March 11, 2008

OHEHS welcomes Dr. Billy Crynes and Mr. Fred Gipson, Sr. to the OHEHS Board of Directors. They join 16 other outstanding individuals who share thier commitment to preserving and promoting Oklahoma's higher education heritage. We thank all of our board members for their time and talents.

Dr. Billy L. Crynes served Oklahoma State Uiversity for twenty years, becoming Head of the Department. He served as the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma until 1998. During his term as Dean, the College increased in size and made many advancements. His recruitment of National Scholars, placed the College in the top ten nationally. The Minority Engineering Program was in the top 20 in enrollment, graduation and National Scholars, and OU became the only College in the nation significantly enrolling all three under-represented groups. Dr. Crynes helped establish exchange programs with a universities in France and Thailand. He won five outstanding teaching awards at OSU and OU and was presented numerous professional awards for his work in engineering. Dr. Crynes retired from OU in 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. In 2007 the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society inducted Dr. Crynes into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame for his contributions to higher education in Oklahoma. We are honored to have him as Board Member.

Fred Gipson, Sr. received his undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He practiced law in Oklahoma and Washington D.C. and served as chief legal counsel for the University of Oklahoma from 1988 to 1999. While at OU Mr. Gipson taught political science and higher education law. Currently he maintains a law practice in Norman, OK and serves as one of the trustees of Sarkey's Foundation. We welcome Mr. Gipson as a Board Member and greatly appreciate his time and talents.

OHEHS Board of Directors is an all-volunteer group of 16-18 individuals who share the common goal of preserving and promoting Oklahoma's higher education heritage. Board Members should have an understanding of the higher education system in Oklahoma, or other knowledge that would serve the Society (e.g. law, business, banking). Board Members serve two year terms. OHEHS also has six Standing Committees. If you are interested in serving on the OHEHS Board of Directors or one of the Standing Committees, or to find out general information regarding qualifications for Board Membership, please contact OHEHS at (405) 522-0778, email: ohehs@okhistory.org; or contact the Nominating Committee Chair, Milt Jarrett, at millard-jarrett@utulsa.edu.

To meet the OHEHS Board of Directors, visit http://www.ohehs.org/boardofdirectors.html/