Alumni Association Announces New Hall of Fame Inductees
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Alumni Association will induct four accomplished individuals into the USAO Alumni Hall of Fame during this year’s homecoming festivities.
This year’s inductees include longtime communication professor Dr. J.C. Casey, experienced educator and literacy advocate Cathy Simer, and entrepreneurs Ryan and Meagan Bell. The honorees exemplify USAO’s mission of interdisciplinary leadership, service and community transformation.
The induction ceremony will take place Friday, November 6th, 2026, at the university’s annual Homecoming Hall of Fame Dinner. The Dinner is scheduled to begin at 5:30 P.M. in the USAO Ballroom.
Dr. J.C. Casey
While she is not an alumna, Dr. J.C. Casey is recognized for 34 years of foundational service to USAO’s communication program, retiring in spring 2026. Arriving in Chickasha in 1992 following doctoral study at the University of Maryland and a career in rodeo journalism, Casey embraced USAO’s ethos of "the individual in contemporary society." A generalist who taught subjects ranging from rhetoric and public speaking to video production, she twice earned the Regents Superior Teacher of the Year award and served as president of the USAO Faculty Association.
From 2000 through her retirement, Casey served as adviser to USAO’s student newspaper, The Trend. Under her direction, the publication transitioned online in 2010, allowing the redirection of printing budgets into paid positions for student journalists. Known for cultivating applicable communication skills, practical competence, and critical thinking, Casey’s mentorship prepared decades of graduates to navigate professional landscapes. If you would like to help continue her legacy, fundraising is ongoing now for the Dr. J.C. Casey Communications Scholarship Fund.
Cathy Simer, Class of 1980
Cathy Simer spent 40 years strengthening public education across three districts and six school sites, with a primary focus on Title I elementary campuses. Holding two Master of Education degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma, Simer served as a classroom teacher, media specialist and librarian at Southwest Elementary, Grand Elementary and Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center, where she helped architects design the modern library facility.
Simer secured numerous competitive grants throughout her career, including a $250,000 federal literacy grant in 2009 that upgraded districtwide library technology and expanded instructional hours in Chickasha Public Schools. In retirement, her leadership with Altrusa International of Chickasha produced the ‘Stay Sharp Summer Bridge Books’ program, which significantly mitigated summer learning loss for local students. Her dedicated civic service also includes costuming youth productions for the Chickasha Community Theatre and sewing PPE for local healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan & Meagan Bell, Class of 2008
Ryan and Meagan Bell met in Lawson Hall as USAO undergraduates before building thriving enterprises that combine healthcare delivery, regional tourism and community vitality.
Ryan Bell, who added a nursing credential to his USAO communication degree, spent 15 years in hospice operations, serving as vice president for a 16 -state provider before launching independent healthcare ventures. He co-founded Kindful Hospice in 2019, growing the organization from 14 patients to roughly 350 before its sale in 2023. In 2024, he founded Refuge Hospice, expanding it to 190 patients and 95 staff members across Oklahoma by mid-2026. A governor-appointed member of the Oklahoma Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Council, Ryan advocates for community-based, patient-first care.
Meagan Bell, a former Presidential Leadership Scholar and Student Activity Board president, built an extensive record in arts management, special education and civic leadership, including four years of service as middle school PTO secretary. In 2019, the Bells opened Cotton Blossom Winery in Meagan’s hometown of Marlow, operating out of their former photography studio. Today, the winery produces more than 20,000 bottles annually, distributes across central and southwestern Oklahoma, and holds multiple statewide accolades, including 2022 Oklahoma Grand Champion. Under Meagan’s operational direction, the venue has become a cornerstone civic gathering space for families and community events.
Tickets for the Homecoming Hall of Fame Dinner are available for purchase. To find more information about the homecoming events and schedule, click here.
About USAO:
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is Oklahoma’s only public liberal arts college. Located in Chickasha, USAO is a distinctive institution offering a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. With a focus on broad-based education and civic responsibility, USAO prepares students to become well-rounded, adaptable leaders ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.