Eastern Oklahoma State College, Press Release, Eastern Regent And Assistant Choctaw Chief Receives Honors

Eastern Oklahoma State College regent Mike Bailey was honored today (May 24) by the Oklahoma House and Senate in a joint resolution read from the floor honoring him as the recipient of the 2004 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Western Region Trustee Leadership Award to be presented to him in San Antonio June 17.

Bailey received a standing ovation Eastern President Richard Bernard said following the presentation.

“It really was a nice affair,” the Wilburton college president said.

“He (Mike Bailey) received several rounds of applause and a standing ovation by the joint House and Senate.

“They took time from their busy schedule during a particularly busy time in the session to honor a man who has spent much of his life promoting the importance of education.

“He is truly deserving of the honor.”

Bailey also serves as Assistant Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Over the years he has made an extended effort to bring Choctaw youth to education at all levels.

The joint resolution was sponsored by Senators Richard Lerblance, Kenneth Corn, Jay Paul Gumm, Jeff Rabon and House members Ray Miller, Dan Boren, Neil Brannon, John Carey, Jerry Ellis, Randall Lee Erwin, Terry Harrison, Mike Mass, Paul Roan and Glen Smithson.

ACCT is a non profit educational organization of governing boards representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1200 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States, Canada and England.

Community professionals within the organization are leading citizens offering their time and talent to serve on the governing boards of higher education institutions and make decisions that affect more than 11 million students annually.

In a letter notifying Bailey of the award ACCT Western Region Chairman, John Kaiser, who is a trustee at Laramie County Community College, WY, said that “it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you as the recipient of this award.”

“You (Mike Bailey) should be aware that ACCT awards program participation is extremely competitive. Knowing this, you and your college should take great pride as your name is added to a very select list of award recipients.”

ACCT is governed by a 26-member board of directors. The Association offers trustee training and professional development programs, educational programs, research and publications, extensive board services and public policy advocacy.

Bailey was first sworn in as an Eastern regent by Associate District Judge Bill Welch, Wilburton, April 20, 2001 to finish a term left open when Gerald Dennis from Antlers resigned his position on the Eastern board. Bailey was appointed to his first full term by Gov. Brad Henry and confirmed by the Oklahoma State Senate April 19.

Bailey, a resident of Durant, was also the former director of Jones Academy in Hartshorne. He has experience as the Executive Director of Education for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as well as experience as a teacher and coach in both Oklahoma and Texas. Bailey holds positions as the Committee Chairman of the Choctaw Management Services Enterprise and Committee Chairman of the Choctaw Manufacturing and Development Corporation.

During 2002, he was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry to serve as a member of the Steering Committee for Oklahoma’s EDGE: Economic Development Generating Excellence.

Bailey is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant and holds a Masters of Education Degree from East Central University in Ada. He also has garnered numerous honors such as selection to Who’s Who Among Top International Executives and winner of the Administrator-of-the-Year by the National Indian School Board Association. He also received a Certificate of Merit in 1990 from First Lady Barbara Bush for volunteer initiatives at the National Take-Pride-in-America awards ceremony.

Mike Bailey