Eastern Oklahoma State College, Press Release, Local Circuit Rider Wins National Award

Les Brelsford, circuit rider for the Oklahoma Arts Council in the southeastern quadrant and speech/theatre adjunct at Eastern Oklahoma State College, was recently awarded the National Rural Community Assistance Leadership Award.

The honor, presented by the U.S. Forest Service/National Endowment for the Arts, recognizes Brelsford's contributions to economic development in the region through the encouragment and development of the arts.

"This award recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, thus enabling on-the-ground community based strategic planning and action to take place," according to Debbie Ugbade, Public Affairs Specialist for the Ouachita National Forest.

"Les is one of only eight people selected nationwide to receive this prestigious award. We are very pleased that his work is being recognized," Georgia Williams, outreach coordinator for the Oklahoma Arts Council, says.

The circuit rider program was initiated two years ago by the Oklahoma Arts Council in partnership with Eastern Oklahoma State College to help under-served communities learn about grants opportunities through the OAC and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Brelsford has recently learned that his program will receive a second grant from the United States Forest Service. Funding from the USDA supports educational symposiums that help rural communities identify and capitlize on what is unique and special about them.

Brelsford's career in the arts spans 25 years in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Europe.

Caption:

Les Brelsford received the National Rural Community Assistance Leadership Award at the Fall Festival in Beavers Bend State Park, Nov. 8, 2003. Shown here flanked by Michelle Walker, Beavers Bend, on the left, and Debbie Ugbade, Public Affairs Specialist of the Ouachita National Forest, Brelsford is one of only eight people in the nation to receive the honor this year.

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