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 received at UCO and believes she has done her best to represent her alma mater throughout her long career, just like the UCO educators who inspired her.

In addition to educating others, Bennett has tirelessly served her community through participation in several civic organizations. She is a past president for both the United Methodist Women and the American Association of

University Women.

Bennett has three children — Beth, Ben and Debbie — with six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She resides in her hometown of Hennessey.