Bormanns retire after more than 60 years at OSU
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Longtime Stillwater residents Nick and Carol Bormann recently retired from Oklahoma
State University after more than 60 years of combined service to the institution.
Nick Bormann joined the OSU Art Department faculty in the fall of 1966 and taught
graphic design for thirty two years. In 1980 he helped create the Bachelor of Fine
Arts program in Graphic Design. In 1998 he was named Department Head and held that
position for six years, until his retirement.
Carol Bormann, who was recently honored with the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award,
started work for OSU in 1983 as an interior designer for the Oklahoma A&M institutions,
which include the Stillwater campus and seven others. In 1990 she accepted a teaching
position in Design, Housing and Merchandising and served as Coordinator of the Interior
Design program in the College of Human Environmental Sciences from 1994 until her
retirement. “Nick and I have had many wonderful years at OSU. It’s gone so fast that
it doesn’t seem possible that we’ve been with Oklahoma State that many years,” says
Carol. “We have loved our roles here, and we will miss being an active part of the
university,” she adds.
The Bormanns also served on many university, college and departmental committees
and have been advisors of student organizations throughout their careers at OSU. They
served jointly on the Museum of Higher Education Board, and held leadership positions
on the Campus Graphics Committee, the Campus Beautification Committee and the Interdisciplinary
Design Committee. They had joint grants with the Oklahoma State Arts Council for an
exhibition that became part of the TRACKS program, the Kerr Foundation for the Lyric
Theatre remodel and the Department of Interior/Pawnee Nation for the renovation of
tribal buildings.
They recently spent three weeks in Italy, Austria and Germany, taking photographs
that will serve as a foundation for future creative works. The Bormanns plan to begin
their retirement working in their studios, consulting and spending time with family
and friends.