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Board of Directors

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Eugene Earsom wearing a black blazer over a green and gold shirt, smiling to the camera.

Eugene Earsom (President) | Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts, 1970

Eugene Earsom graduated from OCLA in 1970 with a degree in political science. Eugene retired in 2015 after 42 years in public education, most recently as program director for Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, and previously as the social studies director at the Oklahoma State Department of Education and as a classroom teacher for 20 years. He was named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 1989-90. He was inducted into the USAOAA Hall of Fame in 2010.

In addition to his degree from OCLA, Earsom holds a master’s in social sciences from the University of Oklahoma. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education, Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame, and New Hope Christian Church, Oklahoma City. He also serves on the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence selection committee and the Black Heritage and Multicultural Program Committees of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Earsom has served as a member of the USAO Alumni Association Board of Directors multiple times since the 1970s, but his most recent term has been from 2021-2023.
   

Woman with white hair and a blue jacket outside in the fallJoan Barrett Roberts | Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts, 1970

Joan Barrett Robert is an active retired teacher, and her professional life has been in education as a public school teacher, elementary school principal, college adjunct professor, state education consultant, and substitute teacher during covid years an online teacher.

Joan graduated from Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She then earned her Master’s degree, M.S.E. in Middle-Level Education, Honors Graduate, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a PhD (A.B.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction and Rural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As a poet who has published in over thirty publications and is currently working on her book, she lives in Bella Vista, AR, on beautiful Lake Ann with her husband and their two Cocker Spaniels, Sweetie Pie and Ginger Bread.

 

  

Woman smiling, wearing a black shirt and red beaded necklaceAutumn Dalman | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2012

Autumn Dalman earned her degree in American Indian Studies from USAO in 2012. With a solid background in grant work and management, she brings many years of experience demonstrating a strong commitment to serving students in higher education. During her tenure at USAO, Autumn achieved notable milestones, including leading a grant team to secure a 2.5 million dollar, 5-year Title III NASNTI grant. She also orchestrated the inaugural ITHC culture display in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Recognized for her contributions, she was honored with the Forever Green and Gold 2023 Innovation and Collaboration Award. Autumn is passionate about raising awareness and enhancing efforts, particularly for Native American students, as she continues her dedicated pursuit of supporting all students in higher education.

 

  
Charlie Largent looking head-on to the camera, wearing a suit and tie.

Charlie Largent | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2000 

Charlie Largent graduated in 2000 from the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in History and is a lifelong resident of the Chickasha area. Largent began his career in fire protection and emergency management as volunteer fire fighter for the Grady County Fire Service. After obtaining his degree, he worked for OSDMHS and Love County EMS. In 2011 he accepted the position of Fire Chief for the City of Blanchard. He continues to serve the residents of McClain and Grady counties in this position and also serves as the City’s Emergency Management Director. Charlie has a long history of public service through a previous appointment to the Grady County Fire Board. He has also volunteered as a member of the McClain County Board of Health since 2019.

Largent has spent the last 26 year serving the citizens of Grady and McClain counties with willingness to assist any community, group, or individual. He resides in Blanchard with his wife Shannon and daughter Sydney.

    
April Lawrence smiling in front of green foliage

April Lawrence | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2013 

April Lawrence graduated from USAO in 2013, double majoring in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Bachelor of Art in Economics. After completing her degrees, Lawrence was hired to work as an Admissions Counselor in the USAO Admissions & Recruitment Office. Today, she is the Director of Admissions & Enrollment. While helping the University increase in student population, she has created processes that help not only students, but also the staff. In Lawrence's spare time, she is either reading or playing with her dog 'Birdie'. She is also a volunteer with Friends Fur Change which is a dog rescue in Chickasha. While she makes a difference in her community, and at the university, she impacts those around her for the better.

    

LaRonda McCarther in front of a red brick wall, smiling and wearing a black blouse.

LaRonda McCarther | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2000

LaRonda McCarther is a Chickasha native and a graduate from the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. McCarther graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Economics in 2000. She has been a passionate real estate agent since 2007 and has recently acquired her broker’s license. With her husband, Shawn McCarther they own and manage their personal investment properties. McCarther enjoys being part of the boards of the Grady County Health Department and Arvest Bank for Southwest Oklahoma.

She loves to spend time with her family which includes her two adult sons Shawn II and Jalen. LaRonda truly loves and is a supporter of the Chickasha community.

 

  
Smiling man with a beard wearing a half zip fleece

Michael McCormick | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2007

Michael McCormick graduated from USAO in 2007 with a B.Sc. in Psychology and a minor in Liberal Arts and Theatre. A lifelong Oklahoman and local Chickasha business owner, Michael is deeply connected to USAO. With over 15 years in software development and project management, he’s led global teams and projects impacting millions. As an Agile Project Manager at Phase 2 Development and owner of The Data Shop, he helps small businesses grow with technology. Michael is pursuing an MBA focused on leadership and communication.

He’s married to DeeDee (also USAO alum), and they have four wonderful kids with “strong executive leadership capabilities.” When not converting coffee into code, Michael enjoys martial arts, running, and making semi-questionable jokes. His goal for the Alumni Board is to use technology—especially AI—to enhance outreach and expand USAO’s influence. 
April Lawrence smiling in front of green foliage

Nicole McMonagle | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2012 

Nicole McMonagle graduated from USAO in 2012, receiving her degree in Business Administration. She began as a part-time student worker for Nash Library in 2007 and received a full-time position by 2013. In 2017, McMonagle enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to obtain her master's degree in library and information studies, to become a librarian. By 2019, she became the Interim Director of Nash Library while finishing her master's program, eventually becoming the official Director of Nash Library in the spring of 2020. One of McMonagle's greatest accomplishments has been that she has helped co-write several grants that have been awarded to the library for renovations. She is also the supervisor for the campus food pantry. McMonagle hopes to bring awareness to the current student population and help them see the importance of what being an alumnus means.
   

Woman sitting on a red couch, wearing jeans and a grey sweater, and glasses

Beth Powell-Wehling | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2015

Beth Powell-Wehling graduated from USAO in 2015, double majoring in History and American Indian Studies. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Oklahoma State University. She presently serves as the Executive Director of Educational Technology at Epic Charter Schools, a statewide school serving approximately 30,000 Oklahoma students in a blended learning environment. She currently leads an innovative EdTech team and has won multiple awards including Epic’s Administrator of the Year and an Excellence in Innovation award from PowerSchool. 

She loves spending time with her husband, Chris, son, Garrett and two dogs. Her hobbies include sailing, scuba diving, graphic design, and watching all things Star Wars.

    
Jennifer Shepard wearing a black blouse and framed glasses.

Jennifer Shepard | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2006

Jennifer Shepard, Norman native and NHS Tiger, graduated with a BA in Physical Education from the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. While there she was on the first school-sponsored women’s soccer team. From this experience she earned recognition as an All-Regional player her freshmen year. After teaching for 7 years, she earned her Master’s in Education from East Central University, and she most recently received a Certificate in Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Shepard has enjoyed working with children as a physical education teacher, a school counselor and coach. In addition to working as a health adjunct at UCO, Mid-America and SWCU, she opened a private practice, “Specialized Coaching & Consulting“ during the pandemic encouraging a focus on health & wellness transformation. Shepard is one of the only certified POINTE instructors in the Midwest who practices Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.

When not working towards growing her own practice, she volunteers her time with the local soccer club. Jennifer currently lives in her hometown with her wonderful daughter, two dogs, two cats and a fish.

    
Michelle Skinner smiling, wearing glasses and a blue floral-patterned shirt.

Michelle Skinner | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2006

Michelle Skinner graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music with a minor in art and completed a master's degree in library and information studies from the University of Oklahoma. She currently works at the Chickasha Public Library, where her favorite things are reference, genealogy, document preservation and digitization, and writing a book about the library's history.

She also maintains a piano studio, plays piano and organ at First Presbyterian Church in Chickasha, works as a freelance artist, and performs as a flutist and as an aspiring cellist. She tends to be curious and fascinated by everything, and she loves all things creative and intellectual.

    
A smiling Ron Sullivan, wearing framed glasses, a grey suit jacket over a grey and white checkered shirt and red tie.

Ron Sullivan | Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts, 1975

Ron Sullivan, class of '75. Majored in Theater. From: McAlester, OK, now lives in Duncan, OK. Married to Sherry Lynn Lacy-Sullivan, class of '72. Retired from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (28 years). Served on the boards for Pittsburg County March of Dimes, Relay for Life, Ryan's Run Against Child Abuse, McAlester Spaghetti Run, and Pittsburg County Youth Health Symposium. Taught high school English at Indianola, Oklahoma for 8 years as well as coaching baseball for 4 years.

Served 2 years as an Educational Coordinator for Eastern Oklahoma State College's GEAR-UP Grant assisting students in preparing for college. Taught high school English, Creative Writing, and Speech and Drama at Duncan High School four years before retirement.

    

A smiling Heidi Walker in a red sweater over a white and black patterned shirt.

Heidi Walker | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 1988 

Heidi Walker graduated from USAO with a degree in Elementary Education in 1988. Over the course of her 32-year career she has taught 4th grade, self-contained special ed, resource special ed and inclusion. This year she was honored with the “Teacher of the Year” award at her campus, Ridgecrest Elementary, in Amarillo. She has been on the Alumni Board for 9 years and is currently serving as vice-president. Distance is not a concern for her as she has attended board meetings, events on campus such as Listen Local, The Civil War Symposium, Freshmen cookouts, art shows and other events in support of USAO. This year, Heidi has entered a new phase of her life, retired, empty nester.

She is looking forward to continuing to support her Alma Mater through the role of Alumni Association Past-President. 

  

Chris Willard, a man with long dark hair and beard in a black suit in front of a grey backdrop

Chris Willard | University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 2007 

Chris Willard graduated from USAO in 2007, receiving his degree in Communication. With more than 15 years in the media/entertainment industry, Willard brings a unique perspective on how the university can help prepare students to enter a world that is changing more quickly than ever. Willard recently led the successful PR launch for the Max streaming service in the U.S. Chris helped turn Game of Thrones into a global phenomenon, leading the PR launches for hundreds of consumer products and fan experiences. Willard also spearheaded the launch of numerous emerging tech initiatives including VR video games, Alexa voice skills, and the storytelling app Mosaic, while playing a leading role in the launch of HBO Max and promoted the HBO NOW streaming service previously. He was recently inducted into the USAO Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022.

  

 

  

 

Nominations

Nominate a Board Member:
Deadline for submissions is July 1, 2024

Providing value to fellow alumni of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma doesn't have to end on graduation day. In fact, the opportunity to give back to your alma mater is one click away.

We are seeking names of alumni who are interested in serving on the USAO Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The alumni board serves as the official representative of the entire alumni community and works on initiatives that help fulfill the mission of the USAO Alumni Association.

As you consider potential candidates (or if you would like to self-nominate) please keep in mind that alumni board members are required to attend four board meetings per calendar year on the USAO campus (Zoom meetings until further notice). For alumni who wish to serve but live out of state please don’t let geography deter you! We strive to achieve a balanced and broad representation of the alumni community on our board and are looking for representation from various backgrounds, degree programs, regions and industries.

USAO Alumni Association board meetings traditionally occur on a Saturday in January, May, August, and during Homecoming the first weekend of November. All directors serve a three-year term. No board member may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms without a resting period of one year. This restriction shall further apply to the office of President, excluding board service as immediate Past President.

For more information about board expectations contact Whitney Palesano at wpalesano@usao.edu or usaoalumnioffice@usao.edu.

Submissions do not guarantee a position on the USAOAA Board of Directors.

All names will be sent to the Nominating Committee for further consideration.  

However, there is much work to do and a place for all alumni who want to volunteer in service to the USAOAA. We will work with you to find the perfect fit.

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION(S)

If you have questions, you can email USAOAA executive director Whitney Palesano at wpalesano@usao.edu or contact the Alumni & Community Relations office via email or call (405) 574-1290.

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