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Ward Bids Board Farewell
(Press Release 06-29-06)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Two-term, 14 year Eastern Oklahoma State College Regent Randell Ward attended his last meeting as a regent at the Wilburton college Tuesday (June 27).

The McAlester oil and cattleman was appointed as an Eastern regent in 1992 by Oklahoma Gov. David Walters to replace Lorena Razook, also from McAlester, who had served two terms as an Eastern regent. Ward was reappointed by Gov. Frank Keeting in 1999 for his second seven-year term.

Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard said Ward “has been a solid rock on the board keeping the institution on the right road during his tenure.”

Ward said when former Eastern President Dr. Bill Hill retired, he told Hill that he thought he would resign from the board.

“Hill convinced me to stay on through the transition until another president was in place and things had settled down.

“Well, its been a while since then, but I think things have finally settled and its time for me to step down.

“This college and what it means to the area is immeasurable. As long as this college is here, our future is bright,” Ward said.

Ward is a lifetime resident of McAlester. He and his wife Ada have three daughters.

Ward has been active in the community and served on many boards during his varied career. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Oklahoma Livestock Foundation, a member of the Governor’s Small Business Commission. A member of the Board of Directors of the Bank NA, served as an Advisory Director of the Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership program, member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and member of the Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers.

He has also served as President of the Pittsburg County Cattlemen’s Association, President of the Oklahoma Hereford Association and President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association among other community involvements.

Caption: Eastern Oklahoma State College President Dr. Richard Bernard, right, presented Randell Ward and his wife Ada with a plaque of appreciation for Ward’s 14 years of service as a regent for Eastern following the June regent meeting on Eastern’s Wilburton campus.