Southeastern announces “John Massey School of Business” Designation

Press Release Date: 04-27-2005

The 9^th annual Massey Family Endowed Lectureship in Business and Public Policy at Southeastern Oklahoma State University was held Tuesday in the Student Union Ballroom. Guest speaker was Joe Cappy, a member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The lecture was established by State Regent John Massey and family with a gift in 1994 that was matched by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Following the lecture, a luncheon was held in the Magnolia Room of the student union, where SOSU President Dr. Glen D. Johnson announced that the Southeastern Oklahoma State University School of Business shall be named the “John Massey School of Business.”

The recommendation was formally approved by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges during its April 15 meeting, held on the SOSU campus. At Tuesday’s luncheon, President Johnson read the resolution officially naming the “John Massey School of Business.”

Flanked by family members and higher education officials, Regent Massey accepted the honor with emotion.

“This school is everything to me,” Regent Massey said. “I am so thankful for what Southeastern Oklahoma State University has done for me.”

“Regent Massey is a great friend to Southeastern Oklahoma State University and to higher education in Oklahoma,” President Johnson said. “We are honored to name the School of Business in the Russell Building at Southeastern as ‘The John Massey School of Business.’ His longtime support of higher education will ensure that all students have the opportunities and tools to be successful. We are delighted that our Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges took this action at our April board meeting.”

State Regent Massey is a Distinguished Alumnus of Southeastern and is currently serving his second 9-year term as a member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Regent Massey is now the Chairman of the Board of First United Bank, headquartered in Durant. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Massey family includes wife Donna; sons Mike and wife Dawnda, Greg and wife Kay, Bryan Wandel and wife Bridget, and Berne Kendrick; 14 grandchildren; brother Odes Massey and sisters Maxine Neaves and Betty Massey.

Picture Above: Left to right, State Regent Joe Cappy, Maxine Neaves, Donna Massey, Regent Ann Holloway, Southeastern President Glen D. Johnson, State Regent John Massey, Chancellor Paul Risser, Kay Massey, Greg Massey, and Betty Massey get together following Tuesday’s announcement.