Press Room

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Donna Castle Richardson
OHEHS Executive Director
19400 Stubblefield Lane
Edmond, OK 73012
405-570-6155
drichardson@ou.edu

For Immediate Release

The Oklahoma Higher Education Announces the 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Oklahoma City (August 18, 2026) - The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society will induct twelve individuals into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2026. Inductees are distinguished representatives of colleges, universities, and higher education organizations across Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society was established in 1991 as a nonprofit organization to promote awareness of higher education’s vital role in Oklahoma's history and to honor individuals, both living and deceased, for their outstanding service to higher education in Oklahoma. Since its establishment, the society has inducted more than 350 educators, administrators, and others into the OHEHS Hall of Fame for their distinguished contributions to higher education. A kiosk in the Oklahoma History Center documents the outstanding work of colleges, universities, and Hall of Fame members. The 2026 OHEHS Hall of Fame inductees are listed below.

Dr. Frederick Carr serves as McCasland Foundation Presidential Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus in the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. He was hired as an assistant professor at OU in 1979, and retired from full-time teaching in 2016. He remains active via writing research papers and professional service-leadership activities.

Dr. Joe Foote’s leadership of Gaylord College laid the groundwork for what would become one of the top journalism/mass communication programs in the nation, focusing on innovative experiential learning opportunities and student-focused achievement. He has been a leader in international journalism education and founded the World Journalism Education Council (WJEC), a consortium of 32 journalism education associations globally representing six continents.

Dr. Leigh Goodson serves as president and chief executive officer of Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma's largest community college. Since 2014, she has led the institution with a strong focus on student success, workforce development, and the expansion of educational opportunities for the Tulsa community and beyond.

Regent Jimmy D. Harrel is a rancher, businessman, leader, and strong promoter of agriculture in Leedey, Oklahoma. He serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank of Western Oklahoma and currently serves on the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges since being reappointed in 2020.
Dr. Jeffrey H. Harwell is Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He served on the faculty for four decades, as Department Chair from 1991 to 1998, and as Executive Associate Dean of Engineering from 1998 to 2005. He continues to contribute to the field through technology commercialization efforts in consumer products, environmental remediation, and enhanced oil recovery.

Dr. Mautra Staley Jones serves as President of Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), one of Oklahoma’s largest and most influential institutions of higher education, educating more than 23,000 students annually. Under her leadership, OCCC has expanded access, strengthened workforce and community partnerships, increased enrollment, and advanced student success through innovation and strategic leadership.

Paul D. Massad worked at the University of Oklahoma for 58 years, retiring as Vice President Emeritus, University Development. Working with the OU donors, faculty, staff, and students was the highlight of his career.

Dr. Stacy Reeder began her career in education more than 30 years ago as an Oklahoma public school teacher. Since joining the University of Oklahoma in 2005, she has served as department chair and interim dean and now serves as Dean of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education and Professor of Mathematics Education and holds the Humphreys Chair in Education. Communities.

Lana Reynolds serves as the 5th President of Seminole State College. She was appointed in July, 2017 and is the first female to hold the position.

Dr. John N. Veenstra currently serves as the Oklahoma State University CEAT Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. He is also the holder of the Van Weathers Chair.

Dr. Janet Wansick served as the first female president of Eastern Oklahoma State College and retired on July 1, 2025, after five years in that role. Her distinguished career in education spans more than 30 years.

Robert P. White served the OSU/Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents as Health as Higher Education Policy Analyst for 20 years. He now does pro bono consulting for candidates and causes he supports, including anti-human trafficking.

The 32nd annual banquet and induction ceremony will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, in the Nigh University Center Grand Ballroom at the University of Central Oklahoma. The cost of an individual banquet ticket is $100, and a table for 10 costs $1000.00. Tickets will be available starting in late September, featuring a social hour with music and a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. The banquet will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Donations to OHEHS in honor of a 2026 inductee or a current Hall of Fame member may be made in the nominee's name through the website at www.ohehs.org. Donations of donors' and inductees' names made before October 1, 2026, will appear in the program.

Contact OHEHS Executive Director Dr. Donna Castle Richardson at drichardson@ou.edu or send information to 19400 Stubblefield Lanes, Edmond, Oklahoma 73012. Tickets will be available on the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society website in late September.




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