Cameron Magazine Winter 2020-21

CAMERON WINTER 2020-2021

MAGAZINE

AGGIE ALUMNAE IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT HOPE RAMPY • BRIGIT MINDEN • CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS

Inside This

Message from the President

ISSUE

Cameron continues to offer educational services that are important to the times we live in. We are celebrating Cameron’s eleventh academic festival, exploring the theme of “Connections: Information Transfer Between People,” a theme that has become even more relevant as we all seek new ways to connect with one another. We have hosted two nationally recognized speakers exploring what it means to connect with one another, and will host a third later this year. In October we were very happy to produce a socially distanced graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, celebrating their tremendous accomplishments in the face of significantly changed circumstances. Their achievements are a testament to the resilience and fortitude common among CU students.

Cameron’s alumni continue to achieve great success. In this issue, we explore the accomplishments of several CU graduates in fields as varied as teaching, politics, environmental justice and military service. Our Aggie athletic teams continue to achieve both on and off the field, and this year we celebrate a record number of athletes recognized for their academic success. We also honor the memory and legacy of retired faculty member Tony Allison.

Whether it be via a traditional classroom setting, hybrid learning models, or exclusively online offerings, Cameron University continues to strive to deliver exceptional student learning opportunities with highly qualified faculty and staff at an outstanding value. We look forward to reinforcing our connections with our students and with you during the Spring 2021 semester. In the interim, please stay safe, stay healthy, and keep learning.

Sincerely,

Winter 2020-2021 Volume 17 Issue 2

President: John McArthur

Senior Director of Public Affairs: Keith Mitchell Managing Editor: Janet E. Williams Graphic Designers: John Kindred Alex Zakharchenko Editorial Assistant: Rhonda Young

FEATURES 2 Campus Update Learn about the latest happenings at Cameron University.

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Photographers: John Kindred, Michael Mazzo, Kenton Means, Keith Mitchell, Krista Pylant, Janet E. Williams, Rhonda Young, Alex Zakharchenko

COVID-19: Overcoming the Impact of a Pandemic

6 Remembering an Aggie Legend Professor Emeritus Tony Allison influenced generations of students.

8 Connections: Information Transfer Between People CU’s eleventh triennial academic festival is in full swing!

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Making a Difference One Equation at a Time Aggie alumna Brigit Minden garners Presidential Award.

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The Erin Brockovich of Wastewater Catherine Coleman Flowers selected as a MacArthur Fellow.

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Breaking New Ground Hope Rampy becomes first female Aggie to receive general’s stars.

15 CU Alum Receives High Honor Mary Boren recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education.

John McArthur President

MAGAZINE

Director of Alumni Relations: Jonna Turner

Dear Alumni and Friends: Welcome to the Winter 2020-2021 edition of Cameron Magazine. This last year has been a challenging one for all of us, and those challenges have encouraged us to expand how we approach our primary mission – to provide meaningful educational opportunities for our community members. Cameron’s staff and faculty have worked tirelessly over the last year to adjust how we offer learning opportunities for our students in a safe and supportive environment. I am very pleased to report that our efforts have allowed CU to not only continue its mission but also to set a positive example of the grace, flexibility and determination that is necessary to continue doing the vital work of serving southwest Oklahoma’s higher education needs.

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Military Science Students to Benefit From New Endowed Scholarships

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Aggie Athletes Honored for Academic and Athletic Performance

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Alma Matters/In Memoriam

Cameron Magazine is published

by Cameron University’s offices of Public Affairs and Alumni Relations.

For more information, call (580) 5812211 or (580) 581-2988, or email publicaffairs@cameron.edu.

All contents © 2021 Cameron University.

This publication, printed by Paragon Press, is issued by Cameron University.

2,500 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $1.18 each to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma.

This institution, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Office of Student Development at (580) 581-2209 or by e-mail at student_development@cameron.edu.

(12/2020)

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Campus Update OK-INBRE allocates $20,000 to Cameron University for undergraduate research Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Oklahoma IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (OK-INBRE), CU students will have new opportunities to participate in undergraduate research in biomedical sciences. CU faculty members may apply for funding up to $2,500 per project, with the funds being earmarked to support one or more undergraduate students engaged in mentored research under the direction of the faculty member.

The majority of the award will be used to support student salaries.

that includes many areas in the life and physical sciences, as well as mathematics,” said Dr. Terry Conley, CU coordinator for OK-INBRE.

“Research in the biomedical sciences is a broad, general field of research

Launched in 2001, OK-INBRE is a program funded by a grant

“This is an exciting opportunity as it offers students and faculty members from numerous academic disciplines the chance to participate in focused research projects.”

through the National Institutes of Health Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Program to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. One of its goals is to enhance the statewide research infrastructure and biomedical research capacity in Oklahoma by providing research opportunities for students from primarily undergraduate institutions, community colleges and minority serving institutions to serve as a pipeline for new students to enter into health research careers.

Cameron University has partnered with OK-INBRE for more than 15 years.

Cameron University Foundation teams with AmazonSmile to help CU students The Cameron University Foundation has teamed with AmazonSmile, a charitable initiative of the worldwide online marketplace. Supporters can now select the Cameron University Foundation, shop on Amazon, and generate donations for CU students. For every eligible purchase, AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the total to the CU Foundation.

Just go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7168952,

choose the Cameron University Foundation as your charitable organization, and start shopping.

“This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to support the Cameron University Foundation, which in turn supports Cameron students,”

said Julie Cunningham, Director of Development. “When some of our supporters suggested we look into joining AmazonSmile, we realized we needed to take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a great program that is very user-friendly."

Funds received by the Cameron University Foundation through AmazonSmile will be earmarked for student scholarships and other forms of student support.

Cameron University staff members selected to receive Pickaxe Award CU staff members Tiffany Hamilton, Tina Nickell and Brandy Scott are the recipients of the 2020 Pickaxe Awards, which recognize full-time Cameron employees who go above and beyond. Hamilton is an administrative assistant in 2

CAMERON UNIVERSITY

the Department of Education, Nickell is an administrative assistant in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and Scott is an administrative assistant in the Department of Sports and Exercise Science. Each received

a $1,000 stipend and a commemorative plaque.

The Pickaxe Award is presented annually to recognize full-time employees whose performance exceeds the expectations of their job

descriptions. The award recipients have made a contribution or commitment that has resulted in a significant difference to Cameron students, visitors, other employees, or whose commitment to their job responsibilities, department or the university stands out as a clear example to all other employees.

Hamilton was referred to as “the backbone of the Department of Education” by one nominator, who cited her willingness to take on additional duties and to help students. The nominator also wrote, “Without Tiffany’s empathy, critical thinking skills and determination to

make sure everything is taken care of, the Department of Education would not be the success that it is.”

to allow our faculty to teach without worry and our students to be successful.”

Nickell was cited for her efforts in ensuring that the department continued to deliver quality instruction to its students during the pandemic, as well as her knowledge of new instructional technologies that were implemented this summer. Her willingness to serve as an exam proctor was also noted. “Tina has played an integral role in the continued function of our department,” one nominator wrote. Another wrote, “She exemplifies the qualities needed

Scott was recognized for her commitment to students, along with the effective communication she maintains with department faculty members. One nominator referred to Scott as “a problem solver and an excellent communicator” in addition to citing her “strong attention to detail.” Another called her “our first line with many students” and referred to Scott as “invaluable to the department.”

Cameron TRiO programs received funding from U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services, Talent Search/Open Doors and Upward Bound, three of Cameron University’s most critical student support programs, have received grants from the U.S. Department of Education that will allow them to continue to provide significant services to underserved populations through August 2021.

The TRiO programs work with the ultimate goal of assisting participants in reaching their dream of postsecondary education. Each program has its own goals, objectives and audience. The programs identify youth or adults with potential for academic success who meet government income requirements and whose parents did not graduate from college. Services are provided to program participants that will

enable them to succeed and graduate from postsecondary education.

All Cameron TRiO programs offer tutoring, career planning, personal counseling, study skills, postsecondary advisement, cultural activities and workshops to enhance learning.

The Student Support Services (SSS) program was awarded $460,680 for the academic year and is guaranteed additional funding through August 2025. The program provides opportunities for academic development, assists college students with basic university requirements,

and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their post-secondary educations.

The SSS program may also provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving federal Pell Grants.

The goal of SSS is to increase retention and graduation rates of its participants and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next.

Awarded $417,727 in the final year of its performance period, Talent Search/Open Doors identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and 3

Campus Update continue on to the postsecondary schools of their choosing. Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to re-enter the educational system and complete their degrees.

The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete either a certification or degree from the postsecondary education institutions of their choosing.

Cameron’s Upward Bound program, which received $352,757, provides fundamental support to participants in their preparations for university entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-university performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students preparing to enter postsecondary education who come from lowincome families or from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of the

program is to increase the rates at which participants enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education with a degree. All Upward Bound projects must provide instruction in math, laboratory science, composition, literature, and foreign language.

Upward Bound will also receive funding next year under its current performance period.

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Aggie Art Walk a colorful addition to McMahon Fine Arts Complex grounds Next time you visit the Cameron campus in Lawton, be sure to take a stroll through the grounds of the McMahon Fine Arts Complex, where you will discover the new Aggie Art Walk between the

Music Building and the University Theatre. On the east side of the Music Building, you’ll find 12 original paintings created by local artists Katie Crandon, Emily Rose Dummer, Ashley Henry, Alayna

Christine Hill, Carey Monroe, Charles Owens, Robert Peterson, Shailah Ramos, Stephen Saupitty, Terry and Darry Shaw and Katrina Thompson.

Donors finance renovations at Cameron's Agriculture Complex The CU Agriculture Complex, located on 38th Street just a few blocks southwest of the Lawton campus, has undergone a series of updates and renovations that will enhance student learning.

Thanks to Hilliary Communications, the animal science and plant science buildings now have high-speed fiber optic Wi-Fi. Donations from CU supporters Cindy and John Zelbst and Western Farm Credit of Oklahoma have made possible 4

CAMERON UNIVERSITY

renovations to the animal science and plant science classrooms that include technology and updated student learning spaces. Lupi Construction has been a vital partner in upgrading the existing greenhouse and animal handling area, providing CU students with an ideal environment to learn how to best handle both farm and ranch responsibilities.

“Without the support of donors like Hilliary Communications,

Lupi Construction, Western Farm Credit of Oklahoma, and John and Cindy Zelbst, these enhancements to Cameron’s agriculture complex would not have been possible,” said Albert Johnson Jr., Vice President for University Advancement. “It’s vital for CU to provide the best learning environment for our agriculture students, since they are poised to join the list of essential workers that play a critical role in the economy of southwest Oklahoma.”

l e K im . ne, even O or everyo f d e r i u eq s are r

The Class of 2020 celebrated their degrees

during a soci ally dista n

COVID-19

ced Co m

menc emen t on Oct . 10 .

Overcoming the Impact of a Pandemic

When 2020 began, social distancing, surgical masks, personal hand sanitizer and Zoom were foreign concepts to most of us. By year’s end, they were just elements of everyday life. No one could have predicted the ways that COVID-19 would completely reshape the world, including at Cameron University. While things are not yet back to “normal,” it is safe to say that Aggies rose to the challenge of the pandemic, whether they were students or employees.

Students ended their in-person studies at spring break, not knowing that they would return to virtual learning a week later. During break, CU faculty and staff converted more than 500 face-to-face classes into a virtual environment in less than a week’s time. For the rest of spring term, nearly every student became an online learner and “Zoom”entered every Aggie’s vocabulary.

During the summer months, faculty fine-tuned syllabi and staff initiated safety protocols. Realizing that online learning

isn’t for every student, the university adapted classrooms for physically distanced in-person instruction while still providing distance teaching options – or a mix of the two – so that students could start the fall semester in a learning environment most comfortable to them.

COVID delayed, but didn’t conquer, Commencement.

When the May 1 graduation was postponed, students were promised that a ceremony would be held later if at all possible. That opportunity came in October when masked students gathered on the field of Cameron Stadium as select friends and family watched from the stands – all socially distanced, of course.

“Across the board, Cameron University has an excellent team,” said President John McArthur. “Our employees and students have demonstrated a remarkable level of resiliency and creativity, and we remain student-centered.

Our goal is to help our students to complete their degrees. We want them to stay here, work here and live here long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.”

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RememberingAnAggielegend Nationally recognized professor Tony Allison influenced generations of students Great. Kind. Respected. Loved.

These words repeatedly appeared in social media posts as word spread of the passing of longtime Cameron University professor Tony Allison on Dec. 7. Although Allison, 73, had retired from the university seven years ago, his influence continues through those who considered him a mentor and friend.

Whether or not you knew Allison, the impact of his 41 years in CU’s Department of Communication is felt in the courtroom, the classroom, the State Capitol, the nightly news, and in countless other places. It is there that his former students practice the skills they honed in his classroom at CU. As a professor, administrator and highly successful coach of Cameron’s competitive speech and debate program in the 1970s and 1980s, Allison garnered a national reputation as

a committed educator known for outstanding contributions to creative expression and academic excellence.

“Throughout his academic career, Tony was a master at engaging young minds in the excitement of debate, public speaking, and communication,” said Cameron President John McArthur. “He was truly successful in leading young minds toward new possibilities and greater accomplishments. His legacy is seen through his recognition by peers and in the accomplishments of his former students.”

Allison came to Cameron in 1972, when only one major was available through the speech program. He worked with others on campus to develop a new communication degree with concentrations in speech, journalism, radio/TV, and public relations/organizational communication.

For 21 years, he directed CU’s nationally recognized speech and debate teams that won two national championships and were ranked in the top 10 from 1977-1995 at the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech and Debate Tournament.

“I felt my main job was to be a cheerleader and to instill passion in the students who volunteered to be on the speech and debate team,” Allison recalled in 2016 when asked about the success of Cameron’s speech program. “It was very easy to be that cheerleader, and it wasn’t long before my students started believing in themselves. They wanted to win, for themselves and for the university. Our speech teams were like family. To me, it was all about building a community.”

included the establishment of CUTV, the campus cable channel that provides hands-on training for broadcast majors, and paving the way for the creation of KCCU-FM, the university’s award-winning public radio station.

Coaches Tony Allison and J.C. Hicks are pictured with members of the 1979 Forensics Club, which included Michael Gray, Danny Ahlfield, Marty McKellips, Sylvia Kasper Burgess, Angel Perkins, Jeff Shaw, Jay Stephens, Emmit Tayloe and Brad Burgess.

District Judge Emmit Tayloe was a member of CU’s 1981 national championship speech and debate team. He said of Allison, “He took me under his wing and helped raise me. Coach Allison was more than a teacher. He was like a parent, a mentor. He set the bar high and made us believe we could reach it. I still thought of him as my friend. How many professors have we had that we could say that?”

Some of the tributes paid Allison after his death came from students who went on to careers in politics. Former State Rep. Don Armes took classes under Allison, and he was an academic advisor to T.W. Shannon, who went on to serve as Oklahoma House Speaker. Shannon recalled Allison as “a great man with a gentle soul. He will be missed.”

During his time at Cameron, Allison founded a speech and debate camp that grew to be among the most prestigious in the country. Attracting students and teachers from a fourstate area, at one point it became so large that it was split into multiple sessions.

Allison served as chair of the communication department from 1983-2013. During that time, he worked tirelessly to create new educational and training opportunities for students. These

CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Allison distinguished himself with Pi Kappa Delta, the premier U.S. forensics fraternity. He served as Province Governor for a five-state region in 1976-78 and also served for several years on the Pi Kappa Delta National Council. In 1993, he was honored with the Outstanding Service Award from the organization’s past national presidents. In 2005, he was inducted into the Pi Kappa Delta Hall of Fame.

His accomplishments ultimately earned him induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2017.

Cameron alum Monte Brown, now an anchor at KSWO-TV in Lawton, may best summarize Allison’s character and his influence on his students in this way: “Mr. Allison was the first person I ever talked with from Cameron when I was researching prospective universities. He was always supportive when I was a student and it continued throughout my career.

You'll hear that same story from every student he inspired.”

– Janet Williams & Keith Mitchell

In 2016, members of the national championship teams launched a campaign to establish endowments honoring Tony Allison through the Cameron University Foundation.

Gifts can be made to Tony Allison Endowed Scholarship in Communication or the Tony Allison Endowed Lectureship in Communication. Tony’s family has designated both of these for contributions in his memory. More information on these endowments can be found online at https://www.cameron. edu/foundation/legacy-of-excellence.

One of those former students is Sylvia Burgess, a local attorney and former Cameron administrator who was a member of the speech and debate team that won a national championship in 1979.

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He was a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Communication Educator Award from the Oklahoma Speech Theatre Communication Association, which also presented him the Josh Lee Service Award for outstanding service. For his civic work, he received the Educator in the Humanities Award from the Lawton Arts and Humanities Council in 2012.

Endowments in memory of Coach Allison

Allison motivated students to pursue career paths and postgraduate educational goals based upon his unique perception of their talents.

“Tony inspired all of us – and often pushed us – to do things we did not believe possible,” Burgess said. “He insisted that I become a debater as well as an individual event performer. I doubted myself, but he didn’t. He persuaded me to take the admissions test for law school – something that had never even occurred to me prior to serving on his forensics team.”

Highly respected by peers and former students, Allison was the first inductee into the Cameron University Alumni Association’s Faculty Hall of Fame, which honors teaching effectiveness, positive impact on student lives, campus involvement outside the classroom and community involvement.

Allison shares some of his expertise with Cameron debaters.

To make a donation, please call the Cameron University Foundation at 580.581.2999. Gifts can be mailed in care of the CU Foundation at Cameron University, 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK 73505. Please be sure to mention your preferred choice of endowment to Coach Allison in the memo line.

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I

F E S T I V A L

Frank Warren greets the audience in Aggie Gym as he explains how starting the PostSecret project led him into mental health advocacy.

F E S T I V A L

I

Lynne Lancaster introduces the concepts of generational differences during her appearance at Festival XI.

and traditions that were instilled into each generation as they matured.

field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated.

Professor, motivational speaker, author, STEM/STEAM advocate and host of the PBS mini-series, “NOVA Wonders,” Talithia Williams will continue Festival XI on March 25, 2021. A proponent of STEM education, her passion is to encourage women and minorities to enter the fields of science and mathematics. Her latest book, “Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics,” reflects that passion as it re-brands the

Williams’ TED Talk, “Own Your Body’s Data,” advocates that individuals deploy data as a way of taking charge of their health as it demystifies data, statistics, probabilities and the mathematical process in amusing and insightful ways. She champions the contributions of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians and their vital role in transforming the future.

CONNECTIONS I N F O R M AT I O N T R A N S F E R B E T W E E N P E O P L E

Cameron University’s Festival XI: “Connections: Information Transfer Between People”

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ameron University’s 11th academic festival, taking place this academic year, was aptly themed “Connections: Information Transfer Between People.”

It’s an appropriate choice, as people throughout the country are struggling to stay connected to family and friends during the current pandemic.

“The theme was selected well before the pandemic resulted in lockdowns, quarantines, limited gatherings and reduced or banned visitations in a variety of healthcare settings,” said President John McArthur.

“Now more than ever, the connections that we have with our colleagues, friends and family members are dependent on technology as well as creative ways to spend time with loved ones.”

The triennial academic festival kicked off in September with speaker Frank Warren, whose PostSecret project inspired him to become one of the country’s leading mental health advocates. What started as a community mail art project in which people anonymously shared

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CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Williams is Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning and a math professor at Harvey Mudd College. She hosts “NOVA Wonders,” a PBS mini-series that explores the biggest questions on the frontiers of science. In addition to her teaching and television work, she has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for African countries.

Her professional experiences include research appointments at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and the National Security Agency.

never-before-voiced secrets, captured the public’s collective imagination and evolved into a worldwide movement.

During his socially distanced appearance at CU, Warren shared inspiring, funny and, at times, heartbreaking stories behind those millions of secrets he has received.

He explained how the project spurred his involvement in suicide awareness, reminding the audience that when individuals have the opportunity to share personal struggles, they can inspire others to release their own burdens.

Warren’s popular appearance was followed by awardwinning teacher, trainer, writer and expert commentator Lynne Lancaster in November. Lancaster presented the audience with examples of generational awareness, advising that in order to effectively communicate with people in other age groups – whether they be Traditionalists, Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials or Gen Z – one must have an understanding of the times

Talithia Williams

Tickets for Williams' appearance will be available in mid-to-late February. To request a free ticket, go to www.cameron.edu/festivalxi.

The McCasland Foundation of Duncan is the primary sponsor for CU’s academic festival series. Over the years, financial support has come from the McCasland/Amquest Bank Endowed Chair, established by the McCasland Foundation in 1989.

Additional funding is provided by the Cameron University Foundation and through the CU Lectures and Concerts Series.

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to meet the expectations of such a high honor and keeps me reaching for excellence.”

In 2010 Minden graduated magna cum laude from CU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and a minor in psychology. She teaches mathematics at Central High Public Schools, northwest of Duncan, where she was the district’s Teacher of the Year in 2016. Brigit’s subject matter encompasses algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Brigit has had opportunities to network with other educators in Oklahoma and from all over the U.S., which has made her even more thankful to be teaching at Central High Public Schools.

“I love everything about Central … the kids, the parents and the community. Our parents are the most supportive I’ve ever encountered. They all work closely with our staff to hold kids accountable and ensure they are receiving the best education possible,” stated Brigit.

Mathematicians are natural problem solvers and one Cameron University aluma can be counted on to use her skills to enrich the education of future generations. Brigit Minden brings knowledge and positive energy to the classroom every day, resulting in student impacts worthy of national recognition.

In August 2020, Brigit won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This honor — established in 1983 and the highest award given by the U.S. government to K-12 math and science teachers — was announced by President Donald J. Trump.

Minden, one of two PAEMST honorees from Oklahoma, will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and a certificate signed by the President of the United States.

When her nomination as one of three finalists from Oklahoma was announced in September 2019, Brigit said, “I am passionate in sharing that no one is ‘bad at math.’ Most people just haven’t had the right experiences yet.” Asked how she felt when she learned she had won the PAEMST, Minden replied, “Shocked and so humbled! This challenges me to work even harder 10

CAMERON UNIVERSITY

However, teaching wasn’t originally in Brigit’s plans. She explained, “Both of my parents are educators and I knew teachers aren’t paid nearly enough for what they do. I chose mathematics as my major because I planned to move to the big city and earn large sums of money after I completed my degree.”

That all changed when she met Dr. Karla Oty, whom Minden described as “an absolutely fantastic mathematics professor.”

Furthermore, Brigit declared, “Dr. Oty was so engaging and enthusiastic about her subject matter! She taught me that mathematics is so much more than a lecture and I do my best to model her in my classroom every day.” Minden does that by instructing her students to use technology to research what they don’t know, learn to problem solve, find solutions and work together – all things they will need to be successful outside of the classroom too.

About two years into her education at CU, Brigit began tutoring fellow students in mathematics and she quickly realized that teaching was her calling. This epiphany was solidified when Dr. Oty created yet another fork in Minden’s career path by offering her an adjunct instructor position at CU-Duncan. Brigit knew then where the road would take her and recalled “Dr. Oty started me on the teaching path and I’m forever grateful for the catalyst she’s been in my life.”

Minden’s experiences at CU were not traditional as she was a mature student with children at home. She recalled of her education, “I felt very supported by all of my faculty members. None of them made me feel like an odd ball as an adult learner. In fact, it was obvious that they truly cared, were invested in me and my success was important to them. I loved the smaller class sizes that felt more personal and allowed me to be more in tune with my professors and classmates.”

When asked how she managed to maintain a near perfect GPA and graduate with magna cum laude distinction while also raising a family, she reminisced, “A very supportive family made all of the difference for me. My husband did a great job of taking care of our kids and making sure I had the time I needed to study. Other parents in our community really stepped in to help make sure my kids were able to maintain their sports and activities at times when I couldn’t be there. I sincerely appreciate all of them.”

In addition to providing the right experiences for her students during the past nine years, Brigit has found ways to impact students from across the state. She was a member of the writing team for the Oklahoma Mathematics Frameworks for three years and has also served as an adjunct instructor teaching math-related courses at CU-Duncan.

Brigit’s positive attitude about mathematics, passion for teaching and ability to make a difference one equation at a time can be perfectly summed up by a poster displayed in her classroom. It reads, “How to be a math person. Step 1: Do Math (any type). Step 2: Be a Person.”

- Rhonda Young 11

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of

Erin Brockovich Wastewater: Catherine Coleman Flowers That knowledge set her on the path to becoming an environmental activist who works to solve problems at the interaction of poverty, climate change and politics. Dubbed “The Accidental Environmentalist” by documentary filmmaker Ellen Esling, Flowers has also earned the sobriquet “the Erin Brockovich of Wastewater.” For her efforts, she was been selected as a MacArthur Fellow by the MacArthur Foundation. Flowers will receive a $625,000, no-strings-attached award to continue her work as an environmental health advocate in Lowndes County, Alabama. Flowers earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Political Science from CU in 1986.

Flowers strives to bring attention to the largely invisible problem of inadequate waste and water sanitation infrastructure in rural communities in the United States.

Formerly a teacher, she refers to her shift in careers as “a natural progression.”

“I have always been focused on contributing to positive change,” Flowers said. “Therefore working to address environmental and climate justice issues spoke to me through my experiences.”

A native of Lowndes County, Alabama, an area plagued by poverty and failing infrastructure that often results in raw sewage in yards and waterways and contaminated drinking water for residents, Flowers returned to the area in 2001 to work in the field of rural development.

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uppose you woke up one day and discovered that your body was covered in a rash. The day before, you had been visiting a rural sewage site that was teeming with mosquitoes that, as mosquitoes do, covered you with bites. A visit to the doctor reveals “normal” bloodwork. That was Catherine Coleman Flowers’ “aha” moment. She realized that those mosquitos had been nesting in raw sewage and, while they had been feasting on her skin, had passed on bacteria that caused the unknown rash. It didn’t take her long to connect an inordinately high incidence of hookworms and other diseases to the lack of sanitation in rural areas.

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“I was bitten by mosquitoes that were nesting on raw sewage and broke out into a rash,” Flowers said. “My doctors could not determine the cause of the rash. This caused me to question if there were diseases American doctors are not trained to diagnose because raw sewage was not an acknowledged problem in this country.”

With a deep understanding of the historical, political, economic, and physical constraints that impede the implementation of better infrastructure in the region, she founded the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) in 2019. Through CREEJ, she engages collaborators across a broad range of disciplinary expertise to document how lack of access to sufficient and sustained waste treatment and clean water can trap rural,

predominantly black populations in a vicious cycle of poverty and disease.

“We have taken away the shame of discussing this problem, demonstrated that it is a national issue, and have led to policy changes that will impact how rural communities are funded for infrastructure,” Flowers said. “Our next phase is to work on technological solutions using the environmental justice framework.”

Flowers said the MacArthur Fellowship will play a vital role in expanding the reach and scope of CREEJ’s mission.

“The award will enable me to continue to advocate for rural communities as we move toward sustainable solutions to address failed or no wastewater infrastructure,” she explained. “We are collaborating with communities around the U.S., and we plan to expand that collaboration.”

In her recently released book, “Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret,” Flowers delves into the racial and economic factors that keep people living in unsanitary conditions, and traces her own path as an activist.

Jane Fonda refers to the book as a “stunning eye-opener,” and former Vice President Al Gore calls Flowers “a trailblazer in the environmental and climate justice movement.” Perhaps John Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State, says it best: “When you combine the ecological expertise of Rachel Carson, the dogged determination of Erin Brockovich, and the lifelong passion for equality of John Lewis, you get Catherine Flowers.”

In announcing Flowers’ selection as a 2020 MacArthur Fellow, the MacArthur Foundation said, “Flowers is broadening the scope of environmental justice to include issues specific to disenfranchised rural communities and galvanizing policy and research to redress failing infrastructure that perpetuates socioeconomic disparities in rural areas across the United States.”

The indefatigable Flowers is also the rural development manager for the Equal Justice Initiative, a senior fellow for the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, and a member of the board of directors of the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

-Janet E. Williams 13 11

Breaking new Ground Hope Rampy becomes first female Aggie to receive general’s stars

The first step on the road to earning her stars began at Cameron in 1991 when she applied to the university’s Army ROTC program. She completed her studies in 1996 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She was named to “Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities” and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Corps.

T

he number of Cameron alumni who have attained the prestigious rank of general officer in the U.S. Army grew by one in 2020 when Hope C. Rampy was frocked as a brigadier general in June. In July, Rampy assumed her duties as the 62nd Adjutant General of the Army during an investiture ceremony hosted at Fort Knox, Ky. Rampy becomes the 19th Aggie to become a general officer in the military – an impressive string that started in 1955 when the U.S. Air Force promoted Jack LaGrange to brigadier general. LaGrange attended Cameron State Agricultural College in 1939.

Rampy is the first female CU graduate to achieve the rank, and she is also only the fifth female officer to serve as Adjutant General of the Army. In that role, she serves as executive director of the Military Postal Service Agency and commanding general of the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency.

The Adjutant General of the Army is the chief administrative officer of the U.S. Army. As such, Rampy is responsible for the procedures affecting the preservation of all Army personnel records, military awards and decorations, casualty operations and transition services.

“The opportunity to serve as the Adjutant General of the Army is the pinnacle job for an AG officer,” Rampy said. “It’s an awesome responsibility, and I’m looking forward to working with an incredible group of professional soldiers and civilians, some of whom I have known for most of my career.”

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CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Rampy served in a variety of command and staff officer assignments as a member of the Adjutant General Corps throughout her career, most recently as the executive officer to the U.S. Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G1 (Personnel) in Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Hope Rampy is the 19th Cameron Aggie to achieve the rank of general officer.

These are the other Aggies promoted to that rank: • Brig. Gen. Charles “Ben” Allen (Class of 1977) • Brig. Gen. William Bilo (Class of 1973) • Brig. Gen. James Brickman (Class of 1963) • Gen. Bryan Brown (Class of 1977) • Brig. Gen. Billy Cooper (Class of 1977) • Lt. Gen. Michael Dodson (Class of 1974) • Brig. Gen. David Funk (Attended 1953-55) • Maj. Gen. Evan Gaddis (Class of 1978) • Maj. Gen. Alan Johnson (Class of 1976) • Maj. Gen. Thomas J.P. Jones (Class of 1971) • Brig. Gen. Jack LaGrange Jr. (Attended 1939) • Brig. Gen. Jerry Laws (Class of 1964) • Brig. Gen. Joseph Orr (Class of 1975) • Brig. Gen Michael Phillips (Class of 1982) • Lt. Gen. Randall Rigby (Class of 1966) • Lt. Gen. Wilson Shoffner (Classes of 1958, 1982) • Maj. Gen. Toney Stricklin (Class of 1975) • Gen. John Vessey Jr. (Attended 1948-49, 1955-56)

Her combat experience includes a 2008 tour in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, and a 2012 tour in which she commanded the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Afghanistan.

Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

When Rampy was promoted to colonel in 2016, she selected Cameron University as the site for her ceremony. She was the Comanche Battalion’s first female graduate to have achieved that rank – and it turned out to be a stepping stone to her current position.

“Cameron’s ROTC department developed me into an officer,” Rampy noted. “The cadre in the CU ROTC program were life coaches and drill instructors to young college students. From individual tasks to team development, this program set me up for my success as a commissioned officer.”

– Keith Mitchell

CU alum

receives high honor from Oklahoma higher ed groups

O

klahoma State Sen. Mary Boren has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Council of College and University Presidents.

Boren, who represents Senate District 16 in Cleveland County, was honored Dec. 9 for her advocacy and support of higher education in her role as a member of the Senate Education Committee.

“Senator Boren has been a champion for Oklahoma higher education since her election to the State Senate in 2018,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “We thank her for actively supporting state investment in public higher education and maintaining the current law regarding weapons on campus. We are pleased to honor Sen. Boren with a Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education.”

A native of Tipton, Boren graduated from Cameron in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. A Presidential Leaders and University Scholar, she was active in the student government and residence hall associations and performed in the CU Chorus. As a senior, she was named to the prestigious “Who’s Who at Cameron.”

After finishing her degree at Cameron, Boren attended the University of Oklahoma, earning a juris doctorate degree.

The educator and attorney is married to physician Nathan Boren and they have three children.

The Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education recognizes individuals who demonstrate distinguished leadership and support of higher education in Oklahoma during the legislative session. It is the highest award presented by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Council of College and University Presidents.

“Cameron University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law instilled in me the experience I needed to enter a rewarding life of public service,” said Boren.

“Having well-trained and engaged instructors, fully equipped libraries, safe campuses, and vibrant student services worked together to make my college years a lifechanging experience.

“With this honor, I renew my dedication to give every young person the opportunity to attend college and develop the critical thinking skills necessary to hold authority accountable, make wise decisions, and enjoy economic security as Oklahomans,” Boren added.

In addition to her work on the Senate Education Committee, Boren serves on the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife, Energy, and Judiciary committees.

– Keith Mitchell

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Military Science students to benefit from

New Endowed Scholarships Military Science students at CU will be the beneficiaries of three newly created endowed scholarships established by the Cameron University Foundation. The LTG (R) Randall L. and Carol A. Rigby Endowed Scholarship in Military Science is earmarked for full-time CU students who demonstrate an intent to join CU’s Army ROTC program in pursuit of an officer’s commission.

The CU Comanche Military Science Club Endowed Scholarship is open to any full-time CU student, with preference given to students studying military science. Similarly, the Artillery Officer Candidate School (OCS) Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship in Leadership will be open to full-time students, with priority given to students who plan to commission into the U.S. Army.

“Endowed scholarships are vital to so many Cameron students’ ability to complete a degree,” said Albert Johnson Jr., Vice President for University Advancement. “The Cameron University Foundation is fortunate to have donors like Lt. Gen. Randall and Carol Rigby, the members of the Military Science Club, and the Artillery OCS Alumni Association – both past and present – whose generosity made these endowments possible.”

Randall and Carol Rigby each earned associate degrees from

Cameron State Agriculture College in 1966. Both were named Distinguished Alumni by the CU Alumni Association in 1996.

During his 32-year tenure in the U.S. Army as an artilleryman, Rigby’s assignment included command of a firing battery in Vietnam, an 8-inch howitzer battalion with a nuclear mission, and the 6th Infantry Division Artillery. He served as an assistant professor at West Point, and spent three tours in the Pentagon as an action officer, division chief, executive officer to the Army Vice Chief of Staff, deputy director on the Joint Staff, and director of program analysis and evaluation in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army. He was also the chief of field artillery and commanded the U.S. Army’s Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill. His last duty station prior to his retirement in 2000 was as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Carol Rigby was active in the Lawton-Fort Sill community during her husband’s tour of duty here. Among her many activities, she served on the boards of 20 civic organizations and was a popular speaker. Her civic work continued as her husband’s duty stations led her to new communities.

Members of the CU Department of Military Science join university administrators and CU Foundation members for the announcement of a new endowed scholarship.

In 1986, she was inducted into the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher by the U.S. Field Artillery Association. The award recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals who contribute in a significant way to the field artillery community.

“We are proud to recognize General and Mrs. Rigby as Cameron alumni,” Johnson said.

“Throughout their lifetimes, they have brought honor and commitment to each of their individual endeavors. The Cameron University Foundation deeply appreciates their generous donation.”

When members of Cameron’s Military Science Club decided to establish an endowed scholarship for CU students, they immediately launched fundraising efforts and succeeded in meeting their goal in less than a year. The Military Science Club was formed to enhance its members' involvement on campus and in community events and to increase opportunities for personnel and professional growth and development.

“What an outstanding group of students we have in the Military Science Club,” Johnson said. “This dedicated group chose to focus their efforts on helping CU students in perpetuity and succeeded very quickly in reaching their goal. They have demonstrated foresight and leadership in doing so.

By raising the funds to establish an endowment, the Military Science Club has raised the bar for all CU student organizations.”

“We identified a need for financial assistance without ROTC command,” says Cadet Jornall Whigham, president of the Military Science Club. “The impact of COVID-19 has reduced the number of hours at jobs and diminished the number of scholarships available. This endowment will continue to assist cadets long after the pandemic ends.”

The endowed scholarship in leadership created by the Artillery OCS Alumni Association will ultimately enhance its track record of producing exceptional military officers. Fort Sill’s Officer Candidate School began at Robinson Barracks in 1941. It commissioned more than 48,600 second lieutenants from its initial opening in the summer of 1941 until it closed in 1973.

To contribute to the LTG (R) Randall L. and Carol A. Rigby Endowed Scholarship in Military Science, the CU Comanche Military Science Club Endowed Scholarship and other existing endowments or to establish a new endowment that will benefit CU students in perpetuity, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 580-581-2999 or email advancement@cameron.edu.

“Cameron University is extremely thankful to Randy Dunham with the Artillery OCS Alumni Association for this generous gift,” Johnson said.

It will allow us to share in the legacy the school started in producing outstanding lieutenants.”

-Janet E. Williams 16

CAMERON UNIVERSITY

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AGGIE ATHLETES HONORED FOR ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Despite the 2020 slate of athletic competitions being curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aggie athletes were still honored by various organizations both academic and athletic performance.

“Cameron University athletes accomplish just as much – if not more – in the classroom as they do in their respective sports,” said athletic director Jim Jackson. “It’s gratifying to see so many of our athletes receiving highly deserved recognition.”

When the Lone Star Conference announced its Commissioners Honor Roll recognizing academic achievement during the Spring 2020 spring semester, a record number 107 Aggies were on the list. To qualify for the recognition, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.30 GPA for the current semester and be on an active sports roster. Forty-six of the 107 Aggies on the list earned a 4.0 GPA for the semester. The Aggie baseball team landed 19 student-athletes on the list, with softball following with 16. Women’s basketball and men’s cross country/track had 12 athletes each, men’s tennis and women’s cross country/ track placed 10 each on the list, volleyball had seven, men’s golf had six, and men’s basketball, women’s golf and women’s tennis had five each.

The Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) included 43 Aggie athletes as recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards: nine from baseball, eight from softball, seven from women’s basketball, four from volleyball, three each from men’s golf, women’s tennis and women’s cross country/track and field, two each from men’s basketball, women’s golf and men’s cross country/ track and field, and one from men’s tennis. In order to be honored, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have attended a minimum of two years of college level work, and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.

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CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Complete lists of the Aggies who were named to the LSC Commissioners Honor Roll and/or the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards can be found at www.cameronaggies.com. Individual accomplishments were also recognized. Maighan Hedge, a member of the women’s basketball team, was named to the LSC’s All-Academic Team, as was men’s basketball player Brock Schreiner.

member Steffen Riestenpatt.

In terms of athletic performance, men’s golfer Tyler Kaman was honored as LSC Newcomer of the Year, while women’s golfer Allison Duffin was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year honor.

The Aggie men’s and women’s tennis teams were both recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Division II All-Academic Team. To be named an ITA AllAcademic team, each program must have a team GPA of 3.2 or above. The women’s team was tops among the LSC programs with a 3/807 team GPA, while the men recorded a 3.699 GPA for the year.

Melany Opoz, Alisa Savina, Pilar Jaurena, Vasilisa Polunova and Julianne Gracia were named ITA Scholar Athletes, as were Julen Gutierrez, Stefan Svicevic, Pierre Marion, Maycon Dias, Jesus Villamizar, Santiago Berdasco, Iliya Taranin, Carlos Vidal and Gabe Wilbourn.

The Aggie golf teams also raked in academic honors.

When the Golf Coaches Association announced the Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars, three members of the men’s team were included: Logan Durst, Tyler Kaman and Devin Whipple. Whipple and women’s golf team member Allison Duffin were named to the LSC All-Academic team. Duffin and teammate Iona Roska were announced as AllAmerican Scholars by the Women’s Golf Coach Association.

Duffin racked up yet one more accolade as an LSC Scholar Athlete, the same honor accorded the cross country team

women’s basketball team, was named to the All-LSC First Team as well as the Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-South Central Regional Women’s Basketball First Team. Teammate Ava Battese was named was the All-LSC Second Team. ■

Men’s basketball player Kendall Scott was named an All-LSC Honorable Mention.

Maighan Hedge, a standout on the

COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESULTS IN DELAYS FOR FALL SPORTS PROGRAMS The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt in all segments of campus life, including Aggie athletics.

In August, the Lone Star Conference Council of Presidents postponed most fall sports to the spring semester.

Aggie athletic teams competing in volleyball and basketball have been able to conduct team practices.

Volleyball will commence conference play on January 26, with an abbreviated 10-match schedule. Men’s and women’s basketball teams began divisional play in midDecember, although conference matchups will not begin until January.

The Aggie cross country, golf and tennis teams were allowed to begin competition in late September, as they are deemed low and medium contact risk sports.

For updated schedules, go to www.cameronaggies.com.

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ALMA MATTERS

Denise Floyd (BBA, ’04), Lawton, serves as Chairman and At-Large Representative of Defense Credit Union Council. She is President/ CEO of Fort Sill Federal Credit Union.

Alumni who received more than one degree are listed by year of most recent degree. Those who attended but did not graduate are listed under the year they would have graduated; or in some cases, the last year they attended. If you have changed your address, have a new job or have other news to share, contact the CU Office of Alumni Relations, 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton OK 73505, 580-581-2988; alumni@cameron.edu; or on the web at www.cameron.edu/alumni.

1940s Ray Maier (AA, ’48), Duncan, was inducted into the Duncan Athletic Hall of Fame in September. He has been in the sporting goods industry for 65 years and is a long-time supporter of athletes in Duncan and Stephens County.

1960s

CPT Gary “Mike” Rose (BA, ’77), Birmingham, Ala., was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in October.

Rose served as a Special Forces medic during the Vietnam War. For his actions during Operation Tailwind, he was presented with the Medal of Honor.

Robert Dean Hopper (BS, ’83), Lawton, celebrated 65 years of marriage to Shirley Hopper in September.

1980s

Dwight Singleton (AS, ’86), and his wife Cathy, Lawton, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July.

Jay Widdig (BS, ’84), Allen, Texas, is the Chief Financial Officer for Sebacia, Inc. He was previously vice president and CFO of OraMetrix, Inc.

Gabriele Lingenfelter (BACC, ’88), Yorktown, Va., was named Vice Chair by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

She is an accounting instructor at Christopher Newport University.

CPT. David Peters (AS, ’63), was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in October.

He was killed in action during the Vietnam War after volunteering for a rescue mission to look for wounded comrades. Peters was posthumously award the Silver Star for heroism.

Jimmy Kinder (BS, ’80), Walters, was appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Committee in June.

Kinder is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher in Cotton County and is an early adopter of no-till production practices.

1970s

William “Bill” H. Clark, Jr. (’BBA, ’81), Ada, has been appointed Chairman of the Board for Citizens Bank of Ada. Along with his two sons, he owns and operates Great Plains Kubota.

Nancy Davis (BBA, ’71), and Ralph Davis (BBA, ’72) Lawton, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August.

1990s

MG (Ret.) Toney Stricklin (BBA, ’75), was named State Regent Emeritus by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. He completed a nine-year term in May. R.J. Curry (’76), Sterling, has been recognized with the Outstanding Service Citation Award by the National Association of Agricultural Educators. A teacher at Central High Public Schools, he is one of only six recipients nationwide to be so honored.

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CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Robert Hedges (BA, BS, ’89), was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard in October. He is a 23-year veteran of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and is a longtime resident of Cotton County.

Dave Maddox (BBA, BS, ’83), McDonough, Ga., has joined nVision Global Technology Solutions as Senior Vice President, Sales Supply Chain.

He is also president of the Atlanta Roundtable for Council Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Tony Harvey (BS, ’90), Ypsilanti, Mich., is the assistant basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University. After starting his coaching career at Benton Harber High School in 1990, he has enjoyed more than 25 years as a coach.

Tanya Duren (AAS, ’90), Duncan, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for First Bank & Trust Co. in Duncan. She is a retired registered nurse.

Daniel Henry (BBA, ’92), Chicago, Ill., is Executive Vice President, Global CIO, at McDonald’s Corporation, where he oversees an organization responsible for the technologies supporting every area of the business.

Nick Fischer (BS, ’94), Duncan, was elected to the Duncan City Council. He represents Ward 2.

Jeff Simpson (BBA, ’95), Walters, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Rural Electric Association.

Glen Abshere (BS, ’98), Claremore, was named Executive Director of the Oklahoma Association of Elementary Principals in January. He was most recently principal of Westside Elementary School in Claremore.

B.C. Gilbert (BFA, ’97), Wichita Falls, Texas, served as the judge for the Chisholm Trail Arts Council’s annual Holiday Art Show and Sale.

Misty Thomas (BS, ’99), Copperas Cove, Texas, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Region 12 Education Service Center in Waco. She teaches chemistry at Copperas Cove High.

2000s

T.W. Shannon (BA, ’00), Oklahoma City, has been retained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a public liaison.

He will assist the House Redistricting Committee with public interaction and input.

Lynn Cordes (BA, ’01), Lawton, received the Region 6 and Oklahoma 2020 Whole Community Preparedness Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, honoring her work to organize and implement Operation Lawton F.I.R.S.T. Cordes serves as executive director of communications for Lawton Public Schools.

Lysbeth “Liz” George (BA, ’05), Blanchard, was selected to Super Lawyer’s list of Rising Stars for the sixth consecutive year. After launching her law career with Crowe & Dunlevy in 2011, she opened her own practice in 2019.

IN MEMORIAM Shirley Ahlschlager, Lawton Billy Joe Baxter, Byers, Texas Barbara Taylor Baycroft, Oklahoma City Routh Becker, Lawton Gerald Dwayne Bentley, ’60, Elgin Gary Lee Bird, ’97, Lawton Arthur Charles Blount, ’77, Carnegie Winona Brown, ’71, Central High Roy Eldon Brewster, ’77, Burkburnett, Texas Robert Eugene Buckner, Apache Fiona Jean Burdick, ’89, Manassas, Va. Carol Ann Burk, ’83, Duncan Dixie Lee Butler, ’83, Duncan Isa Cabrera, Lawton Hurchel E. Caldwell Sr, ’52, Lawton Mamie Isabelita Green Caldwell, Lawton Rubee “Jewel” Carter, Powell, Wyo. John Richard Cathey, Durant Elmer Cody, ’66, Apache Wayne F. Coffee, ’79, Claremore Donald L. Copeland, ’96, Duncan Joshua Tyler Cotton, ’20, Lawton James Edward Couch, ’43, Lawton Don Dale, ’60, Oklahoma City Patricia Darling, Oklahoma City Virgie Lee Davis, Duncan Wendy Michelle DeIorio, ’12, Cache Samuel Wayne Donley, Grandfield LTC (Ret.) Robert Emmett Downes, ’79, Orrington, Maine Gayle Lynn Dudley, ’91, Killeen, Texas Lester Dupler, ’57, Temple Concepcion H. Elizondo, ’78, Lawton Roy Lee Elkins, Walters Clentis Elliff, ’53, Lawton Cynthia “Cindy” Elliott, Lawton James Troy Ensey, Lawton Barbara Jean Fergeson, ’80, Lawton Joe Farley, Lawton Patricia L. Gannon, ’75, Lafayette, La. Judy Gray, Lawton Jeremy Green, ’17, Edmond Janet Louise Hammons, Madill Diana Commings Hicks, Wichita Falls, Texas

2010s

2020s

Kameron Good (AAS, BBA, ’20), Lawton, is now a staff member of CDBL, a Lawton construction company, where he assists with engineering drawings for multiple projects.

Brandi Sims (BA, ’12), Lawton, is the CEO of Brandinc PR, an Oklahoma-based public relations agency. She is a member of PRSA and is active in a number of Lawton civic groups.

Mark Scott (MBA, ’13), Lawton, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors by the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce in July. Scott is vice president of commercial relations for Arvest Bank.

Garnell Hastings, Lawton Paul Newell Hauser, Kingfisher Jean Dorothy Hicks, ’73, Killeen, Texas Normanda Irene Hinson, ’91, Lawton Virginia Ann Hormann, ’79, Lawton Rose Jackson, Houston, Texas Connie Jensen, ’72, Norman Renee C. Rodgers Karczewski, ’99, Lawton Mack Ketchum, ’02, Idaho Falls, Idaho Sunny Jean Nahno Knox, ’90, Chandler, Ariz.

Veronica Kraft, Lawton Frances Elizabeth “Betty” Lewis Kriz, Lawton Jon, Lagerberg, ’80, Frederick Zyvonne D. Langan, ’93, Hutchinson, Minn.

Nancy Jeanne Lawson, ’76, Lawton Betty Lenz, Colorado Springs, Colo.

William “Bill” Lewis, Lawton Dan Lindsey, Walters Ethridge W. “Bud” Lokey, Jr, ’87, Vicksburg, Miss.

Constance Jean Love, Bowling Green, Ohio Jack Lowery, Lawton Charles “Chuck” Edwin Lytle, Dallas, Texas Robert Wayne Lynn, Oklahoma City William “Bill” Joe Lynn, ’79, Marlow Jerry Glenn Marquart, Duke James McCampbell, Norman Cheryl Ann McLaughlin-Stanberry, ’01, Lawton James Leroy Miller, ’73, Mebane, N.C. Rudean Miller, Purcell Shirley Miller, Walters Vernon R. Miller, Ringling Alton G. Mindemann, Apache MSG (Ret.) James W. Mitchell Jr, ’89, Lawton Sandra Elaine Whitford Monette, ’95, Burgettstown, Pa. CW2 (Ret.) Bobby Jewell Morris, ’78, Lawton Juanita Pahdopony-Mithlo, ’67, Lawton MAJ (Ret.) Donald I. Paquin, ’75, Lawton Rickey Dan Pickens, ’94, Oklahoma City Leon G. Potvin, ’79, Flower Mound, Texas LTC (Ret.) Nathan Joseph Power, ’74, Frederick, Md. Jeffrey Varner Quoetone, ’02, Oklahoma City Billy Isom Redmon, ’52, Fletcher Curtis Eston “Curt” Reed, Elmore City

Kinsey Black (Class of 2024), Cache, is the recipient of the 2020 American Farmers & Ranchers/ Oklahoma Farmers Union Incoming Freshman Scholarship.

Clifford “Bud” Rhoads, ’51, Ardmore Rick Rollins, ’79, Oklahoma City Thomas Floyd Rudder, Anadarko Ronald Alan Rulison, Lawton Catherine Prince Sand, Lawton Kenneth Garrin Schettler, Sterling Frank Schrick, Frederick Chris ‘Carnage’ Scott, ’03, Lawton Joseph Roy Scott, Pass Christian, Miss.

Victoria Dawn Sample, ’78, Ogden, Utah Arnold “Bruce” Shippert, Casper, Wyo. Jack Simmons, Duncan Richard “Keith” Singleterry, Chickasha Charles W. Singleton, ’74, Lawton Palma J. “PJ” Smith, ’04, Comanche LaDonna Ann Spradlin, ’57, Tyler, Texas Kenneth Burl Stallworth Sr., ’84, Lawton SSG (Ret.) Ramon Talavera-Acevedo, ’82, Lawton Robert Jay Thaxton, Comanche Mary Charlene Duplechain Thierry, ’72, Lawton Betty Jane Vail, ’69, Apache John Paul Wade, Bennington Bertie Walls, ’73, Owasso Connie Sue Waters, ’78, Lawton Larry Earl Whitney, ’74, Duncan Sally E. Young, ’47, Fort Cobb

CU SUPPORTERS, FACULTY AND STAFF Tony Allison, Lawton Virginia Brewczynski, Lawton Carol Yvonne Cannon, Lawton Ruth Crabtree, Lawton Doyce Edgar Croy, Duncan Bennie B. Doane, Bastrop, Texas Tommy Flood, Lago Vista, Texas Preston Holsinger, Lawton Mary Lou Johnson, Lawton Valdelores Maples, Lawton

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CAMERON MAGAZINE

Attention: To submit an address change, please call the CU Office of Alumni Relations at 580.581.2988, or email alumni@cameron.edu

2800 West Gore Boulevard Lawton, Oklahoma 73505-6377 580.581.2211

ARE YOU READY FOR HOMECOMING 2021?

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT...A COMBINATION OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES.

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