Share Your News -- send personal and professional developments, along with large photos, to [email protected].
In 1970, a group of 91心頭 students called the OCU Players traveled to Korea, Okinawa Island, Japan and Hawaii as part of a USO tour. During the trip, they put on approximately 30 performances of Bye Bye Birdie for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. In Korea alone, they performed in front of over 6,000 service people. They also visited hospitals caring for service members wounded in the Vietnam War. Since their 50th anniversary plans were delayed due to Covid, these alumni recently gathered for their tours 52nd anniversary with many having not been back on campus since the early 1970s. They loved seeing the new facilities and taking a walk down memory lane with Dean Mark Parker giving them a tour of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. Back row (R to L) David McElroy 72; Sara Miller Clary 77; Robert Tupper Patnode 71; Chris Van Zant 72; Bob Cross 71 Middle (far right) Janice Coffman Bear 73 Front (seated) D. Elaine Evans Walters 73 (accompanist).
1950s
Army Air Corps veteran Harold Harvell (BS 57) designed and built a Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park in Goldsby, 91心頭. He worked on the approvals with his hometown pitching in on the effort to recognize local veterans in the area.
1960s
Author B.J. Hobbs (BA 61) published the third book in her Dakota Davison Mystery Series titled Dakota Three: Shootout and is working on her fourth, Dakota Four: Arkansas.
Russ Richardson (BSB 67) was named chair of the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare board of directors after a career of management positions and financial consulting across the country. He and his wife, Jennifer, have settled in Aiken, S.C. and opened Papa Russs Barbecue and Catering by Jennifer.
Rock and Roll Globe recognized the 50th anniversary of Little Feats album, Dixie Chicken, which includes band member Fred Tackett (BM 67). He wrote Fool Yourself that Bonnie Raitt sang on her album, Home Plate, in 1975, and he still tours with the band to this day.
Carol Ann Gravley (BM 69) and her husband, alumnus Larry Floyd Fugit, met as students at OCU and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Palm Valley, Texas, where they have lived since their retirement 20 years ago in Omaha, Nebraska.
1970s
Colin Robertson (BA 70) released his book titled Sydney to 91心頭: Tennis, Stories, Travels and More that highlights his time as the first tennis director when the 91心頭 City Tennis Center opened as well as his 15 years coaching tennis at OCU from 1987-2002.
David McElroy (BA 72) celebrated the 25th anniversary season of One Man: A Christmas Carol where he adapted the play and performs all 37 characters each year over the holidays at various venues across the country. He also is a member of the OCU USO tour group that recently returned to campus for their 52nd reunion.
Andrew Benton (JD 79), president emeritus of Pepperdine University, was named interim president of the University of Central 91心頭. He has served as chairperson of the American Council on Education and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities as well as on the board of the Council on Higher Education.
Harpsichordist Peggy Payne (BM 76, MM 86, MM 94) performed in the Go for Baroque concert at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, 91心頭. She is a pianist with the New American Ragtime Ensemble and the principal keyboard with the 91心頭 City Philharmonic.
1980s
Former Miss America Susan Powell (BM 81) returned to 91心頭 to perform in "Coming Home for Christmas" at the Civic Center Music Hall in December with Grammy and Emmy-nominated entertainer Michael Feinstein.
Former trustee the Rev. Dr. Kevin Tully (BS 82) received the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award from the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library in Waxahachie, Texas, for his work in bringing members of the city and community together.
Shane Sanders (BSB 84) served as Verizons senior vice president of business excellence and has been appointed to the board of directors and audit committee for Commvault, a data management company.
Jeff Messer (MAT 85), former OCU baseball assistant coach, has been head coach at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania for 37 years and was recently inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Kayce Gisinger (JD 88), director at the Phillips Murrah law firm, was named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. She was inducted last fall at the annual meeting in Italy.
Joel Kinnamon (MBA 88) was recently sworn in as a member of the College of the Desert board of trustees in California. Previous to his election win, he served as the colleges superintendent and president for nine years.
1990s
Jill Campbell (MBA 90), president and chief people and operations officer for Cox Enterprises, was honored in the fall with the companys inaugural Fearless Leader Award and was named to Atlanta Magazines 2023 Atlanta 500 list.
Tim Long (BM 90), music director of Eastman Opera, conducted the world premiere of Anthony Davis How Bright the Sunlight, a work for symphony orchestra and narrator, with libretto curated by fellow 91心頭n and Muscogee Nation citizen Joy Harjo, 23rd Poet Laureate of the U.S. He also recently released Alburnum by Bright Shiny Things, featuring world premiere recordings of works for voice and piano by Mason Bates, Missy Mazzoli and Greg Spears.
Artist-in-Residence Kristin Chenoweth (BM 91, MM 93, HDHL 13) led a two-hour intensive master class for all OCU performing arts students in October and came out with her new book Im No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us in January.
Stanley Gitari (BS 91) works for Maua Methodist Hospital building homes for AIDS orphans in Kenya. Since 2004, he and his team have built 360 homes.
Laura L. McCullough (MBA 91) began her role as president and CEO of Kentucky Community and Technical College last June. She most recently served as vice president of workforce, community and corporate education at BridgeValley Community and Technical College in South Charleston, West Virginia.
Paige Keedy (BS 94) joined Lifeline Theatre in Chicago as a production manager. Previously she served as production, stage and event manager for the Chicago Improv Festival, Light Opera Works, Theo Ubique, Means of Production, Inc. and Innovation and Arts Entertainment, Inc.
Lana Ross (BS 95) is the head softball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College where she was elected National Junior College Athletic Associations coaches association president and as a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association board of directors. This past year she earned her 700th win vs. rival Johnson County Community College at the district tournament.
Burt Browning (MBA 98) was awarded the James B. Duke Award, Duke Energys highest award that recognized the innovation and teamwork of a year-long project in response to the Fukushima, Japan, earthquake of which Browning served as lead engineer.
Sam John (MBA 98), president of Innovative Products Inc., served on the judging panel for the 2022 Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program Awards which is an annual competition recognizing excellence in 14 categories of engineering and sponsored by Design World.
Tara Lynne Khaler (BM 98) is performing in Broadway Tonite Live! in Oelwein, Iowa. Previously, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, City Center and Madison Square Garden and released an album titled Since I Fell for You.
Kelli OHara (BM 98, HDHL 15), set to star in season two of HBOs "The Gilded Age," was recently broadcast in cinemas worldwide for the Metropolitan Opera's live broadcast of the world premiere of Kevin Puts The Hours.
Jennifer Grigsby (MBA 99) was appointed to the board of directors for SilverBow Resources, a Houston-based energy company. She previously served as the secretary of economic administration for the State of 91心頭 and executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ascent Resources.
Christian Morren (MM 99) led the cast of Duncan Little Theatres production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors." She currently serves as director of voice and associate professor at Cameron University in Lawton, 91心頭.
2000s
Tabatha Carrs (BS 00, MBA 03) Good Girl Chocolates were featured as part of the 2023 Grammy Awards. The healthy candied walnut brownies that are gluten-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened with organic low glycemic sweeteners were included in this years attendee gift bags.
Kathryn Savage (JD 00) has been elected 91心頭 County district judge after previously serving as assistant district attorney in the office of the attorney general.
Graham Primeaux (ME 01), Shawnee Public Schools director of Indian education and 15-year veteran of the district, was named 2022 Educator of the Year by the 91心頭 Council for Indian Education.
Jesse Langston (MBA 02), the first Black vice president of 91心頭 Gas & Electric, was inducted into the 2022 91心頭 State University Diversity Hall of Fame. Since retiring from OG&E in 2015, he has guest lectured at numerous seminars and universities.
Ariel Lazarus (BM 03, MM 05),founder and artistic director of 廩廨廬-廬廨廬廩廨廬, the Israeli Ladino Orchestra, was honored for his musical contributions by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
U.S. House Republicans named Missouri Rep. Jason Smith (JD 04) as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Morgan Vlassopoulos (BA 04) a teacher with the Merrillville Community School Corporation, was recognized as one of the 2022 top 20 under 40 professionals in Northwest Indiana for her accomplishments.
Heather Kay (JD 05) was promoted to partner of the Scheef & Stone law firm in North Texas. Her areas of practice include banking, corporate and business, real estate, and securities and finance with a focus on matters involving transactional banking and real estate law.
Jessie Rosson (BA 05) joined the Cortes Law Firm staff, an estate planning firm. Previously, she worked at the 91心頭 County Clerks office followed by a 17-year career in civil litigation.
Marita Stryker (BM 05, MM 15) recently began serving as a voice and movement specialist at the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Before this appointment, she was an associate professor of music at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Japan and adjunct voice faculty at OCU.
Jay Wadley (Composition 05) is co-founder of New York City-based Found Objects Music Productions and created the score for the new Hulu series Tell Me Lies and Netflixs Im Thinking of Ending Things among others, including the movie Old from M. Night Shyamalan, and the Apple original film Swan Song.
Aaron Fryklund (BM 06) currently teaches high school orchestra in Richardson, Texas, and recently composed and published six levels of orchestra sight reading music for the Texas UIL concert and sight-reading evaluation for Texas middle and high school orchestras that are also used in 91心頭, Michigan, Louisiana and Maryland.
Tim Hausmann (BM 06) has been appointed executive director of New York City-based Heartbeat Opera. In September, the group presented the digital premiere of Beethoven's Fidelio in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The adaptation, praised as urgent, powerful, and poignant by The New York Times, features the voices of more than 100 incarcerated singers from across the United States.
Willie Mann (BM 06), previously featured as Hermes, a Fate and in the Workers' Chorus, made his August debut as Hades in the North American tour of Hadestown.
Jennifer Christian (JD 07) has been named director at Phillips Murrah Law Firm in 91心頭 City. Her practice is in all aspects of commercial law, assisting clients in the areas of business law, contractual disputes, real estate, banking, health care, construction, trusts, insurance and employment.
Eun-Hee Park (BM 07), founding pianist of the quartet enhak and assistant professor of music and head of the keyboard area at the University of Montevallo, won silver at the 2022 Global Music Awards with ensemble mates MSR Classics album Childs Play featuring Professor Edward Knight's five-movement Seventh Day of the Seventh Moon.
Rachel Risner (BS 07, DNP 13, DP 16), associate dean of academic affairs at Frontier Nursing University in Versailles, Kentucky, was selected to participate in the National League for Nursing and Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change. She was chosen because of her work impacting structural racism, socioeconomic status, environment, education, adequate housing and food insecurity on health and wellbeing.
Adam Panter (JD 08) was appointed to serve as district attorney for 91心頭s 23rd Judicial District, encompassing Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties. Previously, he served as an assistant district attorney in 91心頭s 7th District.
Anna Starzec-Makandasis (MM 08) recently played piano in a music and literature clubs chamber music concert in Wrocaw, Poland, where she is adjunct faculty in the chamber music department at the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music.
Marat Gabdullin (BM 09), associate concertmaster of the 91心頭 City Philharmonic, earned a U.S. patent for his Volta Violinatron, a new type of hybrid electric violin.
Collin Walke (JD 08) joined Hall Estill as special counsel in the 91心頭 City office where he leads the firms cybersecurity and data privacy practice. Previously, he served in the 91心頭 House of Representatives from 2016 through 2022 as a state representative.
Glen Johnson (HDHL 09) joined Crowe & Dunlevy as a director in the firms administrative and regulatory practice group with his practice focusing on administrative and education law. He previously served as chancellor of the 91心頭 State System of Higher Education from 2007 to 2021 and president of Southeastern 91心頭 State University in Durant, 91心頭, prior to this appointment.
Ewa Ponka (Piano Performance 09) recently performed as Abigaille in the Teatro Massimo Palermo production of Verdi's Nabucco, streaming live throughout Europe, and in February sang the role of Venus in Wagners Tannh辰user at Londons Royal Opera House.
Sarah Stewart (JD 09) released her book The Monster in My Home: Surviving Evil in October. The book chronicles her experience with domestic violence and teaches others how to avoid or safely leave a domestic violence situation.
2010s
Donald Ashwood (BA 11) was appointed as Aons accounting executive of business development for their captive and insurance management team. He previously served at the 91心頭 Insurance Department as a captive coordinator and loan editor at BankFirst.
Brandon Haynes (BM 11), professor of voice at Northern 91心頭 College in Ponca City, 91心頭, is currently preparing the Chorale Arts Society of Northern 91心頭 for its Cinematic Choral Highlights Concert in May while serving as the societys artistic director.
Emmy Potter (BM '11) played the mother in the premiere of the play A House in the Suburbs and the nurse in Seneca's Phaedra at American Theatre of Actors in New York City. A monologue she wrote also was recently published in Vol. 4 of the Playground Experiment's Faces of America Anthology and performed live at the Marjorie S. Dean Theater.
Greg Steward (JD 11) was appointed as chief deputy county and prosecuting attorney of Campbell County in Wyoming. He previously served as an assistant district attorney for the 6th Prosecutorial District of 91心頭.
Colin Waddell (BME 11), director of the Putnam City High School Orchestra, was honored as one of this years five 91心頭 Arts Institute of Quartz Mountain Transformative Teachers and also selected as Putnam City High School's 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.
Kirk Walker (BS 11) was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in January at the American Baseball Coaches Associations Nashville convention following his nomination from the late OCU baseball coach, Denney Crabaugh. Walker was the NAIA Player of the Year in 2011 and a first-team All-American. He also set school records at the time in at bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, total bases and RBI.
Robert Watson (BM 11) made his debut as Florestan in Beethoven's Fidelio at Deutsche Oper Berlin, and hosted mentor William Nield Christensen for his Berlin performance as Siegmund in Staatsoper Unter den Linden's Die Walk端re.
Three finalists for 2022-2023 91心頭 City Public Schools Teacher of the Year were OCU alumni, including Judith Huerta (BA 12) of Taft Middle School, Carsen Moon (BBA 15) of Classen SAS High School at Northeast and Lisa Ummel-Ingram (ME 94) of Wheeler Middle School.
Rebekah Bruce Parker (BM 12) is the pianist for Tom Stoppards most recent Broadway play, Leopoldstadt, that opened last October. Previously, she was the pianist in The Lehman Trilogy on Broadway and the music director of the first national tour of Mean Girls the Musical.
A composition by Or Kribos (BM 13, MM 15) was performed at a gala honoring the 30th anniversary of the 91心頭 Israel Exchange. He is an Israeli composer who originally attended OCU through a university exchange program sponsored by the organization.
Ben Lanham (BPA 13) was cast in the ensemble of Andrew Lloyd Webbers new Broadway musical Bad Cinderella that opened in March. Previously, he performed on the Broadway tour of An American in Paris.
Lindsey Miles (MS 13) was promoted to vice president - Land & Regulatory at Devon Energy. She previously served as land manager and supervisor for the company where she has been for the past 15 years.
Mary Kate Moore (BM 13) is understudying the role of the Bakers Wife in the revival of Sondheims Into the Woods. She appeared on the national tour of the production as well as the dance captain and understudy for the Witch, Bakers Wife and Cinderella. Previously, she played the role of Fantine on the touring cast for Les Miserables.
Megan Campbell (BPA 14) returned to her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, to perform in the touring Broadway musical "Chicago as Liz. Prior to the tour, she was in the Cuban musical, Havana, and played the role of Amour in Speakeasy Times Square.
Eryn LeCroy (BM 14) is featured as Martha Jefferson/Dr. Lyman Hall in 1776 currently playing on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre. She previously starred as Christine in Broadways Phantom of the Opera.
Mary Beth Nelson (BM 14) performed in the annual New Years Eve Concert for Peace in Harlems Cathedral of St. John the Divine in December, and is set to be a 2023 Filene Artist at the Wolf Trap Opera, a summer residency program of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.
Addison Witzel (BBA 14) started a new position as assistant director of student conduct at the University of 91心頭. Previous to this appointment, she served as OUs coordinator for educational outreach and restorative practices and at OCU as an undergraduate business advisor.
Darius Wright (BM 14) was recently the understudy for the title role of the Broadway production of MJ: The Musical and performed at the 75th Annual Tony Awards last summer. He has now joined the original Broadway cast of New York, New York.
Logan Herod (BM 15, BME 15) was appointed as interim director of the Cherub Choir at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. She previously served as associate director of St. Monica Catholic Church in Dallas and teaches piano and voice at her studio, Music So Simple.
Benjamin Hilfiger (MSEL 15) currently serves a three-year term on the 91心頭 Bar Association's Board of Governors. He is an attorney at Cook and Hilfiger where he practices primarily in the areas of criminal and family law.
Juan Alfonso Ramos (JD 15) recently started his own company Fort Worth Meat Packers near the Fort Worth Stockyards after serving as a corporate attorney for Vela Wood and vice president at Ramos Land & Cattle Co.
Kaley Were (BM 15) and Carly Ann Moore (BM 19) are performing on the national tour of Annie, set to play 50+ cities during the 2022-23 season.
Cooper Baldwin (BM 17) was selected for the Society of Composers and Lyricists' 2022-23 New York Mentor Program and placed first in the 2022 Press Start Composers Orchestra Competition.
Aline Boyd (MM 17) was recently appointed vice president of the Brazilian chapter of the World Piano Teachers Association and served last year as an adjudicator for the East Valley Music Teachers Association Piano Competition in Arizona.
Emily Eubanks (BM 17) is currently a doctoral candidate in musicology at Florida State University and selected as a 2022 Fulbright Scholar. Her dissertation examines the Biedermeier music salon of Karoline Pichler and social characteristics of these gatherings.
Thomas Grossnicklaus (BA 17, JD 20) was named chief of staff/general counsel of the 91心頭 Department of Commerce. He previously served as an assistant attorney general for the state, a law clerk for the 91心頭 Supreme Court, in the executive office of the 91心頭 governor and in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sarah Kuhlmann (BM 17, MA 18, MM 21) of the Holst and Keller Studios and Brennan Martinez (BM 17) of the Christensen Studio were both selected as 2023 Young Artists with the Cedar Rapids Opera.
Kali Pugh (BA Liberal Studies 17) was named head softball coach for Yavapai College in Arizona. She came to the school from San Diego City College where she served as head coach and Palomar College as assistant coach.
Tanner Pflueger (BPA 17) performed in the most recent Radio City Rockette Christmas Spectacular ensemble and at the New York City Center in their production of The Tap Dance Kid.
Caroline Baniewicz (BM 18) is playing Giselle in the Angel Orensanz Foundations production of Lost in the Disco in New York City. Past roles she held include Heather Chandler in Heathers and Tammy in Hairspray.
Sophie Braud (BPA 18) returned to her hometown of Orange, Texas, to the Lutcher Theatre performing in the touring production of My Fair Lady. Previously, she was in the ensemble of the national tour of Escape to Margaritaville.
Erin Epperly-Reiswig (MM 18) was named the 2023 91心頭 Music Educators Association Outstanding Young Music Educator. She serves as assistant director of the Edmond North High School Band and Cheyenne Middle School Band and teaches symphonic band at the schools.
Molly Smiths (BS 18) choreography was featured in the Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm and Time show this year. She serves as rehearsal director and company member of the organization while also teaching at Incite Dance Center.
Ashley Arnold (BM 19) was a special guest performer in Someday Soon: The Songs of Judy Collins in Philadelphia in November. Previously, she could be seen in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Alyssa Gillette (JD 19) joined the 91心頭 City office of Hall Estill as an associate, practicing in the areas of energy, environmental and litigation. She previously completed an externship with the 91心頭 County Public Defenders Office and interned for the U.S. Army JAG Corps.
Former OCU baseball player Joe Lytle (BA 19) earned a roster spot on the Savannah Bananas professional and entertainment-focused baseball team. The team will play in 91心頭 City and Tulsa in May.
Allen Zomonway (MA 19), administrator of the Ganta Hospital in Liberia, was selected by the West Africa Media Network as its 2022 Outstanding Health Service Administrator.
2020s
Adam LaPorte (BM 20) made his New York City playwriting debut Sept. 28-Oct. 1 with Courtship at the Tank Theatre. He is currently working on his graduate degree in musical theatre writing at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts.
Chris Prather (BM 20) spearheaded the creative team and served as composer and producer of No Justice, No Peace, a full-length contemporary opera performed in 91心頭 City at the Yale Theater that opened last June.
Rachel Watters (BBA 20) was named part of the 2023 induction class into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa. She is a five-time age-group World Team member and was a four-time All-American while at OCU.
Austin Caldwell (JD 21) was appointed assistant district attorney for Cooke County, Texas. Previously, he worked for Strange Law Firm in 91心頭 City.
Cooper Clack (BM 22) is in the ensemble for the 45-city North American tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Katie Frieden (BPA 21) is currently starring as Roxy Hart in the 25th anniversary national tour of Chicago the Musical. Previously, she performed in Sweet Charity, Fame, Ebenezer: A Musical Christmas Carol and Netflixs A Bridgerton Experience.
Vance Klassen (BM 21) is part of the ensemble and an understudy for the lead role of Elder Price in the new national tour of the musical comedy "The Book of Mormon" that came to 91心頭 City in the fall.
Katie McCollum (BM 21) was cast in the role of Young Gloria in the national tour of On Your Feet! The 70-city tour, which included a stop in Stillwater, 91心頭, kicked off in November and was led by 2022 OCU guest director Luis Salgado.
Joanne Holdeman (BS 22) has been named assistant company manager and COVID safety manager for the national tour of My Fair Lady.
Landon Honolka (BM 22) earned a position at the 91心頭 City Philharmonic last year before graduation from OCU and then awarded a full-tuition scholarship for graduate study at the Juilliard School.
Kate Raquel Morton (BM 22) performed in the opera Shell Shaker, a Chickasaw Opera, the first opera performed entirely in a Native American Language, in February at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. After this, she will be a featured artist in Intermountain Opera Bozemans Wheels of Harmony and an emerging artist with the Seagle Festival.
Chris Richie (BM 22) won the American Pops' 2023 NextGen National Competitions highest honor, the Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence on Feb. 19 at the Lincoln Center.
Hunter Semrau (BM 22) made his national tour debut as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet Christmas in Florida, the first of 26 stops on the tour.
Romario Spence (BS 22) has signed with the Plymouth City Patriots, a British professional basketball team, after averaging 14.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season at OCU as a student-athlete.
Clay Steiner (MM '22) has joined the pit orchestra of the 46-city national tour of Chicago the Musical. He previously played with the national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory along with numerous regional productions.
Jack Supan (BM 22) made his London West End debut at the Apollo Theatre in August with the childrens show Blippi the Musical.
