Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Cecil R. Chesser

Cecil R. Chesser served as a teacher and administrator in Oklahoma public schools for fifteen years before being named Academic Dean in 1966 at Altus Junior College. During his time as academic leader, Western Oklahoma State College expanded its curriculum, enlarged its enrollment, and gained national accreditation. Chesser founded the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus, Oklahoma. Author of five books of history and poetry, he did feature writing for eight newspapers and historical journals. After his retirement in 1988, Chesser returned to the classroom at WOSC. He retired again in 1998. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 1998. He is now deceased.