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.

Nick Bormann joined the OSU Art Department faculty in the fall of 1966 and taught graphic design for 32 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, recently honored with the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award, started work for OSU in 1983 as an interior designer for the Oklahoma A&M institutions, including the Stillwater campus and seven others. In 1990, she accepted a teaching position in the Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising. She served as the interior design program coordinator 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,” Carol said. “We have loved our roles here, and we will miss being an active part of the university.”

The Bormanns also served on many university, college and departmental committees and have been advisors of student organizations throughout their OSU careers. 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 to serve as a foundation for future creative works. The Bormanns plan to begin their retirement by working in their studios, consulting and spending time with family and friends.