More than 200 people gathered together for the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education’s annual Celebration of Education on April 26 to celebrate educators from around the state who are making positive impacts and their schools and in their communities.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs Joe Castiglione was honored with the Award of Distinction. Castiglione earned his master’s degree in the college, and in addition to his duties in athletics also spends time as an instructor in the college in the Intercollegiate Athletics Administration program.
Other award winners include Jeff McMillan (Emerging Educator), Nathan Gray (Outstanding Educator), Jason Simeroth (Career Achievement), Lil Ross (Meritorious Service) and Goldie Thompson (Hall of Fame). The audience also was treated to a speech from 2018 JRCoE graduate Becky Oglesby, who is the 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.
We would like to thank our sponsors for the event: Cathey and Donald Humphreys, Patty and Larry Bartell, Danni and Dan Boz, the Inasmuch Foundation, Sharon and Kenneth Lease, Linda and Ronn Lytle, Alpha Plus CEO Jan Barrick, Roberta and Steve Burrage of First Bank; Pamela and Myles Deering, the OU Athletics Department, Margaret and Donald Pape, William Paul (in memory of Barbara Brite Paul), Lori Thrower, the Yukon Public Schools, the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Foundation, Sally Bentley, Faith Kelly Clune, Jane and John Kenney, Linda and Bill Rodgers, and Marilyn and Bill Sullivan.
Joe Castiglione
Award of Distinction
Goldie Thompson
JRCoE Hall of Fame
Timothy Ford, Ph.D.
Junior Faculty Award
Trudy Rhodes
Staff Service Award
Jeff McMillan
Emerging Educator Award
Kyong-Ah Kwon, Ph.D.
Research-Scholarship Award
Rockey Robbins, Ph.D.
Pedersen Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award
Nathan Gray
Outstanding Educator Award
Amy Bradshaw, Ph.D.
Leadership-Citizenship Award
Siduri Haslerig, Ph.D.
Hardré Graduate Mentoring Award
Jason Simeroth
Career Achievement Award
Libby Ethridge, Ed.D.
Teaching-Advising Award
Austin Henson
Staff Service Award
Honoree Goldie Thompson and family.
Honoree Jason Simeroth (fourth from right) and guests at the Celebration of Education in Oklahoma.
Dean Gregg Garn chats with a guest.
2019 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year Becky Oglesby.
Honorees pose for a photo after the ceremony.
Award of Distinction winner Joe Castiglione.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is recognized during the program.
(L to R) Toronzo McInnis, Dr. Stacy Reeder and Charlotte Lankard.
Gene Rainbolt
Award winner Dr. Kyong-Ah Kwon (right).