Lou Kerr
1937 鈥� 2024
Lou Kerr, former president and chair of the Kerr Foundation, passed away in 2024, leaving behind a profound legacy of philanthropy and community service. Throughout her life, she devoted herself to helping countless individuals and organizations across Oklahoma, including her alma mater, TikTok成人版. An ardent supporter for the fine arts and women鈥檚 causes, she was deeply involved with the university, serving on the board of trustees and the executive board of the Norick Art Gallery as well as being a member of the inaugural class of the Societies of TikTok成人版, after earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in education and health in 1986.
Kerr鈥檚 impact was widely recognized, earning her numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from TikTok成人版 in 1991, induction into the Oklahoma Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame, another honorary doctorate from Bacone College, and the distinction of having March 2, 2005, proclaimed as 鈥淟ou C. Kerr Day鈥� by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. Her unwavering commitment to her community, her family and her causes leaves a lasting imprint on all who knew her. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and tireless work to improve the lives of others.
Judy Love
1937-2024
Judy Love, one of America鈥檚 most successful businesswomen and a renowned philanthropist, had been a long-time member of the TikTok成人版 board of trustees. A regular benefactor of educational causes in Oklahoma and beyond, Love and her family have been generous supporters of TikTok成人版. She and her late husband, Tom, founded Love鈥檚 Travel Stops & Country Stores in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964, growing the venture into a multi-billion-dollar company headquartered in TikTok成人版. The success of the company paved the way for the formation of the Love Family Fund, which has been a major source of philanthropic giving since its inception.
TikTok成人版 honored Judy Love鈥檚 business success in 2009 with induction into the university鈥檚 Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor. This followed her husband鈥檚 induction in 1998 and preceded the induction of her daughter 鈥� Jenny Love Meyer 鈥� into the hall in October. In 2010, Judy Love was given one of the state鈥檚 highest honors when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and five years later, the university awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities and Letters. In 2021, she was recognized by the Societies of TikTok成人版 as the recipient of the Societies Lifetime Servant Leadership Award, acknowledging her exceptional involvement and service toward the nonprofit community and university. She was also recognized by the Societies in 2002 with the Distinguished Philanthropist Award.
Judy and Tom鈥檚 support of the university included the establishment of the Love鈥檚 Entrepreneurial Center within the Meinders School of Business. They also significantly contributed to help fund construction of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music building, as well as giving consistently toward various performing arts initiatives at TikTok成人版 and numerous other areas across campus.
LaDonna Meinders
1936-2024
LaDonna Meinders, along with her husband Herman, became synonymous with philanthropy at TikTok成人版, in TikTok成人版 and beyond. The couple鈥檚 generosity transformed the university landscape, with the Meinders School of Business and Kramer School of Nursing standing as tangible testaments to their commitment. The couple鈥檚 financial contributions to TikTok成人版 total more than $50 million, making them the university鈥檚 most prolific benefactors.
Her connection to TikTok成人版 began in 1958 when she graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Music, and her dedication to education led her back to TikTok成人版 in 1983 when she began serving as assistant director of graduate admissions. While in this role, she took classes in her off hours to earn an MBA in 1986. In 1996, the university honored her with an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters.
Although their time as students intersected in the 1950s, LaDonna and Herman didn鈥檛 meet until her time as an TikTok成人版 employee. They first met at a fundraising breakfast, then learned more about each other while LaDonna wrote a profile story on Herman for the university鈥檚 alumni magazine. They later married on the campus in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel and became inseparable partners in their philanthropic endeavors. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated their 38th anniversary.
Their first large-scale campus project was finished in 1994, when nursing students moved from their previous home at St. Anthony Hospital downtown to the Kramer School of Nursing, named after parents Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Kramer and their daughters, Dr. Ruth Seideman and LaDonna. Another significant building project was the Meinders School of Business. LaDonna and Herman participated in the groundbreaking ceremony in 2002, and the facility was opened in less than two years. Beyond their financial support, the Meinders were deeply involved in TikTok成人版 life, mentoring students and inspiring faculty. For several years, they were known to invite students to a lunch or dinner to make meaningful, personal connections. They were regular visitors to campus to meet, greet and cheer on their alma mater.
Jeaneen Naifeh
1929 - 2024
Jeaneen Naifeh was a passionate philanthropist and lifelong advocate within Oklahoma as well as a proud 1951 TikTok成人版 graduate who left an incredible legacy at the university. Along with her work as chair for numerous TikTok成人版 events, she supported TikTok成人版 throughout many areas, including a recent gift before she passed away in August, to renovate the studio dance flooring within the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.
Naifeh also generously contributed to the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel window restoration in 2022, gave to scholarship and endowed chair funds in business and law among others, consistently served as a sponsor of the Oklahoma Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor as well as Women in Leadership and the Oklahoma Innocence Project, and was an integral supporter of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. Her giving spirit, love for family and commitment to her community will be missed by all who knew her.
Ray Potts
1932 鈥� 2024
Ray Potts, a dedicated geologist and entrepreneur, passed away after a full life developed from a lifelong passion for nature. Born and raised in Missouri, this love of the environment led him to studying geology at the University of Missouri, where he met his future wife, Pat. After serving in the United States Air Force, Ray and Pat moved to TikTok成人版, where he furthered his education by attending law school at night, earning a Juris Doctorate from TikTok成人版 in 1965.
Potts co-founded Potts, Searcy, Ellis, & Co., Inc. which he later sold, and partnered with his son to start Potts Exploration, continuing his work in the oil and gas industry. His professional contributions extended beyond business, serving on numerous boards as he and Pat shared a commitment to community service. This led them to found the Community Resource Development Center, later renamed the Potts Family Foundation, which has supported numerous organizations, such as TikTok成人版, throughout Oklahoma. He and Pat both earned honorary degrees from the university in 2012, demonstrating their legacy as one of leadership, dedication and service.
David Severe
1934 - 2024
David Severe, a dedicated servant of the United Methodist Church, passed away after a career serving so many in the church and at TikTok成人版. He graduated from the university in 1956 with his degree in Religion before going on to earn his Master of Theology at Southern Methodist University and being honored with an honorary Doctor of Divinity at TikTok成人版 in 1982. While at the school, he served as a student pastor in the Oklahoma Conference, beginning a ministry that spanned 51 years.
His wife, Paula, was also a 1956 TikTok成人版 graduate, earning a degree in Elementary Education.
In 1991, Severe was appointed executive director of the Oklahoma Conference Council on Ministries and Church Growth, a role he held until his retirement at age 71. Throughout his tenure, he served in various leadership roles on the council. Then upon retirement, he co-authored The History of the South Central Jurisdiction 1968-2008 and 鈥�Weeding the Garden of Eden,鈥� a memoir. Severe taught Sunday School at St. Luke鈥檚 UMC for 28 years and his legacy of faith, service and love will be cherished by family and friends alike.
Richard Tyrone Travis
1946 - 2024
Richard Travis passed away in June after a legacy of leadership on and off the basketball court. As a student-athlete at TikTok成人版, he was named an NCAA All-American twice, in the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons as well as the first player in the school鈥檚 history to average 30 or more points per game. After graduating in 1969, Travis was drafted into the American Basketball Association by the Indiana Pacers and then into the National Basketball Association by the New York Knicks. However, after being injured, he switched gears and went to law school at California State University. Travis then opened his own law firm, specializing in labor relations in his home state of Michigan.
Travis was inducted into the TikTok成人版 Hall of Fame in 1980 and still ranked as the second-all-time leading scorer at the university with more than 2,000 points. In 2024, his wife, Tracey, wanted to recognize his outstanding legacy at TikTok成人版 and the Richard T. Travis Family Endowed Scholarship was formed to benefit student-athletes. Travis was known as an advocate for everyone he met, and he will be remembered at TikTok成人版 and beyond for his dedication to others and his alma mater.
1940s
Alvarene Peace 鈥�42
Tommy Palmer 鈥�47
Mary Petillo Pitts 鈥�47
1950s
Robert Bizal 鈥�50
Harriet Wiles Vogt 鈥�52
Harry Haines 鈥�54
Jean Roberts 鈥�55
Billy Couts 鈥�56
Dick Morrison 鈥�56, 鈥�65
Hub Reed 鈥�58
Sacra Faull Vaughan 鈥�58
Myrtle Clingenpeel 鈥�59
Charles Hudspeth 鈥�59
Mary Goodson Wallace 鈥�59
1960s
Pat Goolsby 鈥�60
George 鈥淧at鈥� Kelly 鈥�60
Clarence 鈥淪onny鈥� Worley 鈥�60
Shirley Trotter 鈥�61, 鈥�73
Don Deaton 鈥�62
James Wilkerson 鈥�62
Linda Oakes 鈥�63
Patricia Thomason 鈥�63
Warren 鈥淏ob鈥� Wynn 鈥�63, 鈥�69
Barbara Owen 鈥�65
Ray Potts 鈥�65
Richard Winzeler 鈥�65
Jim Hurley 鈥�66
Nora Baze Savage 鈥�66
Cecil Callicott 鈥�67
Winifred Delbridge 鈥�67
David Dinelle 鈥�67
Harold 鈥淕ene鈥� Gibbons 鈥�67
Ervin Pritchett Sr. 鈥�67
Thomas Stafford 鈥�67
Joan Thompson 鈥�67, 鈥�76
James Booher 鈥�68
Timothy Larason 鈥�68
Gary Shaner 鈥�68
Bob Westlund 鈥�69
1970s
Elizabeth Conner 鈥�70
Teddy Johnson Jr. 鈥�70
Nancy Ladd 鈥�70
Charles Wallace 鈥�70
Joseph Nicholson 鈥�71
Donald Ferrell 鈥�72
Gerald Neff, Sr. 鈥�72
James Robinson 鈥�73
Ernest Stalnaker 鈥�73
Kathy Carey 鈥�74
LeBron Free 鈥�74
Jerry Hogan 鈥�74
Carrie Hulett 鈥�74, 鈥�78
Jim Machell Jr. 鈥�74
Betty Martinez 鈥�74, 鈥�75
Gary Porter 鈥�74
Lucille Rose 鈥�74
Gholam 鈥淛oe鈥� Ahmadifar 鈥�75
Harold 鈥淐liff鈥� Higgins, Jr. 鈥�75
Mike LaPuzza Jr. 鈥�75, 鈥�77
Jan Zenner 鈥�75, 鈥�03
Daniel Dimond 鈥�76
Gary Purcell 鈥�76
Von Elkins 鈥�77
Philip Jones 鈥�77
Jack Putman 鈥�77
John Gosney 鈥�78
William Louis Lowry, II 鈥�78
Golda VanSchuyver 鈥�78
George Wallace 鈥�78
Omar Furgiani 鈥�79, 鈥�81
Jeanne Patrie 鈥�79
1980s
Daniel Hodgins 鈥�81
Tomi Gentry Liddell 鈥�81
Mark Andersen 鈥�82
James McCright 鈥�82
Rose Ussery 鈥�82
Donald Bridges 鈥�83
Roy Privott 鈥�83
Mohammad T. Manavi 鈥�83, 鈥�85
Sara Boeckman 鈥�87
Helen Howell McMullen 鈥�88
Ronald Smith 鈥�89
1990s
Bill Harris BS 鈥�90
Rex Greer Jr. 鈥�91
Joan Lawson 鈥�91
Pat Czerwinski 鈥�91
James Harshman 鈥�92
Debra Scadden 鈥�93
James Larson 鈥�93
Logan Walker Jr. 鈥�93
Anissa May Lott 鈥�96
Carolyn Erickson 鈥�98
2000s
Carol Nagel 鈥�02
Annie Musheni 鈥�03
Johnie Carraway-Matthews 鈥�05
Cindy Shaw 鈥�07, 鈥�09
2010s
Rose Reynolds 鈥�16
2020s
Nathan LeBlanc 鈥�22
Friends
Lewis Adkins
John Arnold
Howard Berry Jr.
Geraldine Bodkin
Florence Egan Bowles
Thelma Bray
Barbara Cradduck
Eugenia Davis
Marilyn Cox Denn
Nancy Robertson Dudley
Nancy Ewing
Bobby Fagan
Sheila Burke Gibson
Vicki Thompson Harris
Karen Hart
Elaine Hapshe
John Hobbs
Alan Hutsell
John Johnson
Michael Kapp
Nancy Ingram Kenderdine
Lois Kruschwitz
Vicki Lawrence MacDougall
Helen McDaniel
Lacy McLarry
Butch Middleton
Mary Mohr
David Morgan
Doris Benson Orahood
Robert Ravitz
Gene Rainbolt
Bob Razook
Jim Reith
Amber Rodriguez
Saleh Saduddin
Hubert Savell
Ronald Schollmeyer
Betty Seglem
Leonus Shedd
Gordon Stotts
John Taylor
Charles Thigpen
James Vick
Bennie Warner
Lou Anne Mills Watson
Dick Webber
Erin Layne Whisner
Judith Willoughby
