Ponca City’s Carl Renfro is among 11 individuals selected by The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society for induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.
The 2020 induction ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 2, has been cancelled due to the continuing health and safety risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The society will announce its plan for rescheduling the event to honor the class of 2020 in the near future.
“Carl has made significant contributions to the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation to endow a lectureship series for education, history and the arts,” said Dr. Cheryl Evans, NOC President. “This beloved event brings the people of our region to campus to enjoy enriching experiences once each semester. Carl was honored by NOC, by naming a new facility the Renfro Center. In 2017, the Carl Renfro Scholarship Fund was established to assist deserving students from single parent households or single parent students reach their goals. I’m so proud that Carl is being honored by the Heritage Society. His support of students is deserving.”
Renfro is a community and state leader promoting arts, education, economic development and the preservation of Oklahoma history. In 1993, Renfro cofounded the Standing Bear Native American Foundation and Standing Bear Native American Park. This park and foundation are overseen by a Native American committee consisting of leaders from six neighboring tribes: Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouri, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa. Carl has raised millions of dollars to preserve and share the story of Chief Standing Bear, the first civil rights Native American leader.
Renfro played a major role in establishing the University Center at Ponca City, which now provides higher education courses for Kay County. He also established the University Center Foundation, to provide scholarships for needy students, and he and his family endowed the foundation with permanent scholarship funds.
The Renfro’s also made a significant contribution to the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation to endow a lectureship series for education, history and the arts. This beloved event brings the people of our region to campus to enjoy enriching experiences once each semester. Carl was honored by NOC, by naming a new facility the Renfro Center. In 2017, the Carl Renfro Scholarship Fund was established to assist deserving students from single parent households or single parent students reach their goals.
Renfro served on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for 12 years and served as chairman in 2004. In 2007, Renfro received the Distinguished Service Award from ...
