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University Presidents

Portrait of Dr. Garland Alonzo GodfreyDr. Garland Alonzo Godfrey

President of Central State College and Central State University (1960-1975)


Biographical Information

  • Born November 5, 1909 near Booneville, Arkansas
  • Married Miriam Jocille Morris on November 4, 1933. They had 4 children.
  • Died February 14, 2007 in Dallas, Texas

Education

  • 1928 Graduated from Magazine Industrial Institute, Magazine, Arkansas, a subscription school. He was valedictorian of his class.
  • 1929- 1931 Attended Arkansas Tech, Russellville, Arkansas
  • 1933 B.S. in History, Oklahoma A&M College (Now Oklahoma State University), Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • 1936 M.A. in English, Oklahoma A&M College, Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • 1957 Ed.D. in School Administration, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Employment

  • 1927 - 1928 Obtained a county teacher certification at age 17 and taught school at Shady Grove, Arkansas for two summer terms and a winter term
  • 1933 - 1935 First full-time teaching job in Kansas, Oklahoma
  • 1934 High School Principal in Kansas, Oklahoma
  • 1935 - 1939 Principal of Pryor High School, Pryor, Oklahoma
  • 1939 - 1952 Superintendent of Pryor Schools, Pryor, Oklahoma
  • 1952 - 1960 Superintendent of Durant Schools, Durant, Oklahoma
  • 1960 - 1975 Named 16th President of then Central State College in 1960 at age 50. Retired as President of then Central State University on July 1, 1975

Awards and Affiliations

  • Member of Phi Kappa Delta
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Frontiers in Science
  • Served on the Educational Television Authority
  • Rotarian (Past President of the Durant Rotary Club)
  • Deacon in the Baptist Church
  • Member of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of Phi Alpha Theta
  • 1995 Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 1975 Granted title of President Emeritus of Central State University
  • 1973 Edmond Citizen of the Year Award
  • 1972 Boss of the Year Award, Jaycee
  • 1968 Named to Hall of Distinction at Arkansas Tech, Russellville, Arkansas
  • 1965 Oklahoma Association Scholastic Administrators
  • 1964 Fullbright Visiting Educator in Pakistan
  • 1960 American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Laison Representative for Universities and Colleges in Oklahoma
  • 1960 Budget Chairman for the State Congress of Parents and Teachers
  • 1960 Outstanding Educational Leadership Award, Durant Board of Education
  • 1957 - 1960 Chairman of the State Congress of Parents and Teachers Mental Health Committee
  • 1955 - 1967 Oklahoma Representative on the National Education Association Board of Directors Life Membership in the NEA. Served in several different capacities within the organization
  • 1951 Award of Merit for Leadership and Service from the Oklahoma Education Association
  • 1950 - 1951 President of the Oklahoma Education Association. Life Membership in the OEA. Served in several different capacities within the organization
  • 1949 - 1950 Chairman of the Oklahoma Education Association Legislative Committee
  • 1949 President of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators. Life Membership in the OASA