Miles away from their families and childhood friends, OU students celebrate birthdays in a variety of madcap ways, some traditional and some not so traditional.

For instance, Ewing House resident assistant Bob Brightman gives quarters to his residents on their birthdays.

"I couldn't afford to give all my friends in high school cool presents, so giving out quarters became a tradition," he said. "I brought that tradition to OU."

Senior Kevin Kitchell, who received a quarter on his birthday, said he quickly found a way to spend his birthday money.

"At first I thought sarcastically to myself, 'Oooh a quarter,' but on quarter draft night, I was thankful to Bob," he said.

For freshman Annie Strike, not all birthday celebrations go as planned. Strike took a friend out for her 19th birthday, but after a few drinks, things became complicated.

"She wandered away for a few hours and we didn't know where she was - until she called from the hospital," she said. "It wasn't too serious so we can look back on it and laugh."

Graduate student Traci Tillis' birthday falls at the beginning of Fall Quarter, when most of her friends are too busy to celebrate with her because they are moving in and preparing for classes.

"I celebrate my birthday by going to class," she said.

Although OU students have found new ways to celebrate their birthdays, mom and dad don't have to be left out of the party.

Parents can order birthday cakes, baked by dining hall employees, for their sons or daughters.

Donna Brown, who is in charge of taking cake orders, said the cakes are well-received by students and their parents. Last year, for instance, 895 cakes were ordered.