaw, Clinical Special Education Coordinator of EMSA. He was very pleased with the Virtual Dementia Tour. He suggests that all caregivers go through this exercise program. “It was very interesting and it let me know what it is like for anyone that has Alzheimer’s is going through. I’ll have to admit, when I finished, I was frustrated by not completing all of the tasks, but it also made me aware of how a person with Alzheimer’s must feel. I am thankful that Sommerset has this program available. Overall, I consider the Virtual Dementia Tour fascinating.”
Sommerset is one of the few healthcare facilities in Oklahoma that has the Virtual Dementia Tour. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, and this is impacting your family, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate in this exercise. You may feel lost, scared and frustrated, but you will feel closer to your loved one and better prepared to help them.
If you or someone you know would like to experience the Virtual Dementia Tour, please contact Yvonne or Connie at 405-691-9221 to schedule an appointment.

Story and photos by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

As far as he can figure, 75-year-old Leroy Saiz is on his third retirement.
But there’s one job he doesn’t plan on giving up, even though he doesn’t get paid a dime.
After retiring a third time earlier this year, Saiz says he couldn’t imagine giving up volunteering for the Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command food pantry.
“I decided to do something instead of getting bored,” Saiz said.
There’s never time for boredom now with Saiz pouring his 25-years of Safeway experience into the pantry, which feeds hundreds of Oklahomans each week.
“The people are really grateful for the food they get and you put a smile on their lips and get a lot of hugs and kisses,” Saiz said. “You get more blessings than anything else. They’re really grateful.”
On Tuesdays and Thursdays you can find Saiz and fellow seniors helping stock the pantry for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday visits.
Thousands of pounds of food are handed out free of charge to needy Oklahomans.
Saiz began volunteering with the Salvation Army through the Angel Tree program. Found in local companies and corporations, Angel Trees are decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child in need of presents. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags.
From there he went on to help with the Exodus House, a transitional housing program from women leaving prison.
But he’s really found his niche at the food pantry.
“It keeps me active and one of the things because of my grocery background I’ve been able to help some of the other volunteers make work a little easier,” Saiz said. “Some of them are amazed at the little techniques I show them on stocking.”
Liz Banks, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army, says volunteers like Saiz are a blessing for the Christian organization. She remembers how one client mentioned to her that they didn’t want to leave the pantry because Leroy made them laugh and feel good about themselves despite the fact they had to come in for food.
“Leroy is a fine Christian gentleman,” Banks said. “Leroy has a sweet, kind disposition who loves people. He treats each volunteer the way he wants to be treated – with respect.”
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.
Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Nearly 33 million Americans, of which 139,000 Oklahomans, receive assistance from The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command is a proud partner agency of the United Way of Central Oklahoma.
Fridays are when the pantry gets really busy. Anywhere from 70 to 100 people are served
“For me, it’s the joy on peoples’ faces,” Saiz said. “A lot of people live alone so they don’t have too much interaction with strangers, but when you talk to them it’s a new face and new voice that makes them feel good. You show them you care.”
The biggest need Saiz sees on the days he works is manpower.
“We need more volunteers. That would help,” Saiz said. “We have companies that will send their employees out to volunteer but it’s not something you can count on. We’re a little short because some of the people have surgeries or get sick. That cuts into our regular crew.”
But there’s never a shortage of smiles and that’s why Saiz has no plans to retire.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Banks at 246-1107.

What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?

The best decision I ever made was to become a mother because that allowed me to become a grandmother and that’s the best job in the whole world.” Diana Schaeffer, RN

To give my life to God. Sherry Pack

I would have to say to give my life to the Lord. Nancy Karum

The best decision I ever made was to marry my husband, Steve. Nycke White

A new law requested by Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak aims to protect Oklahoma storm victims. Senate Bill 439, signed by Gov. Mary Fallin Monday, ensures transparency and accountability in the insurance adjusting process.
“I am proud that Gov. Fallin and the Oklahoma Legislature saw the importance of this bill,” said Doak. “After a natural disaster, storm survivors are vulnerable. This new law will protect Oklahomans by making sure all public adjusters follow the same rules.”
Public adjusters are licensed insurance claims adjusters who appraise and negotiate an insurance claim on behalf of the policyholder. Unlike an insurance company adjuster, public adjusters advocate for the claimant.
Senate Bill 439, written by Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, and Rep. Randy Grau, R-Oklahoma City, specifies certain required and prohibited actions of public adjusters. It also sets requirements for contracts used by public adjusters. Some of the new rules include:
Cannot charge more than 10 percent of the total claim on a non-commercial claim after a disaster.
Must hold any insurance proceeds on behalf of the policyholder in a non-interest bearing account in a FDIC-insured bank.
Claim records must be kept for at least five years and are subject to inspection by the Insurance Commissioner.
The new law also states that unauthorized adjusting practices in the state of Oklahoma will be considered a misdemeanor.
“In light of the recent devastating storms in our communities, this legislation is as important as ever and will serve to protect our citizens when they are most vulnerable,” Grau said. “This bill is the result of the hard work and collaboration of numerous individuals including Commissioner Doak, two national public adjusting organizations, local public adjusters and consumers.”
“This common sense reform is a huge step toward protecting Oklahomans when they need it most,” Quinn said. “I’m grateful to the Insurance Commissioner and his staff for working to pass this legislation and grateful to Gov. Fallin for signing the bill.”
The law goes into effect November 1.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.

NewView Oklahoma has been awarded $20,000 from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s Services for the Elderly iFund Grant Program. This grant will be used to support NewView’s Safe and Healthy Meals Program.
The overarching goal of the Safe and Healthy Meals Program is to keep unsupported seniors in their homes longer by helping them reach their full potential for independent meal preparation – from fixing a sandwich or a bowl of cereal, to heating food in a microwave, to using a stove or oven, to prepare a hot meal. Less dependent on others and more confident and safe in the kitchen, participants receiving this training will be able to live healthier lives with greater independence in their own home.
“We’re delighted to be awarded this grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation,” said Lauren Branch, NewView’s President and CEO. “These funds will enable us to expand the Safe and Healthy Meals Program to our elderly clients and allow them to develop the skills needed to remain active and independent in their own homes.”
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation works with donors to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. The Services for the Elderly iFund grant represents a compilation of donations made by donors to benefit an organization offering direct services to individuals to help them continue to live independently. Two additional iFund grant programs provide support for organizations providing access to health care and providing opportunities for children. For more information on these grants, please visit www.ifundokc.org.
To learn more about NewView Oklahoma’s programs, or clinical services operated by the organization, please visit www.newviewoklahoma.org.