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University Presidents

Portrait of Dr. Don BetzDr. Don Betz

President of University of Central Oklahoma (2011-2019)


Biographical Information

  • Born February 16, 1945
  • Married Susanne Betz in 1992. They have two children, Sarah and Nick

Education

  • 1964- 1965 Loyola University, Liberal Arts Study, Rome, Italy
  • 1967 B.A. in Political Science, Philosophy, University of San Francisco
  • 1969 University of California, Berkeley NDFL Summer Program (Arabic Language and Culture Institute)
  • 1969 M.A. in International Studies, University of Denver
  • 1973 Ph.D. in International Studies, University of Denver
  • 1976 Sarah Lawrence College, NEH Summer Institute in International Relations
  • 1999 Harvard University, Graduate School of Education Institute for Educational Management

Employment

  • 1971 - 1994 Faculty/Administration, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
  • 1982 - 2003 Consultant, United Nations
  • 1994 - 1999 Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa
  • 1999 - 2005 Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Central Oklahoma
  • 2005 - 2008 Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • 2008 - 2011 President of Northeastern State University
  • 2011 - 2019 20th President of the University of Central Oklahoma. Retired as President of the University of Central Oklahoma on June 30, 2019

Awards and Affiliations

  • Past Board Member, Great Expectations
  • Past Chair, Northeast Oklahoma Public Facility Authority
  • Past President, Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Board Member, BancFirst, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
  • Past President, Leadership Oklahoma
  • Past Board Member, Educators' Leadership Academy
  • Past Member, Awards Selection Committee for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence
  • Past Chair, RUSO Council of Presidents
  • Oklahoma Teacher & Leader Effectiveness Commission Board Member
  • Chair of the United Nations International NGO Meetings on the Question of Palestine for many years
  • Past Chair, AASCU's International Education Committee
  • Chair, International Education Committee of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
  • Allied Arts Board Member
  • State Chamber of Oklahoma Board Member
  • Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Board of Trustees
  • Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
  • Oklahoma A+ Schools Board Member
  • Edmond Economic Development Authority Board Member
  • DaVinci Institute Board Member
  • Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation Board Member
  • 1985 - 2002 Chairman of the International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine
  • 1991 Recipient of the Medal of Excellence in University Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence
  • 2011 Fulbright-Hays Seminars for Presidents Scholar held in Jordan and Oman
  • 2012 Governor's Award Winner, Oklahoma Arts Council
  • 2013 Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2015 Leadership Award, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice
  • Executive Committee Member of the International Association of University Presidents, chairing its North American Council
  • Member of the Founding Implementation Committee for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU) American Democracy Project
  • United Way of Central Oklahoma Board Member
  • Member of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology
  • Member of the North American Council of the International Association of University Presidents Chair of Creative Oklahoma, Inc.
  • Member of the Oklahoma Academy, Leadership Oklahoma, Universities and Colleges Presidents' Climate Commitment, Governor's Education Advisory Council