Leadership in Arts & Education Awards

LEADESHIP IN ARTS& EDUCATION AWARDS

At the 9th Annual Leadership in Arts & Education Awards on March 28, we celebrated five deserving honorees: Ken & Mary Ann Fergeson, John & Joy Reed Belt Award, University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Community Impact Award, Jean Hendrickson, Innovation in Education Award, Rand Elliott '68 Outstanding Harding High School Alumni Award, and DeVante Parker '11, Outstanding Harding Fine Arts Alumni Award. During this lively evening, guests enjoyed a spicy signature cocktail, entertainment from the Academy’s jazz cover band, The Birdbrains, delicious food, and reunion with friends after nearly two years apart.

The Awards ceremony not only honors our community members, but it also raises money for theFoundation’s mission. This year, we saw a record-breaking event in both attendance and fundsraised. With your help we raised over $100,000 for arts-integrated education!

Guests had the opportunity to donate to specific Pick Your Passion projects that are close their hearts. This year, we offered four high-impact projects for guests to support in performing arts, American literature, special education, and library services. During the event, guests donated over $11,000 for these programs.