Southeastern President Inducted Into Oklahoma Hall of Fame
Press Release Date: 11-27-2006
Southeastern Oklahoma State University President Dr. Glen D. Johnson joined an elite group of Oklahomans Nov. 16 when he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
The Oklahoma Heritage Association’s 79th annual induction ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center. Other honorees this year were author Bob Burke, businessman King Kirchner, physician Dr. J. Philip Kistler, Oklahoma City University President Tom McDaniel, and philanthropist Lynn Schusterman. Folk singer Woody Guthrie was posthumously inducted.
“As a native of Oklahoma, being presented with this award is, in my mind, the highest honor an Oklahoman can receive,” President Johnson said upon his induction. “I have been fortunate in my lifetime to have had the chance to pursue my two dreams and passions—public service and higher education…I want to especially thank my parents, Glen and Imogene Johnson this evening for all that they mean to me and have done for me… My parents taught me at an early age that public service was indeed a noble profession.”
Presenting President Johnson for induction was Judge Robert Henry of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Following Judge Henry’s introduction a video was shown highlighting President Johnson’s childhood, education, and career. Interviewed in the video segment were State Regent John Massey, U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett.
During the induction of the late Woody Guthrie, the Tulsa Boys Choir performed “This Land Is Your Land,” Guthrie’s most famous song. Guthrie and President Johnson are both from Okemah, Oklahoma.
Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen served as Masters of Ceremonies at the event, and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry also offered congratulatory remarks to the inductees. Following the induction ceremony, a reception was held honoring all of the inductees. A large group of President Johnson’s family and friends, including his mother, Mrs. Imogene Johnson, and wife Melinda, attended to offer congratulations.
President Johnson began his tenure at Southeastern Oklahoma State University July 1, 1997, as the University’s sixteenth president. As chairman of the Council of Presidents for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 2004–05, President Johnson played a key leadership role in ensuring passage of House Bill 1191, which includes $475 million for higher education capital bond improvements and $25 million for a bond bank for future projects for colleges and universities.
At Southeastern, $63 million worth of facility improvements will be completed over the next 3–5 years. Among the improvements are a new general classroom building, additions and renovations to academic classrooms, a new student union, a new residential housing facility, a new Oklahoma Small Business Development Center and public safety complex, a new arena/convocation center, an expanded football stadium, and a new tennis courts complex.
Under President Johnson’s leadership, Southeastern continues to expand, establishing a branch campus in McCurtain County and offering elementary education degree courses at Grayson County College in Denison, Texas.
Before being appointed as President of Southeastern by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, President Johnson was Director of Public Policy at the University of Oklahoma and an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1996 and was Speaker of the House from 1990 to 1996. At the time of his appointment as Speaker, he was the youngest sitting Speaker in the United States.
President Johnson holds membership in numerous professional, state and national boards and organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities National Board of Directors; the NCAA Division II Presidents Council; the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Council of Presidents (past chair); the Fellows of the American Bar Association; serves on the board of directors of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum; is chairman–elect of the Oklahoma Heritage Association Board of Directors; and serves on the Oklahoma State Fair Board.
The Hall of Fame, which originated in 1928, includes such well known names as humorist Will Rogers, Speaker of the House Carl Albert, Gov. Raymond Gary, Chancellor E.T. Dunlap, Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anaotubby, entertainer Gene Autry, football coaches Barry Switzer and Darrell Royal, and SOSU graduates State Regent John Massey of Durant, Reba McEntire and Dr. Jack Van Doren Hough.
Previously:
Southeastern President Glen D. Johnson To Be Inducted Into Oklahoma Hall Of Fame
Press Release Date: 05-08-2006
Dr. Glen D. Johnson, President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, is one of seven outstanding Oklahomans who has been selected for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for 2006, Roxana Lorton, Tulsa, Chairman of the Board of the Oklahoma Heritage Association, has announced.
The other honorees are Bob Burke, Broken Bow; King Kirchner, Perry; J. Philip Kistler, Tulsa; Tom McDaniel, Alva; and Lynn Schusterman, Tulsa. Woody Guthrie, Okemah, will be posthumously inducted.
The Hall of Fame, which originated in 1928, includes such well known names as humorist Will Rogers, Speaker of the House Carl Albert, Gov. Raymond Gary, Chancellor E.T. Dunlap, State Regent John Massey of Durant, Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anaotubby, entertainer Gene Autry, football coaches Barry Switzer and Darrell Royal, and SOSU graduates Reba McEntire and Dr. Jack Van Doren Hough.
“As a native Oklahoman, induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor,” President Johnson said. “It’s a humbling experience when you consider the caliber of individuals who have previously been chosen for induction.”
Glen D. Johnson was born April 20, 1954, in Oklahoma City, the son of former Oklahoma Congressman Glen D. and Imogene Johnson, Sr.
He graduated from Muskogee High School in 1972. President Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science in 1976 at the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 1979 from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
President Johnson began his tenure at Southeastern Oklahoma State University July 1, 1997, as the University’s sixteenth president. As chairman of the Council of Presidents for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 2004–05, President Johnson played a key leadership role in ensuring passage of House Bill 1191, which includes $475 million for higher education capital bond improvements and $25 million for a bond bank for future projects for colleges and universities.
At Southeastern, $63 million worth of facility improvements will be completed over the next 3–5 years. Among the improvements are a new general classroom building, additions and renovations to academic classrooms, a new student union, a new residential housing facility, a new arena/convocation center, an expanded football stadium, and a new tennis courts complex.
Under President Johnson’s leadership, Southeastern continues to expand, establishing a branch campus in McCurtain County and offering elementary education degree courses at Grayson County College in Denison, Texas.
In 1998, he participated in the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.
Before being appointed as President of Southeastern by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, President Johnson was Director of Public Policy at the University of Oklahoma and an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1996 and was Speaker of the House from 1990 to 1996. At the time of his appointment as Speaker, he was the youngest sitting Speaker in the United States.
President Johnson holds membership in numerous professional, state and national boards and organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities National Board of Directors; the NCAA Division II Presidents Council; the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Council of Presidents (past chair); the Fellows of the American Bar Association; serves on the board of directors of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum; is chairman–elect of the Oklahoma Heritage Association Board of Directors; and serves on the Oklahoma State Fair Board.
He has received numerous awards, including selection as one of three Outstanding Young Oklahomans by the Oklahoma Jaycees in 1986; induction into the Okemah Hall of Fame in 1985; induction into the Oklahoma Conservation Commission Hall of Fame in 1996; and the recipient of the Distinguished Service Citation from the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives in 1996.
His wife, Melinda Pierce Johnson, holds two degrees from Southeastern and is a member of the Southeastern Alumni Association Board of Directors.
The 79th Annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held November 16, 2006, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
