Dr. Irene Rose Park’s dedication to education celebrated with scholarship endowment at USAO
Since the 1950s, Dr. Irene Rose Park has dedicated her life to two things: education and the community of Chickasha. Seventy years later, she continues to leave her mark on both.
The Irene Rose Park scholarship endowment has been established to celebrate Dr. Park’s lasting impact at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, ensuring future generations receive support in achieving their educational goals.
Dr. Park, originally from Chicago, made Chickasha her home in the early 1950s. She pursued her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Oklahoma while raising five children and teaching classes at USAO.
Upon receiving her doctorate in English and sociology, the chairman overseeing Park’s doctoral committee wrote, “She defended the dissertation successfully in an outstanding way. Her defense lasted a half hour longer than most defenses because the committee members enjoyed the intellectual exercise.”
Dr. Park joined USAO full time in the late 1970s, and in 1983, the USAO Board of Regents granted her tenure. She earned recognition as a respected associate professor of sociology, known for valuing her colleagues and promoting interdisciplinary teaching. Dr. Park retired from USAO on April 30, 1993, and upon her retirement, the Board of Regents awarded her the title of associate professor emeritus of sociology.
This year, Dr. Park celebrated her 96th birthday and received a special visit from one of her former students, USAO President Kayla Hale.
“I was enrolled in a team taught IDS course,” President Hale said. “What I found most interesting about Dr. Park’s class was that her perspective didn’t always align with the other teachers. When it came time for the test, I had a realization that this wasn’t just about memorization and regurgitation. It was a test not only on comprehension but on my opinion on the different perspectives presented in that class.”
“They wanted to hear my voice, and that made all the difference,” President Hale continued. “I told her later that while she might not remember me, I remembered her—her time, her scholarship, and her mentorship meant so much to me.”
“They [Dr. Park and President Hale] had the best visit,” said Cindy Rose Hardin, Dr. Park’s daughter. “They reminisced and talked a lot about the faculty who worked there at the same time. It was such a nice moment for my mom.”
Dr. Park's mentorship spanned multiple generations of students, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.
"I've often run into friends who had my mom as a professor," Hardin said. "It's so heartwarming to hear how much she inspired them."
Dr. Park remains deeply connected to the Chickasha community, cherishing the place where she built her career, her family and her lifelong impact on education.
For more information about scholarships and financial aid, contact financialaid@usao.edu or visit usao.edu.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.