Branch earns ‘Academy Award’

[ August 27, 2009 – Chickasha, OK ] — Forget Hollywood. John Feaver’s aspirations have more to do with making Oklahoma the best place on earth to live, work, study and play. On Friday night, the Oklahoma Academy handed Feaver an “academy award” for service and leadership. Feaver, president of the University of Science and Arts since 2000, was named an Academy Key Contributor for his years of service to the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals.

“It’s a spectacular honor,” Feaver said after receiving the tribute at Tulsa’s Double Tree Hotel ballroom. “The Oklahoma Academy brings together the best people in Oklahoma to advance educational, cultural and economic opportunities here. It is a distinct honor to be recognized.”

“Since 1990 you have willingly shared your time, ideas, and intellect, and in so doing you have made significant contributions to the scope of public policy issues the Academy has undertaken, said Tulsa banking leader Howard Barnett as he presented the award. “Your guidance, balance, wisdom, dedication, and support have ensured the quality of the programs and policy recommendations produced by The Oklahoma Academy.”

Executive Director Julie Knutson praised Feaver for vision.

“You have made certain that the Academy’s integrity and history remain at the forefront in all that the organization does,” she said. “The Academy and Oklahoma have definitely benefited from your insight, determination, and that unique wit.”

Each year, the Academy Salute recognizes key Oklahoma leaders and contributors. According to the program, recipients are “academy member individuals or businesses/institutions who have consistently contributed their time and talents, typically over a period of years, in supporting and ensuring the continued work of The Oklahoma Academy for State Goals to accomplish its mission -- to better Oklahoma by empowering Oklahomans to improve their quality of life through effective and sound nonpartisan public policy development and implementation.

Other individuals honored this year include David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa; Roy Peters, president of Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance; and Doug Branch, a partner with the Phillips Murrah Law Firm.

One of only a handful of similar organizations in America, the Oklahoma Academy is a private, non-profit membership organization that identifies the critical public policy issues facing Oklahoma's future.

Besides his leadership in higher education, John Feaver is a longtime board member and past president of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals. In his five years on the board, Feaver has helped the group to study several of Oklahoma’s most critical issues: water and transportation, health and corrections.

He also serves the Oklahoma Heritage Association, A+ Schools, the Oklahoma Community Institute, Preservation Oklahoma Inc., and the Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition.