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Hudson Fellows in Public Health

The Hudson Fellows in Public Health program awards fellowships to graduate students training at the highest levels of their disciplines at the Hudson College of Public Health.

The Hudson Fellows in Public Health program was established in 2015 by Dr. Leslie Hudson and Mr. Clifford Hudson to strengthen a growing network of scholarship, education and practice devoted to the development of better public health practices and outcomes for the state, the nation and the world in which we live.

The intent of the fellowship is to support full-time continuous Ph.D. study for 4 consecutive years. To be eligible for a fellowship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be pursuing a PhD in a program in the OU Hudson College of Public Health; or a student accepted into a PhD program in the OU Hudson College of Public Health;
  • Must be enrolled full time and in good academic standing in the OU Hudson College of Public Health at the time fellowship payments are made;
  • Must be in residence at OU Hudson College of Public Health to receive and maintain the Hudson Fellowship;
  • Must not be the Donors or an immediate family member of the Donors;

Hudson Fellows receive $36,000 per annum and are eligible for waiver of the nonresident portion of tuition, if appropriate, in accordance with OUHSC policy. As for all PhD students, a tuition waiver at resident tuition rate will be awarded for up to six years.

About the Hudson Family

Meet Dr. Leslie and Mr. Clifford Hudson, the proud OU alumni and the inspiring names behind the OU Hudson College of Public Health. Their journey with OU began in the 1970s and has been marked by unwavering dedication and transformative contributions.

Dr. Leslie Hudson, an accomplished epidemiologist, began her journey at OU with an undergraduate degree in physical therapy in 1977. She further expanded her expertise with a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate in epidemiology. Her commitment to the university is evident in her service on various boards and committees. Her exceptional contributions were recognized with the Regents’ Alumni Award in 2017 and the University’s highest honor, an honorary doctoral degree in humane letters, in 2019.

Clifford Hudson, an esteemed legal professional and former Chairman and CEO of Sonic Corp., embarked on his OU journey with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1977, followed by a law degree from Georgetown University. His commitment to the university is reflected in his numerous roles on various boards and committees. His outstanding contributions were honored with the Regents’ Alumni Award and the honorary doctorate in humane letters in 2011.

In 2018, the Hudsons made a generous $5 million leadership gift, renaming the college in their honor. Their transformative service to the state and University was recognized in 2020 when they were presented with the Distinguished Service Award.

The Hudsons are not just donors; they are pillars of public health leadership, setting national standards and ensuring the availability of public health education for the citizens of Oklahoma. Their story is a testament to the power of dedication and generosity, inspiring us all to strive for excellence and make a difference in our communities.