2018 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Marjorie Bennett (BS ’39) At 101 years old, Marjorie Bennett has spent nearly half a century devoted to being a public educator. Born Aug. 17, 1917, in Hennessey, Oklahoma, Bennett’s career involved 43 years teaching English, Latin, literature, debate and speech in high schools and colleges in Oklahoma, Colorado and Pennsylvania. She graduated from UCO in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts in speech. She received a
master’s
degree
from
Colorado
State University in 1944, followed by a fellowship at Syracuse University. During
her
career,
she
received
numerous accolades. In 1972, she was named Forensic Coach of the Year in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating recognized her efforts as a literacy tutor in Oklahoma. In
a
1988
oral
history
interview
conducted by the UCO Chambers Library, Bennett fondly recalled her Central educators, “real women of the strong professional type,” whom she admired. Bennett is proud of the education she
In
addition
Bennett
has
to
educating
tirelessly
others,
served
University Women.
her
Bennett has three children — Beth, Ben
received at UCO and believes she has
community
in
and Debbie — with six grandchildren and
done her best to represent her alma
several civic organizations. She is a past
two great-grandchildren. She resides in
mater throughout her long career, just
president for both the United Methodist
her hometown of Hennessey.
like the UCO educators who inspired her.
Women and the American Association of
26
OLD NORTH • FALL 2018
through
participation