Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Alumni

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Steve Hughes

Professor Steve Hughes is the eldest son of Larry and Mary Hughes. He graduated from BWC in 1978 with a B.A. in Religion. While in school, Steve was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He also played on the basketball team and was team captain for the 1976-77 season. After using up his eligibility, he was the assistant Basketball coach to Don Maness his final year at OKWU. After college, Steve went on to pastor in the Kansas District of The Wesleyan Church for eight years. While in Kansas, he also earned his M.A. in English from Kansas State. He has completed 60 hours of course work beyond his Master’s Degree. His areas of specialization are Medieval and Renaissance British literature. As a student, he was presented the Hanover Award for Outstanding Work by a graduate student who is also a graduate assistant. In 1988 Steve came back to OKWU to teach in the Humanities division, and served as chaplain for three years. He was the Humanities Division Chair for 12 years. he received the Faculty Member of the Year Award from the Alumni Association in 2003. He was also voted Best College Professor in 2005 in the Best of Bartlesville contest by the citizens of Bartlesville. He has been voted Teacher of the Year by OKWU students more than once. Now he serves the university as an English professor. He serves on the OKWU Teacher Education Committee and Faculty Handbook and Bylaws Committee. He is married to Melody Hughes, who has served as the OKWU Director of Alumni Relations for the past five years. They have four children, all of whom are third-generation OKWU alumni. They also have five grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, golfing, jogging, and spending time with friends and family.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO OKWU

Barney Hay


After 18 years (‘88-‘06) of dedicated service, Head Coach Barney Hay retired from coaching the OKWU women’s basketball team. Serving as the assistant girls basketball coach for 14 years, she is a well deserving candidate. Watching Barney in action, it was very clear the she was a great motivator and always had a positive attitude. Under her coaching career, her team accomplished winning the 2005 NCCAA National Tournament. It is not always easy walking the Chritian walk in everything said and done, but Barney seems to do it with ease. Her husband, Ron, is an ER doctor and she has two sons, Jeff (‘01) & Kevin. Jeff is married to Sabrina (Shanta) (‘02), and they have one daughter, Emma Grace (‘06). Jeff is employed with Conoco Phillips. Kevin is married to Caroline (Perkinson) and is employed with Arvest Bank.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dwight Holdman

Dwight Holdman was born and reared in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended public schools, graduating from East Central High School. He was a student athlete and received an athletic scholarship to attend Rogers State and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health & Physical Education from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and his Master of Science degree in Guidance Counseling and Administration from Northeastern State University. Mr. Holdman has served at numerous levels in education as well as the juvenile justice system. Over the past 22 years, he has been a Juvenile Counselor (Juvenile Bureau), Classroom Teacher (Foster Middle School), School Counselor (Foster Middle School), Dean of Students (Gilcrease and Monroe Middle Schools), and currently is serving as the Assistant Principal at Lewis & Clark Middle School. His interest in education stems from a background of training and experience in the area of Human Development, Leadership and Community services. He is always eager to promote learning and development of the students by setting the atmosphere to motivate not only the student, but also all the individuals within the student’s educational arena. He has spent his entire career getting to the root of, and understanding the nature of today’s student issues. He has successfully dealt with many of the challenges of today’s student throughout his career as a professional educator. His life’s ambition is to promote the survival and progress of education and continue his commitment and dedication to all students.

YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT

Larry French

Larry French was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, which is right outside of Chicago. He moved from Joliet to Decatur, Georgia when he was 16 years old. He graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School. He went to school at Oral Roberts University on an academic scholarship where he played basketball. He transferred from ORU to Oklahoma Wesleyan University where he earned All American honors in basketball and graduated with a degree in Behavioral Science in May 2002. Larry has recently finished main course work for a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado University. He hopes to start his doctorate in Educational Psychology in January 2007. Larry worked in the admissions office of Oklahoma Wesleyan University as an Admissions Counselor for two years before leaving to become the Assistant Administrator/ Athletic Director at American Christian School where he also taught history, literature, Bible and physical education. Recently Larry moved to become an administrator at Riverveiw Christian School near Ft. Morgan, Colorado. He and his wife Emily (Coggins) (‘05) have been married for three years. He is currently a Program Manager at Bios doing life programming for developmentally disabled adults. Larry enjoys any competitive sports and reading.