OSU’s Garey Fox recognized by Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

Monday, May 23, 2016

For several decades the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has been recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.

Since 1987, OFE has given more than $4 million in merit-based scholarships and awards through its Academic Awards Program.

"We know that education is the best investment our society can make for the future,” said David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. “If we make all of the right policy decisions in every other area but fail to adequately educate the next generation, we will imperil the future of our society. By working together to give academic achievement the recognition it deserves, we send a strong message to our state and to the nation that Oklahomans value scholastic excellence.”

The foundation honors Academic All-Staters and Medal for Excellence recipients at the annual Academic Awards Banquet, which is attended by nearly 1,000 supporters of public education and televised statewide by OETA.

Garey Fox, director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center and endowed professor in Oklahoma State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, recently received one of the five medals for 2016.

Medals are awarded to outstanding Oklahoma teachers — one each at the elementary, secondary, community college/regional university and research university levels. An exceptional administrator from the elementary or secondary level also is recognized.

“The award is a tremendous honor because it recognizes at the state-level the uniqueness associated with my integrated teaching and research programs, as well as my role and interaction with students as director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center,” Fox said. “Being recognized for my efforts, not only in the classroom but also in undergraduate research and the organization of water-related student conferences and events, simply motivates me to continue investing in student development and learning and to look for new opportunities to expand my engagement with students.”

Fox has taught freshman engineering and upper-level hydrology and water quality courses. He mentors many first-generation college students and incorporates research and real-world applications into his teaching.

“We are very fortunate in the division to have some of the country’s best researchers and professors working side-by-side with our students,” said Tom Coon, OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources vice president. “Dr. Fox is no exception. We are very excited for him to receive this recognition from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and we are proud to have him as part of the world class faculty of Oklahoma State University.”

Fox’s work gets noticed not only by those within his department, but also throughout the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the university and the state.

“Dr. Fox is a true leader here at OSU, throughout the state of Oklahoma, and beyond,” said Kenneth Sewell, OSU’s vice president for research. “In addition to his excellence as an educator, his success as a water researcher is a key component of one of OSU’s signature interdisciplinary research strengths: the food-energy-water nexus.”

The award was presented May 21 at the foundation's Academic Awards Banquet at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Norman. The ceremony will be televised statewide by OETA at 8 p.m. May 28.