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Area Educator Named To Eastern Regents
(Press Release 06-06-06)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

A 1960 Fanshaw High School graduate and educator has been named by Gov. Brad Henry to be the latest appointed to serve on the Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents.

Audrey C. Balentine from Wister was recommended for appointment by Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-District 4) from Poteau and recently confirmed by the State Senate. Balentine will join Board Chairman Dale Covington, Edmond; Mark Jordan, McAlester; Mike Bailey, Durant; Burl Williams, Stigler and Board Secretary Ken Bass and John Shero, Wilburton.

The appointment is for a 7 year term Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard said. Eastern regents are recommended by the local senator to the Governor who makes the appointment subject to confirmation by the state senate.

“With his recent confirmation, his first meeting as an active board member should be at the scheduled meeting in late June.”

“His life-long professional career as a teacher should add an additional perspective to the board,” Bernard said. “Since he is from LeFlore county he will bring in a perspective from an additional area not previously represented on the board.”

Balentine received his Bachelor of Science from Southeastern State University in math and physics and his Master of Arts from Louisiana State in mathematics in 1969.

His teaching career began at Panola High School followed by a 9 year position as instructor of math and physics at Eastern. He spent from 1978 until his retirement in 1993 as an instructor of math and physics at Carl Albert State College, Poteau.

As a “retired” cattle rancher from Wister, he serves on the Kiamichi Electric Housing Authority Governing Board; Board of Directors of Baysul Balentine Estates (Kibois); LeFlore County Hospital Authority; National Wild Turkey Federation, Oklahoma State Board and Carl Albert State College Board of Trustees.

He has served on the Advisory Committee on Wilderness to National Forest, Oklahoma (U.S. Department of Interior Appointment) and served on the Oklahoma Governor’s Advisory Committee on Radiation to State Board of Health.

Hunting, fishing and music are his hobbies he says and he is a member of the LeFlore County Retired Teachers, Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, LeFlore County Wilderness Association, Guldions International and Southside Baptist Church. Balentine was twice named Carl Albert State College Teacher of the Year and once the Employee of the Year.

He and his wife Treca have one son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Ina Balentine; two granddaughters, Sarah and Molly and one grandson, Seth.

Caption info:
Eastern Oklahoma State College President Dr. Richard Bernard, left, and Oklahoma Senator Kenneth Corn, right, welcome Audry Balentine as the newest regent for the Wilburton college.