Staff Member Honored for 40 Years of Service at OUHSC

“Faith got me through the difficult times — and the difficult times helped me appreciate the great ones.”

Barbara Grayson, Senior Financial Administrator for the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Hudson College of Public Health, was recently recognized at the OUHSC Employee Recognition Ceremony for an extraordinary milestone — 40 years of service to the University of Oklahoma.

What began as a leap of faith in 1982 has grown into a decades-long legacy of leadership, perseverance, and purpose. Barbara first joined the university as a records clerk in the College of Dentistry, encouraged by her cousin who worked on campus. “My first thought was that I had made a mistake and wouldn’t be here long,” she recalls. “I felt out of place.” Fortunately for OUHSC — and generations of colleagues and students — that wasn’t the case.

Over the years, Barbara’s career has woven through various departments and roles, each step shaping her into the dynamic leader she is today. From her early administrative posts in the College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics to her current role in public health, Barbara has left her mark on countless people and programs. Her journey has included managing entire offices, mentoring staff, and leading committees that made a lasting difference in the university’s policies and culture.

“I was proud to serve as Chair of the Staff Senate, the Employee of the Month Committee, and the Employee Recognition Luncheon Committee,” she said. “I even helped implement paid parking on campus and worked on the committee that updated our leave policy.”

The changes she’s witnessed over the years are profound — from paper timesheets and carbon copy forms to today’s digital workflows — but one thing hasn’t changed: her love for people and service. “Helping people, learning new skills, and making lifelong friends — that’s been my favorite part of working at OUHSC,” she said.

She fondly remembers both honors and humorous moments: receiving several campus awards, meeting celebrities like Muhammad Ali and Duchess Sarah Ferguson, and accidentally walking into the wrong high-level meeting with Dr. Ed Brandt — a story that still makes her laugh.

Barbara credits mentors like Harrold McDermott and Dr. Julie Stoner for shaping her leadership style — one built on compassion, strength, and integrity. “Harrold taught me to be tough when I needed to be,” she said. “Julie taught me to be understanding.”

In every role, Barbara has been a quiet force behind the scenes, often solving problems that had the potential to deeply affect others. She recalled once spending an entire day making sure an employee received their paycheck before the winter break — an act that spoke volumes about her commitment and heart.

As she prepares for retirement, Barbara is already envisioning her next chapter: traveling and expanding her volunteer work in the community through her church, her sorority, and her advocacy for social justice. “HCOPH and BSE became home and family,” she said. “I think I finally found my place when I ended up here.”

Her advice for the next generation of OUHSC staff? “Work hard, be kind to everyone, go the extra mile, and be honest.”

And how does she sum up her 40-year journey in one word? Faith.

Congratulations, Barbara, on an extraordinary career and an inspiring legacy. Thank you for your decades of service to the University of Oklahoma.