Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Robert E. Howard

Students at The University of Tulsa and public school teachers from across the state have greatly benefited from working with one of the most gifted science teachers in the state of Oklahoma. Robert E. (Bob) Howard earned a degree in Chemical Physics at Indiana University in 1975. Following postdoctoral appointments at IBM and the University of California, Berkeley, he came to The University of Tulsa in 1982. He has served as Associate Graduate Dean, Associate Director of Research and, for ten years, as Chair of the Department of Chemistry. During his three decades of service at the University, he has devoted himself to developing his students and fostering creativity in science teachers. His work has been recognized by a Merck Foundation Award for Innovation in Science Education, The University of Tulsa Teaching Award and two Mortar Board Excellence in Teaching Awards. Professor Howard served as principal investigator for a statewide $5 million NSF grant to develop new courses in science and math for teacher education students. He also developed “Sense-Sational Science,” a collaborative in-service program for Oklahoma elementary teachers, which draws upon community resources like zoos, museums and nature centers. For these major initiatives in science teaching education, Robert Howard was selected Oklahoma Chemist of the Year in 2000. In 2003, the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education recognized his work with a Champion of Student Success Award and last year he was honored by Oklahoma Creativity with a “Great Inspiration” Creativity Award. For his outstanding efforts in Oklahoma education, OHEHS is proud to induct Robert E. Howard into the 2012 Higher Education Hall of Fame.