Hundreds of Oakland University students, faculty, administrators, alumni and community members congregated under Elliott Tower on Sept. 19 to honor a pillar of the community, Mr. OU — Glenn McIntosh.
After his passing on Wednesday, Sept. 17, the campus community went silent in grief. As Elliott Tower’s carillons rang, the OU community gathered in prayer to commemorate the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs.
“We gather today to honor the life and legacy of Glenn McIntosh, affectionately called Glenn Mac, VP Mac, Dean Mac, Mr. Ou and a host of other names by everyone who was affected by him,” Nigel Ar-Rahmaan, Omega Psi Phi representative, said.
Ar-Rahmaan walked the audience through McIntosh’s career, from his origins in Detroit’s west side to his early college days at Central Michigan University. McIntosh’s role in advancing diversity and equity on campus, along with his embodiment of scholarship, manhood and perseverance, were some of the speaker’s highlights.
“But beyond all of that,” Ar-Rahmaan said. “He was an amazing human being, a strong, upright man with an infectious smile, someone you could walk up to and have a conversation with, and he actually cared.”
OU students attested to McIntosh’s commitment and support for the campus community. With anecdotes, they evoked laughter and tears in the hundreds gathered to remember his time at the university.
“It saddens me to think that I’m no longer gonna walk around the Oakland Center and just see Mr. McIntosh and his amazing ties that are always so colorful,” Mariéme Samb, OU student, said. “Glenn had a gift of making people feel seen, people feel valued and supported, whether through his guidance, his encouragement, or simply his presence, his commitment to creating a true community.”
His leadership was also championed, setting an expectation for the university in preparation for the process of appointing a new Vice President for Student Affairs in the future.
“We have a responsibility when this university begins to search to fill his position, we must put to the administration to remember the standards that Mr. McIntosh set,” Bintou Njie, representative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at OU, said. “Leadership is not just about the title, but it is about the people.”
As the second vigil of the week, McIntosh’s commemoration stood in stark contrast to Kirk’s vigil — one marked by controversy and tension. Student Congress President, Marcus Johnson, emphasized the need to maintain the campus community united.
“We’re all feeling grief, we felt fear, and lately we’ve all been rather divided,” Johnson said. “But his legacy calls for us to do the opposite, to come together, to see each other fully, and to heal, not just as individuals, but as a community.”
After the vigil, attendees left flowers for McIntosh and continued remembering him through conversation. The Office of the President sent out an email detailing McIntosh’s funeral on Sept. 28 at the OU Credit Union O’Rena, with visitations at 3 p.m. and the service starting at 5 p.m.
“Glenn McIntosh epitomizes the term icon,” Associate Dean of Students Jessie Hurse said. “His positive attitude was infectious. No matter the challenge or obstacle in front of him, he steadfastly maintained a level of confidence and positivity that was inspiring. Glenn absolutely loved Oakland University and I sincerely hope he knew just how much he meant to each and every one of us.”
Borrowing from the sermons of McIntosh’s days as a reverend at Renaissance Unity, the campus community vowed to commemorate Mr. OU’s life in their everyday actions.
“I am free by divine design, I am powerful beyond my past, the fire of truth is lit in me,” McIntosh said. “With every thought, word and choice, I am not waiting for liberation, I am living in elevation.”
