Personal Connections Personified
By Dollie Elliott
In 1996, when Shelby Clanahan first moved away from her deeply rooted family of University of Oklahoma Sooner alums and fans to Stillwater, it was too small and too far away from where she liked to practice her favorite hobby — shopping. She knew she would be in Stillwater no more than three years. Almost 21 years later, she is loving life in “Orange Country,” as she calls her home.
“And I don’t even shop anymore,” laughs the executive administrative assistant to the dean of the Spears School of Business.
Known by everyone in the Spears School, on the Oklahoma State University campus and in the Stillwater community, Clanahan represents the personal connection the school strives to make with students, faculty, staff and alumni. That emphasis on people and community separates the Spears School from other business colleges.
“Shelby’s energy and attitude are amazing — she has literally never met a stranger and is so positive in interacting with and helping people,” says Aaron Hill, associate management professor and William S. Spears Chair of Business Administration. “We are truly lucky to have her here in so many ways — not only in the job she does but in the presence and warm feelings she brings to the Spears School.”
Clanahan’s contagious smile and laughter migrate throughout the Business Building. Her openness, sincerity and ability to engage people have dozens believing Clanahan is their best friend. And they all would be correct. She is genuine and truly strives to make everyone feel they are the most important.
“When I work with Shelby, she asks the right questions to understand my objectives and to figure out how she can best assist,” says Diane Crane, Spears School senior director of development and team lead at the Oklahoma State University Foundation. “She offers solutions and ideas. She provides insight to help me make decisions. And she does so with a bright and cheery countenance that students, staff, faculty, alumni and donors alike respond to with enthusiasm.”
“I can remember from a young age, God has always given me great joy,” Clanahan says. “It’s not hard to share a smile. I have found that it’s most important to really listen and focus on individuals and what makes them unique. That’s what I try to do every day — make everyone I come in contact with feel special and that they are my priority.”
“I have worked with Shelby for over three years, and in that time she has impressed me with her work ethic, team spirit and compassion,” says Ken Eastman, dean of the Spears School of Business. “Her dedication and her passion for Spears Business are truly an inspiration to me. I cannot imagine doing my job without her — she really stays on top of things.”
Since joining the Spears School in 2004, Clanahan has worked with five deans and seen many changes. She recalls the administration discussing hopes for a new building when she was hired.
“Now faculty and staff are spread across six buildings in Stillwater and OSU-Tulsa,” she says. “I am looking forward to the new technology and innovation for our new building. But I am most looking forward to the new space that will allow students to more openly interact with faculty, staff and advisers, helping us all connect even more on a personal level.”
Clanahan says she enjoys having the opportunity to serve in so many capacities.
“I love my job. My first priority is to support Dean Eastman in hopes to make his job run more efficiently,” she says. “I love advocating for students and helping them help themselves. I work with our alumni and donors and love hearing their OSU stories and their common love of the university.”
Crane says, “When donors to Spears Business visit campus, they want to meet Shelby in person because they have so appreciated her communication from a distance, and they will go out of their way to see her again on their next visit. She makes an impact through her work and her attitude, and she makes our jobs at the Foundation easier by helping us accomplish our objectives in a smooth and timely fashion.”
Always the volunteer, Clanahan devotes her free time to OSU and the Stillwater community. She admits it’s difficult for her to say no to certain projects. “As long as I am able-bodied, my heart just has the desire to serve.”
On campus, Clanahan has served as co-adviser for the ConocoPhillips Spirit Scholars program and the American Association of University Women organization, a facilitator for Financial Peace University, and is on the OSU United Way campaign committee.
Clanahan also serves on the OSU Coaches vs. Cancer committee, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
“Throughout the year, we organize fundraisers to raise money for cancer research and awareness on behalf of the ACS,” she says. “This is the only time it doesn’t matter if you wear orange and black or crimson and cream, we all come together for one common goal and that is to find a cure!”
On campus, the men of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity call Clanahan “mom.”
“I love being a house mom,” she says. She was approached by a retired OSU architecture professor and the chapter adviser, who told her someone had turned her name in as a viable candidate. The next thing she knew, she was meeting with the ATO housing board and some of the members, then the job was offered. She didn’t have to think long and accepted the challenging position. “I have no children of my own, but I’ve raised hundreds of kids in the last 21 years that I’ve lived in Stillwater, working with youth at my church, working in Stillwater Public Schools and now OSU students,” she says. “I’ve been told many times that I am a blessing to them, but in reality they teach me so much and I am the one blessed.”
Clanahan has a deep passion for missions and has served on disaster relief teams in and out of the United States. Clanahan learned how to dig water wells and has been to Haiti multiple times to dig wells and help with rebuilding projects with her home church, Sunnnybrook Christian Church.
“My identity is I am a Christian first and I work at OSU’s Spears School. That’s pretty much me,” she says. “It doesn’t matter where I am, I know God can use me as I represent OSU. I am proud of our university and the students. The Cowboy spirit is giving back. My community has done so much for me; how could I not give back?”
She is so dedicated to OSU that even her 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Sebastian, dedicates 8 to 12 hours a week. Clanahan and Sebastian are one of three Spears School therapy teams in Pete’s Pet Posse wellness program of 26 therapy teams on campus.
“The Pet Posse program is beyond anything I could have imagined,” she says. “It’s been so rewarding. Sebastian has been such a loyal and loving dog through challenges in my life that I wanted to be able to share his love with the OSU campus.”
The pair underwent an extensive application process, being questioned by an interview team of seven, and took physical and behavioral tests to learn Sebastian’s disposition.
“It’s crazy. It’s like bringing your child to work, but it’s worth it to see faces light up or just see them fall to the floor to love on him. The best part is we can be walking across campus and I’ll hear people yelling his name. It makes my heart happy that we can give back to the university,” she says.
Clanahan grew up in Bethany, Okla., as the youngest of three daughters.
“My two sisters and I couldn’t be more different, but each of us is gifted in our own unique way,” she says. “As the baby, I would always joke with them that I was the favorite.”
Whether that attention was earned or just naturally garnered from her parents, she definitely stands out. It’s no wonder that she is the only OSU Cowboy fan in her family.
“Everyone, I mean everyone else, is either OU alumni or cheers for OU,” she laughs. “To be honest, when I was young, I watched and yelled at all of the OU games with my daddy. That was before I knew any different. And, I think I’ve won my mom over to The Brightest Orange.”
This distinction in her family has never made her feel any less important.
“I grew up with very loving parents; my mother and late father were always very supportive in any adventure I took on. My late father owned several companies throughout his life, and my mother was the senior vice president, administration and human resources at Express Personnel national headquarters until she retired about six years ago. They taught me courage, self-confidence, work hard play hard, all the while loving what you’re doing and stressed the value of family and relationships,” she says.
In the 21 years she’s lived in Stillwater, Clanahan has made a lifetime of friends and traveled all over the world including Haiti, Israel, Australia, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Hawaii, Mexico and Greece.
“I’ve been blessed to see so much of the world, but Stillwater is home. Stillwater is everything: It’s my church home, my family (away from biological family), my safe place — it’s just home.”