The Columns Fall 2015

The Columns

of East Central University Fall 2015

The Columns 1

The Columns

What’s Inside The Columns of ECU

3 Message from the President 4 JB’s Birthday Disco Bash 5 2015 Diversity Lecture 6 Dr. Raniyah Ramadan CURL 8 Science & Engineering Fair 9 Alumni Honors 10 Tigers Take Manhattan 12 2015 Distinguished Alumni 17 2015 Centennial Endowments 21 Donations 23 Renovations 24 Message from the Alumni President 27 STARs Program 28 2014 ECU Homecoming Recap 34 2015 ECU Homecoming 37 ECU @ OKC Thunder 38 Starkey Family Tailgate 40 Koi Ishto Stadium 42 Athletic Recaps 52 Books We Love Part 2 56 ECU Retirements 62 Tiger Tracks/Future Tiger 66 Roaming Roary 67 In Memoriam 2 The Columns

of East Central University

Fall 2015

The Office of Alumni Relations is dedicated to establishing and nurturing lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, friends and future students. Dedicated staff members of this office manage friend-raising activities in order to preserve and enhance the traditions and pride of East Central University.

East Central University’s mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff and community interact to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area, East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.

East Central University will be recognized both within the state and nation as Oklahoma’s premier comprehensive studentcentered regional university, offering outstanding academic programs and experiences for its students and contributing to the betterment of the region and beyond.

Reader’s Guide The Columns is published annually in the fall by the Offices of Alumni Relations and Communications and Marketing.

Feature Writers: Cathie Harding, Brian Johnson & Teri LaJeunesse Other Contributors: Brian Custar, Phyllis Danley, Amy Ford, John Hargrave, Elizabeth Vezina, Gerald Williamson & Katie Wellington Designers: Mashure Aziz, Tanner Capps, Talina Eaker, Amy Ford, Cathie Harding, Britni Sisco & Gina Smith Photographers: Amy Ford, Cathie Harding, Brian Johnson, Teri LaJeunesse, Gina Smith & Katie Wellington Alumni News & Events: Katie Wellington Sports Information: Teri LaJeunesse How to update your information: Contact the Office of Alumni Relations in one of the following ways: Post us: Alumni Relations

East Central University

1100 E. 14th, PMB Y-8

Ada, OK 74820 E-mail us: alumni@ecok.edu Call us: 580-559-5651 Fax us: 580-332-3042

Let us hear from you! Your opinions and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.

East Central University, in compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Executive Order 11246 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and other federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and education services.

This publication is printed by Mercury Press, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Okla. and is issued by East Central University as authorized by Title 70 OS 1981, Section 3903. 2,000 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $6,581.51. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries in compliance with Section 3-114 of Title 65 of the Oklahoma Statutes. 09/15

MESSAGE FROM THE

President Dear Alums, There’s nowhere better to be in the fall than on a college campus. This is a great time to be an ECU Tiger! We continue to be Oklahoma’s busiest college campus.

President Hargrave invites Alumni and Friends to become members of

The President’s Circle Membership Benefits Include:

Exclusive events hosted by the President •••• Special ECU programs and activities •••• Member, ECU Foundation Inc. •••• Member, ECU Alumni Association •••• Courtesy Passes to select University Events •••• The Columns Magazines •••• Campus Updates •••• Additional Information on Estate Planning

Membership Requirement:

A $1,000 annual contribution to the ECU Foundation, Inc. payable annually, quarterly or monthly.

For more information, contact: Phyllis Danley Executive Director, ECU Foundation, Inc. 580-559-5514 • pdanley@ecok.edu Gerald Williamson Senior Advancement Officer 580-559-5590 • gwillmsn@ecok.edu

In these pages you will find some of the great successes from this year and the anticipated projects for next year. I want to give a big shout out to the ECU Foundation.

The Foundation has helped with many enhancements including the campus master plan, upgrades to the Sterling Williams Center, big scholarship increases and funding for so many areas of our campus.

The alumni board is another active support system for ECU. I love attending their alumni reunions throughout Oklahoma and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They are a lot of fun and they are great networking opportunities.

You, the alums, are making this possible. We have record donations to the university and we look to continue the momentum.

What a great time to be a Tiger! Thank you for your involvement, and enjoy looking through the pages that outline the many accomplishments of our university and alumni.

Sincerely, President John R. Hargrave (’77)

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JB’s 6oth Birthday Disco Bash

Students and the ECU family (both past and present) celebrated on the dance floor with President John R. Hargrave during his 60th Birthday Disco Bash Feb. 17, 2015 in the Stanley Wagner Ballroom. The event, called “Staying Alive,” featured disco tunes, dancing, cake and fun.

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Marine Veteran R.V. Burgin, who served in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, delivered the Seventh Annual Louise Young Diversity Lecture, “R.V. Burgin: Recollections from America’s Greatest Generation,” on March 10, 2015 at East Central University.

Burgin joined the U.S. Marines on Nov. 13, 1942, and served as a mortar man in the Pacific Islands as he and his platoon – Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division – engaged in some ferocious battles from New Britain through Peleliu to Okinawa, where he earned the rank of sergeant.

In a little known horrific World War II battle on the Pacific Island of Peleliu, Burgin and company completely took out a bunker-full of 17 Japanese soldiers, who were armed with machine guns, rifles and hand grenades. They did this without American casualties.

The lecture was sponsored by Louise Young, a former ECU geography instructor and ECU alumnae.

“I feel a sense of urgency to present these stories for my alma mater and my hometown,” said Young, who now resides in Texas.

“Many people I remember from my early years in Ada were part of ‘The Greatest Generation.’ Sadly, their numbers are rapidly dwindling.”

Burgin earned a bronze star for his courageous and heroic efforts in serving his country.

His stories have been shared through a book entitled “Islands of the Damned, a Marine at War in the Pacific” in which he co-authored with Bill Marvel and the blockbuster Emmy-winning HBO Series “The Pacific”. Burgin also served as an advisor to producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg on “The Pacific” series.

Besides the lecture, Burgin signed copies of his book for many of the attendees.

The lecture was the third straight in a trilogy of Louise Young Diversity Lectures in which World War II veteran heroes shared their stories. Navajo Code Talker Bill Toledo spoke in 2013 and Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee delivered the lecture in 2014.

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CURL Grand Opening NEW DR. RANIYAH RAMADAN CENTER FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH and LEARNING TO ULTIMATELY BENEFIT ENTIRE ECU CAMPUS

ECU President John R. Hargrave (center) poses with Dr. Tawfik Ramadan (left) and family with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors.

A new era was ushered into the learning environment at East Central University with the grand opening of the Dr. Raniyah Ramadan Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning on April 24.

The state-of-the art facility, located on the lower east end of ECU’s Education Building, features two laboratories for biology and one each for chemistry and environmental health science, in addition to a refrigerated storage area for microbacteria and a conference room.

Dr. Raniyah Ramadan was a promising research scientist who grew up in Ada and passed away in July 2011. The Dr. Raniyah Ramadan Foundation was established by her parents, Dr. Tawfik and Siham Ramadan, and her sisters and brother to keep her memory alive and establish scholarships in neuroscience 6 The Columns

research and cancer research.

After graduating from Ada High School, Ramadan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 as well as two degrees at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: a master’s degree in public health in 2000; and Ph.D. in neuroscience in 2007.

She was a graduate research assistant in biomedical sciences at the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City from 2001 to 2007 where she researched the pathogenic mechanisms of bacterial endophthalmitis. She authored and coauthored several articles for academic journals.

Ramadan was awarded a prestigious post-doctoral research fellowship in ophthalmology and visual sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland,

Ohio. After completing the fellowship, she moved in 2008 to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in New York where she worked on ocular disease models. She initiated the protocol for animal models of ocular inflammatory diseases that affect about two million Americans and also conducted the histology analysis for the company’s uveitis models in rats and mice.

“Approximately half of the College of Health and Sciences faculty will at some point be using the facility and we will have from 20 to 30 students involved in undergraduate research projects each year when we are at full capacity,” said Dr. Bruce Weems, recently retired dean of ECU’s College of Health and Sciences.

“One of the CHS’s strategic long-term goals was to increase our capacity to do research for both faculty and our students.

This is a great opportunity for our students and faculty to engage through research and mentorship settings.

--Dr. David Weir, director

Siham Ramadan, mother of the late Dr. Raniyah Ramadan, speaks with State Senator Susan Paddack during grand opening festivities.

Tours were given of the Ramadan Center.

Members of the Ramadan family participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The opening of the Raniyah Ramadan Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning will finally accomplish that goal and set the stage for the college to accomplish many of these future goals for improving undergraduate research experiences for our students.”

With the completion of the facility, ECU will be the only Regional University System institution which has a dedicated center for undergraduate research.

“The fact that this is the only undergraduate research facility within the RUSO system, clearly shows the commitment of the ECU administration to the concept of integrating undergraduate research into all facets of the college experience for our students,” Weems said.

The facility was funded through the Native American Serving Non-Tribal

Institutions (NASNTI) Grant with the help of a major donation from the family of the late Dr. Raniyah Ramadan.

Dr. David Weir will serve as director of the Ramadan Center through the remaining two-year grant process and will ultimately become director for undergraduate research for the entire ECU campus.

Weir, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University and his doctorate from Purdue University, knows firsthand the importance of undergraduate research after performing those duties in the discipline of history at Texas Tech.

“I feel strongly in the importance of research because of that previous experience. It allowed me to expand my own interest in my field of study and I got to see what faculty members do as

researchers,” Weir said. “Tangibly, it was shown through a study at the University of Michigan that students who undergo undergraduate research are more likely to stay in school or graduate. They were significantly more likely to finish school and go on to pursue a graduate degree of any kind.”

Those retention possibilities are primarily made possible because of relationships built between the mentor (faculty member) and the student.

“I’m really excited. This is a great opportunity for our students and faculty to engage through research and mentorship settings,” Weir said. “This will allow students to get into research opportunities sooner than their junior or senior years.”

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REGIONAL, STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIRS AT ECU RECEIVE SUPPORT For the second year in a row, the East Central Oklahoma Regional Science Fair and Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair were funded by the state of Oklahoma, thanks to the efforts of East Central University President John R. Hargrave along with Oklahoma State Sen. Susan Paddack and State Rep. Todd Thomsen.

The $100,000 grant doubled last year’s fund, which not only covered these two particular fairs hosted by ECU, but other local and regional fairs across the state.

“STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is vitally important to the education process of our youth and science fairs play a major role in the development of students’ learning and understanding of the world around them,” said Hargrave.

To go from $50,000 to $100,000 was important, due to the continual rise in the cost of living. The original $50,000 grant was provided each year through the 1980s and 1990s, until 2009 when the recession led to the cutting of many

discretionary programs, including science fairs. Through the help of Hargrave, Paddack and Thomsen, the funding was reinstated in 2013 at $50,000.

“We had situations where some schools were struggling.

Some parents were paying for everything. To have a little extra so it’s not coming out of the parents’ or even teachers’ pockets is important,’ said Dr. Rahmona Thompson, professor of biology and director of both science and engineering fairs at ECU. “We had a situation where a teacher went home and built several boards for his students at his own expense. With additional funding, we can use some money to reimburse them for their supply expenditures. Another allotment of the funds will be used for gas money.”

This money will also be applied for teachers’ training workshops before the regional fair, according to Thompson.

Plus each regional fair will receive $5,000 to hold the fair and send projects to the international fair.

DID YOU KNOW? OK STATE SCIENCE FAIR BY THE NUMBERS

242 students presented 224 projects.

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scholarships were awarded from ECU, Cameron, Connors State College, Northwestern Okla. State, Univ. of Central Okla., Tulsa Community College, Rogers State Univ. and Southwestern Okla. State Univ.

31 category awards were presented.

66 special awards were presented.

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in physical sciences 40 entries category. entries in earth & space 12 sciences category. in microbiology category.

13 entries in engineering 23 entries category. in environmental 30 entries sciences category.

in biochemistry, medicine 33 entries & health science category. in behavioral & 30 entries social sciences category. entries in mathematics & 13 computer science category.

30 entries in zoology & botany category. students from Oklahoma presented 12 projects at the 13 2014 Intel International Science & Engineering Fair.

TWO ECU ALUMNI HONORED FOR LIFETIME OF CONTRIBUTIONS East Central University alumni, the Honorable George Nigh and Dr. Harvey Dean, were two of six honorees at the prestigious 2014 Door-Opener Awards Gala on Sept. 4, 2014 at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.

The event benefitted the Advanced Science & Technology Education Charter School, and the six were recognized for their lifetime of contributions made toward helping others in society maximize their potential and achieve their dreams.

Nigh, the former governor of Oklahoma, was recognized for his longtime and consistent support of public education in Oklahoma at all levels. He also promoted tourism during his time as a state leader, opened doors for women in state government and supported the developmentally disabled.

His contributions to education began as a high school teacher in McAlester. After a successful government career, Nigh served

four terms as a state representative, four as lieutenant governor and two as governor. He was later chosen as president of the University of Central Oklahoma.

As governor, he opened doors for women by appointing the first and second women to the state’s Supreme Court, and as a tourism booster, helped to open the door to Oklahoma by enticing movie producers to film in the state.

Gov. Nigh was also recognized for the work he and his wife, Donna, do in advocating for the rights of the developmentally-disabled to lead full lives filled with dignity and accomplishments.

Nigh was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives while he was a senior at ECU, where he earned his degree in 1950.

Dr. Harvey Dean, born in Ada and currently living in Pittsburg, Kan., was recognized for being a pioneer in educational programs and services

used by K-12 students and teachers throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

He co-founded Pitsco, Inc., located in Pittsburg, an innovative provider of hands-on learning tools that promote the ever increasingly popular STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning curriculum.

Dean is an inventor as well. He founded the modular teaching concept that is used in numerous classrooms, both public and private. In addition, he authored Changing Education: A Success Story, a book for teachers and administrators that promotes the Synergistic System to help teachers motivate students.

He is a former Oklahoma public school teacher and received his undergraduate degree from ECU in 1965.

Others honored at the event included Toby Keith and Tricia Covel, of Norman; Dr. Ramona Paul, of Edmond and Natalie Shirley, of Oklahoma City.

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Tigers Take

Six adventurous dynamos and their advisors experienced firsthand the meaning of paying it forward on a trip to New York City over Spring Break.

“The first day, we were like a mother hen with a bunch of chicks,” Wendell Godwin, dean of the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business and one of the advisors who went along on the trip, said. “By the fourth or fifth day, they didn’t even want us around. They went from that really scared sense where everything is intimidating to where this isn’t so bad.”

As members of the elite two-year Student Scholar’s Program in the Jim Gray Center for Student Excellence in the Stonecipher School of Business and thanks to the generosity of a number of donors, the six received a scholarship of $2,000 and, as a reward for being in the program, an annual trip valued at $2,500.

“I really enjoyed getting to see all of the culture that is expressed in New York,” Jaylea Lillard, a junior accounting major with a certificate in banking and finance, said. “It is so different than in Ada. You can go from one district to another and a whole separate heritage is represented.”

In addition to Lillard, Alan Dennis, a junior accounting major; Brie Grimes, a junior business administration major with management concentration; Jiajun Lin, a junior business administration major with finance concentration; Kathryn Keiffer, a junior, accounting major; and Trevor Sutton, a senior accounting major; also made the trip along with Godwin and Joe Dougherty, faculty director of the

program.

During their visit, the students had breakfast with Jim Gray (’82) at the East of Eighth Restaurant where he talked about his passion for giving back and the importance of their doing the same.

“I saw a lot of myself at that age in them,” Gray said. “These are young men and women from small towns, looking to make their mark in the world. In my profession, I work with many people with degrees from some of the most ‘prestigious’ universities in the nation. Those people have nothing on the students from ECU. Well, other than the fact that they paid more for their education.”

Gray has pledged $100,000 to the Stonecipher School of Business and at $97,000 is nearly at goal. A part of his donation goes towards the Jim Gray Center, the umbrella covering all of the business clubs and organizations.

“ECU holds a special place in my heart,” Gray said. “I made many friends there who were instrumental in shaping who I am today, not just professionally, but also as a person. Regardless of where my life's journey takes me, ECU will always be home.”

Gray, a Byng graduate who now specializes in converting utilities to SAP, a global software company, also visited with the students about taking opportunities as they came about, remembering their roots and giving back to the community.

“He is a great guy and we are just blessed to have people like that who give back to our school,” Godwin said.

Top Photo: The ECU delegation poses in front of one of the many iconic landmarks they saw on their trip.

Left Middle Photo: Student scholars Trevor Sutton, Brie Grimes, Kathryn Keiffer, Jaylea Lillard, Alan Dennis and Jiajun Lin take in the sights at the American Museum of Natural History.

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Manhattan Student Scholars are invited to join the program based on their outstanding academic records, coupled with work experience, involvement in activities at school and in the community and a desire to represent the program well in public.

“Student Scholars are the cream of the crop,” Godwin said.

The six-day adventure included airfare, hotels, meals and NYC attractions.

The only things students had to pay for were their souvenirs.

For most of them, who are from small towns in Oklahoma, it was their first time in the Big Apple. Their nonstop itinerary included the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the World Trade Center Museum, the Statue of Liberty and FAO Schwarz.

Their nights on Broadway featured hits “Mamma Mia!” and “Jersey Boys.”

“The Ellis Island tour, the 9/11 memorial and getting to meet and talk with ECU alumni that have gone very far in life were the highlights of my trip,” Dennis said.

As part of their ongoing business training, they toured the New York Stock Exchange, Wells Fargo and the trading floor of the Bank of New York.

“It was a real experience into the business world of a city like Manhattan,” Godwin said.

They made a special stop on the business circuit at Cole Haan, a global lifestyle brand with a focus on men's and women's footwear and accessories, and met with Michael Prince (‘93), president and COO. Prince took them on a one-

hour tour and gave a presentation about the current and future state of affairs at the company and what specifically he was doing with the brand.

“The meeting with Michael Prince in the corporate office of Cole Haan was a cool experience as we got to have an informal discussion about how we could get from where we are in college to owning a business someday,” Sutton said.

At the end of the visit, members of the group received a Cole Haan VIP discount card.

“It’s great for our students to see that people sat in the same chairs and had some of the same professors that they have now and have gone on to do incredible things,” Godwin said.

One of the commitments to being in the Student Scholar’s Program is that students all have to give back to ECU, a point well taken from the NYC alums.

“Both Jim Gray and Michael Prince talked about how important it was to give back to your community,” Lillard said.

“Both have shown their passion for this in their continuous support of the business school.”

The experience showed students the importance of dedication, not dollar amount, in making a difference in the long term.

“It's important to give back to help those that follow,” Gray said. “I received financial assistance and feel it is only right that I pay it forward.”

Right Middle Photo: Students mug with the Charging Bull, which is sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, that stands in Bowling Green Park in the Financial District in Manhattan.

Bottom Photo: Michael Prince (sixth from left) shows the group the latest in fall fashion in the Cole Haan International Showroom.

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2015 Distinguished Honorees Distinguished Alumna Deborah Cornelison

Deborah Cornelison (‘83, ‘85) is a 2014-15 Albert Einstein Fellow as a National Science Foundation Education and Human Resources Directorate in the Division of Undergraduate Education in Washington D.C. She taught ninth grade physical science for 26 years at Byng Junior High School. In 1988, she launched a science research program in advanced eighth and ninth grade science classes and later served as a mentor to high school students.

For 23 years, Cornelison supervised more than 300 laboratory and field projects, exceeding 300 student awards at regional, state, national and international levels.

Her students’ accomplishments included Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair state championship teams in 1998 and 2004, Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science junior high team championships for six years, grand award winner at the 2004 National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair and 10 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair finalists.

Additionally, Cornelison was a team leader of the eCYBERMISSION National Team, made up of ninth graders, in the U.S. Army’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition, taking first place.

Seven of her other teams captured Southwest/Pacific Region awards in competitions from 2006-2011.

For 16 years, Cornelison taught biological and physical sciences in summers and on Saturdays during the academic year in Upward Bound programs for high school students at ECU. She began her teaching career as an ECU adjunct instructor in biology and general physical science from 1985-1988.

Cornelison earned both a master of education degree with a concentration in secondary education and a bachelor of science in biology, with a chemistry minor, from ECU 12 The Columns

Deborah Cornelison

as well. She obtained an associate of science degree from Seminole State College.

Her Oklahoma teaching credentials include biology, chemistry, general science and physical science for grades 6-12, while also holding a credential as a principal.

Cornelison also earned National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adulthood Science from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999 and was recertified in 2008.

Distinguished Alumnus Todd Graham Todd Graham, a 1987 and 1992 ECU graduate from Mesquite, Texas, has spent the last three years as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, guiding them to back-to-back 10-win seasons, including a Pac-12 championship in 2013 in which Graham was named Pac12 Coach of the Year.

Since taking over as the Arizona State head football coach, the Sun Devils have posted a 28-12 overall record in three seasons, including a 10-3 mark in 2014. Graham also had head coaching stints at Rice, Tulsa and Pittsburgh.

At Tulsa, he led the Golden Hurricane to a 36-17 record from 2007-2010 as three of those four teams claimed or shared first place in the West Division of Conference USA. In his one year as the Rice head football coach in 2006, he guided the Owls to their first bowl game in 45 years and was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.

Graham was a two-time NAIA All-American defensive back at ECU after graduating from North Mesquite High School as an all-state defensive back in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU. He began his coaching career at Poteet High School/ Middle School in Mesquite from 1988-90. He then helped lead ECU from a .500 winning-percentage program into NAIA national champions in his third year as he served as defensive coordinator from 1991-1993. One year later, he

Todd Graham & Haylee Graham

Todd Graham

taught and coached at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City and ultimately spent time as a football coach and athletic director at Allen High School in Texas from 19952000.

Graham was hired as a West Virginia assistant coach in 2001 and one year later was promoted to defensive coordinator of the Mountaineers as WVU went from a 3-8 record to 9-4, the top turnaround in the nation in 2002.

He was hired as the defensive coordinator at Tulsa, under head coach Steve Kragthorpe, in 2003 where the Golden Hurricane experienced a massive turnaround of their own from a 1-11 record in 2002 to an 8-5 mark in 2003. Tulsa, under the defensive coaching efforts of Graham, went to a pair of bowl games before he became the head coach at Rice.

As featured speaker of the afternoon commencement ceremonies on May 9, 2015, Graham had the honor of presenting his daughter, Haylee, with her diploma.

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Distinguished Family The Higginbotham Family The memory of Dorothy Higginbotham (‘47), who passed away in 2005, is preserved each year with the awarding of multiple $1,000 Higginbotham Family scholarships to ECU students.

Higginbotham left a $1 million gift to the ECU Foundation to be applied toward these scholarships.

Dorothy came from a family of 10 children, nine of whom attended and/or graduated from ECU. Her focus and passion on education can be derived from a family in which six of the seven girls ultimately became teachers.

Following Higginbotham’s death, one of Dorothy’s sisters, Kay Davis, received a letter from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents praising Higginbotham’s contributions to OU through her talent and dedication.

In the letter, she was recognized for her worldwide expertise in the use and development of children’s language, especially as it related to and interacted with culture, ethnicity and cognition.

Higginbotham spent more than 20 years at OU as professor, associate dean and director of graduate studies.

In addition, she was an active member of groups ranging from the Undergraduate and Graduate Awards Committees to the Faculty Senate, University Appeals Board, College of Arts and Sciences Grants and Fellowships Committee and Teacher Certification and Accreditation Committee for the College of Education. She also served many students by directing their doctoral dissertations.

During her career, Higginbotham was responsible for the research and publication of more than 15 reports and

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Dorothy Higginbotham

articles, multiple book chapters and additional papers and lectures which were published or delivered at meetings, conferences or symposiums.

The Higginbotham Family

Distinguished Service Kellogg & Sovereign® Consulting, LLC

Kellogg & Sovereign® Consulting, LLC, a professional consulting firm located in Ada, was recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for its valued business partnership with ECU. Co-owned by Jane Kellogg (’80) and Debi Sovereign, Kellogg & Sovereign provides consulting services for schools, libraries and healthcare providers in order to receive funding from the FCC’s Universal Service programs.

Kellogg & Sovereign has been a supreme supporter of ECU with the recent establishment of a Business Scholars Leadership Program within the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.

The new program includes three levels of student engagement and recognition opportunities: student leaders, deans’ council and student scholars. The student scholars took a trip to New York City over spring break to visit Wall Street, tour large businesses and engage in cultural activities.

Funding for this program isn’t the first investment that Kellogg & Sovereign has made at ECU. With the opening of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center and Stonecipher School of Business in 2013, Kellogg & Sovereign funded the technology in the new financial lab.

As a result, ECU has a student resource not normally found in an institution its size.

In addition to hiring ECU graduates, Kellogg & Sovereign also supports ECU’s nationally-recognized Oklahoma Business Week summer camp for high school students and the Stonecipher School of Business awards and scholarship banquet.

Distinguished Former Faculty Dr. Donald G. Stafford (Posthumous)

Dr. Donald G. Stafford taught at ECU from 1961 until his retirement in 1995.

During his ECU tenure, Stafford focused his energies on the development of creative instruction methods of teaching science to elementary, secondary and college-level students and educating teachers how better to teach science to elementary and secondary-level students.

He also worked to dispel the myth that science is inconsistent with the Christian faith.

One of his most popular self-published books was a brief pamphlet entitled, “Things I Know about God and Man.” He distributed thousands of copies of this work to students, friends and colleagues over the years as copies turned up all over the world.

Stafford published more than 20 books and 50 articles on techniques of science education and wrote poetry in his retirement. He had two volumes of poetry printed and had recited his poetry to groups and churches around Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Ada Writers Club and was twice nominated for poet laureate for the state of Oklahoma.

At the time of his death in 2012, he and his wife Jane had been married for 60 years and were active members of Ada First Baptist Church.

The Dr. Donald G. Stafford Centennial Scholarship was established at ECU in Stafford’s memory by Jane and their sons – Dr. Michael Stafford, D.O.; Robert Stafford and Joel Stafford.

He has eig ht g randchi ldren and f ive g re at grandchildren.

Shortly before his death in 2012, when asked about his goals in life, he simply said, “I wanted to be a good teacher, a man of God and a scientist.”

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Distinguished Former Faculty Dr. Bill Osborne

How an Endowment Works A donor gives to the Foundation to establish a named endowed scholarship in an area of his or her passion. The minimum amount for a Foundation Endowment is $10,000 while the minimum for Centennial Endowment recognition is $15,000.

Dr. Bill Osborne (‘71, ‘73) spent 19 years at ECU where he served as the director of the Grants and Research Center and was a faculty member and dean in the College of Education and Psychology.

He also served as the Director of the Federal Leadership Educational Administration Development (LEAD) program from Oklahoma.

Osborne holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

He is a former Navy officer and aviator, former manager in business and industry and a former high school teacher and principal.

Osborne met and married his wife, Christy, at ECU. Their daughter, Kendra, was born in Ada. She is also an ECU alum, holding a master’s degree in library science.

Bill retired in 2011. He and Christy currently reside in Norman.

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The gift is entered into the ECU Foundation Endowment fund.

A portion of the earnings on the invested funds will be used for distribution as scholarships to students, while the fund’s principal amount remains intact.

The donor works with the Foundation staff to develop criteria for the scholarship and guidelines for its distribution.

A scholarship agreement is signed by both parties.

The Foundation’s Investment Committee invests the donor’s gift in accordance with the Foundation’s investment objectives to maximize returns and minimize risk.

By reinvesting the remainder of the earnings, the scholarship continues to grow and is protected from inflation, providing annual support to ECU’s students for decades to come.

2015 Centennial Endowments Charles and Lila Acker Centennial Math Endowment

Justice Rudolph Hargrave Centennial Memorial Legal Studies Endowment

The Ackers are both ECU graduates and both majored in math. They also have numerous advanced degrees, but Charles has stated that they both agreed that their math degrees from ECU were the most important in their lives.

This scholarship was awarded for the first time in fall of 2015.

This scholarship was established by Madeline Hargrave and John and Kay Hargrave after the death of Justice Hargrave in the spring of 2014. Justice Hargrave’s accomplishments were many and this scholarship will be used to assist students who will be majoring in legal studies and planning to attend law school.

Martha (Eubank/Wallace) Rhynes Centennial Endowment

Leon and Wanda Biddy Centennial Memorial Endowment

Martha Rhynes, an ECU graduate, former teacher, and prolific author, served on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees for several years and was the chair of the Scholarship Committee for three years. She established this scholarship in 2012 to assist non-traditional female students who are attending ECU while single, working and raising a family.

This scholarship was established by family and friends after the death of Leon in April 2014. Mr. Biddy served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and he and his wife Wanda owned and operated Biddy Printing Company in Ada. Leon served on the ECU Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was an active member of several other civic organizations. This scholarship will be used to assist an ECU student who is an active member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and was awarded for the first time in the fall of 2015.

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2015 Centennial Endowments Robert C. Coleman Centennial Memorial Endowment

Chris Lane Centennial Memorial Endowment

This scholarship was first established in 1987 by the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity after Robert’s tragic death. Additional donations from Brad and Sandra Thompson, have elevated this scholarship to the centennial level. This scholarship has been used, and will continue to be used, for the benefit of a student who is a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

Chris, an ECU student from Melbourne, Australia, was on a baseball scholarship and preparing for his senior year when he was fatally shot in Duncan, Okla. while visiting his girlfriend. This scholarship was established with donations in his memory and will be used to assist a student-athlete who no longer has eligibility under NCAA guidelines to complete a degree while serving as a graduate assistant coach in the baseball program.

W. E. and Minnie (Curtis) Martin Centennial Book Endowment In 2011, Pete and Jackie Duncan, along with Pete’s cousin Don Martin and his wife Maria, established this scholarship in memory of their grandparents who were longtime teachers in Seminole County. They have steadily added to the balance of the scholarship, working toward an endowment. Dorothy Merrick, a donor who made an additional gift in memory of her husband and son, elevated this scholarship to the centennial level, and it was awarded for the first time in fall of 2015.

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Holloway Centennial Accounting Endowment This endowment has been established by brother and sister Alan and Anita Holloway, who are both ECU graduates. Alan is now an attorney with McAfee and Taft, while Anita is a CPA with Ernst and Young. Anita also worked for the ECU Foundation while she was in college and Alan serves on the ECU Foundation’s Board of Trustees. They have established this endowment to assist students who are planning to major in accounting.

Ken Turner Centennial Athletic Endowment Coach Turner came to ECU as a student-athlete and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU. In 1967, he became a member of the ECU faculty, and served as both the head baseball coach, assistant men’s basketball coach and department chair. The ECU Foundation and ECU Athletics announced the creation of the Ken Turner Athletic Campaign in October 2014 which included the naming of the baseball field in Coach Turner’s honor and also the establishment of this Centennial Endowment which has been funded by former players and coaches. The scholarship will be used in the same way as the Chris Lane Endowment—to assist students who are no longer eligible to play, but are still completing their degree.

Commitment to Championships Centennial Campaign This endowment was the brainchild of Craig Scheef, former ECU football player, Milam award winner and current chair of the ECU Foundation Board of Trustees. All proceeds from this campaign will be used to assist the football and other athletic programs at ECU.

Joe and June Sims Centennial Cartography/Geography Endowment Dr. Sims taught geography at ECU for many years and a scholarship was established in his memory by friends, colleagues, and former students. After his wife’s death in 2013, additional donations were made in her memory by friends and family members which elevated the scholarship to the centennial level. This scholarship is awarded each spring to the cartography/geography student with the highest gradepoint average.

Judith Whomble Centennial International Student Endowment This endowment will be used to provide assistance to international students attending ECU. It was established in memory of Judith Whomble by her friends and colleagues.

Jerry Anderson Centennial Memorial Athletic Endowment Jerry Anderson was a longtime basketball coach at ECU who passed away in 1982. This endowment was made possible by gifts from friends, colleagues, former players and family members to honor this memorable coach.

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HOW TO GIVE TO YOUR UNIVERSIT Y Donors give to the East Central University Foundation, Inc. for many different reasons. Some want to repay the investment that others made in them. Some want to give a gift that adds value to the university and that also brings deeper meaning to their lives. Some simply want to support the ECU family and make a positive impact on the faculty, staff and students of the future.

Whatever the reason, donor gifts are important to the ECU Foundation and to the university, and there are various ways to donate.

The ECU Foundation will accept any level of gift, and in all cases, the wishes of the donor will be the guiding principle as to how the funds are used.

Donors frequently specify an endowed scholarship, academic department fund, endowed lectureship/ professorship/chair or capital improvement project as the target of their benevolence.

The ECU Foundation encourages you to discuss the various methods of giving with your accountant and/or attorney in order to select the giving mechanism which best fits your circumstances. Flexible options allow you to demonstrate your commitment and maximize your support of the university’s mission.

There are many ways to give to ECU Here are the most common types of gifts...

Gifts of Cash, Check or Credit Card These gifts are always welcome because they are available immediately to strengthen the ECU Foundation and the university or begin earning income for the future.

Gifts-in-Kind Donations of software, licenses, services, vendor products and other property also support the mission and programs of ECU. These gifts-in-kind allow the ECU Foundation to use resources for other needs while you get credit for your support.

Gifts of Trusts This can include charitable remainder trusts, unitrusts, lead trusts, family trusts, annuity trusts, etc., that can avoid capital gains taxes and provide an annual income for life.

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Gifts of Real Property

Gifts of Insurance

Real estate, homes, business property and farmland which have grown in value can result in capital gains taxes if sold, but tax advantages are available through a charitable gift to the ECU Foundation. When the ECU Foundation acquires your gift of appreciated stock or property, you receive a tax deduction equal to its fair market value and also avoid a costly capital gains tax on the increase in value.

Naming the ECU Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary of your life insurance policy is also an option, especially when your policy has a face amount that is much greater than the amount you could afford to give in cash.

Gifts of Securities These gifts include stocks, bonds, mutual funds and IRAs, and are also available immediately to impact the work of the ECU Foundation.

Gifts of Personal Property Personal property can include coin collections, antique cars, gun collections, artwork, musical instruments, etc.

By assigning ownership to the ECU Foundation and making the ECU Foundation the beneficiary of an old policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, such as sheltering children’s education, you can make a substantial gift at a low cost and take an immediate income tax deduction for the value of the policy. You can then contribute an amount equal to the policy’s premiums to the ECU Foundation and deduct that gift as a charitable contribution.

Proceeds of the policy will pass to the ECU Foundation free of estate taxes.

New policies may also be obtained listing the ECU Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary as a part of financial or estate planning.

For questions contact: Dr. Gerald Williamson 580-559-5590 • gwillmsn@ecok.edu

DONATIONS Alumni Generosity Changes ECU

Joe and Tammy Mankin needed to downsize after all three sons had left home and there was not room for their beautiful Conober Cable grand piano in their new house. As a result, they donated the piano to the ECU Foundation, which was more than glad to accept such a lovely instrument. The piano, currently housed in the David A. & Alma R. Lockmiller Grand Lobby in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, will be used for numerous campus and community activities.

Phyllis Danley, Foundation Director, stated: “This is a beautiful piano, and a wonderful gift to ECU. We are grateful to the Mankins for this donation and they can be assured that their gift will be appreciated by students, faculty, staff and community people for years to come.”

Pictured (from left): Cody, Corbin and Casey Mankin (sons); Joe and Tammy Mankin; Dr. Mark Hollingsworth, Dean of College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences; Dr. Brad Jessop, Director of the School of Fine Arts; and Phyllis Danley, Executive Director of the ECU Foundation

Essie Roark’s estate gift of $216,500 was presented to the ECU Foundation by Keywood Deese, Vision Bank Vice President and Trust Officer. Ms. Roark’s only stipulation was that her gift be used for scholarships, so students and faculty alike will reap the benefits of this donation.

Pictured (from left): Shirley Pogue, Foundation Scholarship Committee Chair; Vicky Petete, Foundation Treasurer and Audit/Finance Committee Chair; Keywood Deese, Vision Bank VP and Trust Officer; Phyllis Danley, Executive Director of the ECU Foundation; Russ Allen, ECU Foundation Trustee; and President John Hargrave

Anonymous Donation

In June 2015, an anonymous donor contributed $250,000 to the ECU Foundation to be used entirely for scholarships. Just like the Essie Roark donation, students will benefit from this generous gift for generations to come.

For questions contact: Phyllis Danley, Director of Foundation, University Advancement & Alumni Relations 580-559-5514 • pdanley@ecok.edu • www.ecok.edu/foundation

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CAMPUS RENOVATIONS

President's Home

The recent renovations to the Sterling L. Williams Foundation & Alumni Center were funded by donations to the ECU Foundation by the estates of Lorene Fuller and Amy James. Additional supplemental assistance was provided by the ECU Alumni Association.

Education Building

The ECU Education Building, which houses the College of Education and Psychology, underwent major renovation during the 2014-15 term. The College of Education and Psychology was temporarily housed in the Administration Building during that time. The refurbished facility features 13 classrooms with new technology, including short-throw projectors (which make every whiteboard a smartboard), new speakers and new podiums. The building also features new seating in the computer lab, new faculty desks and office furniture and WiFi capabilities for use of mobile devices in the classroom. A formal dedication and open house for the facility was held on Oct. 1, 2015.

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Greetings Fellow ECU Alumni!

2015 ECU Alumni Association Board of Directors Elizabeth Vezina (‘79)

I’m going to throw out a few words and I want you to wrap your mind around them. Let yourself go back to those favorite memories and think about how much fun it was.

Then think about how much fun it could be to relive some of those special memories. Here are some words:

President

Barbara Miller (‘09) Vice President

ECU Tigers Classmates Football

Pat Fountain (‘80) Secretary

Tommy Vass, Jr. (‘88) Treasurer

Tiffany Grant (‘07) Past President

2015 ECU Alumni Association Board Members Jesse Allen (‘09) James Brown (‘75) Dare Chronister (‘10) Jill Clark (‘10) Robyn Elliott (‘02) Hillary Farrell (‘00) Chris Feiler (‘80) Kendall Foster (‘09) Kyle Foster (‘09) Carol Goodwin (‘09) Karen Hudson (‘85) Willie Hughes (‘86) Ronda Martin (‘82) Monica Neal (‘91) Ray Nicholas (‘83) Mark Prentice (‘84) Monica Suffal (‘10) Wendi Zachary (‘95)

ECU Fight Song BUILDING FLOATS Greek Life Hanging out with professors outside of the classroom

BEST FRIENDS La Fragua First Love Basketball STUDY GROUPS Graduation

Once A Tiger...Always a Tiger!

We hope you will join us at Homecoming on Oct. 31 or at an Alumni Reunion coming in the spring. Visit the alumni website to get all of the upcoming schedules: alumni.ecok.edu We also hope that you will keep your ECU Alumni Membership current and if you’re not a member, please join by visiting the alumni website. The money we bring in helps to recreate those memories each time we get a group of ECU Alums back together.

Many of you may be thinking, “What do I get out of the $35?” Think about ECU. Not only can we have better and bigger reunions and more Homecoming activities, we can also benefit the future of ECU! By staying in touch with our graduates, we build foundations for scholarships, new or improved buildings, aid for student activities and better athletic programs that lead to better recruiting.

Again, even if you don’t think it benefits you, look what only $35 per year can do!

Have an exciting year and remember: Once A Tiger...Always a Tiger!

/ECUAlumni 24 The Columns

Beth Elizabeth Spence Vezina, Class of ‘79 President, Alumni Association

@ AlumniECU

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2014 ECU Homecoming

Alumni Golf Tournament

Recap A Haunting in Tigerland PIKE REUNION

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ATHLETIC ALUMNI REUNION

Alumni 5K Race

CURRENT TIGERS AND ALUMS

Tennis Pro-Am Tournament

Alumni Baseball Game & Naming of Ken Turner Field

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AWARDS / HONORS

Golden Tiger Brunch

Class of 1964

1964 Football Team Milam Award Winner Tom Luttrell (‘80) Cranford Scholarship Winners Alyson Chapman Allyson Gregory

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STONECIPHER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LUNCHEON

CORONATION Tori Bates, senior from Sulphur and James Brown, junior from Shawnee, were named Queen & King during halftime activities.

Tori is majoring in mass communications and James is majoring in business administration.

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ECU VS NWOSU 36-13 WIN

Dewey McClain Whether it be football or politics, East Central University alumnus Dewey McClain has

excelled at both.

McClain was honored during ECU’s 2014 Homecoming Festivities, serving as the grand marshal for the homecoming parade and conducting the ceremonial coin flip prior to the Tigers’ 36-13 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Oct. 25, 2014.

McClain’s rise on the gridiron began for the Okmulgee native when he earned NAIA All-American honors as a senior linebacker for ECU in 1975. His efforts helped lead the Tigers to a 9-3-1 overall record, an Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Championship and a berth in the Bicentennial Bowl during his senior season of 1975.

Though McClain was not drafted, he did sign a free-agent contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, eventually landing a spot on the team. He appeared in 76 games during his fiveyear career (1976-80) with the Falcons and played in three playoff games.

McClain also recorded a pass interception during his NFL career.

He was traded to the Green Bay Packers following the

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1980 season, but never played there due to injury.

McClain ultimately returned to the professional ranks, playing for the United States Football League’s Oakland Invaders in 1983 and Oklahoma Outlaws in 1984.

He ultimately became a labor leader, jump-starting his civil service career, for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and became president of the North Georgia Labor Council.

McClain was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, District 100, as a democrat in a special election, Nov. 5, 2013.

Ken Turner Field As part of the 2014 Homecoming festivities, the East Central University baseball team had several announcements to enhance the team and the field.

The Tigers started the day by announcing that the field will now be known as Ken Turner Field. The ECU Foundation also announced the creation of the Ken Turner Athletic Campaign that included the endowment of the Chris Lane Centennial Scholarship.

Turner, a longtime baseball and basketball coach and educator at ECU, was on hand for the ceremony with members of his family.

‘The naming of this field has become a reality because of my great student-athletes, friends and family. I want to thank them all for supporting me and this honor,” said Turner.

Turner came to the Tigers as a student-athlete and earned a bachelor’s degree (1962) and his master’s degree (1968) from then East Central State College and a second master’s (1972) from the University of Oklahoma.

“The groundswell for the naming of this facility for Coach Turner has grown tremendously since I became the president of East Central University,” said ECU President John Hargrave.

“I am so honored to be here today to bestow this honor on Coach Turner.”

In 1967, Turner became a member of the ECU faculty and continued in his post until his retirement in 1994.

During those years, he coached both basketball and baseball from 1967 through 1990. He served as both the head baseball coach and assistant men’s basketball coach under legendary coach Jerry Anderson.

During his 23 years at the helm of the Tigers’ baseball program, Turner won 467 games and was honored as Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 1979.

On the faculty side, Turner was a favorite among students for whom he served as advisor and instructor. Many students today speak highly of Coach Turner and the impact he has had in their lives.

He also served as the chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation during his time at ECU. “I am so honored to be here today in honor of Coach Turner,” said former student-athlete Robert Dudley. “One of the first things I learned when I walked on to this field for fall practice was that Coach Turner’s expectations were high on the field and in the classroom, but those expectations helped me learn responsibility and accountability.”

The day also included the

announcement of the Ken Turner Athletic Campaign through the ECU Foundation. The dividends from the $100,000 endowment will perpetually support the bat and ball sports at ECU in Coach Turner’s name. During the silent phase of the campaign, donations have already exceeded $47,000.

The day’s sentiments continued with the announcement of the Chris Lane Centennial Scholarship by ECU Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Williams.

The scholarship will be awarded to a graduate assistant coach each season.

The scholarship is a result of the Chris Lane Memorial Fund, which included working closely with the Lane family to memorialize their son. Lane will be remembered as a wonderful young man with a kind heart and magnetic personality. He was a studentathlete who others looked to for advice and support.

“Coach Turner and Chris Lane both came to ECU during vastly different time periods in our institution’s history,” Williams commented. “They came for ECU baseball, but their impact was campus wide. I am pleased that our athletic program will forever honor these two individuals with a permanent legacy.”

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get the full schedule of events...

34 The Columns

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS monday, oct. 26

COMEDIAN 7 P.M. • DOROTHY SUMMERS THEATRE

tuesday, oct. 27

TRIVIA COMPETITION 6 P.M. • ESTEP CENTER, UNIVERSITY CENTER ECU FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING 7 P.M. • FOUNDATION HALL, CBCC

wednesday, oct. 28 SSB HOMECOMING STAKEHOLDER LUNCHEON 11:30 A.M. - 1 P.M. • FOUNDATION HALL, CBCC POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL TBD • FOOTBALL FIELD

thursday, oct. 29

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIV. 2 P.M. • SOCCER FIELD

friday, oct. 30

GOLF TOURNAMENT LUNCH 11:30 A.M. • OAK HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT TEE OFF 1 P.M. • OAK HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB REGISTER ONLINE TENNIS PRO-AM DINNER & TOURNAMENT 5 P.M. • ADA HIGH TENNIS COURTS

saturday, oct. 31 5K TIGER RUN 8 A.M. • WINTERSMITH PARK REGISTER ONLINE $25/PRE-REGISTRATION • $30/DAY OF RACE GOLDEN TIGER BRUNCH 9:30 A.M. • FOUNDATION HALL, CBCC ATHLETIC ALUMNI MEETING 10:30 A.M. • SYNERGISTIC LEARNING CENTER, CBCC WOMEN’S SOCCER VS HARDING (SENIOR DAY) 11 A.M. • SOCCER FIELD PARADE 12 P.M. • MAIN STREET TAILGATING 1 - 4 P.M. • ALUMNI ALLEY ALUMNI ALLEY IS LOCATED IN THE BASEBALL/SOCCER PARKING LOT ALUMNI BASEBALL GAME 1:30 P.M. • KEN TURNER FIELD HONORS REUNION 2 P.M. • FAUST HALL, ROOM 159 FOOTBALL VS ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO 4 P.M. • NORRIS FIELD ALUMNI SOCIAL 8 P.M. • OAK HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

...ALUMNI.ECOK.EDU The Columns 35

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The ECU Gold Program presented the colors and the ECU Chorale performed the National Anthem at the Oklahoma City Thunder-Memphis Grizzlies game on Feb. 11, 2015.

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STARKEY FAMILY TAILGATE One family’s dedication to bring a sense of home and good food to the ECU football team continues long after their own son graduates.

Hank Starkey (right) is pictured with his son Talon Starkey.

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C

ollege football traditions are such a rich fabric of the game and Hank Starkey has made his imprint on one at East Central University.

At every home game for the Tigers, Starkey pulls his smoker from McAlester to Ada, fires it up during the games and feeds members of the football team in a postgame meal, something he began when his son, Talon, was a freshman member of the squad.

Though Talon is nearly two years removed from the program that hasn’t stopped Hank from providing meals for some hungry student-athletes who had just battled it out with the opposition on the gridiron for three hours.

It began during Talon’s redshirt freshman year when Hank would fire up his cooker during tailgate festivities. He later realized there was a need within the football team itself.

“Talon came up to me after a game and said ‘Dad do you have any food left?’ There were a few teammates with him.

Several of these guys were from far away like California,” said Hank.

He got to thinking about how many of these studentathletes might feel lonely, being away from their families, especially for an extended period of time.

“I got to thinking what it must be like to come from a different part of the United States. On the drive back to McAlester I began to feel troubled,” Hank said. “Then I thought we need to start cooking for these guys after the next home game which was two weeks out. We put the word out. I have pulled my smoker out there after each home game since then. That was the spark that started the fire.”

ECU head football coach Tim McCarty had been providing pizza for the players following the games, but the availability of meals from Hank’s smoker took center stage.

“The kids would get their pizzas, come eat our food and then take the pizzas home to eat later,” said Hank.

Leftover food after each game is packaged up and sent home with the players, according to Hank.

“We never bring any back. They can fix another plate or they can take it home with them,” Hank said.

The tradition has also led to a bonding among the parents of some of the players and former players.

“Phil and Krista Avey (parents of former player Kevin Avey) jumped in and helped us out. We made friends with other parents who have helped us,” said Hank.

Hank really never realized the total impact this made on the student-athletes.

“President (John) Hargrave contacted me and really made a big deal about this. I had no idea what scale this was on,” Hank said.

Then came the completion of Talon’s playing career and the thought somewhat troubled Hank.

“They kept saying are you going to keep doing it?” said Hank. “My wife said to me that ‘you didn’t do it just for Talon.

Deep down inside you want to keep on doing this.’ Seeing that many of these boys don’t get to go home until Christmas, to me it was just the right thing to do. This might make a difference in the kids.”

Hank remembers his times as a student at Northeastern State University and how he got homesick.

“But I got to go home on the weekends,” Hank said.

Each season the tradition has featured a special night for the seniors after the last home football game.

“We bring in ribeye steaks. It’s a steak dinner only for the seniors and there is a sectioned-off area in the tent exclusively for them,” said Hank.

Hank says through this experience, friendships have been established with the players and ex-players.

“I’m friends with about half of them on Facebook,” Hank said.

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Koi Ishto Football Stadium Renamed

“

“

We value the Chickasaw Nation’s commitment for education. We wanted to honor our partnership with the Chickasaw Nation and thank them for their dedication to education and ECU. We also value our partnership with the Ada Public Schools and feel that ‘Big Cat’ represents both ECU Tigers and the Ada Cougars.

40 40 The The Columns Columns

President John R. Hargrave

“

“

We are proud we will see the Koi Ishto name on the stadium where the Ada Cougars and the ECU Tigers play. Our close relationship with East Central University goes back more than 100 years to the time Chickasaw Daniel Hayes donated the land on which this university was built. This name helps us remember a time when many Chickasaws would have referred to a cougar or a tiger as Koi Ishto.

Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby

From top left:

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and ECU President John R. Hargrave are with Pat Harrison, superintendent of Ada Public Schools and representatives of the Norris Family, Trigg Yearby and Denver Davison.

Representatives of the Chickasaw Nation and ECU pose together at the naming of the football stadium - Koi Ishto Stadium.

The TheColumns Columns4141

From left: Keith Patterson, Glenn Custar, Jesse Parker and Todd Graham

East Central Past Checks in on East CentralLegacy

F

ormer East Central two-time All-American defensive back Todd Graham, now the head coach at Arizona State University, received a visit from the past during his team’s spring practice this year. Jesse Parker and Glenn Custar, 1963 ECU graduates, dropped by to check in on the winning legacy Graham is building at ASU. Graham, the 2013 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, is in his fourth season at the helm of the Arizona State University football program, leading the Sun Devils to three consecutive bowl appearances and a 28-12 record since his hire in December 2011.

Parker (ECU defensive end, 1962-63) and Custar (ECU center, 1962-64), who played under East Central’s legendary coach Elvan George, were welcomed by Graham and the Arizona State staff to watch spring practice and have lunch with the ASU coaches.

Although it’s been 29 years since Graham’s playing days at ECU, the hard-nosed coach stays true to the values he learned as a Tiger from 1983-1986. Graham’s “old-school” approach is evident at Arizona State as Parker and Custar were introduced to current Sun Devil players to the ring of “yes sir” and “no sir”. Graham enforces discipline and toughness, which has pushed the Sun Devils to back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 1973.

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Submitted by Brian Custar

ECU’s values are not the only thing Graham holds on to from his time in Ada, Okla. He’s also held on to one of his Tiger teammates. ASU Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson (ECU defensive back 1982-86) was roommates with Graham during their playing days at ECU. Patterson served as Graham’s assistant at Tulsa and Pittsburgh before the two ECU graduates made their way to Arizona State.

Graham’s guests at the spring practice are no strangers to that Tiger loyalty and toughness. Parker and Custar roomed together as well during their football playing days in Ada, remaining in close contact for the next 53 years.

Parker’s football career did not end after leaving ECU, as he eventually became a legendary high school coach in Arizona, piling up 309 victories along with five state championships.

Custar continued his football career after graduating from ECU in 1964, immediately enlisting in the Marine Corps and playing football for the Marines for two more seasons before deploying to Vietnam in 1966. Custar served 28 years in the Marine Corps, retiring a Colonel.

As the four ECU descendants gathered together for a photo at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., they shared their fond memories of their playing days in Ada. All four men have carried on a strong legacy for the Tigers.

Once a Tiger...Always a Tiger!

INITIAL CHAMPIONS

JAY ALLBAUGH TODD ALPERS DERICK BOWERS BILL BRIDGWATER BRAD CALIP BRYANT CALIP JERRY COMPTON J. GLENN CUSTAR ECU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ECU FOUNDATION, INC. RUBEN ELIZARDE TOM & JOYCE ERWIN RON EVANS TODD GRAHAM JOHN R. HARGRAVE SHAWN HIME JAY HORNE JUDY HORNE WINK & RACHEL KOPCZYNSKI FARRELL LARGE TOM LUTTRELL COACH RON MILLER CHRIS MIMS COACH PAT O’NEAL KEITH PATTERSON TOMMY REDMAN CRAIG SCHEEF TERRY SUMMERS DUARD THOMAS JOE TUNNELL CHRIS VAN DENHENDE STEVE WHITWORTH GERALD WILLIAMSON FRANK WOLF ANONYMOUS

Commitment to Championships

T

he ECU Foundation Inc., has announced the launch of Commitment to Championships Campaign (C3) to help ensure the football program has the resources needed to be successful moving into the future.

“Tiger athletics is a vital part of campus life and tradition at ECU,” said ECU President John Hargrave. “Fundraising is crucial in higher education today. This particular effort, led by the ECU Foundation’s chairman Craig Scheef, will help build momentum within our programs by leveling the playing field with the opponents we face in the Great American Conference.”

Over the past several years, the university and generous supporters have shown strong commitments to Tiger athletics. More than $500,000 was invested in the Pat O’Neal Strength and Conditioning Facility. More than $1 million was invested in upgrading the stadium seating, fencing, turf and remodeling the Elvan George building. Most recently, the stadium was named Koi Ishto, Chickasaw for “Big Cats.”

“We are appreciative for the facility improvements, increased funding and scholarships,” said head football coach Tim McCarty. “However, there still is a need for additional funding in order to make Tiger Football competitive and we are excited about the ECU Foundation’s plan to help us.”

The C3 will create supplemental funding for the ECU football operational budget. With the goal of establishing a $5 million incomeproducing endowment, the funds will provide additional resources for key areas such as equipment, coaching staff, performance incentives, recruiting, team travel and expenses associated with postseason play.

“As an ECU football alum, I’m deeply invested in the success of this campaign and increasing the

resources available to the team. We need to help our Tigers compete in the GAC and ultimately compete for a NCAA Division II National Championship, annually,” said Chairman of the ECU Foundation, Inc., board of directors Craig Scheef.

The announcement to Tiger Nation comes with the momentum of approximately 20 C3 Champions, who consist of ECU football alums covering the past six decades, emerging to provide initial pledges representing approximately 25 percent of the $5 million C3 endowment goal.

The ECU Foundation, in cooperation with ECU and the ECU Alumni Association, will be promoting the campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to reach the C3 goal.

“ECU football has a huge history of excellence.

Consecutive years of conference championships, playoff appearances and even a national championship have been earned by former players and coaches,” said former head football coach and C3 champion donor Pat O’Neal. “The university is making investments in football and the direction they are going with this campaign is re-engaging our alumni and generating interest not only in the campaign, but the university as a whole. We all want the Tigers to succeed. That’s why we give.”

For additional information or to make a donation to C3, please visit alumni.ecok.edu/donations The Columns 43

Football Sees Two Honored by Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

E

ast Central University football saw two with ties to the program earn awards by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and The National Football Foundation. Former head coach Pat O’Neal was honored as the 2015 recipient of the Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award and senior Cole Weber was named the Tigers’ NFF Oklahoma Chapter College Player of the Year on June 16, 2015.

Weber is one of 10 players from collegiate schools across all divisions in Oklahoma to earn the honor this season. A recipient from each school can be selected and the award is based on the student-athlete’s performance on and off the field.

44 The Columns

The Davis, Okla., native finished the 2014 season with 51 total tackles (2031), 4.0 tackles-for-loss (six yards), two quarterback hurries and one blocked kicked. He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Northwestern Oklahoma State.

The linebacker is also a standout in the classroom carrying a 3.63 GPA in kinesiology. He has also earned Great American Conference and D2ADA All-Academic honors for the last two seasons.

O’Neal was honored with the Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award after spending 18 years at the helm of the Tiger program (1972-89). The coaching legend earned a reputation of

running one of the finest and cleanest programs in the NAIA ranks and one of the most successful ones as well.

During his tenure, O’Neal won 96 games and surpassed his predecessor – the legendary Elvan George – as the all-time winningest coach at ECU. O’Neal-led teams won or shared eight Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference titles and made the school’s first NAIA playoff appearance in 1984 after finishing the regular season ranked No. 1 in the country.

O’Neal produced over 70 allconference players, nine All-Americans and seven professional players, including New York Jets Hall of Famer Mark Gastineau.

After graduating from Ada High School where he was a standout football player for the Cougars, O’Neal attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a quarterback for the Sooners during Bud Wilkinson’s 47game winning streak – a feat that has yet to be matched.

O’Neal graduated from OU in 1956 and returned to his hometown in ’59 to serve as an assistant under Elvan George who was entering his first year in charge of the Tiger program. The Tigers finished 7-4 in 1959 for their first winning season in 11 years and appeared in the Christmas Bowl, the first bowl game appearance for ECU. During the next 11 years, ECU established itself as one of the premier small-college football programs in the country under Coach George. The Tigers did not have a losing season under George until his final year at the helm (1971) when the club finished 3-7.

As it turned out, O’Neal, who had studied under George as an assistant for 12 years before taking over in 1972, adopted much of the same coaching theories on both sides of the ball. His tenure as head coach will be remembered for the relentless ground-oriented option attack and the aggressive, hard–nosed defense that produced some of the greatest players in Tiger history.

Football Advances to PostSeason For First Time Since 1993

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or the first time since the 1993 campaign, the East Central University football team played past the regular season schedule, as it accepted a bid to play in the 2014 C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl. The Tigers fell to Texas A&MCommerce, 72-21, Saturday, Dec. 6 at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove, Texas.

“We were very pleased and excited to play in the postseason,” said Head Coach Tim McCarty. “Having an opportunity to continue with practice and play the game is great for our program.”

The bowl game was not only the first in the NCAA era for ECU, which finished the regular season with a 6-4 record in the Great American Conference, but it was the first bowl game since the 1975 season when the Tigers faced Henderson State in the Bicentennial Bowl.

“We were so excited about this opportunity for our football program, our students, our alumni and our fans,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Williams.

“The ECU football program is on the rise and it’s rewarding to know that people across our competitive region recognize our success. We are proud of the coaches and players for their great efforts in returning our football program to postseason competition.”

The Heart of Texas Bowl is sponsored by C.H.A.M.P.S., Communities Helping Americans Mature, Progress and Succeed, a school-based program aimed at educating students about the dangers of the abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol, and was founded by Copperas Cove Head Coach and Athletic Director Jack Welch.

The Tigers were led by sophomore Brad Davis, who tallied 184 all-purpose yards. Davis garnered 55 yards receiving, 38 on kick returns and 91 on punt returns.

Junior Jamal Hall led the team with 78 rushing yards, while redshirt freshman Carson Hyles earned the start at QB and went 11-of-30 for 183 yards passing.

Junior Jameel Whitney led the defense with seven total tackles, improving on his own school record for tackles in a season to 111. Whitney also added 2.0 tackles-for-loss (six yards) and 1.0 sacks (three yards). Senior Daniel Holland also had a strong night, adding to his GAC record for sacks in a single season. Holland recorded 2.5 sacks (16 yards) to improve his season total to 14.5.

The postseason appearance was followed by several Tigers earning honors.

Junior Travis Hening led the list with four postseason honors. The list was highlighted by an Associated Press Little All-America Offensive Third Team pick.

He was one of two players from the GAC to earn a spot on the team that includes top players from NCAA Division II, III and the NAIA. The All-GAC first-team selection also garnered postseason All-America notoriety from AFCA and Beyond Sports Network.

Besides Hening, seniors Daniel Holland and JoJo Snell were also honored by BSN, with Holland earning second team defensive honors and Snell third team offensive accolades. Holland was also named to Daktronics All-Super Region 3 Defense Second Team and Don Hansen All-Super Region 3 Second Team.

The Columns 45

Historic Season for ECU Tig

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t was a historic run for East Central University athletics in 2014-2015.

Other than the softball team’s first Great American Conference Championship finish and berth in the NCAA Division II Central Regional, along with the football team’s first postseason appearance since 1993 and bowl berth since 1975, the Tigers excelled in numerous other sports.

ECU earned a GAC men’s cross country championship for the third time in four years and the women’s tennis team claimed a conference crown while advancing to the NCAA Division II Central Regional.

Additionally, the Tiger men’s basketball team produced its best season since joining the NCAA Division II ranks.

Individual honors came as well, including tennis player Agostina Moran being named to the NCAA Division II Woman of the Year Top 10 List. She is the first representative from ECU for a major NCAA Honor.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY The men’s cross country team became the first of four sports in 201415 to send a representative to the NCAA postseason as junior Juan-Joel Pacheco 46 The Columns

Orozco finished 50th at the NCAA Championship in Louisville, Ky. Pacheco Orozco was the lone representative for ECU and the Great American Conference and was the first Tiger representative at the NCAA Championship since 2011 when the team qualified and finished 11th.

Before advancing to the NCAA Championship, the GAC Male Runner of the Year and All-GAC First Team selection helped ECU finish seventh at the NCAA Central Regional and claim its third GAC title in four seasons.

The Tigers saw runners finish 1-23-4 and 7 at the GAC Championships on their home course and end with 17 points. The second-place team earned 50 points, making it the largest margin of victory in GAC Championship history at 33 points.

Orozco, the 2014 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and NCAA All-Central Region selection, became just the third individual from ECU to earn a spot in the national championship race and the first since 2006 when Koby Styles qualified. He was also the first studentathlete to compete in a national

championship event since 2011.

WOMEN’S TENNIS The ECU women’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA DII Central Regional by claiming the tournament championship crown and also clinching a share of the 2015 GAC regular-season title with a 15-12 overall record. The Tigers sent eight student-athletes to the NCAA tournament before falling to Arkansas Tech in the opening round.

Three Tigers – sophomores Gloria Mayorga and Julia Municoy, along with senior Bernardito Muscillo - received postseason awards from the conference.

Sophomore Gloria Mayorga was named GAC Newcomer of the Year and was selected to the All-GAC Second Team. Municoy was picked for the All-GAC First Team and Muscillo was chosen for the All-GAC Second Team.

2015 Great American Conference Tennis Champion Tigers.

ger Athletics MEN’S BASKETBALL The ECU men’s basketball team made strong progress in the GAC, going from the only team not to make the GAC Tournament two years ago to advancing to the championship game in 2014-15.

The trip to the GAC title game was the first conference championship game for ECU since the 1996-97 season when the Tigers claimed the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference title in their final season in the NAIA. The season was also heavy with individual and team accomplishments along with records. Redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves and junior Stirling Thomas were competing all season to see who would set the single season record for made 3-pointers, with Reeves earning the honor with 100 and the best three-point field goal percentage of 44.2 (100-of-226). The duo paced the Tigers to a new team single-season record of 289 made triples and most assists with 457.

Reeves and Thomas were two of three players to earn All-GAC honors for the year, while Thomas was also

named to the Daktronics All-Central Region Second Team. Thomas was the team’s first All-GAC First Team selection, while senior Henry Pwono was just the second to earn All-GAC Second Team honors and Reeves was an honorable mention selection.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball team saw the 13th player become a member of the 1,000-Point Club in Dilan Webster, who finished her career No. 7 on the list with 1,260 points. Webster was already the career blocks leader for ECU since the 201314 season, ending her career with 163.

OTHER SPRING AWARD WINNERS Baseball senior Nick Spini was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Second Team.

Spini had a standout senior season at ECU by also being named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) 2015 Honorable Mention All-American. This is the first All-America honor for an ECU Baseball player since joining the NCAA in 1996-97.

Spini has also earned NCBWA AllCentral Region First Team, Daktronics All-Central Regional Second Team and All-GAC First Team honors. He graduated with a 3.76 GPA in biology and is going to continue his education in medical school this fall. Spini was also named to the 2015 All-GAC First Team and the 2014 All-GAC Second Team.

The Fairfield, Calif., native finished the 2015 season first on the team and the GAC with a .430 batting average, ranked No. 3 in the GAC in hits (64), No. 1 in doubles (20), No. 8 in total bases (90), No. 1 in on-base percentage (.497) and No. 8 in slugging percentage (.604).

Another Tiger senior, Kaspars Briska, became the 29th ECU student-athlete to represent the school at an NCAA Tournament.

Briska earned a spot at the 2015 NCAA Division II Track & Field National Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in Allendale, Mich. Briska ended his career, representing the Tigers on a high note, by taking fifth in that event and earning All-American honors in the process.

Briska finished the finals in a time of 8:53.25 (a personal-best time), taking 10 seconds off his time of 9:04.90 in the prelims the day before. He is the first member of the track & field team to earn NCAA All-America honors and to represent the Tigers at the NCAA Championships since ECU joined the NCAA ranks in 1996-97.

Briska’s summer didn’t end at the NCAA Championship, as he represented both ECU and Latvia at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, July 8-12.

Check out the latest sports updates @

ecutigers.com

The Columns 47

s n o i p m ha

c l l a b t of

S T

he East Central University softball team had a historic season, not only for the program, but also the athletic department as a whole. The Tigers finished the year with a 34-16 overall record and were second in the Great American Conference with a 25-8 mark.

ECU then started to turn up the temp in the postseason, earning the team’s first GAC Championship Title as the No. 2 seed and advancing to the NCAA Division II Central Regional for

48 The Columns

the first time in program history.

The historical markers didn’t end there, as the team went 2-2 in the regional and advanced all the way to the finals before falling to No. 9 Augustana College.

The two wins, against No. 14 Winona State and Central Oklahoma, were the athletic department’s first NCAA postseason wins since joining the NCAA in 1996-97.

The honors for the Tigers kept pouring in, starting with seven players

being named to the All-GAC Teams.

Juniors Marissa Shaffer (P), Jordynn VanPelt (OF) and Taylor Davis (DP/ UTL) were all first team selections, senior Samantha McGraw (3B) was a second team pick and juniors Lacey Paulk (P) and Autumn Suydam (OF) and senior Kaile Marcum (2B) were named to the honorable mention team.

Davis, McGraw, Suydam and junior Lauren Reeves were then also added to the GAC All-Tournament Team, while Paulk was named the MVP.

After the regional tournament, Davis was named to the Daktronics and NFCA All-Central Region First Team and then to the Daktronics All-America Third Team and NFCA All-America Second Team. The Keller, Texas, native led the team throughout the season at the plate and is ranked No. 50 in the NCAA in batting average, No. 38 in onbase percentage (.518), No. 97 in triples (3) and No. 71 in walks (0.58).

Suydam was also honored by the NFCA as a first-team pick and became just the fourth ECU student-athlete to earn Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, being named to the second team. She was eligible for the honor after earning Capital One Academic All-District Seven honors.

Suydam was second on the team with a .423 batting average and was first on the team with a perfect 15-of-15 stolen base attempts mark. The Keller, Texas, native added a .989 fielding percentage, with just one error, 85 putouts and three assisted outs.

Suydam, a 2015 All-GAC honorable mention, ranks No. 65 in the NCAA in batting average and No. 67 in sacrifices per game (0.23).

NCAA Woman of the Year Top 10 Honoree

N A R O M A AGOSTIN

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ast Central University women’s tennis alumna Agostina Moran was named a Top 30 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist. The top 30 is split up into 10 representatives from each of the three NCAA divisions, with ECU part of NCAA Division II. The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year award: outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

“These women are perfect examples of NCAA student-athletes succeeding on the field, in the classroom and in life,” said Gloria Nevarez, NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee chair and senior associate commissioner for the Pac-12 Conference. “We are impressed by their outstanding achievements, and no matter the paths they take after college, we are confident that they will continue to lead their peers for many years to come.”

Moran went from one of 446 nominees across all NCAA Divisions to one of 120 conference representatives and finally to the top 10 in NCAA Division II. Moran was the international representative for the Great American Conference and Kristen Celsor from Harding was selected as a representative for the GAC.

“Agostina represents the best of what college athletics is about,” said GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt.

“She’s a great representative for the GAC in this awards process.”

The conference honorees represented student-athletes from 15 different sports. By division, 52 honorees competed in Division I conferences, 25 competed in Division II and 49 competed in Division III. The Cordoba, Argentina, native excelled in all areas while at ECU, including helping the Tigers women’s tennis team claim the first tennis titles in school history when they won the 2012-2013 GAC regular season and tournament titles.

“Agostina has shown leadership characteristics toward her teammates, especially when it comes to their success (cont’d)

ECU tennis player Agostina Moran (center) receives an award as an NCAA Woman of the Year Top 10 Honoree. Coach Justin Graham is at right.

The Columns 49

both on the field and in the classroom,” said head tennis coach Justin Graham.

“She has the unique ability to get along with everyone whether it is the administration, faculty and staff, coaches, the university community or the outside community.”

Despite her many extracurricular activities, Moran graduated in May 2014 with a bachelor of science in kinesiology and a 3.82 GPA. The ECU nominee for 2014 GAC Female ScholarAthlete of the Year continued her education at the University of Florida where she has earned a scholarship that will cover her master’s degree and a doctorate in biobehavioral science, with a concentration in neuromuscular physiology. The scholarship is for five years and is a graduate school fellowship from the College of Health and Human Performance and includes a research assistantship position.

Now in its 24th year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female student athletes for their achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

What is you favorite game-day memory?

Send us a quick note and we’ll publish it in an upcoming Columns magazine.

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50 The Columns

t

y Bryan

armont olley

Caleb h

her t o s n i o j k c qumain bla ing in the nfl tigers play East Central University football player Qumain Black continued a tradition of late for the Tigers, by making it three-straight seasons that an ECU senior will play in the NFL as he signed a free-agency contract with the Chicago Bears.

“This is a great opportunity for Qumain,” said head coach Tim McCarty. “It’s really special for us being a hometown guy, going from Ada High School to ECU and on to the NFL.” Black finished the 2014 season with 43 total tackles (25-18), 2.5 tacklesfor-loss (six yards), one forced fumble, one interception, and five pass breakups. During his career he was named to the All-Great American Conference honorable mention team twice and was a first-team pick in 2013.

During his junior season, the

Ada, Okla., native also earned Don Hansen All-Super Region Three ThirdTeam honors after garnering three interceptions, 15.5 total tackles, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups. He also returned nine kicks for 281 yards.

Black came to the Tigers after spending a redshirt season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and was an all-state selection for Ada High School.

Black joins Armonty Bryant (Cleveland Browns) and Caleb Holley (Buffalo Bills) as former Tigers currently playing in the NFL.

The Columns 51

Love

Books We PART 2

Title: A Funny Thing Happened on the

Way to Work Author: Michael A. Crawford ECU Alum: 1977 OVERVIEW

Michael Crawford (‘77) shares humorous stories of his life’s true misadventures in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Work. Each chapter describes an event that has made his life enjoyable and brimming with humor. Memories like “Give My Regards to Broadway,” which tells of the time he went to see “The Boy from Oz” with Hugh Jackman and Crawford and his wife Debbie ending up on stage dancing, “A Play on Words” highlighting an unforgettable moment at a public speaking event and “When I Grow Up” showing how he turned his rock star days in the band Revelation to rock star status within the CPA profession, will keep the reader laughing.

Title: An Assessment of the

Effectiveness of the

National Association of Student

Personnel Administrators

Minority Undergraduate Fellows Program Author: Richard Carvajal ECU Alum: 1993

Title: Another Walk Along Tiger

Trails, a History of St. Louis, Oklahoma Author: Mildred Dennis ECU Alum: 1950 OVERVIEW

Mildred Dennis (‘50) takes readers on a journey through the history of tiny St. Louis, Oklahoma in Another Walk Along Tiger Trails. Complete with rare photographs and the voices of local pioneers, she shares the deepest feelings and memories of times gone by from settlement, through the Oil Boom days, to what remains of St. Louis and its current and former inhabitants.

Title: Cartwheel Boy Goes to D.C. Author: Fenessa Little ECU Alum: 2001, 2004

OVERVIEW

The study, a requirement for completion of Richard Carvajal’s (‘93) master’s degree, paints a comprehensive picture of the MUFP experience for students in 1995. It gives the findings from a study conducted to examine the impact of student participation in the NASPA MUFP. Participants were questioned concerning their experiences in mentoring relationships, campus-based activities, leadership institutes and summer internships.

52 The Columns

OVERVIEW

The children’s book Cartwheel Boy Goes to D.C. was inspired by Fenessa Littles’ (‘01, ‘04) son Jared who was so thrilled when he learned how to do a cartwheel that he couldn’t stop flipping head over heels even on a trip to Washington, D.C. Little wrote the story of him seeing most of the sights upside down and Jared illustrated the book. Published in 2013, it is for children of all ages.

Title: Country Singers As I Know ‘Em Author: Mae Boren Axton ECU Alum: 1972 OVERVIEW

Mae Boren Axton (‘72), the queen mother of country music and confidante to the stars, gives a glimpse into the personalities of some of her treasured friends and biggest names in the business in Country Singers As I Know ‘Em. She recounts first-hand stories of musicians ranging from Oklahoma’s own Roger Miller and singer/songwriter Willie Nelson, to jazz great Ray Charles, sixties icon Arlo Guthrie and pop star Glen Campbell, all the while giving readers an intimate look at “her people, country music folk.”

Title: Cousins in Calico Author: Ruth Elizabeth West ECU Alum: 1962, 1970 OVERVIEW

Cousins in Calico by Ruth West (‘62, ‘70) relates the story of two young girl cousins in the piney-woods area of West Central Louisiana in 1920 who enjoy time together as their mothers, who are sisters, and their fathers, who are brothers, carry on the typical lives of rural families during the era following World War I. While the thick pine forests were a boon to the sawmill trade, they were filled with wild animals and timber rattlers. Related by nine-year-old, Lizbeth Ann Hunter, the story entails times of anguish, joy and intrigue.

In the last edition of the The Columns, we highlighted books written by authors who have attended ECU and then asked for submissions from any authors that we missed. In response, you sent us books to fill an additional bookcase. So here are some more books we love from authors that live up to the slogan “Once A Tiger...Always A Tiger!”

Title: The Great River and Small and

Other Poems Author: Welborn Hope ECU Alum: Life Certificate 1922 OVERVIEW

Title: CPA’s Multistate Guide to Ethics

and Professional Conduct Author: Michael A. Crawford and

D. Scot Loyd ECU Alum: Michael Crawford 1977 OVERVIEW

Michael Crawford’s (‘77) more serious side is revealed in CPA’s Multistate Guide to Ethics and Professional Conduct. In it he and co-author D. Scot Loyd discuss the importance of proper ethical behavior by the accounting profession because the absence of, or decline in, ethics and moral character leads to a loss of public trust. The book is a complete guide for the accounting professional.

Title: Glenn Pray, the Man Who Brought

Legends to Life Author: Josh B. Malks ECU Alum: Glenn Pray 1952

The Great River and Small and Other Poems is a collection by Oklahoma’s Tramp Poet Welborn Hope (‘22) who captures life as he tramps across America.

The work includes “The Great River and Small” detailing his memorable walk along the Mississippi River from St. Louis to New Orleans. It contains 50 poems in all ranging from an homage to fellow tramp Johnny Appleseed, to Hope’s many adventures in the manmade canyons of New York City.

OVERVIEW

Glenn Pray (‘52) personifies the ultimate automobile hobbyist. To create Glenn Pray, the Man Who Brought Legends to Life, Josh Malks interviewed him for hours and pored over surviving documents and photographs going back 40 years and more. The book provides an opportunity for the enthusiasts of Pray’s creations, such as the 1936-37 Cord and the 1935-36 Auburn Speedster, to more fully understand how they came to be. It is complete with candid photographs illustrating his story.

Title: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet from Chicago Author: Martha E. Rhynes ECU Alum: 1975, 1980 OVERVIEW

Title: Custer’s Reward Author: Welborn Hope ECU Alum: Life Certificate 1922

Title: Governmental GAAP Guide Author: Michael A. Crawford and

D. Scot Loyd ECU Alum: Michael Crawford 1977

In Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet from Chicago, Martha Rhynes (‘75, ‘80) tells the story of the African American poet, a recipient of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, through the various stages of her life from 1917 to 2000. Readers come to know Brooks and the struggles she faced as she questioned her beliefs over the course of her life. Turbulent times, as reflected in her poetry, along with stories and commentaries provide insight into what a gifted poet Brooks was.

OVERVIEW

Custer’s Reward is an epic poem of the Old West. In it Welborn Hope (‘22) tells the legendary tale of George Armstrong Custer through the eyes of Oklahoma rancher, 92-year-old John Eddings. Once a fan of Custer, Eddings turns against him after the Seventh Calvary attacks peaceful Cheyenne Indians at the Battle of the Washita. The narrative follows Custer through his campaigns and political conniving and concludes with the massacre at Little Big Horn.

OVERVIEW

Governmental GAAP Guide was written by Michael Crawford (‘77) and D. Scot Loyd for financial professionals working with state and local governments who must stay current with emerging governmental standards or face unfortunate consequences. This one of a kind tool discusses all the promulgated principles that are applicable to accounting and financial reporting by state and local governments.

The Columns 53

Title: It’s Gonna Be OK: A Lease Child’s Legacy Author: Mildred Dennis ECU Alum: 1950 OVERVIEW

Avid storyteller Mildred Dennis (‘50) began chronicling the lives of family and friends along with memories of growing up in Oklahoma oil lease camps after her husband James gave her a typewriter for Christmas 40-plus years ago. In It’s Gonna Be OK, she explores the gamut of her experiences as a spunky little girl living on the leases during the 1930s and 1940s. It’s an adventure of joys and tears shared by all those gritty people who lived in the camps.

Title: My Name Was Harry 1942-1945 Author: Harry P. Zimmerman ECU Alum: 1947 Title: The Life of a Successful Bank 1908-1978 Author: Odie B. Faulk, Welborn Hope,

Pendleton Woods ECU Alum: Welborn Hope

(Life Certificate) 1922 OVERVIEW

In The Life of a Successful Bank 1908-1978, Odie B. Faulk, Welborn Hope (‘22) and Pendleton Woods tell the story of Fidelity Bank – its people, its officers and directors, its customers and its fellow residents of Oklahoma City. More than just a summary of the workings of a financial institution, it includes Oil Boom and Great Depression stories, the lasting effects of World War II on the institution and the tale of an unsuccessful bank robbery and other scares.

Title: Less Than an Eagle, More Than

a Duck & Other Stuff Author: Mildred Dennis ECU Alum: 1950 OVERVIEW

Less Than an Eagle, More Than a Duck & Other Stuff is a collection of vignettes of faith celebrating life. In sections called “God’s Natural World,” “Faith -- a Daily Walk,” “Special People” and “Other Stuff,” Mildred Dennis (‘50) reaches out to readers with stories describing the valley and mountaintop experience of living all mankind shares. Tales range from “Less Than an Eagle, More Than a Duck,” which tells of her own husband’s massive stroke, to “Way to Go Buddy” describing a little boy’s struggle to stand, to her tribute to “The Ordinary Man.”

54 The Columns

OVERVIEW

In My Name Was Harry 1942-1945, Harry Zimmerman (‘47) leaves his bucolic life at East Central University to enter the fray which was World War II. The book follows his journey from Fort Sill, where he was called up from the reserves, to basic training at Camp Hood and the European Theatre of Operations with the 808 Tank Destroyer Battalion.

Zimmerman reflects on his experiences and thoughts during those crucial years of his life but makes no attempt to describe the horrific violence of combat.

Title: Oklahoma Government Today How We Got There Author: George Nigh, Carl Reherman,

and Bob Burke ECU Alum: George Nigh 1950 Title: Memorial Addresses Delivered

in Congress Author: The Joint Committee on Printing ECU Alum: Robert S. Kerr 1911 OVERVIEW

Memorial Addresses Delivered in Congress is a collection of tributes from friends and colleagues across the country for Robert S. Kerr (‘11), the late U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. The list of speakers reads like a Who’s Who of U.S. history, including such notables as Senators Everett Dirksen, Eugene McCarthy, Hubert Humphrey and Margaret Chase Smith along with members of the House of Representatives Carl Albert and Page Belcher of Oklahoma. The work also contains passages from editorials written in Oklahoma newspapers at the time of his death.

OVERVIEW

The story of Sooner State government, as told by George Nigh (‘50), Carl Reherman and Bob Burke in Oklahoma Government Today – How We Got There, is the saga of the bold and courageous men and women who staked a claim in a new land, did their best to draft a constitution that provided protection to the individual and then set out to live under the umbrella of the government they created.

Title: One Man in His Time Author: Jack T. Conn ECU Alum: 1931

Title: Stray Hearts Author: Julius Lester Medlock ECU Alum: Life Certificate 1923

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

One Man in His Time offers readers a glimpse into life in Ada, Oklahoma as experienced through the eyes of attorney and businessman Jack Conn (‘31). The biography, commissioned by the Oklahoma Heritage Association as part of their Trackmaker Series, begins with his birth during statehood in 1909 and follows Conn’s life through national, state and local historical events including an insider’s look at the infamous Ada hanging, life at East Central State Teachers College and colorful descriptions of recognizable names from Ada’s past.

Julius Lester Medlock’s (‘23) vision of mankind’s path to redemption is chronicled in his 112-volume of poems Stray Hearts. In three parts “The Inner Gate,” “The Outer Gate” and “And Into the Wide, Wide World,” Medlock entices readers away from the mundane and ephemeral aspects of life and encourages them to stop, read and treasure his words of peace, serenity and hope.

Title: Retreat from Rostov Author: Paul Hughes ECU Alum: 1936

Title: Students of Surprise: An

Examination of Unusual Growth

in Social Competency Author: Richard Carvajal ECU Alum: 1993

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

In Retreat from Rostov, dedicated to the people of Russia during World War II, Paul Hughes (‘36) tells the story of 34 days in late 1941 which saw armies of Adolf Hitler defeated for the first time, at Rostov in the North Caucasus. The characters, with the obvious exceptions of Stalin, Hitler, Timoshenko, von Kleist and others equally well known, are fictional, but its historical matters, military movements, communications and the like are authentic.

This study, Richard Carvajal’s (‘93) doctoral dissertation, analyzes why some students experience an unusual rise in social growth following their experiences at college. It tells the stories of five graduates of regional public universities in the Midwestern United States to determine the impact of faculty intervention, student involvement, living arrangements, employment, peer groups, family relationships and exposure to media.

Title: Tell Me about the Presidents Author: Mike Henry ECU Alum: 1987 OVERVIEW

Tell Me about the Presidents was written for students at the elementary stage of their education. Mike Henry (‘87) includes an interesting story about each president and concludes each with three questions for the reader to answer. This book is a great learning tool for both parents and teachers to teach American history in a fun way.

Title: What’s Right with America Author George Ing ECU Alum: 1969 OVERVIEW

Readers of What’s Right with America will see the country differently through the eyes of naturalized citizen George Ing (‘69). Ing analyzes the state of affairs in other countries, historical facts and events and the Bible among other things to give his unique perspective on the status of America. He also tackles other topics ranging from stress management and happiness to learning to listen and service above self.

We still love receiving books!

If you are a published author or know of a book about an ECU Alum, send us a signed copy.

Mail a copy of your book to: ECU Foundation, Inc. • East Central University • 1100 E. 14th Street, PMB Y-8 • Ada, OK 74820 The Columns 55

DR. ANDERSON RETIREMENT 56 The Columns

LONGSTANDING ECU VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DR. DUANE ANDERSON RETIREs Dr. Duane Anderson, the longestserving chief academic officer in Oklahoma, announced his retirement at East Central University’s faculty and staff convocation Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015.

His retirement was effective June 30.

Anderson had been ECU’s vice president for academic affairs since 1994 and provost since 2006. He also served as interim president of the university in 2009 in transition from Dr. Richard Rafes to current President John R. Hargrave.

In 1990, Anderson came to ECU as associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of the School of Graduate Studies. He also taught British history.

Anderson was instrumental in spearheading transfer articulation agreements between ECU and Eastern Oklahoma State College, Murray State College and Seminole State College to help ensure more ease for students in the transfer process from the three twoyear institutions to ECU. He drove a campaign for the establishment of centennial endowment scholarships in 2009, the 100-year birthday of the institution. The goal was to raise five $15,000 scholarships. But that goal was overwhelmingly exceeded as total of 22 scholarships were created for a total of more than $350,000.

One of the centennial history scholarships is named in honor of Anderson and his wife, Marian.

Anderson’s other major accomplishments, besides providing a smooth leadership transition from Rafes to Hargrave as president, are leading the effort to infuse computer technology in the teaching and learning process, chairing the faculty committee that revised the general education curriculum in 1996, developing the institution’s strategic planning efforts, strengthening and highlighting the importance of graduate programming, establishing an external funding program and overseeing the expansion of funding success.

Anderson oversaw the incorporation of service learning into the curriculum and helped establish various campus-wide programs to retain students and encourage student success.

In addition, the percentage of faculty at ECU holding doctorate degrees has continually increased under Anderson’s leadership.

He previously was director of continuing education at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., from 1986 to 1990, and held several positions, including dean of community service, at El Reno Junior College (now Redlands Community College) from 1975 to 1986.

Anderson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and a doctorate in history from the University of Oklahoma.

new KatriciaV.P. Pierson Dr. Katricia Pierson views strong relationships as the key to strengthening current programs and developing new ones.

Those efforts have led to a successful run as assistant vice president for academic affairs at ECU since 2011. Now, Pierson takes over as ECU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, replacing the retiring Dr. Duane Anderson.

“Dr. Pierson has proven to be innovative and proactive in her duties in dealing with students and faculty as assistant vice president for academic affairs,” said ECU President John R. Hargrave. “These qualities, along with her four-year familiarity with the university, certainly enhanced her ability to acquire this position. We look forward to what she will bring to the table in coming years.”

In upholding ECU’s mission to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society, Pierson has implemented changes such as the establishment of a retention office to work with faculty and students, automation of end-of-course surveys with more than 50 percent being completed online, use of MyECU for online enrollment and, most recently, the availability of a student’s degree audit being available in MyECU. Pierson has continually reviewed data to determine if a process or policy needs revision. Her focus is on using new information and technologies to become more efficient, to streamline processes, to eliminate redundancies and to be fiscally responsible.

In addition to her assistant vice president for academic affairs duties the past four years, she has served as professor of English and languages in ECU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Pierson earned both her doctorate degree (2004) and master’s degree (1998) in English from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and received her bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming in 1988.

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DR. WEEMS RETIREMENT 58 The Columns

new dean Carl Gilbert

A longstanding fixture in East Central University’s College of Health and Sciences and senior faculty member, Dr. Bruce Weems, retired in December 2014, after 42 years of service to the university.

Weems had served ECU since 1972, first as a physics professor and later Physics Department chair. He had been dean of ECU’s College of Health and Sciences since 1991. His work helped many students, faculty members and department chairs with every aspect of science education during his tenure.

“As a dean of the College of Health and Sciences, Dr. Weems set high standards for his fellow deans in managing the affairs of the college,” said Dr. Duane Anderson, retired provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“Under his leadership, the College of Health and Sciences has secured high levels of external funding and promoted the integration of undergraduate research. His leadership will not be easily replaced. As a professor of physics, Dr. Weems has impacted positively the academic careers of countless students.”

Weems had diligently worked with the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair (OSSEF) since taking over as director in 1982. He helped run the fair with Dr. Don Kellogg before 1982. During his tenure as director until 2006, Weems fought for funding, selected the best regional sites, found volunteers and judges and handled the paperwork. Weems had been

known to call every student and give them a chance to turn in their missing paperwork so that they could compete.

He took on the additional job of science fair director because he saw the benefit of students doing research as a way of learning before many recognized the benefit. Many of these science fair students have made significant impacts in science and engineering.

Each year, around 300 students attend the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair, and through Weems’ efforts, approximately 7,500 students have experienced the state fair.

“My years of service at ECU have been a true joy. I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know some really great students, faculty members and administrators. Sharing experiences with them over the years has been a blessing,” Weems said.

Just prior to his retirement, Weems was honored for his service to science education in the state as he received the Dr. Jack Renner Award by the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at the DunlapCodding Law Firm in Oklahoma City.

“The John Renner Award from OSTA is very special to me. Not only was it recognition for many years of service to science educators and students in this state, but having known Dr. Renner and working closely with ECU faculty which were former graduate students of his, made me feel humble and honored,” said Weems.

East Central University welcomes Dr. Carl Gilbert as its new dean of the College of Health and Sciences.

He replaces longtime dean, Dr. Bruce Weems, who retired in December 2014.

Gilbert had served as the dean of the College of Science at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas since 2012.

Prior to that stint, Gilbert was the head of the Department of Biology and the coordinator of the Secondary Science Education Program at the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith.

He also served as assistant professor of microbiology at the University of LouisianaMonroe and has additional experience as a research specialist at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Gilbert earned three degrees at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville – a doctorate of philosophy in molecular biology and microbial physiology, master of science in food safety and microbiology and a bachelor of science in zoology.

In his most recent position at Mary Hardin-Baylor, he was responsible for the Departments of Biology; Chemistry, Environmental Science and Geology; Computer Science and Engineering; Mathematics and Physics; Psychology; Social Work, Sociology and Criminal Justice and Military Science.

Gilbert has published or presented over 15 papers/manuscripts in the last 10 years in which the topics ranged from the discovery of molecular methods of detecting and identifying bacteria in food products to the enhancement of the instruction of biology education in the college classroom.

He has worked with elementary and secondary teachers and provided professional development opportunities for them. Gilbert also leads a National Science Teachers Association review team that evaluates science teacher certification programs around the country.

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FACULTY & STAFF

Collage’ Director Retires

Starting as a part-time instructor in at ECU 1983 and ultimately gaining fulltime status in the Kinesiology Department in 1989, Victoria Dansby has been a fixture among the teaching faculty at ECU. She retired as a full-time instructor in December 2014, but continued to teach a class in the spring and worked with the ECU Collage’ team as it prepared for its spring festival.

In 2002, the ECU Collage’s

presentation of “Ups and Downs” was selected for the ACDA’S GALA Award performance at the University of Texas.

In addition to being part of the ACDA, ECU Collage’ has been a part of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (now known as SHAPE America) and has received several awards. The most recent outstanding performance was “Within Me” in 2012, as well as “The Way Within” and “Tomorrow” in 2008 and “Auxillary Expenditures” in 2007.

Dr. Nicholas Cheper, professor of biology, joined the faculty in 1980. He earned his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame in 1971, his M.A. from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1974 and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1979. Dr. Cheper served as chair of the Biology Department from 1996 to 2015. He demonstrated his commitment to the university through his service on the HLC Steering Committee in preparation for the 2001 and 2011 self-study preparation. He served as a judge for the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fairs from 1984 to the present. He also had a long-standing leadership role in the Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science.

Dr. Kevin Davis, professor of English and languages and director of the Writing C enter, joined the faculty in 1987.

He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Southeast Missouri State University and his Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Davis positively impacted ECU students through his work with the Writing Center. He was honored with three Teaching Excellence Awards in 1991, 1996 and 2003. Honors students chose him as Faculty of the Year in 2007.

Ms. Pattie Howell, director of Educational Talent Search, began her employment at ECU in 2004. She earned a B.S. from Oklahoma State University and an Ed.M. in administration, planning and social

60 The Columns

RETIREMENTS policy from Harvard University. Prior to working at ECU, Howell directed the National American Indian Head Start Training Center at the University of Oklahoma and worked as a consultant to the Child Care Bureau, Head Start Bureau and Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, DC. She is most proud of the efforts she made in Talent Search and her other positions to encourage students to further their education and achieve success.

Mrs. Evelyn Martin, director of the Educational Opportunity Center, joined the ECU Staff in 1994. She earned her bachelor of arts in 1994 and a master of science in 1996 from ECU. She began her career at ECU as an intern at EOC, a program she has directed for the past 16 years.

Her previous positions at ECU include: recruiter for ECU as a graduate assistant; counselor coordinator, Talent Search Program; academic advisor, Upward Bound Math/Science; and counselor coordinator for Upward Bound.

Additional work experiences have been: owner of Ashley’s Collections, a ladies and children’s clothing store and Merle Norman Studio; realtor for Evan’s Realty, and owner and general manager of Hot Looks Tanning.

Ms. Linda Newcomer, instructor of nursing, served on the faculty from 2004 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2014. She has a B.S.N. and M.S. from Texas Christian University.

Newcomer maintained an active

presence and involvement with the international student community.

She was an energetic teacher who implemented many creative teaching and learning activities.

Dr. Robert Newcomer, associate professor of cartography and geography, joined the faculty in 2002. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Texas Christian University and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati.

Newcomer demonstrated an active passion and support for cultural events in working with international students and served numerous terms on the Global Education Committee and Faculty Senate.

Dr. Anita Walker, professor of mathematics, served on the faculty from 1983-2015 and was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award three times for 2001-02, 2007-08 and 201314 on the basis of teaching evaluations and supporting letters from current and former students. She spent time as an advisor on various undergraduate research projects for students in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science while also serving as advisor for the Oklahoma Delta ECU Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon. Walker was honored as a Hedgehog and Fox Faculty Lecturer in 1998. She graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University in 1978 with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a bachelor of arts in German. Walker obtained a master’s degree in mathematics (1980) and a doctorate in operation theory,

nonlinear functional analysis and undergraduate research (1983), both from the University of Oklahoma.

Ms. Bea Waller, Student Counseling Center director, graduated with a bachelor’s of science and master’s of science in education from ECU. She is a licensed professional counselor and has National Counselor and National School Counselor certifications. Waller began her career at ECU in 1981, working for 18 years as an administrative assistant before going into public education in 1999 as a school counselor. She has been a school counselor in elementary, middle school and high school. On Nov. 1, 2007, she returned to ECU and became the director of the university’s first student counseling center.

December 2015 Retirements

Dr. Larry Choate Professor of Biology 1995-2015

Dr. Teresa Rothrock Assistant Professor of English 2003-2015

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Tig er

TRACKS

1950s Wayne (‘55 & ‘59) and Sammie Kendall (‘57) are involved in the Tulsa Metro Retired Educators Association (TMREA). Sammie was recently chosen to be the president-elect for the 2015-16 year and Wayne was recently elected president for the 2015-16 year. TMREA works closely with the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association to support legislation favorable to public schools, Oklahoma Retirement System and retired educators.

Wayne served in the Tulsa Public Schools as a teacher, counselor and middle school principal for 34 years then took early retirement in 1992. Wayne enjoys his grandchildren and gardening. Sammie earned her master’s in education from the University of Tulsa in 1968. After serving as a teacher and many years as a high school counselor in Tulsa Schools, Sammy retired in 1992 and enjoys her grandchildren and writing. She has recently published a book, Somebody’s Daughter, under the pen name of Anna Kent. The couple enjoys traveling together.

Elmer (‘56 & ‘59) and Betty Gerth celebrated 60 years of marriage. Mr. Gerth was an educator at Union Public Schools in Broken Arrow, Hickory Public Schools and Latta Public Schools and retired in 1990 from Latta. Mrs. Gerth worked for Gem Jewelers and retired from Oklahoma State Bank in 1989.

Douglas (‘57) Whitaker and his wife Martha celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on June 9, 2015.

1960s

Ruth West (‘62 & ‘70) has published Cousins in Calico, a historical fiction book suitable for young adults. It is set in West Central Louisiana in 1920.

62 The Columns

Billy Gene Ballard (‘65) and Barbara Lee Eldridge celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

They were married June 1, 1965, at the Stratford Church of Christ with Cole Tidwell officiating.

Dr. Gil Morgan (‘68), is in the first class to be inducted into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame in October 2015.

He has won 25 Champions Tour events, including three majors.

Steve Gregory (‘68), inventor and founder of the Ram Jack method of foundation repair, was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year and delivered ECU’s Leonard Limes Lecture on Nov. 19, 2014.

also an Army Veteran. He writes, “I will always miss Ada and have many fond memories of my time at ECU!” When Allene Warren (‘76 & ‘77) opened Wiggles for Wisdom, she envisioned a hobby that would enliven her retirement. The store has become less of a hobby and more of a job for the Ada woman. Wiggles to Wisdom is a wonderful world of toys, books and all things for kiddos on Main Street in Ada, Okla.

Darrell Nemecek (‘77) served the City of Ada over many decades, first as a police officer and then 12 years as city councilor and mayor. Nemecek retired in May 2015 to spend more time with his family.

Roger R Harris (‘79) is married to Vivian Herr. He has three kids, Weston Harris, Caroline Harris (who is currently James Cooper (‘70) and his attending ECU) and Paul Harris. He just wife Kay celebrated their golden ended a 17-year honorary stint on the wedding anniversary on May 23, board of directors of the Oklahoma Association of 2015, at their home.

Broadcasters where he served as a member for 15 years, vice president for one year and ended his tenure as president.

1970s

Maj. Gen. Myles Deering (‘73) became Governor Mary Fallin’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

1980s

Leigh Gaddis (‘80) was appointed by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin as the first female commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Her appointment is for District 3 which Gerald Allen (‘74) and his wife includes Creek, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Seminole, Martha have 10 grandkids and Pottawatomie, Pontotoc, Hughes, Johnson and Coal 21 great grandkids. They have Counties. She is serving the unexpired term of fellow lived in Oklahoma City since ECU alum Harland C. Stonecipher, who died Nov. 10, 1977, and Gerald has worked 2014. Leigh and her husband Roger Gaddis are the at the OU Health Sciences Center for 25 years. He is co-founders of Gaddis & Gaddis Wealth Management,

headquartered in Ada with offices in Ardmore, Durant and McAlester.

Tom Luttrell (‘80), a football standout for ECU’s football teams from 1976-79, received the 2014 Milam Award. This award is presented annually at ECU’s Homecoming football game and recognizes a former Tiger football player who not only excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron, but distinguished himself in his chosen career.

Dr. J. Steven Walker (‘83), ECU director of choral activities, was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Hall of Fame at the OMEA Winter In-Service Conference January 2015 in Tulsa.

2000s Tiffany Oliphant (‘00) was named as Latta’s Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2015. Oliphant teaches Algebra I and Algebra II classes at Latta Middle School.

Adam Mewhorter (‘00) is the band director at Southmoore High School. His marching band received local notoriety for its tribute to 2013 Moore tornado victims.

Zac Walters (‘02) was promoted to vice president/human resources officer at Citizens Bank. He has been in banking for 13 years, including 10 years at Citizens Bank of Ada. Walters completed the Leadership Ada program in 2010.

Amanda Bowser (‘04) was named Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. Broken Arrow Public Schools 2015 announced the release of the latest work from author District Teacher of the Year Mike Henry (‘87), Tell Me About the Presidents. It is the first children’s book written by the former American history instructor who has authored four other works Jerel McCullar (‘04) was promoted to vice on the subject. president at Citizens Bank. He has worked for Citizens Bank for nine years. McCullar is a graduate of OBA Consumer Lending Roy Deering’s (‘90) first novel for young readers, School, OBA Intermediate School and ABA Finders Keepers, recently won the Oklahoma Book Commercial Lending School.

Award for young adult fiction. The Oklahoma Center Zeak Naifeh (‘04) was named dean of for the Book sponsors the annual awards, which honor students at Cameron University in work produced by an Oklahoman or about Oklahoma.

Lawton, Okla. He earned a bachelor of accounting from ECU in 2004 and a Garyl Geist (‘92) was hired at McGee Eye Institute as master of education in higher education the vice president and chief operating officer. leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2006.

Lynda Roberts (‘93) was awarded the Ada City Schools Teacher of the Year for Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick (‘06) was appointed by 2015.

Gov. Mary Fallin to serve on the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education. He has his master’s degree in The Ardmore school board approved Josh Newby (‘99 & ‘09) as their new school administration from ECU. He has served on head football coach and athletic director.

Tribal Council since 2011. He was also named a 2013 Native American 40 Under 40 recipient by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

1990s

Brett Evans (‘07) and Tiffany Grant (‘07) were married on July 11, 2015 in Oklahoma City. Brett graduated from Ada High School in 2003 and ECU in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He is the owner of Evans Built Construction in Ada. Tiffany graduated from Luther High School in 2001 and ECU in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She received a master of arts in dietetics from Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in 2008 and is a registered dietitian for the Chickasaw Nation. Tiffany also serves on the East Central University Alumni Association Board of Directors and is adjunct faculty for the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at ECU. Aarica Mims (‘07) was promoted to senior vice president of Peloton Commercial Real Estate in Dallas.

Dr. Carol Fischer (‘07) testified in Washington D.C. on the importance of the Ronald E. McNair Program.

PEC’s Corporate Services Division Employee of the Year is Tara Mullins (‘07). Mullins worked in the retail industry for nearly 10 years and a short time in human resources before arriving at PEC in October 2012 when she was hired for her current position. Mullins lives in Ada with her husband Jimmy and two sons, Dylan and Kendrick.

Elizabeth Marie Hall (‘08) graduated from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa with a doctorate of osteopathic medicine. Hall earned a bachelor of science in biology from ECU in 2008.

Jesse Allen (‘09) graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School in 2013 and passed the Oklahoma Bar Exam in 2014. Allen is employed by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as the oil and gas manager.

Terri Reams (‘09 & ‘11) has been named director of finance for Chickasaw Nation Health Systems in the Department of Treasury. Reams, her husband Randy and son, Dillon, live south of Stratford.

SEND US YOUR TIGER TRACKS!

The Columns 63

2010s

Natalie Burden and Ty Gower (‘10) were married July 12, 2014.

Jennifer Allen (‘11) married Cody Brooks on May 23, 2015. Jennifer graduated from ECU in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in special education.

She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in secondary school counseling. She is employed in the Stratford Public School system as a special education teacher.

Carter James Stevenson, son of Ashley Rushing (‘11 & ‘13)

Carsyn & Masen Lovelis, children of Greg (‘04 & ‘07) & Buffy (‘05 & ‘08) Lovelis

Keaton Pierce, son of Corey Beth Stafford (attended)

Kahla White (‘12) is among 88 veterinary students at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences who have earned their DVM degree.

Kaylie Blackwell (‘12) and Bradley Coleman exchanged wedding vows on Nov. 15, 2014, in the Regents Room at ECU. Kaylie graduated from Ada High School in 2008, then graduated from ECU in 2012 with a B.A. in English and now works at Linscheid Library at ECU as an outreach assistant. Bradley graduated from Ada High School in 2001, then attended Pontotoc Technology Center and received a certificate in building and grounds in 2001. He works at ECU.

Makena Lane, daughter of Beau (‘03) & Alisha (attended) Lane

Kirby & Luke Ellis, children of Jerry (‘04) & Angela (attending) Ellis

Hudson & Jackson Wellington, sons of Parker (‘08) & Kailey (‘08) Wellington

Kayla Johnson (‘13) and Drew Taylor exchanged wedding vows on Oct. 18, 2014, at the Wilcher Ranch in Ada. Kayla is a 2008 graduate of Byng High School and a 2013 graduate of ECU where she earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. She is currently employed with Ada Smile Place. Drew is a 2007 graduate of Seminole High School and a 2012 graduate of Rogers State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration/marketing. He is currently employed with Enerfin Resources.

Trevin Vass (‘13) married Anna White on May 23, 2015. Trevin graduated from ECU in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in cartography. He is employed by the People’s Electric Cooperative as a staking engineer.

Vivian, Victor, & Violet Quinton, children of Jerry Quinton (‘93)

Addy Jones, daughter of Melissa Jones (‘07 & ‘09)

Jack Maner, son of Jeremy Maner (‘92)

Whitney Brown Nall (‘13) and Cody Nall (‘14) were married on March 7, 2015.

Jordyn Marie Mills (attending) and Dayne Parker exchanged wedding vows on Sept. 20, 2014, at the home of Jordyn’s grandparents in Allen. Jordyn is a 2011 graduate of Allen High School and Jordyn is currently enrolled in the ECU Nursing Program. She is employed by Mercy Hospital in Ada. Dayne graduated from Roff High School in 2010 and currently plays minor league baseball in the Houston Astros’ organization.

64 The Columns

Zyla Campbell, daughter of Zachary (‘10 & ‘15) & Michelle (‘10 & ‘13) Campbell

Finn Parsons, son of Ryan & Natalie Parsons (Pictured with great-grandpa Clarence Oliver (‘55)

Abigail Modeste, daughter of Toya Compton-Modeste (‘12)

Brynlee Hayden, daughter of Drew (‘06) & Sarah (‘07) Hayden

Braxton Mondy, son of Michael Mondy (attended)

Aidyn & Rhys Moreland, sons of Brandon Moreland (‘01, ‘05, & ‘09) & Syrena Moreland (‘01 & ‘05)

Grant Martinez, grandson of Jim Gray (‘82 ) & Laurie Gray (‘80)

Rhett & Colt Fagan children of Cody (‘06) & Rheanna (‘05 & ‘06) Fagan

Samara & Samuel Warlick, children of Mahate Parker (‘05)

Wyatt & Briar Ross, children of Rheysa Ward-Ross (‘13)

Madison Audrey Carter, daughter of Beau (‘10) & Stephanie (Miller) (‘11) Carter

Ava & Madison Gifford, daughters of Whitney Gifford (‘08 & ‘09)

Madden Hoover, son of Chris (’11) & Meagan (attended) Hoover

Tatum Foster, daughter of Kyle (‘09) & Kendall (‘09 & ‘12) Foster

Josiah Allen, son of Matt Allen (‘94)

Chronister Family

Brielle H. Dean, daughter of Matt (‘11) & Breanne (‘08) Dean

Breckin Streater, son of Tate (‘08) & Wendy (‘09 & ‘12) Streater

Cully Pletcher, grandson of Christopher (‘89) & Kelby (‘90 & ‘95) Pletcher

(BACK ROW, FROM LEFT): Gene Chronister, Glen Wilson, Whitney Haney (attending), Matt Haney, Wynotha Fortune (‘83 & ‘90) and Larry Fortune (MIDDLE ROW): Danielle Armstrong (‘11), Hannah Armstrong (future tiger), Sonya Chronister (‘07 & ‘09), and Athena Fortune (future tiger) (FRONT): Keira Phillips (future tiger) The Columns 65

We want to hear from you!

Been promoted? Honored? Awarded?

Recently moved? Married? Had a baby or grandbaby?

What’s the scoop about you and your family?

Personal Information:

Name:______________________________________________ First

Middle

Last

(Maiden)

Street:______________________________________________ City: ___________________ ST: _____ ZIP:______________ Email: _______________________ DOB: _________________ ECU Grad Year(s): _________ Major: ____________________ Family Information: Spouse’s Name: _____________________________________ Spouse’s DOB: __________ Anniversary Date:____________ Did spouse attend ECU? o YES o NO Grad Year(s):______ Did other family members attend ECU? o YES o NO If yes, please list their names & grad years: Name:___________________________________________ Grad Year(s): ________ Relationship:_________________

with Roary visited Hawaii nding).

Shani Campbell (atte

Name:___________________________________________ Grad Year(s): ________ Relationship:_________________ Name:___________________________________________

Roary also explored th e Greco Museo in Toledo, Sp Rachel Nic ain, with hols (2015 ).

Grad Year(s): ________ Relationship:_________________ Child(ren): Name: _________________ DOB: _______ Shirt Size:______ Name: _________________ DOB: _______ Shirt Size:______ Name: _________________ DOB: _______ Shirt Size:______ Personal News: Tell us what exciting news is going on in your life. We will print your update in an upcoming edition of The Columns. ___________________________________________________

Roary saw the sights the Durha at m Cathed ral and Castle wit h Dr. Katric Pierson, V ia ice Presid ent of Academic Affairs.

___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Clip & Mail this form to: 1100 E. 14th Street, PMB Y-8, Ada, OK 74820 Or submit your scoop online at:

Roary had a great time visiting Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea withColumns Whitney Harbour (2008).

66 The

alumni@ecok.edu

In Memoriam The ECU family offers our deepest sympathy to the families of the alumni and friends we have lost Barbara Aubrey, 1968 & 1975 Lowell Adams, 1957 Linda Anderson, 1976 Colene Underhill Alexander, attended Billye Barringer, 1943 & 1957 Kathy Bonner, attended Helen Borders, 1964 & 1981 Velma Brumley, 1951 & 1970 Mary Ruth Krunk Brown, 1986 Charles Edward Brown, 1955 Dewayne Bryan, 1980 Johnny Bryan, 1970 & 1984 Charlotte Carpenter, 1988 Oleta Choate, Friend of ECU Frances Cantwell, 1984 J. Tom Cothren, 1966 Marshall Cox, attended Nancy Cravens, 1974 James Cruson, 1952 Wanda Cruson, 1955 & 1969 Jeremy Cumbie, 2007 & 2008 G. David Carter Jr., 1950 Lea Ann Champion, 1980 Edwin Clark Jr., 1955 Tom R. Condict, attended Thelma Davies, employee Billy Davis, attended Tina Lynn Davis, 1986 Linda Day, attended Mary Eckles, 1971 Wayne Everson, employee Marvin Ewy, attended Eddie Fausett, Jr., 1973 Gerald Flowers, attended Floyd Goodson, 1963 Garry Gray, 1986 Pearl Gray, 1978 James W. Green, Friend of ECU Jim Greenlee, 1962 Lillian Gutierrez, 1968 Betty Haraway, 1972 & 1983 Linda Harrel, 1981 Dick Hendrix, 1961 Dr. Paul Holley, 1953 Dr. Yvette Harjo, 1969, employee Gary Don Hill, attended Deandra Hightower, attended Terry Hill, 1967 Bobby Hobson, Jr., 1976 Gloria Horne, attended Clifford Jackson, attended John Jones, attended Robert Jones, 1955 & 1960 Jack Jones, Friend of ECU Pauline (Northcott) Kimmel, attended Lolita Kindrick, attended Sue Kemp Fathree, 1968 Charlee Lanis, employee Leon Lanoy, 1958 & 1963 Keith Lavender, 1968 Minnie Ola Mellin, 1949 Bill Lee, 1964

Brad LeMarr, 1996 Bobby Linker, employee Alba Little, Friend of ECU Jana Lovelace, 1971 Sara McDaniel, 1944 Jean McGovern, 1949 Lester Miller, 1962 Harry Morris, 1961 Danny Murray, 2003 Lou Ann Cantrell McVay, attended Beverly Morgan, 1982 Dr. Donald J. Noble, 1959, employee Shirley Nordean, 1975 Leon Norfleet, Friend of ECU Carl Osborn, M.D., attended Londa Parker, 1998 Helen Anne Parrish, attended Paul Penrod, attended Harold Pool, 1949 Rev. Larry Pruitt, 1973 Christopher Pletcher, 1989 Mike Radosevich, attended Phil Ray, 1966 Douglas Reed, attended Margaret Rigsby, 1970 Sally Roberts, attended Jerry Rollow, 1991 & 1993 Andrea Rue, 1995 Billye Jo Rollow, 1947 Paul Scott, attended Ellen Sherman, 1930 & 1931 Dr. Milton Simmons, Jr., 1951 George A. Smith, attended Dr. John Smith, employee Denver Spence, 1959 Glen Steele, employee Ben Steen, attended Kathy Stewart Roblin, 1982 Jennie Stone, 1996 Harland Stonecipher, 1960 Stanley Sayers, 1965 Phyllis Sullivan, 1956 & 1959 Gary Southerland, attended Si Taylor, attended Grant Thomas, 2000 Glendeen Unsell, 1995 & 1998 April Flowers Vickery, attended George Walker, attended Joe Wallace, attended Mary Goodman Watson, 1942 Carmen Weaver, employee Candace West, attended Patti West, Friend of ECU Douglas Whitaker, 1957 Fitz Whitaker, 1970 Barbara Wilson, attended Darren Wise, 1984 & 1986 Dewey Wright, 1950 Phillip Wilson, attended Shirley Wood, 1972 Bob Wyatt, employee

Harland C. Stonecipher, who provided a generous gift to ECU’s School of Business, passed away Nov. 10, 2014, at the age of 76.

His gift led to ECU’s School of Business being renamed the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business when the new Chickasaw Business and Conference Center was opened in 2013.

Stonecipher was an insurance sales pioneer, starting PrePaid Legal Services, Inc., in 1972 in Ada. The unique business was born after Stonecipher was involved in an automobile accident on an insurance business sales trip in 1969.

Stonecipher led Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. as founder, chairman and chief executive officer for 40 years. In the spirit of health insurance, Stonecipher’s innovative idea led to customers paying monthly premiums for help with a wide range of legal matters.

The company’s initial one-room operation grew and ultimately became listed on the American Stock Exchange. In 1999, Pre-Paid Legal moved to the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest exchange, under the symbol PPD. His vision of making quality legal services available to every North American led to more than 1.4 million families owning the membership and more than 300,000 sales associates taking advantage of the business opportunity. He devised a proprietary network of provider law firms to deliver the legal services.

Stonecipher sold Pre-Paid Legal, Inc. in 2011 and it was renamed LegalShield.

Born June 4, 1938 in Ashland, Okla. to Allen Clinton and Viola Johnson Stonecipher, Harland Stonecipher attended Tupelo Schools and was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from East Central State College (now East Central University) in 1959. He met his future wife, Shirley Ann Thompson, at ECU in 1958 and the couple celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary prior to his death.

Stonecipher, whose degree was in English, had a brief career as an English teacher and debate coach before joining with his mentor, Charlie Walls, in the life insurance business.

Stonecipher was recognized as ECU’s Distinguished Alumnus in 1987.

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East Central University 1100 E. 14th Street, PMB Y-8 Ada, OK 74820

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Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 162 Ada, OK