Thursday, August 19, 2010

Familiar faces new places

What do you want in a Chamber of Commerce president?
The answer is business know-how, integrity and a love for the city the chamber serves.
And that describes Jace Dawson, Stillwater's new Chamber president and chief executive officer.
Dawson's mother graduated from Oklahoma State University with an education degree. The family would return often to OSU and Stillwater during Dawson's childhood. When it came time for Dawson to pick a university, OSU was at the top of a short list.
He graduated in 1999, went to work in Tulsa, and longed to return to Stillwater. He returned in 2002 working for an engineering firm and then Stillwater National Bank.
Monday, he started his new job at the Chamber.
Dawson is a familiar Stillwater face in a new place.
New and familiar faces will be returning to Stillwater this week. Oklahoma State University cranks up on the Aug. 23, and students already are filtering into the city.
Local retailers are loving it, as students flood the stores to get everything from groceries to residence hall or apartment decorations.
Brings back fond memories of my years at Oklahoma State in the late 70s. Yes, I remember when Eskimo Joe's was just a bar. The Gray Fox Inn was THE place to hang out, and pitcher's were 2 bucks and $1.25 during happy hour. My favorite eateries was the Garden of Eatin and Hideaway. Running out to Spav's to dance, and stopping at the Coney Islander after the bars closed also legend in my mind. I can't forget the throngs of students on Washington Street a couple of nights before spring break as we waited for students to shed their clothes and 'streak' through the crowd.