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A Vision for the Arts

During his time at Central, President Don Betz fostered a new age for the arts.

A Library for Tomorrow

With support from the president, the library looks to leave its own legacy.

Reflecting on Legacy

Betz speaks in a final, candid conversation about his tenure at Central.

Beyond a Building

There is more to Central’s new STEM Center than meets the eye.

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A Common Thread

Architecture meets art in the design of Central’s newest addition.

Building Through Time

The UCO campus has expanded dramatically since Betz took office.

A New Legacy

Meet Central’s 21st president, Patti Neuhold.

Alumni Notes

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in

Memory

...a magazine published by the University of Central Oklahoma for its alumni and friends.

On the Cover

“Don Betz: Capturing a Legacy” — nearly a decade of service as the university’s president means that Don Betz’s impact is felt in every corner of campus. This issue of Old North does its best to capture the spirit of his legacy at Central.

Old North Staff

UCO President Don Betz

Vice President, University Communications

Charles Johnson (MFA ’17)

Editor Sarah Neese (BA ’15)

Art Director Craig Beuchaw (BA ’92)

Photographic Services Daniel Smith (BA ’77, MEd ’93)

Alumni Records Wendy Lackmeyer

A Final Farewell

Dear Friends,

Here at UCO we label the academic term from January to early May as the “Spring Semester,” though there are days when doing so seems to defy both logic and experience. In mid-February, the campus basked in 69 degrees of sun on one day, then chilled to a high of 28 degrees the next. We all know the tales about the climate in our state.

I have often thought that we so named this period, Spring Semester, in our academic community calendar in anticipation, in the hope, for the spring that timelessly has followed bare landscape of winter. Spring is our reward for passing the winter, and with it the promise of renewal.

This spring of 2019 is particularly reflective of change, and hope, all around us. In Oklahoma and in the OKC Metro, we have fresh, vibrant leadership taking first steps in new administrations. New and young, with our governor, OKC mayor and much of the dramatically changed legislature, younger by a generation in some instances than those they are succeeding in these responsible public service roles.

The torch of leadership across the spectrum of our society is passing to a new generation. Mindful of the past, this emerging leadership posse now stands on

the shoulders of their honored predecessors, equally dedicated to serving the people who have deputized them to lead and to act in the best interests of those people.

And so, too, here at Central. The promise of spring this year includes the passing of the mantle of leadership to the next president and to the team who will emerge to serve our faculty, staff and, importantly, our students.

By selecting Vice President of Finance Patti Neuhold as UCO’s 21st president, the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents has vested the presidential authority in a new generation, affirming that the pathway to such roles is open to all who are qualified and who are focused on the values and virtues that animate this unique, caring culture.

Twenty white men have held the president’s title over Central’s 129-year fabled history. A new, more inclusive tradition emerges this summer, when Patti assumes the responsibilities of the office.

This institution, which prides itself on fostering diversity and inclusion in serving all in the OKC Metro and the state, has publicly affirmed these priorities in this most distinctive manner. I am delighted to pass the mace of presidential authority to Patti, secure in the sense of her abilities and motivation, and in the proven quality and collaboration that animates the Central culture where character, civility and community have guided us for years.

Though I will continue as president until mid-summer, this is my last opportunity to connect with you via Old North.

There is no facile way to say thank you to all of you, to the thousands of people who have stepped up over the past 20 years to create the Central we have today. These past eight years have been the worst in the history of our state funding.

But we were not deterred. Encouraged by so many to maintain our focus on serving the people of this diverse Metro, we embraced our role as “Oklahoma’s Metropolitan University,” with imagination, creativity and innovation. Loyal friends and partners invested in our vision of engaging those who live here and who will constitute the foundation of productive, creative, ethical and engaged citizens and leaders.

Significantly, our faculty and staff never wavered. They create this culture every day, even when we were being intentionally under-resourced. They persisted and collected a cascade of accolades and recognitions, from local to global, along the way.

We knew why we were here, together, at this time and place. We embraced our stewardship role. It is to help students learn, communities to prosper and to take care of each other. I am deeply honored by the quality and spirit that thrives here at UCO.

Together, I believe we heard the call to serve, and we left the woodpile higher than we found it.

My gratitude is boundless. I have been deeply blessed to have passed this way with such exceptional women and men who live the power of learning, leading and serving.

Thank you, and may the brightest moments of UCO lie ahead, as it writes dynamic chapters in Oklahoma’s educational history for the next 129 years.

My sincere best wishes,

Don Betz

My gratitude is boundless. I have been deeply blessed to have passed this way with such exceptional women and men who live the power of learning, leading and serving.

A Vision for the Arts

by Ariel West

President

Don Betz has a passion for art, and for anyone that’s had the opportunity to speak with him, the depth of that passion becomes abundantly clear. As a testament to that passion, his 18-year tenure at UCO, first as provost and later as president, has been marked with numerous changes within the internal landscape of the university’s College of Fine Arts and Design.

To better understand Betz’s contributions to the college, it’s best to explore his involvement in its inception. Prior to 2000, performing arts and design degrees were housed under the College of Liberal Arts. That changed, however, in 2001, as then-provost Betz became instrumental in the development and establishment of the College of Arts, Media and Design, which later transitioned, in 2010, to the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD).

Betz’s service to UCO continued as he became its 20th president, and so, too, did his commitment to Central’s arts programs.

“One of my favorite things about President Betz is his appreciation for, support of and public recognition of excellence,” said Amy Johnson, M.F.A., chairperson and director of the Department of Design. “He has mentioned our department and our numerous student awards at every Fall Forum and has attended nearly every ADDY Awards Gala and Design Senior Show. Even when he isn’t able to attend, he publicly highlights Design’s excellence, which has been important to help us push ourselves and the students forward.”

Carrying the forward momentum of the college’s success, Betz recognized a need for growth. In November

2015, the university kicked off the “Build Mitchell Hall” project, aimed at expanding and revitalizing Central’s Mitchell Hall Theatre. The project gave the university’s lead performance venue a needed face-lift and added 17,000 square feet through the construction of an adjacent building – Mitchell Education Center, which officially opened in August 2017.

“President Betz was instrumental in the ‘Build Mitchell Hall’ project; without his support, I do not believe the Mitchell Education Center would have come to fruition,” said Kato Buss, Ph.D., chairperson of the Department of Theatre Arts.

In fact, Buss is certain that Betz’s support changed Central’s theatre program for the better.

“The [Mitchell Education Center] truly has transformed the Theatre Arts department and the learning experience of our students. President Betz believes in the power of theatre to expand our worldview through stories of shared humanity. His vision, dignity and ability to share the UCO story will not be soon forgotten,” Buss said.

Michelle Moeller, M.F.A., chairperson of the UCO Department of Dance, echoed Buss, acknowledging that Betz’s involvement has created new opportunities for Central students.

“Because of the Mitchell Hall build and President Betz’s support, we have been able to begin the only aerial dance program in the state. This tremendously impacts our students’ ability to be successful in many fields of performing dance,” Moeller said.

“President Betz has been a great supporter of the Department of Dance, frequently attending the Kaleidoscope Dance Concerts with his wife, [Suzanne].

His support, both in verbal praise and backing of the Mitchell Hall build, has made an impact on our department that will be felt for many years to come.”

The impact of the arts on Central’s campus also extends beyond Mitchell Hall. As part of its extensive renovations, Betz reserved several areas within Old North for dedicated gallery and display space. Presently, these spaces accommodate both rotating and permanent art exhibitions on every floor of the building, including work by students, faculty and alumni.

“By choosing to so prominently showcase works of visual art in the cornerstone of campus – Old North – the president showed a clear commitment to the role visual art has in our collective history as well as its ability to serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth into the future,” said David Maxwell, M.F.A., chairperson of the Department of Art.

CFAD has recognized Betz’s contributions to the arts at UCO by establishing the Don Betz Leadership in the Arts Award. The award is given each year to a CFAD student who displays excellence in the arts and is aimed at making an arts education more financially accessible.

As another token of appreciation, Central’s School of Music presents an annual President’s Concert to kick off its performing arts season. The concert, established in October 2015, demonstrates the skill and talent of the School of Music’s students and faculty, while simultaneously celebrating and recognizing Betz’s support of the arts. After Betz announced his retirement, the School of Music again celebrated his continued advocacy with a farewell President’s Concert. During the event, Brian Lamb, D.M.A., director of the School of Music, welcomed President Betz on stage to conduct the final piece of the concert as a “thank you” from the School of Music.

Lamb remarked that though Betz’s tenure as president is drawing to an end, his continued drive for the growth of CFAD and its programs have paved the way for a brighter future for the college.

“[President Betz] fostered a culture of collaboration on campus and has pushed for the advancement of the arts for the past 18 years. He has this ability to dream big, and he inspires others to pursue those audacious goals.” ON

A Library for Tomorrow

by Lauren Best

For those who have heard him speak, President Don Betz’s frequent references to the University of Central Oklahoma’s founding members and its first class in 1890 serve as a familiar anecdotal lesson in legacy. As he often states, that relatively small group of people – full of promise and ambition – had the vision to see something that existed far beyond themselves, beyond their reach; they saw into the future. Betz refers to this founding class as a reminder that the current stewards of UCO are simply standing on the shoulders of those who came before them.

Betz often invokes the sentiment that the Central community has the privilege and responsibility of continuing the work and vision of those who created the institution. To many, Betz has the same ability as Central’s founding members – the ability to see into the future beyond his own actions, and one of the pivotal pieces of Betz’s lasting legacy is his continued support of libraries and what lies within their walls. Throughout his tenure as president, and with his committed direction, Central’s Max Chambers Library has advanced as a space for learning, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and, perhaps most notably, preservation.

For any president, university or otherwise, archiving his or her presidential tenure is a practical step in preserving a piece of history. Archives, both digital and physical, provide firsthand access to documents, photographs, letters or mementos of value for discovery and study by future generations. For Betz, the archival process started even before his presidential appointment. He began curating archives of his personal papers while serving as Central’s provost in the 1990s.

After announcing his retirement last summer, however, Betz took a more active role in archiving. He worked with Nicole

Willard, assistant director of the Max Chambers Library, to process his personal and presidential papers and decide what should be included in his presidential archive.

“He understands history; he understands the importance of archives, and he is definitely a visionary,” Willard said.

“Betz keeps a diary of everything he does every day. These diaries might be interesting to someone 200 years from now. Now, it’s just mundane, but in 200 years it will be really exciting.”

Through the archival process, future generations of Bronchos, historians and researchers will have access into the mind and ideas of President Betz and a glimpse into the life of a university president in 2019.

“Think 125 years from now. Anything we’re doing now is going to be fascinating. The further away we get from this period, the more fascinating it becomes,” Willard said.

Though Betz looks towards a legacy that touches the next century’s students, he also has emphasized the importance of transforming learning for this generation’s students. Upon returning to Central for his presidency in 2011, Betz had a vision to create more “learning commons” spaces to better suit the evolving needs of students and educators.

“Everywhere he goes, he always visits the library,” Willard said. “Betz had been back to the University of Denver, where he received his graduate degree, and they had built a new learning commons building. When he came back [to Central], the idea was in his head, ‘how can we do something like this here?’”

Bucky Dodd, the chief learning innovation officer for Central’s Center for eLearning and Connected Environments (CeCE), was appointed to the initial learning commons task force.

“As we walked through the library, prior to the many renovations and changes, we noticed students were trying to make

it work for themselves,” Dodd said. “Students were dragging these heavy pieces of furniture into a configuration to support the work they were doing. We wanted to create an environment, with both digital and physical spaces, that were flexible and conducive to learning.”

The creation of the learning commons spaces in the library saw the addition of group study rooms and the Innovation Studio. With cutting-edge technology, many students and faculty now can access 3D printers, a green screen room and virtual reality equipment. Additionally, the library is in the process of creating more nontraditional spaces for students, faculty and the UCO community to connect, collaborate and create information.

“The future of the library is one of not just access to information but one of connecting information, of growing new information,” Dodd said. “Libraries that find themselves in the most innovative light will embrace that vision. They’ll recognize that learning happens across different modalities, across different technologies. They truly are a partner in a student or person’s collective learning environment.”

Willard echoed this vision of interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We’ve become more of a ‘place,’” Willard said. “Learning commons are about providing those spaces where students or researchers can come together and create new knowledge with their interactions and their studies.”

With a strong focus on fostering connections between students and the surrounding community, Betz hasn’t neglected to spark curiosity and the spirit of collaboration within that community –comprised largely of Central’s faculty and staff.

In 2016, Betz began the Presidential Book Club in which faculty, staff and students could come together to read books that Betz personally recommended. In addition to hosting a book club, Betz facilitated an end-of-the-semester wrap-up session with book club participants, to discuss ideas and to further connect.

“It was great for UCO employees to develop professionally outside of attending a class,” said Fran Petties, director of Central’s Professional Development department and co-creator of the clubs. “This was another way for them to reflect, share ideas, meet other people, compare and contrast, grow, and even share personal things in a small group setting that they may not normally do in a bigger setting.”

Betz has continued to facilitate and host the President Book Clubs each semester, and community participation has grown since its creation.

Alongside his papers, diaries and notes, Betz’s involvement in creating the library’s learning commons and his campus book club participation are sure to appear in his archives, representing his personal legacy of leadership – a legacy focused on creating a better future and the collaboration it takes to do so. ON

Reflecting on a Legacy of Learning, Leading and Serving

A Conversation with President Don Betz

by Adrienne Nobles

Don Betz is comfortable in the spotlight, but he doesn’t crave it. This mix of confidence and humility is just one of the many qualities that has endeared him to many during his nearly 50 years in higher education, which includes successful terms as the top executive at three universities. After announcing his plans to retire as Central’s president after eight years of service in June 2019, the spotlight has intensified, with various accolades and well wishes pouring in. He has the unique opportunity to both consider his legacy and his future. It’s a position where both his confidence and humility shine.

We spoke candidly with Betz about his legacy and plans for the future as he prepared to speak at his last Faculty and Staff Spring Forum, an annual “State of the Union”-type address to kick off the spring semester.

OLD NORTH: So, are you tired of all the attention yet?

BETZ: A lot of the comments over the past several months are, “What are you going to do now? Do you have a 14-point plan? You’ll have so much time.” I have a lot of things I still want to do. It’s being driven by age. I love this place. I love what I have done over the years and the people I met, but I also know this is not a never-ending story. I have plans to continue to focus on development of education in Oklahoma and economic development.

ON: You are still very engaged. No lame duck here.

B: That’s a very good point. I almost didn’t announce until January because I didn’t want to get caught in that. We have been so engaged in all these projects. It’s not been a “watching the clock tick” time.

ON: How are you feeling right now as you ease into your last semester? What is it like to be actively considering your legacy?

B: It is a weird concept. I usually shy away from it because that will be determined by others. I just want to be able to look back and feel…I didn’t plan it to come out this way, but I am very blessed that it did. I am thankful for all of the people that have passed through my life. And plan to pass through a few more lives before I’m done.

ON: Let’s go back a bit. What did you want to be when you grew up?

B: Early on as a young boy I was interested in global things; I used to put maps up on my walls. When I was 10 years old, I won a pitching contest. There was an article in the Seattle Times about it, with the headline “10-Year-Old Pitching Whiz Wants to be Diplomat When He Grows Up,” and I said I want to work at the United Nations. Well, little did I know that was going to work out. Those stirrings were there from the beginning. As an undergraduate in San Francisco, I was considered for a year abroad as a sophomore. And in those days, it wasn’t as prevalent as it was now. So, I spent a year at a university in Rome from 1964-65. To call it a defining experience is an understatement. It confirmed the tendencies and proclivities that were already there.

ON: As you progressed from professor to provost to president, what have you learned about leadership?

B: When I look back and think what were the reasons some of these things were successful or gratifying, it’s the people I worked with who stepped up and up and up. It’s always about who we were serving, what way did we create a new opportunity. I remember when I brought the first national speaker to Tahlequah (at Northeastern State University) – it was Howard K. Smith, a prominent television anchor. We had 800 people show up. I was walking out, and a man, probably about 80 years old or so,

looked like he had a tear in his eye and said “I never thought I would see something like this in my community. I’ll never look at Northeastern the same way.” I thought “wow!” You create circumstances where people can learn and experience things they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to. That’s always been in the back of my mind – if we do this project, initiative, program, who will benefit? And how long will they benefit – a flash in the pan or a sparkler that goes out? Or does it grow over time, building? Did we create pathways? And part of that is to have consistency. I use the term authenticity a lot. It continues to crowd into my thoughts. More and more, I am subconsciously separating people in my head between those who are authentic and those who are not. You have to be ready for opportunities. It’s not about luck; it’s what did you bring to the story. Is it the real you? Were you fraudulent in who or what you presented? I do a lot of mentoring of new presidents, and I tell them to never give a false echo, even if it’s going to benefit you for the moment. Once they realize it was hollow, you will have lost your integrity. You can never get it back. The issue of authenticity is almost at the nexus of true leadership.

ON: What aspects of leadership – and other factors –do you think are essential for a university president?

B: Stamina. Love of the work. Not counting the hours you spend

but the opportunities you have a chance to make an impact. Why would I do this instead of being a professor of international affairs? The key difference for me came when I saw that I could impact 65 or so students in this class, or I can affect 250 or 20,000 from another position. You can make decisions on behalf of students and communities that open up opportunities. And if you choose well and surround yourself with people who are motivated by similar values and virtues, you can make things happen.

ON: I’m going to say a few phrases related to your time here at Central – tell me what those words bring to mind. First, Old North, the university’s oldest building.

B: Oh boy – wow – alive again. I was the purveyor of the problem. I had to go to Roger (Webb, the UCO president he succeeded and served as UCO provost) and say we can’t put people in here anymore. We had to close it. And then to come back and still have it closed was a hard thing for me. Then, of course, thanks to so many people, more than a thousand donors, we were able to bring it back to life. I love seeing students on the second floor, in the classrooms. This building belongs to all of us. There’s a big smile on my face when I think of Old North.

ON: Transformative Learning.

B: I think Transformative Learning (TL) will end up being one of the most significant contributions the University of Central Oklahoma will make to higher education. So many institutions want to emulate it. We’ve tapped into something very fundamental about the next phase of education.

ON: The new STEM building, which now bears your name.

B: The naming – that was a surprise. The building itself represents our response to the state who said, “we need graduates who are ready, willing and able to fill these positions in the future.” We’ll give them prepared graduates, but it’s also the spirit in which they will serve, animated by the spirit of the institution. They’ll also have the TL competencies and institutional values. The STEM building is a window on the future of the institution. Old North and STEM are like two book ends. They are brick and mortar, but they are so much more. The STEM building, because of the way it’s designed, will always be becoming – especially under good leadership, which we have.

ON: Metropolitan University.

B: It’s the distinctive characteristic among other universities in the state. We are the only metropolitan university in Oklahoma. Founded in the middle of nowhere and now an institution serving the largest metro in the state. We haven’t reached our full potential in this respect. Though there are strong ideas and energy, the lack of funding means we haven’t been able to make all of the investments we want. At some point, I could see us having a metro campus smack in the middle of the innovation district. Very proud of that project and everyone that’s made it happen.

What ties together all of these projects is that they are not one-person shows. They have happened because this family of doers do. We say thanks and praise them, but I think they do it for the love of the game…the reason why they are here. When people ask me about our culture here and what makes it special…it’s in the water because we brew the water. I can stand up all day and pontificate, but if there is no genuine connection to the reality of what our soul is then it’s hyperbole. But when it captures the essence of us, it’s almost overpowering rather than empowering. I can give you examples of things that should have never been able to happen here that happened. This whole time during the downturn…the campus is different…it’s very, very different…to serve for the next 40-50 years different. And not just for the moment – the spirit that drove people to build this place continues to live in us when we make those kinds of decisions.

ON: Most of us can only imagine how challenging being a university president really is. How have you remained centered and motivated?

B: You have responsibility that’s fairly larger, but you have good

people around you to help. You believe in what the institution is doing. You make mistakes, sometimes we stub our toe and apologize. We admit when we’re wrong and work to make it right. The motivation is trying to do the best you can do This is a classic service leadership job. This is not an autocracy. This is a multilevel democratic system. The greatest power, the greatest tool I would have – anybody has – is moral suasion. It’s your ability to motivate, to understand and to offer solutions for what is best to the body politic. And sometimes it’s not what people want to hear. But if you prepare them right, don’t keep them in the dark…you have to be very clear about the circumstances you’re facing. That notion of knowing what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and communicating honestly is very important to me.

ON: What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing higher ed? And what is your advice facing them?

B: My advice is…it’s only just begun and you must be the stewards. Not you should – it’s an imperative. Our mandate is very different than state government or businesses. Our mandate is to prepare this society. We don’t get to walk away from that as an institution. It’s like when people ask what was the intent of the framers of the Constitution, are we being true to that? What was the intention people had when they didn’t have anything? What was their fondest wildest dream of what could be? What would they think if they walked on this campus now? They probably would have no words to describe what has happened. What is it going to be like two generations after us? Hopefully in some appropriate format, we’ll still be educating the next generation.

ON: You are known for your passion for inspiring quotes. They are displayed throughout campus. Where did that come from? What is your all-time favorite?

B: I started thinking about quotations when I was a debater because sometimes the right quote at the right moment can really change the dialogue or spark an idea. I find with students or groups that I work with, if you can give them two or three quotes in comments, they will remember it later on. To give you a single quote…I give the staff here three or four a week. I can’t give you a single one. I do love “I’m an idealist with no illusions.” (John F. Kennedy) And the Oliver Wendell Holmes one, “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”

That really fits our world here. Don’t you dare fall back when you’ve been exposed to something new. That’s the elasticity of who we are as human beings…now been stretched to a new dimension. I usually like the shorter ones. I believe that, deep inside of all of us, we yearn to be inspired. I tell students that I hope they learn a lot while they’re here, that you’re motivated but also that you are occasionally inspired, because you can be inspired by others here. Inspiration is the intersection of the divine and human. They come together.

ON: What do you think you will miss most?

B: Oh, the students and my colleagues! I’m sure the routine, too. It will be difficult to adjust to not having the routine. I’m not regimented, but there are things that happen each day, even on the weekends. So, I know there will be a period of adjustment. I am already telling myself that I will not be here the day you open the fall semester. I will be drawn to the ballrooms to watch the next president address the university.

ON: What’s next for you?

B: No solid plans. What I am likely not to do is to take another full-time job. I enjoy working with people who aspire to be university presidents and have done that on a pro-bono basis with AASCU. Maybe I can do something where it’s not so pro bono? Finding people with that talent base and want, to take up this mantel of service, is inspiring to me, and the talent pool out there is expanding. I’ve worked primarily with underserved populations – women, people of color, LGBTQ, Hispanic, African-American – the reservoir is very deep. Susanne and I also plan to spend more time with our grandkids and daughter in Austin. Travel…as if I’m not traveled out by now, but in a different way than I have recently. It’s not beyond my view to teach again, but on a less than full-time basis. There are also leaders in this state that I respect and admire, so maybe do something with them.

ON: What is your advice for the next UCO president?

B: Surround yourself with authentic, caring, talented people who understand that their ego is not the reason why they have this position...and that the team is more than the sum of its parts. That your honesty and integrity will build trust and the most important dimension of being a leader is to be trustworthy. Don’t sacrifice it for a moment. Always know that you are the servant…the keeper of the flame…the steward of this place. ON

A Presidential Resume

To better understand the legacy of Don Betz, it’s important to understand where he’s come from and what he’s done. Below are just some of Betz’s many achievements.

Education

Betz began his education at Loyola University, studying abroad for one year in Rome, Italy. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science, followed by his master’s and doctoral degrees in international studies, at various universities. In the interim, Betz participated in several summer programs, including the National Defense Foreign Language (NDFL) Arabic Language and Culture Institute, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute in International Relations. He rounded out his formal education through attendance at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Institute for Educational Management, in 1999.

Work

For more than two decades, Betz worked at Northeastern State University, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as a member of faculty and administration. Alongside his higher education responsibilities, he served as a consultant to the United Nations, before dedicating the majority of his career to universities across the nation. He went on to be provost and vice president at Central, followed by tenures as chancellor of University of Wisconsin-River Falls and, later, president of Northeastern State University. Betz was appointed president of UCO in 2011.

Recognition

In 1991, Betz received the Medal of Excellence in University Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Twenty years later, he was named a 2011 Fulbright-Hays Seminars for President Scholar, Jordan and Oman. Throughout his presidency at UCO, Betz continued to garner accolades, including:

• Oklahoma Arts Council Governor’s Award, in 2012;

• Induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, in 2013;

• Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Leadership and Humanitarian Award, in 2015;

• Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate, in 2016;

• World Experiences Foundation Global Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2016;

• Oklahoma Creativity Ambassador, in 2018;

• Oklahoma Political Science Association Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2018;

• Edmond Chamber Citizen of the Year, in 2018; and,

• Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2019.

Beyond a Building Blueprint

by Sarah Neese

When it came time to name the new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) building on Central’s campus, UCO leadership wanted a name that would carry the legacy of what was and what is to come. After approval from the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the building was christened as the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center.

As its namesake, Betz has saturated his tenure in higher education with an emphasis on connection and interdisciplinary, transformative learning. A gesture in preserving this legacy, the STEM building now stands emblazoned with his name, encapsulating this spirit of interdisciplinary learning for students who walk campus today and in the many days to come.

The following pages detail the impact of the work – present and planned – inside the center’s walls and how even the building’s design sheds light on the power of cooperation across disciplines.

“The future belongs to the curious. The ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out.”

Elliott, the principal architect for Elliott + Associates Architects and one of the visionaries responsible for the building’s design, stressed the importance of the idea of collaboration in every aspect of the research and learning center.

“There’s so much emphasis these days on people being put next to someone, where you don’t think there’s anything in common, and you find out, through conversation, that you can learn something,” Elliott said. “You put a medical doctor across from an aerospace engineer and, suddenly, there’s some cross-

pollination that starts to click, and it starts to make something happen.”

While there can be no doubt that the spirit of innovation resides in every corridor and classroom of UCO’s newest building, the tangible impact of its purpose may seem more abstract. STEM is an idea, a movement, a directive. How will the interdisciplinary, collaborative work of students, faculty and staff inside the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center reach beyond its walls?

On a brisk afternoon in November 2018, UCO welcomed the public to look inside its newly finished Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center. A project that came to fruition over nearly a decade, the STEM building houses a variety of labs, classrooms and collaborative spaces, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and, as architect Rand Elliott describes it, cross-pollination.

Medical Momentum

Perhaps the most apparent effect of the work possible in Central’s STEM building relates to the field of medicine. It may not seem immediately obvious to onlookers, but through the glass windows of each lab holds the possibility to improve countless lives.

Through the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques and a process known as deep learning, researchers aim to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities. Currently, they are working to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers – more commonly known as bedsores – while, in a similar vein, development continues on simulation technology that allows young children with severe motor impairments to practice wheelchair navigation.

These same processes are guiding students to explore new ways to assist in more effective overall recovery for knee injuries, while students and faculty work nearby to develop nanomaterials for use in biomedical implants and other devices, utilized most notably in joint replacements. This work in adjacent spaces harnesses a synergy between engineering, physics, nanotechnology and biomedicine. Mathematics and medicine may not seem

synonymous, but within the scope of this environment, researchers will use mathematical models in an effort to better understand how blood clots degrade, ultimately intended to aid in proposals for safer, more efficient stroke treatments.

In a more hands-on approach to medicine, the STEM building boasts a state-of-the-art nursing simulation and practice lab, which allows students to practice clinical decision-making skills in a more reallife environment. The eight-bed ward includes a nurse station and simulation spaces for maternity, pediatric and adult care, as well as an isolation room.

On the same floor and across the hall sits another lab – visually inconsequential but scientifically groundbreaking. There, students and professors share space and ideas, all centered on cancer research. More specifically, researchers continue the study and development of laser-based immunotherapy, used in the treatment of late-stage, metastatic breast cancer, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. According to preliminary clinical study results, this method could both destroy local tumors and eliminate untreated metastases in other areas of the body, which could provide effective treatment for patients with severely limited options.

Fingerprints and Fauna

The innovative momentum isn’t confined within the world of medicine. Other labs within the STEM building focus on the field of forensics.

As a complement to Central’s already nationally-recognized Forensic Science Institute (FSI), the building houses new labs for the investigation of crime evidence. Students will get hands-on experience with handling, processing and examining evidence, offering insight into real forensic processes. Additionally, there is a separate lab for exploring digital evidence, used to solve both physical crimes and cybercrimes (identity theft and fraud).

Forensics takes a turn on the wild side in another area of the building, with space dedicated to the study and research of wildlife forensics. Central is home to a first-of-its kind wildlife forensics DNA sequencing network. This network allows researchers at UCO to send and receive DNA information about animals and plants to other researchers across the world. With this technology, wildlife forensics experts will work to revolutionize the protection and conservation of threatened and endangered animals. Using a “DNA trail,” researchers also can help national and international partners reduce the amount of illegal animal poaching and plant harvesting.

Computational Cooperation

Central’s mathematics and computer science students and faculty are no strangers to the power of an effective network. In fact, they’re helping to connect researchers from across the state through the use of Buddy, a supercomputer located in the STEM building. Students and faculty at Oklahoma educational institutions can access Buddy for processes that require a high performance of computation, like complex data analysis.

Researchers at Central are working to create a system that will help search through and organize large amounts of data, using machine learning and neural networks, similar to those in the human brain. A system like this could benefit big-data platforms, which are used to collect, order and store a high volume of information. The banking, government, health care and education industries all utilize big-data platforms.

The STEM building also is home to Project SCHOLAR, which offers statistical consulting help for organizational leaders and academic researchers. Students in the program work with UCO students, faculty and staff, as well as industry and nonprofit organizations within the community, to provide a number of services, including: designing experiments, identifying trends, analyzing surveys, developing statistical models and interpreting results. Through this program, students gain experience with real-world clients and applications of statistical methods, and campus and community members benefit from the completion of necessary projects.

“In the new STEM building, the SCHOLAR group has its own conference room,” said Tracy Morris, Ph.D., vice chairperson of UCO’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics and a Project SCHOLAR faculty adviser. “It’s been nice to have a professional space where we can all gather and work. It’s also been nice to share a building with collaborators and potential clients from other departments in the college. I have no doubt that this new space will facilitate future collaborations and connections, both on and off campus.”

The work of students and faculty within the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center is defining what STEM means to the university, the community and beyond. In an abstract sense, the STEM projects on campus can be categorized as the daily use of test tubes, beakers, microscopes and formulas. But, when looked at through a practical lens, the day-to-day workings of Central’s newest building lay the foundation for innovation that has the potential to change lives. ON

A Common Thread

How the architecture of the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center facilitates connection

by Sarah Neese

Withan emphasis on transformative and interdisciplinary learning, Central’s new STEM center is built to foster connections. In fact, according to the building’s architects, Rand Elliott, Mike Mays and Ben Butler, every inch of the 56,000-squarefoot structure was designed with collaboration in mind.

Elliott, principal architect with Elliott + Associates Architects, explained that collaboration extended to the building’s creation itself, as Central worked alongside the three architects in finding new and exciting ways to bring the vision of a STEM center to life.

“We bring a fresh perspective and a new interpretation about what it means to take silos away and put people together and watch it happen.”

The concepts for the STEM center began many years ago, as a delegation of Central leaders met with Elliott, Mays and Butler. President Don Betz; Provost John Barthell, Ph.D.; and Wei Chen, Ph.D., dean of the College of Mathematics and Science, all had a hand in the process.

“When we started out, Dr. Chen and the executive committee were instructing us and giving their aspirations and dreams for what this building could be, and part of that was that it would be interdisciplinary, collaborative and not be compartmentalized,” Mays said. “Rather than it being these individual pieces, it’s one big building where everybody is doing different things, but they can run into each other and say, ‘Maybe we can work on something together.’ That was really one of the main functional requirements and aspirations, before we even started laying out the blocks in this building.”

For anyone who enters the center, it quickly becomes apparent that these aspirations came to fruition. Bright, reflective floors give way to high, open ceilings. Windows skirt the building from top to bottom and light permeates the interior, creating a sense of innovative electricity.

“We want, and the college wanted, to create a space that kept

Pictured, from left, are Ben Butler, Mike Mays and Rand Elliott.

students here. It’s being able to create a space that has energy,” Mays said. “[A space] that was able to engage them in an exciting environment and to keep them here to study, hang out, talk to their professors and be able to really spend their time here.”

Early sketches of the building took many iterations, but “Then and Now” struck a chord.

which runs throughout the building.

“It’s called the thread,” Elliott said. “We always like to embed our projects with something that has a philosophical point of view. A ‘why are we here’ kind of thing. Here, a thread is something you follow as you’re trying to solve a problem. There’s an idea or a series of ideas that you follow along the way. This thread, which goes all the way through the building and connects to other things on campus, is an important reminder of what science is all about. It’s about following this thread. And it isn’t always straight; it’s often circuitous trying to find a particular solution.

“We believe in embedding a building with more than just doors and windows and a roof and a floor. If you have a philosophical point of view, if you have a message that you’d like to send, there’s an energy that goes with that.”

The thread weaves around the building, leading visitors by labs and along classrooms. Each of the center’s labs possesses a unique feature – clear windows. As students, faculty and guests walk past each lab, they are offered an opportunity to peer in and see the ongoing work within.

“In other iterations, science is a mystery,” Mays said. “Here, you can walk through and you can see, whether you know what [researchers] are doing or not. You can understand something’s going on; somebody’s doing something in there. And if you’re able to go in and talk about it, that’s great. It piques interest.”

The center’s glass classrooms and labs further promote engagement as students face toward the teacher and away from the glass window, helping to keep learning focused at the front of the room.

Attention-to-detail didn’t stop at the building’s interior, however.

The concept for the exterior of the center is called “Then and Now,” which stemmed from early conversations with Betz and the executive leadership team.

“Dr. Betz said it needs to be a building that respects our history. His direction for us was ‘I need to capture the history of this campus, and I also need to make a statement about what the future is like,’” Elliott said. “Thatcher Hall is what part of the building is inspired by, so there’s a respect for history, but there’s also a looking forward.”

“[Betz] said one of his favorite things to do is to give someone a tour, and they start on the ‘then’ side, which is the west side of the building, and it has this really nice feeling, and the tile roof and all that. And when they come around to the east side, they’re sort of dumbfounded, like ‘wow, this is dramatically different.’ His point was that UCO is not necessarily what you expect.”

Exceeding expectations is a driving force for the present and future of the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center.

“When Betz did his speech at the [STEM building] opening, he talked about timelessness,” Butler stated. “He said, ‘One hundred years from now, there will be people walking in this space, and what we’ve done will inspire them.’ And I think that’s a good reason why this building is named after him – the timelessness of it, the feeling that you get when you walk in – the energy, the inspiration.” ON

Building Through

CHK|Central Boathouse

April 2015

Christened as “where art meets the river,” the boathouse is home to the UCO Women’s Rowing team, as well as an art gallery, performance stage and event space.

UCO Downtown

September 2015

Home to undergraduate and graduate courses from each of the university’s six colleges, UCO Downtown at the Carnegie Center brings a Central education to the city’s center.

Softball Complex

March 2017

The Broncho Softball Stadium, home to national champions, underwent major renovations, adding more room, turf and spectator facilities.

The Quad (Transformative Learning Quadrangle)

August 2015

According to President Don Betz, “where you live is where you learn,” and Central’s newest housing structure is home to several livinglearning communities.

Old North February 2017

“Old North is an important part of Central’s history,” Betz said, during its reopening, as students, faculty and staff were welcomed back into UCO’s oldest building.

Mitchell Education Center

August 2017

The addition to Central’s Mitchell Hall houses rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, classrooms, a green room, a full costume shop, a makeup lab and gallery space.

Through Time

Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center November 2018

A look at how the Don Betz presidency changed the Central landscape

South Central Plant Fall 2017

The new heating-andcooling plant serves Central’s growing campus and was planned to keep up with infrastructure changes for years to come.

The president’s namesake, the center includes state-of-the-art research labs, classrooms, faculty office space and is home to the UCO supercomputer, Buddy.

Sports Performance Center September 2018

In addition to state-of-the art strength and conditioning equipment, the sports facility also includes an academic center, a nutrition center and athletic office space.

Liberal Arts Addition Summer 2019

Set to open in time for fall 2019 classes, the expansion sees the addition of a lecture hall, new atrium, a coffee bar, study area and new classrooms.

North Hamilton Annex Fall 2019

The addition to Hamilton Field House will include a new practice gym, a wrestling room and new locker rooms for six of Central’s varsity sports teams.

New Dining Facility Spring 2020

The center will feature a range of serving stations and seating for more than 500 people and will focus on providing healthier meal options, prepared fresh.

Patti Neuhold: A New Leading Legacy

With the end of Betz’s era as president drawing near, a new face steps into the spotlight to begin the next tenure as president. Patti Neuhold, Central’s vice president of finance and chief financial officer, was named the university’s 21st president and officially will step into the role July 1, 2019. For some, Neuhold is a quiet presence, operating behind-the-scenes. We sat down with her for a quick round of questions, in an effort to shed light on the new legacy she hopes to create at Central.

OLD NORTH: What are you most looking forward to about serving as UCO’s new president?

NEUHOLD: I love who we are and what we do, and it’s very easy for me to get excited about being the president here. I really look forward to us being an innovative and responsive partner to our metro, the state, to our community and to society. I feel like we have so much to offer, and we’re here to meet the very important needs of our citizens. We are in such a unique position to be able to do that, and in the way we do it – the very personal touch that we have. The experience that students have had with us is what our story is about, and I’m excited to be able to tell that story with passion, with excitement, and hopefully engage a whole new generation of people in what we do here.

ON: What are some of your favorite ways to connect with those across campus and within the community at large?

N: For me, it’s about making sure that I am connected when we have campus events. That I’m flipping pancakes when I can, that I’m out there playing cornhole with people on an Employee Appreciation Day, that I’m volunteering when I can. To make sure that I’m out there talking with the people that I’ve worked sideby-side with for my career here. I enjoy knowing the stories of the people here, and I think that’s what makes me even more deeply connected – being connected personally to those people. For my career, I was on a great number of committees and task forces that were cross-functional across campus. The relationships I built in those opportunities, on committees and such, are still relationships today that are very important to me. I know people that I would never have met otherwise had I not volunteered to be in those situations. So, I’d say that’s how I’ve done it over time, and now, it’s just making sure that I pause and that I connect with people as I have that opportunity.

ON: What initially influenced you to pursue a job at UCO?

N: I was looking for a change. I was running our family business at the time. I knew that I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my

life… so I felt like I needed to change lanes. I had a great master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree that I wanted to see if I could put to use outside of the family business and see where it could take me, and an opportunity came up at UCO while I was looking, and I thought, “Let’s do this.” UCO had a great reputation. UCO is a beautiful campus. The people that I had met that had worked at UCO were very kind and genuine people, and I thought, “I’ll give it a shot.”

ON: So then, what encouraged you to pursue the role as president?

N: Responsibility has followed me throughout my career. As is the case with many people, if you’re known for doing something well, people often give you more to do. That’s part of how this all builds over a lifetime. I seek diversity in what I do and opportunities to interact with people, and all of these moments culminate in this idea of what it takes to be a part of a larger community. The more I learned about UCO, through those diverse interactions, through those committees, the more I loved where I was and who I was around. I think that, as a leader, it has always excited me to think about what I can accomplish through leading a positive team. It’s so much more than I could ever do on my own. When I look at what I can do in the role of the president, I just see that’s the next step. How much more can we accomplish, in order to make sure that we shepherd this place into its next era? Very deliberately and thoughtfully, and make sure that we continue the culture that we have here – the culture of collaboration. I think that’s what excites me.

ON: What legacy do you hope to leave as the university’s first female president?

N: When I think about the presidency and why I want to do this and what kind of legacy I want to leave behind, I want UCO to be known not only for innovative thinking but innovative action. So often, we talk about innovative thinking – neat ideas, great ideas, thoughtful directions – but we have to pair that with action in order to get to that next step, clear the path and be ready for the next opportunity that comes our way. For me, the opportunity to be president helps me be able to connect our innovative thinking with innovative action.

ON: What priorities, if any, do you have as you begin your presidency?

N: As I look at priorities, for me, number one is listen intently with an open mind. I have been leading from a specific perspective, and it’s my turn to listen differently now. I need to be focused broadly. I need to keep in mind the whole picture, the wholistic view of our institution. It’s my responsibility to keep the priorities of the whole institution aligned and headed in the right direction. Another priority for me is interacting with and getting to know our students. Just being visible and being someone in their world who is an accessible leader. I’m so excited by the energy of our students and amazed by what they accomplish. I want to know more stories of students. I want to hear the joys, and I want to hear the struggles. I want to know how I can better make a change. I think, most importantly, that my priorities are going to be those that move the institution forward. I’m going to listen. I’m going to interact with people, but I need to make sure that I’m moving the institution forward.

ON: What issues are you most passionate about when it comes to higher education?

N: Access and affordability for students in our metro to have a quality education. I want our city, our metro and our state to look to us and know that we are the partner that can help change generations. We are the partner that can help lift families into a better place. We can change how much these families earn over a lifetime, in a way that impacts other generations behind them. I want to make sure that, even though the state has withdrawn support from us to a great extent, that we are still here to do what we’re meant to do and be who we’re meant to be – that is to be that beacon for people, where they know that they can come and learn. We have such a tremendous amount of talent on this campus when it comes to our faculty, who are working directly with students. The personal touch we have to offer is unique in the state. Great education is all across

the state, but here, it’s a place where people can achieve without having to extend their pocketbooks beyond a reasonable amount.

ON: Lastly, what do you want the campus community to know about you?

N: I would want people to know that I’m excited to be part of our community. I’m

excited to serve our students in this new role. I look forward to finding ways to help people, to give people reasons to be proud to be connected to UCO. I really believe in this place and in these people. I’m very connected to the reason why we’re here. I look forward to building relationships with people in new ways, to build paths together and to blaze a trail. ON

ALUMN i NOTES

’73

George W. Moore, Ph.D., (BSEd ’73, MEd ’83) recently was promoted to full professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas. He has been on the faculty at Sam Houston since fall 2006 and currently teaches in the doctoral and master’s degree programs in Educational Leadership. He also serves as the coordinator and adviser in the Instructional Leadership program at the university.

’92 Craig Freeman (BA ’91, MA ’92) now is Oklahoma City’s city manager. Freeman began his career with the City of Oklahoma City shortly after graduating from Central, earning several promotions along the way and later becoming the city’s finance director in 2011.

’93

Jared Giddens, J.D., (BS ’78) recently was named as chairperson of Conner and Winters, an Oklahoma-based law firm with locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Arkansas, Dallas, Houston and Washington, D.C. In addition to his duties as chairman, Giddens will continue his work as a business litigator and transactional attorney, specializing in the banking, energy, construction and transportation industries.

‘78

Krista Lusey (BS ’93) was appointed as a director to the Edmond Board of Realtors’ Board of Directors. After serving for 10 years as a special education teacher for Oklahoma City Public Schools, Lusey earned her real estate license in 2004 and has continued to serve the Edmond community as a realtor.

’96

Kevin Ponce (BBA ’96) received the 2019 Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence Golden Director of the Year Award. Ponce is the director of School Nutrition Services for Oklahoma City Public Schools and has dedicated 20 years of service to school nutrition in the Oklahoma City metro.

’80

Patricia Potts (MBA ’80) is one of this year’s Leadership Oklahoma Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The award recognizes individuals who have used their leadership abilities to improve the quality of life for Oklahoma’s citizens and its future generations. Potts founded the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, serving as president and CEO for more than 20 years. She also founded the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition and co-founded the Community Resource Development Foundation and the Potts Family Foundation. Previously, Potts has been named “Woman of the Year” by Journal Record and inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame.

’02

Steve Hanes (BS ’02) now is the director of publications, branding and marketing at the Lynn Health Science Institute, a provider of clinical trials research and health services. Hanes graduated from Central’s graphic design program and was a member of Clock Tower, its student-run design firm.

’03

Tina Evans (BA ’03) recently became the director of communications for Novo Ministries, a nonprofit organization focused on helping inner-city youth. Evans previously served as director of communications and education for the Oklahoma Dental Association.

’04

’97

Kevin Ely (BA ’97) recently was promoted to creative director for creative content at Life.Church, where he has worked in a creative capacity for more than 16 years. Ely also is a features programmer for deadCENTER Film Festival and was honored by deadCENTER Film for his decade of service during its 2019 Glitter Ball.

Carlos Evans (BBA ’04) earned notoriety in The Edmond Sun after his company, Tall Oak Midstream, donated $5,000 to Sunbeam Family Services, a nonprofit aimed at breaking the cycle of generational poverty for Oklahomans. Evans is chief commercial officer for Tall Oak Midstream, which he co-founded in 2014, after working for Chesapeake Energy for 10 years. He has served as a member of the UCO Foundation Board of Trustees since 2017.

’05

Lewis T. LeNaire (BA ’01, MA ’05) was appointed as a shareholder of GableGotwals, an Oklahoma-based law firm. LeNaire has been with the firm since 2011 and specializes in business litigation with a focus on the energy industry.

’01

Summer Blades (BS ’05) was promoted to vice president of internal auditing at Quail Creek Bank. She previously served as assistant vice president for internal auditing. As a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Internal Controls Auditor, Blades has built more than 18 years of audit experience following her graduation from UCO.

’05

Tabbi Burwell (BA ’05) represented the City of Oklahoma City at the International Media Marketplace (IMM) in New York City, as part of her new position as senior manager

for destination communications for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau – also known as Visit OKC. IMM is a travel convention, and while there, Burwell met face-to-face with more than 20 travel writers, promoting what Oklahoma City has to offer as a travel destination.

as the bureau’s director of public relations and community outreach.

FACULTY/STAFF

’12

Kyle Evans (BA ’08) has been selected for induction into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame. He will be the 14th UCO member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Evans is one of the best wrestlers in school history, earning four-time All-American and two national championships for the Bronchos. He later went on to be Central’s assistant wrestling coach from 2013-17.

’08

Sarah West (BAEd ’12) was promoted to assistant vice president in the Solution Center with FNB Community Bank, working with all departments of the bank. West joined the bank in 2014 as a customer service representative and has worked her way up in the company.

’13

Sammy Flores (BS ’11) received the 2018 Tayo Fichtl Young Professional of the Year Award from Edmond Young Professionals. The award is given to a young professional who demonstrates leadership, provides valuable service to their business or profession, gives back to their community, exhibits initiative and creativity and serves as a role model for young people, both personally and professionally. Flores graduated from Central with a degree in funeral service and mortuary science. He currently is the manager and funeral director of Crawford Family Funeral Service in Edmond.

’11

Brad Ward (BA ’13, MPA ’17) recently became the director of veteran education at the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs, where he works to provide services to military-connected students in higher education and collaborate with state and university leaders to help them better serve military-connected students. In addition to graduating from Central with both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Ward was the UCO Veteran Higher Education Resource Office coordinator, part of Central’s Veteran Student Support Services.

Wayne Lord, Ph.D., professor of biology and forensic science at Central, is one of the winners of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s 2019 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Award. The award honors five outstanding educators in Oklahoma’s public schools. Prior to joining Central’s faculty in 2008, Lord worked as an FBI special agent for 21 years.

Nick Bobeck (BS ’04) brought home a postseason victory in the Heart of Texas Bowl against Angelo State University. This is Bobeck’s fourth bowl game appearance and third win since becoming Central’s head football coach in 2012.

’16

Elisabeth Acosta (BA ’16) now is an operations officer at Quail Creek Bank, after being promoted by its board of directors. Acosta has been with the bank since 2006.

’16

Ashley Stuart (BA ’11) was named Mrs. Oklahoma 2018 and went on to place in the Top 15 at Mrs. America 2018 in Las Vegas.

’11

’12

Sean Rose (BS ’12) now serves as the vice president of marketing and communications of Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, after a recent promotion. Rose previously worked

Brittany Willison (BA ’16) recently was promoted to director of communications and marketing for the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. In this position, Willison coordinates the chamber’s internal and external communications, marketing efforts and Edmond Young Professionals. After serving UCO in University Communications, Willison joined the Edmond Chamber in June 2018.

Dennis Dunham, Ph.D., executive director of UCO’s Office of Global Affairs, was awarded the Asia Society of Oklahoma Inc.’s Outstanding Civic Leader Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to further a cultural, civic and business partnership, for a higher quality of life.

Please send Alumni and In Memory notes to UCO, University Communications, 100 North University Drive, Box 198, Edmond, OK 73034, or email ucomm@uco.edu with “Alumni Note” in the subject line.

Betz Named ‘Citizen of the Year’

The Edmond Chamber of Commerce named UCO President Don Betz as its 2018 Citizen of the Year. Betz was formally awarded the honor during the Edmond Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January.

The award’s recipient must demonstrate either excellence in their profession, must have brought state or national acclaim to Edmond, or have been involved in activities for the betterment of Edmond or served through involvement with civic and service organizations. Betz was selected for achievement in all three areas.

Outside of his role as Central’s president, Betz sits on the Edmond Chamber’s Board of Advisors while also taking an active role in the chamber’s legislative agenda and international affairs. In addition, he serves as a board member for the Edmond Economic Development Authority.

The Citizen of the Year recognition caps a tenure filled with other accolades, as Betz previously was named an Oklahoma

Pinkston Earns Hometown Honors

Creativity Ambassador and received the Oklahoma Political Science Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the World Experiences Foundation Global Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award and the Governor’s Arts Award.

In January, Chickasha High School, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, inducted Gerry Pinkston, Ed.D., (MEd ’75) into its Athletic Hall of Fame. While at Chickasha, Pinkston advanced to the tennis state tournament three seasons in a row and later went on to coach tennis there.

This is not Pinkston’s first hall-of-fame recognition, however, as she previously was inducted into the National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma State University College of Education Hall of Fame and the UCO Athletic Hall of Fame. Pinkston also received the Oklahoma Association

for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s Honor Award.

Pinkston is a professor emeritus at Central, after teaching for 31 years in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Alongside her teaching career, Pinkston served Central as head women’s softball coach for 22 years, followed by seven years as head volleyball coach.

In 2016, Pinkston was named one of UCO’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. She continues to serve UCO Athletics, supporting its women’s programs through fundraising and volunteer work.

Pope Joins Historic Commission

Fourteen leaders in the AfricanAmerican history community, including Central’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Myron Pope, Ed.D., have been appointed to serve on the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. Congress established the commission, through Public Law 115-102, to coordinate the 400-year anniversary, occurring later this year, of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies. The National Park Service will provide support to the commission, as the enslaved Africans arrived at Point Comfort, Virginia, which is now the site of the Fort Monroe National Monument.

The commission will plan, develop and implement programs and activities across the nation to highlight and celebrate 400 years of African-American contributions, while garnering support from various organizations across the U.S. Pope is the only member of the higher education community on the commission.

“I am honored and humbled to serve in this capacity,” Pope said. “There is a wealth of history that African-Americans have contributed to this country over the past 400 years, some very well recognized and some not as well recognized. The commission will chronicle as much of this history through commemorative events and presentations throughout the country.”

Food Science Earns USDA Funding

Kanika Bhargava, Ph.D., associate professor in the UCO Human Environmental Sciences Department, is working to improve the learning environment for nutrition, food science and dietetics students at Central. Her efforts now have garnered support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, as it awarded Bhargava a $149,000 grant.

Titled “Enhancing Food Science Capacity through Transformative Learning Experiences in Education and Research,” the grant will be used to upgrade laboratory equipment, incorporate research experiments into program curriculum and investigate new food science technology. With the latest in food science equipment and increased funding for food safety research, students will have the opportunity to learn in a more transformative, hands-on environment.

A collaboration between the UCO College of Education and Professional Studies and the UCO Department of Biology, the project aims to train more professionals in nutrition, food science and dietetics to meet the current and future needs of the nation’s food and agriculture workforce.

i N MEMORY

‘62 Georgia Prentice-Carrington, MD (BS ’62) died Jan. 2, 2019. She was a pediatric neurologist in Oklahoma, working in a private practice, at University Hospital and at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Prentice-Carrington also served four year in the U.S. Navy, as an officer in communications. Following her service, she moved to California, working in various clinics and hospitals. In addition to her medical career, and as an avid percussionist, PrenticeCarrington founded Prentice Practice Pads, which manufactures drum pads.

’63 Barbara Griffith Cunningham (BS ’63) died Sept. 25, 2018, at age 78. She worked for both Kerr-McGee and Tinker Air Force Base.

’67

Kenneth Geer (BSEd ’67) died Jan. 11, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea for two years. Later, Geer began a career in public education and taught in various schools for 36 years.

’69

John Morgan Jr. (BM ’69, BS ’03) died July 5, 2018, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 71. Shortly after graduating from Central in 1969, Morgan joined the U.S. Army National Guard, serving in the 45th Infantry from 1969-75. He later returned to service with the U.S. Air National Guard, serving from 1987-92. Morgan returned to Central to study accounting in 2003. Following his graduation, he worked for more than 10 years as a CPA, until his retirement in 2014. Throughout his life, Morgan carried with him a love of music, as he played multiple instruments, specializing in classical and jazz piano, and periodically worked as a musician and music teacher.

in the area of learning disabilities, beginning her career tutoring at Tinker Air Force Base, continuing on to teach in Okarche and finally, teaching privately in her home. In addition to her teaching career, Orth helped begin both Granny’s Pantry and the Stroud Community Clothing Center, which provide clothing to those in need.

’79

Ogal Busch Jr. (BS ’79) died Dec. 7, 2018, at age 66. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Busch went on to work at OG&E, where he retired after 33 years of service and still remained actively involved in the company.

’81

Betty Ann Bross (BSEd ’70, MEd ’73) died Oct. 4, 2018, at age 70. After earning two degrees in education from Central, she became the executive assistant for the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, where she worked until she retired.

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’72

Betty Orth (MEd ’72) died Jan. 10, 2019, at age 90. She taught

Former Dean Remembered

Clifton Warren, Ph.D., died Jan. 17, 2019. Warren taught English for more than 40 years at Central. He also served as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts from 19862000. Warren’s contributions to the university impacted its students for years to come. He created the College of Liberal Arts’ writer-in-residence program and co-developed the New Plains Review student journal and the Liberal Arts College Symposium. He also created and chaired Central’s creative studies program and helped develop the College of Arts, Media and Design, known today as the College of Fine Arts and Design. Warren retired in 2000 but continued to serve as an adjunct professor from 2000-11. In addition to his induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2001, Warren also was inducted into the UCO Luminary Society during the UCO@125 anniversary celebration in 2015. Apart from his work at Central, he often worked as a book and community theatre reviewer for The Edmond Sun.

Lt. Col. Ronald Cochrane (MEd ’81) died Feb. 6, 2019. Cochrane joined the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam. He later served in the Army National Guard, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1987. Cochrane went on to work in information technology for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division. He was an avid member of the Oklahoma City Downtown Citizen Patrol Unit and the Citizens Emergency Response Team.

Honoring a Community Servant

Charles Lamb (MA ’80) died Dec. 11, 2018, at age 72. Lamb, who moved to Edmond in his teens, served the community for more than 40 years. In 1967, after graduating from Wentworth Military Academy, Lamb joined the Oklahoma National Guard. Following his service, he began his career working for Oklahoma City’s office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He transitioned to work in Edmond in 1987, as he was appointed to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals.

Lamb served on the Edmond City Council, as the Ward 3 Councilman, from 1993-2011, and played a key role in the development and creation of Lake Arcadia. Additionally, Lamb served on the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, first as board member and then as the chairman. The authority’s Charles D. Lamb Energy Center was dedicated in 2015. He was appointed mayor after his predecessor’s resignation in 2011 and went on to win the general election in 2013. He was re-elected in 2015 and 2017, serving as mayor for a total of six years.

In addition to his government service, Lamb graduated from the Leadership Edmond Class II in 1986. He also served as

president of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce in 1993 and was involved in the Edmond Rotary Club.

Alongside a number of awards, Lamb was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town officials in 2006, as well as the Edmond Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Edmond Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame in 2016.

’03

Cuyler Caldwell, MD, (BS ’03) died Sept. 2, 2018. During his final semester at Central, he was Class Marshal for the College of Mathematics and Science. He attended medical school and served as a clinical physician through the Mercy Health Network.

archaeology at Central from the mid-1960s until 1992, when he retired.

and Professional Studies from 1988-96.

Sandra Mayfield died Nov. 12, 2018. She taught English at UCO for 29 years, including serving as chairperson of the English Department.

’05

Nick Jackson (MEd ’05) died Jan. 19, 2019, at age 40. Following his graduation from Central, Jackson went on the teach physical education at Hilldale Elementary in Putnam City, Oklahoma, for 16 years.

FACULTY/STAFF

Gene Hellstern died Nov. 5, 2018. Hellstern taught history, humanities and

Patricia Holmes (BSEd ’72, MEd ’77, MS ’95) died Oct. 11, 2018, at age 76. She taught vocational home economics at Dover High School in Dover, Oklahoma, for many years, and later taught as an adjunct professor at UCO, Rose State College and Oklahoma City Community College. She also served as a nutrition vocational technical supervisor and as a registered dietician consultant after coming back to Central for a master’s degree in nutrition/ food management, at the age of 53.

Phyllis Jarrett died Sept. 1, 2018. She taught reading and supervised student teachers in Central’s College of Education

John Pickard Jr. died Jan. 2, 2019, at age 83. He taught English, humanities and film at Central for 33 years. Prior to his time at UCO, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Pickard also wrote as the film critic for the Oklahoma Gazette for 19 years.

Paul Roach died Jan. 25, 2019, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He taught business at Central and was an avid supporter of UCO basketball and football.

Charles Lamb addresses students in fall of 2018 during an international conference at Central.

photoofPresidentBetzinKualaLumpur,Malaysia,withUCOAlumniAssociationMalaysiaChapter

Central’s Champion —

Throughout his tenure, President Don Betz has echoed praise and pride for UCO in every speech and appearance. Here, he stands during a video of Spring Forum 2016, an event championing Central’s faculty and staff.

— Staff Photo by Daniel Smith UCO Photographic Services

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Tom & Marye Kate Aldridge Foundation