The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association’s Traveling Cowboys program, which was brought back last year, offers many trips throughout the year.
The End of School European Tour, which included 10 students from OSU, traveled through London, Paris, Rome, Vatican City, Sorrento, Pompeii and Athens.
“If it’s your first time through Europe, it’s a rockin’ way to go,” said Ayla Mashburn, a graduate who went on the trip.
The President’s Signature Adventure, which included 14 participants, toured its way through five wineries in Napa, Calif. This trip was organized by and included Russell Bass, president and CEO of the Alumni Association, and his wife.
The Traveling Cowboys program is available to all OSU alumni and, at the moment, students. There are also discounts for being a member of the association. It is a chance for OSU alumni to travel with other OSU alumni and is cost efficient said Deborah Shields, director of human resources, board relations and travel for the Alumni Association.
“We want to encourage trips where all alumni will want to attend,” Shields said.
“Many other schools have big travel programs, like we did before 9/11, and we wanted to re-start ours,” Bass said. “It’s a way we feel like we can provide service to our alumni.”
The Traveling Cowboys will have a trip in July that goes to Alaska and it will also kick-off football season with the “Battle in Seattle” trip for the Cowboy’s football game against Washington State University. Carlson Wagonlit International Tours work with the Alumni Association while planning this trip.
The 2009 tentative Traveling Cowboys schedule starts in March with the Spring Break Family Getaway. There is a possibility that an Alumni Chapter in the nation will host the group during its break, Shields said.
Next will be another President’s Signature Adventure.
“The President’s Signature Adventure, which was a fun and high-end adventure this year, will take a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival,” said Bass.
Shields said this may be a good trip for younger alumni to go on as well.
This will be followed by the End of School European Tour, which can be for students and new graduates. It is scheduled for May 18 through June 3, 2009, and will visit all the places as this past year.
“It is a nice graduation trip, especially if friends go with you,” said Mashburn. “Parents are comfortable with it because they know it’s safe.”
The Aspen Adventure, another trip planned, will take place next June or July.
The OSU Alumni Association has partnered up with the OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute and scheduled a Tuscany, Italy, trip in late June. It also scheduled a September trip that will visit Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
The End of School European Tour is geared more at students and new graduates, where the Spring Break Family Getaway is for younger families and the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival and Aspen Adventure are geared for younger alumni, Shield said.
“We want the trips to be appealing and available for alumni through all stages of their life,” Shields said.
Go to OrangeConnection.org for more information.
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