Weathermen awarded at associates’ dinner

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

Donors and meteorologists were honored Thursday at Oklahoma Christian University’s 11th annual Associates Gala.

The university presented Oklahoma City meteorologists Gary England, Damon Lane and Mike Morgan with the Lee Allan Smith Spirit of Oklahoma Award in front of an audience of more than 700 Oklahoma Christian associates at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

“This is truly a great award from a great university,” England, KWTV’s former chief meteorologist, said. “I am truly honored.”

The Lee Allan Smith Spirit of Oklahoma Award is given to those dedicated to bettering Oklahoma. Kent Allen, vice president of advancement, said these meteorologists are credited with saving many lives.

“This year we’re honoring those three weathermen of the three major television stations for their heroic work during the May storms,” Allen said.

During the later part of May as violent storm systems passed through Oklahoma, including the May 21 tornado that devastated Moore, these meteorologists worked around the clock tracking the storms and alerting communities of their presence.

“I’m humbled to receive the Lee Allan Smith Spirit of Oklahoma Award,” Morgan, chief meteorologist of KFOR, said. “Never forget the award represents the many brave Oklahomans, emergency responders, volunteers and everyday people who put their lives on the line during and after our deadly tornadoes.”

The award’s namesake, Lee Allan Smith, is credited as a major proponent of Oklahoma.

“Lee Allan Smith is Mr. Oklahoma,” Allen said. “He is involved in all the major happenings, projects and causes in the state of Oklahoma and specifically in Oklahoma City. He has been a great friend of Oklahoma Christian for decades. He embodies the Oklahoma spirit.”

Created as a way to pay tribute to Smith as well as promote those who improve Oklahoma, the award is now in its third year.

“We just thought it would be great to honor him [Smith] and it would be great to honor all the great heroes of this state in various areas of interest who embody that can-do Oklahoma spirit,” Allen said. “[Honoring] people who are all about doing good in the state of Oklahoma in some form or fashion.”

Past award recipients include Oklahoma City mayors Ron Norick, Kirk Humphreys and Mick Cornett; and former Oklahoma governors and first ladies George and Donna Nigh, Frank and Cathy Keating, and Brad and Kim Henry.

“They’ve been honoring governors and mayors, but now that they’re recognizing meteorologists – that’s pretty cool,” senior Kelsey Grant said.

The Associates Gala is Oklahoma Christian’s way of giving back to its associates, people who donate $1,000 or more to the school’s general scholarship fund.

“This is our thank-you dinner to tell our associates – those people who give significantly to our university each and every year – thank you for supporting OC,” Allen said.

Associates also include faculty members and young associates who give $600 or more. Young associates are alumni who have been out of school for seven years or less.

“Associates’ monies entirely go to unrestricted scholarships,” Allen said. “They help keep the price of Oklahoma Christian down.”

This year’s Associates Gala included a keynote speech by former NBA player and current color commentator for the Thunder, Grant Long.

“I think Grant Long is going to share with us a message of overcoming life’s difficulties, and how his faith in Jesus Christ has sustained him for a long NBA-playing career and a long broadcasting career,” Allen said. “He has a great message of hope and faith.”

Long had a 15-year NBA career, playing as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies in more than 1,000 games.

The gala is considered the year’s major event for associates.

“We’re really grateful to everyone and for everything,” freshman Megan Newkirk said of the associates. “I think it’s important to not only acknowledge that our school is a community but as a whole we are a part of the community in Oklahoma. We’re a part of a bigger whole.”

Newkirk said the meteorologists were well deserving of the award.

“It’s extremely important that we acknowledge that there are people out there who are making a difference through the tragedies that we’ve gotten a lot of in the past couple of years,” Newkirk said.

The event previously took place in April, but this year it was switched to September in hopes of ending scheduling conflicts with Thunder basketball games.

Allen sees the event improving every year.

“Each year is getting bigger,” Allen said. “I would say each year is getting better. There’s so much enthusiasm about John [deSteiguer] being the president that people want to be a part of what Oklahoma Christian is all about.”