Southeastern to Honor Three Distinguished Former Faculty Members on Oct. 27, 2007

Press Release Date: 09-27-2007

Southeastern Oklahoma State University will honor three Distinguished Former Faculty members as part of the 2007 Homecoming/Parents’ Day celebration on Oct. 27, 2007.

Dr. Sam Bigham, Dr. David Norris and Dr. Don Parham have a combined 102 years as part of the SOSU faculty. They will be formally honored at the Alumni Homecoming Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. in the old student union ballroom.

Bigham earned his B.S. in Zoology (1963), M.S. in Zoology (1965) and Ph.D in Zoology (1970) at Oklahoma State University and came to Southeastern in 1979 as Associate Professor of Biology. He was promoted to full professor and elevated to Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences in 1984. He taught one year in Montana before making stops at Oklahoma State and Northwestern. After 22 years at SOSU, Bigham retired in 2001 as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.

Activities at Southeastern included participation in leadership development Seminars for Faculties of Oklahoma’s Public and Independent Colleges and Universities in 1985–88. Bigham also served as Regional Director of the Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science beginning in 1985. He was a member of the Institutional Research and Planning Committee from 1985–90 and a member of the American Indian Graduate Opportunities Advisory Group at SOSU.

He chaired the Curriculum Committee from 1988-90 and participated in the Systemwide Faculty Meeting learner outcomes review in 1992 . He served on the Faculty Appellate Committee from 1992–94 and on the Assessment Committee for General Education, under the Quality Initiative Grant, starting in 1990. Bigham was the Faculty representative on the Regents Committee to review faculty and staff benefits, and the North Central Subcommittee on Goals and Objectives. He was an instructor at the Region VI Math/Science Center in the summer of 1993 and on the Master of Technology Program Review Committee, also in 1993.

He served on SOSU’s Faculty Senate Committee four years and chaired the committee two years. The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges bestowed upon him the honorary title of ‘Professor Emeritus of Biology.’ He lives in Durant with his wife, Jo. They have three children.

Norris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in History from Southern Arkansas University in 1967 and received his M.A. in History from Arkansas State University in 1971. He earned his Ph.D. in History from Southern Illinois University in 1982. He came to Southeastern in 1969 as an Instructor of History and later held the titles of Assistant and Associate Professor before being promoted to Professor of History in 1985. He held that position until being named Vice President for Student Affairs in 1987, returned to his role of Professor of History in 1992, and maintained that position until his retirement in 2004. He served Southeastern for 35 years.

Norris was active in the community, serving from 1988 to 2002 on the City Council of Durant and was also Mayor of Durant from 1997–1999. His many honors and awards include the State Citation of Merit Award from the State Historic Presentation Board, Oklahoma Historical Society, in 1992. He also served as President of the Oklahoma Association of Professional Historians in 1995–96 and was a Distinguished Alumnus of Southern Arkansas University in 1991. He holds professional memberships in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Florida, including the Oklahoma Education Association and the Higher Education Alumni Council (HEACO) of Oklahoma, the Arkansas and Florida Historical Societies, and the Oklahoma Heritage Association.

In 1975, Alpha Sigma Tau named him Teacher of the Year. Norris authored, co–authored, contributed and/or edited a number of books, including “William H. Emory: Soldier/Scientist,” published in 1998, and “With the 18th Texas Infantry: The Autobiography of Wilburn Hill King.” It was published in 1996.

Also, “Governor Raymond Gary / The Man on the Second Floor,” 1996; and “The Republic of the Floridas, Pan American Institute of History and Geography,” 1989. He authored “A History of Southeastern Oklahoma State University since 1909,” which was published in 1986. He has served as University Tour Director for Europe, Oklahoma Regions and San Antonio, Texas. He held many professional memberships and served on a great number of State and University committees and special assignments and supervised and administered federal grants.

The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges bestowed upon him the honorary title of “Professor Emeritus of History.” Norris resides in Durant with his wife, Pat. They have one daughter, Stephanie, who is the Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events at Southeastern.

Parham is a 1952 graduate of Southeastern with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. He received his M.S. in Educational Administration from Oklahoma State University in 1955 and earned his Ed.D in Health and Physical Education from George Peabody College in 1959.

After three years at Southern Arkansas, president Alan E. Shearer brought Parham to Southeastern in 1959 as Associate Professor of Physical Education. From 1965–80, he served as head baseball coach, and in 1967, he became Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In 16 years, his baseball teams never had a losing season while posting an overall record of 532–162 (77%). Three of his last four teams reached the NAIA College World Series with the 1977 Savages finishing as national runners–up. He was promoted to Director of Athletics in 1970 and held that position until his retirement in 2004. Parham chaired the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for 29 years and was associated with Southeastern for six consecutive decades and a total of 45 years.

Despite outstanding success in athletics, Parham’s strong point was academics. He served the University on numerous committees and special assignments, including the Curriculum, Admission to Teacher Education and General Education Committees, Honors, Teacher Education, Academic, and Graduate Councils. Parham led Southeastern from NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division II status and served on numerous committees on both levels. He was a Life Member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. His baseball uniform (#5) was retired by SOSU in 1982 and he was selected by the All–American Football Foundation for the Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award in 2004.

Parham’s honors and awards include Alpha Sigma Tau Professor of the Year in 1965. He is a member of the Atoka High School, Eastern State College, Southeastern and NAIA Halls of Fame and was recently named to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor. He started SOSU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977 and chaired the selection committee until his retirement in 2004. The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges bestowed upon him the honorary titles of “Professor Emeritus” and “Director of Athletics Emeritus.” Parham lives in Durant with his wife, Kay. They have three children.