Former Cameron president inducted into Higher Education Hall of Fame

Former Cameron University president John M. McArthur was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame Nov. 3.

McArthur, who retired from CU last July after 11 years, was one of 11 inductees into the Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society, according to a press release. He and his wife, former CU professor Karla Oty, traveled from their Pueblo, Colo. home to attend the ceremony at the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond.

In his acceptance speech, McArthur identified and expressed appreciation to the people who helped him navigate his career through higher education leadership.

“These people were mentors for me,” McArthur said. “They identified opportunities or nudged me through a door,” sometimes gently and sometimes more directly. And he urged those in the audience to use their ability and experience to become mentors to others.

“I encourage you to keep it up,” McArthur continued. “Get off the fence, support higher education and its leaders. Our students are worth it.”

McArthur came to CU in 2004 as dean of the School of Science and Technology, the release said. He was then appointed vice president for academic affairs and provost before becoming president in 2013. Before coming to CU, he held faculty appointments in physics, computer science and mathematics at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

McArthur has been a long-time advocate for accessible and affordable opportunities for students, the release said. At CU, he worked to maintain low and affordable tuition and fees while increasing scholarship opportunities. Student participation in distance, learning and concurrent enrollment dramatically increased during his tenure as president. He was a strong supporter of undergraduate research, and professional development opportunities for the faculty.

While president, dozens of physical improvements were made to CU’s Lawton and Duncan campuses including new science labs, a pair of greenhouses, a teaching art gallery and a major renovation of the Eugene D. McMahon library.

McArthur is one of at least 10 individuals with CU ties who’ve been inducted in to the hall of fame. Other noteworthy inductees include former presidents Don Davis and Cynthia Ross; alumni Bill W. Burgess Jr. Ned Hockman and Joe Kinzer Jr.; faculty Tony Allison, E. Ann Nalley and Valree F. Wynn; and administrator B. Don Sullivan. Davis, Ross, Nalley and Sullivan were present at the induction ceremony to welcome McArthur.

Along with McArthur, inductees included John Barthell of UCO, Joe Harroz Jr. president of the University of Oklahoma, former Oklahoma State Regents Ann Holloway and Russel Vaught, Clyde Montgomery Jr. of Langston University, Marion Paden from Oklahoma City Community College, Larry D. Rice from Rogers State University and James Halligan, Ann Halligan and Robert Spurrier Jr., all from Oklahoma State University.

The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society dates back to 1961. It’s mission is to not only preserve the state’s higher education history, but to recognize thie life achievements of outstanding faculty, administrators and supporters of higher education and to promote its vital role in today’s society.