Tiger Tracks

1960s

Harland C. Stonecipher (‘60) presented “Blue Print for Success”, a Biblicallybased program with spiritual principles to Life Community Church (LCC) in Ada last February. These principals guided Stonecipher throughout his career as the founder and CEO of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Stonecipher knows something about blue prints after successfully building a pioneering company in the legal services industry that has provided legal service to millions of Americans and enriched thousands more who sold the product from its Ada headquarters. ECU’s school of business is named after Stonecipher.

Like grandfather like grandson. When the ECU football team takes to the field this fall, one of its newest members – Camron Large – will do so just as his grandfather – Farrell Large (‘63, ‘69) – did when Farrell played for legendary head coach Elvan George, both at Ada High School and at ECU. Camron recently received the Jim Thorpe Scholarship Athlete Award, which honors 10 athletes in the state who excel in the classroom and on the field. Camron plans on pursuing a career in some form of medicine, according to Farrell. After spending 29 years in coaching, Farrell opened an insurance agency in Lawton, which he still operates.

Carlos E. Johnson (‘64) was named new board chair for the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, it was announced last fall in Nashville, Tenn. Johnson has served on the ECU Foundation’s Board of Trustees for a number of years. He also served as dean of the ECU School of Business from 1970-73. Johnson also taught at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, where he received his master’s and doctorate degrees.

Ron Millican (‘61) is on the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board and is a director of the Oklahoma State Board Association.

1970s

ECU graduate Zenetta (Gissandaner) Kendricks was named the Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2013 last October. Delegates, who have reached the ‘age of elegance’ or 60 and better, competed in the event, which featured four categories: interview with judges, philosophy of life, model a full-length gown and present a talent. Kendricks, of Oklahoma City, will represent the state in the national pageant this October. She is married to attorney Kenneth Kendrick and they have one son and two grandchildren. Kendricks had a 40-year career in positions from clerical, human resources, finance and statistical management, until retiring in May 2013. She continues to work her part-time job of 20 years with a certified public accountant, as well as continue her volunteer work with her neighborhood association as treasurer and newsletter editor. Her

In Memoriam

Susan Allen, 1966 George Alsbach III, 1962 Cynthia Anderson, 1995 Ruth Anderson, 1966 David Anson, 1959 Ray Ardrey, 2012 Jon Arrasmith, 2005 Stanley Arthur, 1959 Rex Bales, 1955 Nancy Barbre, 1964 Roy Bardin, 1964 Gina Barnhart, 2011 Danny Wayne Barrett, attended Leonard Bates, 1951 Patricia “Pat” Ponder Bell, attended Juanita V. Beller, attended Myra Berry, 1972 Arthur Biggers, 2005 Edna Bilecki, 2003 Tammie Denise Binderim, attended Virginia Blackburn, attended Marvin Boatwright, 1976 Thomas Boatwright, 1974 Leasa Boggs, 1989 William F. “Bill” Bolling Sr., attended Donald Borders, attended Frank Bowers, 1963 & 1969 Jerry Brents, 1964 Donna Brown, attended Eula Brown, attended Judith Brown, 1962 Pauline Burke, 1986 R. B. Burnett, attended Alma Butts, 1986 Glendale D. Calame, 1957 Edgar Calhoun, 1964 Thomas Campbell, 1955 Geraline Caraway, 1942 Gary Carter, 1994 Philip D. Carter, 1982 Robert E. Cassell, 1953 Joyce Cherry, 1961 & 1966 Riley Church, 1961 Henry Citty, 1970 Carl Everett Cloud, attended Margaret Cobb, attended Ruth Cochonour, 1932 Jim Coffey, 1950 & 1960 Sidney Colbert, 1976 Jerry L. Cole, 1963 Richard Cole, 1970 William Coley, 1974 Dana Cook, 1988 Lorene Cope, attended Dennis Cox, 1988 Jeremy Cradduck, attended Philip Cross, 1964 Richard Cumbie, 1963 Obera Cypert, 1949 Donald Davis, 1961 Harold Dickerson, 1966 Jerry Donaghey, attended Roderick Duck, 2005 Lois Holmes Duncan, 1956 Meredith (Marc) Easter, attended Rev. Robert Eberle, attended Donald W. Ellis, 1973 Joe Ellis, attended Marc Etier, attended Meredith Etier, 1971 Burnett Evans, attended Marye Evans, 1984 Marvin Ewy, attended Sannon Fixico, 1989 Graydon Flippo, 1956 Raymond Forbus, 1952 Charles Forehand, attended Norman Frame, attended Ross Steve Fulton, 1971 Celesta Furgerson, 1970 Ronny Gage, 1967 Mildred Gay, 1962 Grace Bulman George, 1947 & 1955 Jeanie Ann (Ravan) Glover Scot Goodridge, 1998 Bob Green, 1963 Bobby Green, 1970 Coralee Green, attended Robert Louis Green, 1963 Geneva Gregory, attended Ellen Griffin, attended Margaret Kathryn Hall, attended Justice Rudolph Hargrave, attended David Harris, 1965 Carol Ann Harrison, 1977 Betty Harston, 1955 June Hart, attended Leslie Hastings, 1964 Thomas Hatchett, 1959 Darla Hawken, 1985 Herman Henson, 1961 & 1976 Marvin Hill, 1981 Viness Hill, 1960 Kenneth R. Hodge, 1956 Bill Hodges, 1959 Mary Holman, attended Darvil Bruce Holland, 1956 Rhonda Hood, 1998 Mary Hunt, 1963 Janie Delores “Dee” Hutson, 1975 Mark Inglis, 1985 Kenneth Jackson, 1963 Tony Jackson, 1983 Edward James, 1966 Cora Merle Jamison, 1942 Ronald Jared, 1969 Marc Jenkins, attended Carl Junior Johnson, 1943 David Jones, 1970 Louise Jones, attended Oscar Jones, 1974 Lavona Tilley Jones, attended William Jordan, 1977 Dr. Arthur Kennedy, 1941 & 1942 Cheryl Kennedy, 1986 Danny Kennedy, 1978 Betty Kidd, 1951 Jack Kiesel, 1976 Jeremy Kiesling, 1999 Helen Kilpatrick, 1974 Janis L. Knickmeyer, attended Carl Koger, 1974 Tresia Koger, 1972 Bill Koller, 1941 Charlotte Kramer, 1965 Michael Kuchta, 1963 & 1967 Christopher Lambdin, 1976 James Douglas “Jim” Lance, 1961 Darlene Landrith, 1958 Christopher Lane, attended Marjorie Lane, 1939 Michael Lawson, 2010 Clifton Lee, 1982 Joyce Annette Lee, attended Norman Lewis, 1972

Where are your fellow alums?

passion charities include the Lupus Foundation, Special Olympics, Feed the Children and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

Sherry Abbott Todd (‘70) recently took the oath of office for another three-year term as Special Judge of the District Court of the Chickasaw Nation. Todd, a Chickasaw citizen, served as the assistant attorney general of the state of Oklahoma and was formerly assistant district attorney for Oklahoma County. She had also been serving as the Magistrate of the District Court of the Chickasaw Nation since 2004. Todd was named Special Judge of the District Court of the Chickasaw Nation in 2011. She graduated from ECU with a bachelor’s degree in education, served Byng Schools as an instructor for several years and earned her law degree from the University of Oklahoma. Kenneth D. and Lana Turner (‘70, ‘76) celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 19, 2014. Lana attended ECU and worked for Mercy Hospital, Headstart and First United Methodist Church. Kenneth is retired from the Oklahoma Army National Guard and earned an associate of science degree from Vincennes University.

Lynda Collins (‘72) was reappointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to serve a second term on the governing board for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. Collins is the first woman and first Native American ever appointed to the three-person Commission for Rehabilitation Services. She was once a client of the agency she now governs. Collins received career counseling, encouragement and her first job as a social worker trainee and worked her way up through the ranks to Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, retiring after 33 years in 2005. She has served as commission chair and vice chair. The Ada native now resides in Mannford with her husband Jud.

Phyllis Danley (‘73), executive director of the ECU Foundation since 2009, was elected to the board of directors at Oklahoma Heritage Bank, it was announced in February 2014 in Stratford. Danley was the longtime CEO of the East Central Credit Union in Ada, where she received the Oklahoma Credit Union League’s Professional of the Year Award in 2007. Danley has served on the boards of the Ada Arts and Heritage Center, Ada Arts Council, Habitat for Humanity, Ada Regional United Way, Ada Kiwanis Club and Ada Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, she is a musician and serves as an accompanist at the First United Methodist Church in Ada and also the East Side Christian Church in Tulsa.

Ronnie Brendle (’76) has continually served the Ada Public School System since 1980-81. That came to an end in May as he retired after years as a science teacher and counselor at Ada High School. He also

The ECU family offers our deepest sympathy to the families of the alumni and friends we have lost.

Flora H. “Flo” Loftin, 1967 Ruth Loftin, 1974 Dorothy Magee, 1963 Suzan Manuel, 2009 Bill Mark, 1961 Don Martin, 1949 Michael Martinson, 1974 G.C. Mayhue, attended John McClure, 1966 Barry McCurley, 1985 Mark McCurtain, attended Alvis McDaniel, attended Mona McFarland, 1994 David McKenzie, 2008 Vera McLellan, 1959 Ona McPherson, 1972 Cassia Mealor, 1978 Dr. Ross Miller, 1943 Eldon Moffitt, 1967 & 1970 Monica Moffitt, 1993 Burl Moore, 1968 Frances Nix Morris, 1990 Stella Murrell, 1952 Eric Myers, 2002 Joseph Nevills, 1959 Willie Norris, 1967 Maureen Norwood, 1952 Zane Nowlin, 1961 Bob O’Donley, 1958 Edith Ogan, 1966 Jimmie Ong, 1956 Bart Pannell, 1995 Bonnie Pannell, 1950 Rita Park, attended Peggy Paschall, 1975 Geraldine Patton, 1970 Nell Dean Peay, attended Coleman Pennington, attended Nova Perkins, 1943 & 1947 Martha Perot, 1941 Ray Peters, attended Myrna Piazzi, 1963 Donald Pierce, 1967 Trovall Pipkin, attended Earl Platt, attended Clifford Ponkilla, 1990 Donald Porter, 2009 Zane Porter, 1958 Ilda Presley, 1981 Charles Pruitt, 1963 Brenda Ray, 1970 Stan Reed, attended Kelly Reich, 1991 Ronald Reich, 1966 Susan Repass, attended Bobbie Ray Reynolds, attended Marcus Reynolds, 1964 Clyde Rigsby, attended Betty Louise Riley, 1956 & 1963 Robert Rives, 1971 Jerry Roady, 1975 Gerald Robbins, 1984 Tresa Robinson, 2005 Jo Ann Rodgers, attended Margaret Rogers, 1961 Cari Rush, 2004 Paul D. Ryan, 1948 Keith Sales, 1950 Sue Sams, 1950 Wendell Sawyer, attended Wayne Scott, 1975 & 1995 Harry Scoufos, 1966 Kari Shans, 1994 Brenda Sharp, 1973 Robbie Sherrell, 1960 Danny Simmons, 1989 Monty Simpkins, attended Julie Simpson, 1997 June Battle Sims, attended Bruce Smith, 1973 George Smith, 1955 James Smith, 1980 Jon Smith, 1967 Reverend Holt Sodeman, attended Kenneth Sorrels, 1976 Gary Southerland, 1976 Ronald Dean Springfield, 1961 Donald Stacey, 1956 Marie Standridge, 1960 Elaine Stout, 1960 Kathryn Stratton, 1964 John Tahsuda, 1971 Bob Taylor, 1954 Ileta Taylor, 1967 Tom Taylor, 1960 & 1971 Gene Thomas, 1951 Charles Thompson, 1979 Inez Thompson, 1968 Jimmy W. Thomason, 1951 John Thompson, 1955 “Reta” Diane Thurman, 1995 Ella Todd, 1955 Bobby Trousdale, attended Mary Turner, 1974 Jerald Underwood, 1953 Benny Villarreal, 2004 Gary Voyles, attended Madge Wallace, 1940 Don Walston, 1975 Angie Ward, 1977 Barney Ward, 1947 Winnie Beth Ward, attended Sharon Warden, 1994 Beverly Watson, attended Carolyn Watson, 1978 Veda West, 1973 Arvel Whelchel, 1942 & 1960 Barbara Whelchel, attended Jo Nita White, 1972 Buck Whitfield, 1970 Robert Whitten, 1955 Francis Widmeier, 1980 C. Fred Williams, 1965 Charles Williams, 1965 Daniel Williams, 2012 Doyle Williamson, 1997 Belinda Wilsie, 1982 Darryl Wilsie, attended Joe Lee Winton, attended Toby Wise, attended Bruce Wright, attended Gail Wright, 1989 Daniel Wyatt, 2008 Geraldine Young, attended Jimmie Young, 1949

President Hargrave Named to Board of Directors

ECU President John R. Hargrave was named to the board of directors for the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame.

The Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame was founded by Distinguished ECU Alum and current OAAEHOF President Dr. Donnie Nero in 2010. The first induction class for the hall of fame was held in 2011. “We can pull so much information and wisdom from him because of his work in education and in the judicial system,” said Nero about Hargrave. “His serving in city government and bringing a vast knowledge of education will help us in what we’re trying to do.”

Hargrave is the first non-African American to serve on the 10-member board. He was recognized as the OAAEHOF inducted 10 new members at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City in October.

“President Hargrave and I have been good friends, going back to when I was president at Connors State, and we both have ECU ties. But we share a goal of helping young people and helping them improve,” Nero said.

Hargrave was named ECU president in 2009. He was founder and managing partner of the Edmonds Cole Law Firm in Oklahoma City and has a vast background in city government, serving as mayor of Wewoka from 2002-2007. He has worked extensively with the Oklahoma Black Historical Society.

Nero, a 1971 ECU graduate, is president emeritus of Connors State College. He became the first African American president of a predominately white college or university in the state of Oklahoma when he assumed leadership as the 15th president of the Warner campus in 2000. In 2010, ECU inducted Nero into the Gene and Evelyn Keefer Educator’s Hall of Fame. Following that honor, Nero was inducted into both the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

oversaw STUCO (Student Council) and coached for 10 years as boys’ basketball assistant, assistant baseball and junior high tennis. Brendle actually started working in Ada schools in 1976-77, but left briefly before returning in 1980-81. He taught science for 18 years and served as a counselor for a similar amount of time.

Earlier this year, former ECU football star Dewey McClain (‘76), also an ex-NFL standout with the Atlanta Falcons, was sworn in as a State Representative in Georgia after winning a special election by acclamation. He faced no opposition in either the Democratic Primary or the special general election. McClain had served as president of the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council (AFL-CIO). McClain played at ECU from 1972-75 and was an NAIA All-American in 1975 as a linebacker. He played five seasons with the Falcons.

1980s

Author Gail Wood (‘80) recently wrote a book of poetry from her distinctive viewpoint, entitled “Red Bird Woman.” It was her first book of poetry and is currently collaborating with renowned photographer Michael Duncan on another book titled “Bare”, which combines the arts of photography and poetry. Wood holds a master’s of education in English and social studies from ECU. She taught junior high and high school English for 14 years at Stonewall, where she graduated. She also served as federal programs administrator at Stonewall for eight years. Wood is a member of Ada Writers and the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc.

Brenda Tollett (‘82), a longtime editor with the Ada News, recently retired on Dec. 31, 2013, after 30 years of service with the newspaper. Tollett majored in home economics at ECU, but had a minor in journalism. She also held substitute-teaching positions in Stonewall, McLish and Ada, before assuming her longstanding position at the Ada News. Her primary duties consisted of obtaining birth, wedding, engagement and anniversary announcements, award announcements from the community and club news.

Deborah Cornelison (‘83, ‘85), a Byng Junior High science teacher and ECU graduate, was selected as a 2014-2015 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. Cornelison will serve for 11 months at the National Science Foundation, Education and Human Resources, Division of Undergraduate Education in Washington D.C. She was selected after a rigorous application and interview process from a nationwide pool of competitive applicants. In 2013, Cornelison was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kan. Charlie Golightly (‘84), who obtained his master’s degree from ECU, retired after 35 years of service in secondary education, a majority with Ada High School. Golightly, who taught at Cameron University, Chickasha High School and Moore High School, returned to his alma mater, Ada High School, in 1979 where he taught and served as assistant football coach. He eventually moved into the assistant principal position in 1986 and became principal in 2007 and served in that capacity for the next seven years.

Matt Donovan, the son of Larry (‘84) and Kathryn (‘84) Donovan, became the first player born, raised and trained in Oklahoma to play in the National Hockey League two years ago. Matt and Kathryn met while both were attending ECU. The couple resides in Edmond. As a defenseman for the New York Islanders, Matt recorded two goals and 14 assists during the 2013-2014 season.

Norma Marshall (‘86), of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, is a student advisor and instructor of Native American Studies at the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Okla. In 1986, Marshall received her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in English and physical education from ECU. A year later, she went on to receive a master of science in counseling and student personnel, with an emphasis in secondary education, from Oklahoma State University. The daughter of a Muscogee who attended boarding schools, Marshall is also a bilingual educator of the Muscogee language

1990s

G. Scott Harjo (attended), right guard on ECU’s 1993 NAIA National Championship Football Team, was promoted to Lt. Colonel U.S. Army Reserve, 75th MAC.

Jody Hull (‘90), a football letterman at ECU in the 1980s, is set to coach the Salina High School boys basketball team for the 2014-2015 season. Hull is seeking the same type of turnaround at Salina as his previous post in Haileyville, where he coached the girls and boys basketball teams for two years. In 2013-2014, Haileyville’s boys won 19 games after the program had won just three games in the two years leading up to his arrival in 2012.

Sheena Br’nai Stallings (attending) and Shawn Kevin Martin (‘90) were joined in holy matrimony on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ada. The bride, from Shawnee, is a 2007 graduate of Shawnee and is a member of both the ECU Singers and University Chorale. The groom graduated from Stratford High School in 1984 and from ECU in 1990 with bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and theatre.

Monica Neal (‘92) was appointed director of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Community Development by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. Neal is an accomplished professional with extensive leadership experience in the electric utility industry after working for the People’s Electric Cooperative in Ada and with the Chickasaw Nation on many development ventures. As director, Neal works to facilitate communication among the Chickasaw Nation, surrounding communities and organizations. She is a 1992 graduate of ECU where she received the School of Business Distinguished Graduate Award and 2013 Distinguished Service Award.

Shawn Hime (‘94) was named executive director of the Oklahoma State School Board Association. Hime had previously served as superintendent of Enid Public Schools. He earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in education from ECU. Hime began his career in the classroom as a math teacher and football coach for the Lexington and Ardmore public schools, before becoming the director of student assessment for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Michael Millsap (‘95), of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Ada, won the firm’s Jack Phelan Award for his exceptional achievement in building client relationships. He was one of only 1,003 financial advisors who qualified out of the firm’s nearly 12,000 advisors in the U.S. and Canada for the 2014 Financial Advisor Leaders Conference in St. Louis, Mo., in May. Millsap has established a scholarship for health professionals at the ECU Foundation.

Brad Williams (‘97, ’00), vice president of student services at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, was honored at the OSU-Stillwater College of Education’s 22nd Annual Robert B. Kamm Lecture in Higher Education. Williams was one of two individuals to receive the esteemed Kamm Fellow one-year tuition scholarship for 2014. Williams is currently completing his doctorate in higher education leadership at OSU and plans to graduate in the spring of 2015. Williams received his bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing and music from ECU and a master in human resources administration from ECU. He also holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and higher education from OSU.

2000s

Jackie Gorena (‘01), who earned her master’s degree from ECU, was recently selected to be principal at Barton Elementary School in Irving, Texas. Gorena was previously the principal at Irving ISD’s Stipes Elementary School. Gorena led the Stipes campus to an exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency and moved Brown Elementary from acceptable to recognized status. While at Stipes, the campus earned the distinction of being named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Lighthouse School in 2013. Her long list of awards include: being named Principal of the Year for that region, finalist for the National Distinguished Principal Award and finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Principal Award. While working in Pauls Valley, Okla. she was named Jefferson Teacher of the Year and then went on to be named Pauls Valley Teacher of the Year, making her one of 12 nominees for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Bryan Roehl (‘01), D.O. joined Mercy Clinics Obstetrics and Gynecology in Ada. Roehl, an Ada native, graduated from Ada High School and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from ECU. He earned his doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at the Oklahoma State University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. He has been practicing in the Ada community for four years.

Misty A. Watson (‘01) was elected to the position of principal on Jan. 1, 2014, for Danna McKitrick, P.C. Law Firm in St. Louis, Mo. Watson focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration and guardianships/ conservatorships for minors and adults. She serves as practice group marketing leader of the Estate Planning Department and is a member of both the firm’s marketing and technology committees.

Mara Richards (‘02) and Susan Rindal (‘10) were two of 12 nominees for the State of Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Award last fall. Richards received a master’s degree in library media from ECU after completing her bachelor’s degree in biology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She teaches at Durant Middle School in Durant. Rindal obtained a master’s degree in reading education and currently teaches at Vanoss Middle School in Vanoss.

Matt Mickle and Raye Hall (’06 & ‘08) were married December 21, 2013, in Durant. Raye is a 2002 graduate of Kiowa High School. She attended ECU earning a bachelor of science degree in political science in 2006 and a master’s degree in human services counseling in 2008. Matt is a 1999 Durant High School graduate. In 2003, Matt graduated from the University of Oklahoma Price School of Business and in 2006 earned his juris doctorate degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Pamla Armstrong (‘86, ‘89) Retires After 35 Years of Service at ECU

East Central University was Pamla Armstrong’s life for nearly 35 years as a student and career choice. On Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 Armstrong stepped away from that portion of her life and into retirement as ECU’s Director of Admissions and Records/ Registrar.

Armstrong had served under six ECU presidents (both fulltime and interim), worked through gradual technological advances and had been a part of what is believed to be 77 commencement ceremonies.

Armstrong’s long ECU trek began in 1976 as a beginning 17-year-old freshman, working in the registrar’s office for two years. In the midst of that she was away for 18 months, but ultimately came back. Armstrong earned her ECU bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working on a fulltime basis, serving as a beginning freshman admission’s officer in 1980.

She later served as a computer information auditor on campus until 1988 and then came back to work as assistant registrar and degree requirement auditor. In 1989, she was named interim director of admissions and records/registrar and eventually assumed the duties on a fulltime basis soon after.

Two of the most meaningful commencement ceremonies involved her family. One of her two sons, Jeremy, obtained two bachelor’s degrees from ECU in biology and chemistry.

But another one of her most meaningful ceremonies took place in 2004 when her father, Paul Alford, graduated from ECU at the age of 84. Alford was unable to complete his degree at a younger age due to his dedication and service to the country in World War II and Korea.

After years, which included military service, getting married, raising a family and working as an auctioneer, Alford took 16 hours and earned a bachelor’s of general studies degree. He passed away two years later in 2006.