Sixth Rothbaum Lecture slated for Oct. 8
(Press Release 09-25-08)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Oklahoma State Representative Lisa J. Billy will be the speaker in the sixth Julian J. Rothbaum Lectureship Series to be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 in Mitchell Auditorium on the Wilburton campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College.

Billy, District 42 representative from Purcell, serves as the Deputy Whip, Vice-Chair of the Republican Caucus and is planning to run for a second term. She serves as the Chairman of the International, Federal and Tribal Relations Committee. She is also a member of the General Government and Transportation Committee, the Human Services Committee and Children and Families.

Billy says her topic of discussion will be “From Teepees to Casinos: The Evolution of Tribal Nations in Oklahoma.”

Economists Dr. Robert Dauffenbach from OU and Dr. Larkin Warner of OSU along with Rep. Mike Mass were speakers during the inaugural Julian J. Rothbaum Lectureship in Public Policy in 2002. They were followed by Oklahoma Chancellor for Higher Education Dr. Paul Risser in 2003.

The Oklahoma Observer editor, Forrest J. “Frosty” Troy, was the second McAlester native and the sixth presenter in the lectureship during 2005 series following former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh who served in the Oklahoma legislature, as Lt. Gov. and President of the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, (D) Oklahoma City, addressed a standing room only crowd as the seventh speaker in Mitchell Hall Auditorium during 2006.

Hartshorne native Rothbaum donated $25,000 to Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation that was matched by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to become a $50,000 endowed fund within the foundation to make the lectureship an annual event. Rothbaum was a Tulsa attorney with interests in the oil and gas industries.

The lectureship is designed to enhance the ability of Eastern to bring to the campus recognized authorities to address issues of public affairs at the national, state or local level.

Rothbaum was a longtime oilman, banker, lawyer, philanthropist and former member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. He was a strong and outstanding advocate for higher education and remained an integral part of the political process and public affairs during his life.

Billy holds her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, and her Master’s in Education from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

She is a former educator and small business owner. She also serves as a board member (2006-2008) for the Girl Scouts Sooner Council, current board member C.Y.A.P, former national board member for Girl Scouts of U.S.A. (1996-2004), McClain/Garvin Youth family board member (1994-1996) and Chickasaw Nation Legislature (1996-2001).

Billy is also a Member of Lighthouse Worship Center and the National Rifle Association.

She and her husband Phillip Billy have three children, Masheli (14), Nahinli (11) and Anoli (6).