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University Presidents

Portrait of Dr. Bill LillardDr. Bill Lillard

President of Central State University and University of Central Oklahoma (1975-1992)


Biographical Information

  • Born June 30, 1925 in Wilburton, Oklahoma
  • Married Mary Helen Witten on August 19, 1950. They had one daughter.
  • Died September 18, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Education

  • Graduated from Durant High School
  • 1947 B.A. in Education, Southeastern State College (Now Southeastern Oklahoma State University), Durant, Oklahoma
  • 1950 M.A. in Education, University of Oklahoma
  • 1956 Ph.D. in Education, University of Oklahoma

Employment

  • 1943 - 1946 Served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre of operations
  • 1947 - 1951 Teacher, Capitol Hill Junior High School, Oklahoma City
  • 1951 - 1955 Counselor, Capitol Hill Junior High School, Oklahoma City
  • 1956 - 1959 Assistant Principal, Capitol Hill Junior High School, Oklahoma City
  • 1959 - 1960 Guidance and Counseling Director, Washington District, Kansas City, Missouri
  • 1960 - 1961 Instructor in the College of Education, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • 1963 - 1966 Director, Educational Television & Radio Broadcasting Center, Oklahoma City Public Schools
  • 1963 - 1965 Instructor in the Graduate Program, Oklahoma City University
  • 1966 - 1975 Superintendent, Oklahoma City Public Schools
  • 1975 - 1992 Became 17th President of then Central State University, taking office July 1, 1975. Retired as President of the University of Central Oklahoma on June 30, 1992

Awards and Affiliations

  • Founding Member of St. Eugene Catholic Church
  • Member of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters
  • Council of Large City Superintendents, Fifty Largest Cities of the U.S.A. Member
  • National Assessment Policy Committee of The Education Commission of the States Member
  • Joint Council on Economic Education Board of Trustees
  • Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation Board of Directors
  • Frontiers of Science Foundation Executive Committee
  • Oklahoma Curriculum Improvement Commission Board of Directors
  • United Appeal of Greater Oklahoma City Board of Directors
  • Oklahoma State Fair Board of Directors
  • Executive Committee, Oklahoma Association of School Administrators
  • Oklahoma and National Congress-PTA, Lifetime Member
  • Member of the American Association of School Administrators
  • Member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals
  • Oklahoma Education Association, Life Member
  • Member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
  • Member of the Association of Oklahoma City School Administrative Professional Service Personnel
  • 1994 Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Member of Rotary International Club No. 29
  • Member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce
  • 1988 - 1989 Lone Star Conference Vice-Chairman
  • 1992 Granted title of President Emeritus of the University of Central Oklahoma
  • 1984 National Panelist, American Council on Education National Identification Program for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration
  • 1984 First Mentor Award, American Council on Education National Identification Program for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration
  • 1976 National Schools Committee, The American Way '76