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.