Henry Bellmon Scholarship announced at OSU-Tulsa

Thursday, July 20, 2006

A farmer, soldier, educator, senator and governor, Henry Bellmon is a true Oklahoma original.

Bellmon’s Oklahoma roots run deep, and for many years, he has worked to advance the quality of life in Oklahoma. Celebrating his leadership, the Tulsa Press Club recently honored Bellmon as its 2006 Headliner honoree. Donations and proceeds from the event will be used to create the Governor Henry Bellmon/Tulsa Press Club President’s Distinguished Scholarship at OSU-Tulsa.

The $55,000 endowed scholarship will be OSU-Tulsa’s first President’s Distinguished Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship at OSU. It will be awarded to students with outstanding academic credentials and strong leadership abilities.

From left: OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl, Event Chair Linda Sponsler (OSU grad) and Tulsa Press Club President Russ Florence (OSU grad).

“The creation of the Henry Bellmon Scholarship at OSU-Tulsa will create a legacy that helps bring a college education within the reach of talented and deserving students,” OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl said. “It is an honor to have Governor Bellmon’s leadership celebrated through a scholarship that creates an investment in our students who are tomorrow’s leaders.”

During the event, leaders from the media, government and business took turns paying tribute to one of Oklahoma’s most distinguished statesmen. The dinner’s theme, “An Oklahoma Original,” highlighted Bellmon’s extraordinary life.

A native of Billings, Oklahoma, Bellmon grew up on a farm his father homesteaded in 1897. Knowing he wanted to be a farmer, Bellmon studied agriculture and graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) in 1942. Following graduation, Bellmon served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a tank platoon leader in World War II.

Following the war, he returned to farming and entered politics. Bellmon was elected to the Oklahoma legislature in 1946 and, in 1962, elected Oklahoma’s first Republican governor. Under Oklahoma law at the time, he could not run for a second term.

Bellmon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968 and reelected in 1974. He did not run for a third term. In 1986, he was again elected governor of Oklahoma.

Throughout his career, Bellmon has championed education in Oklahoma, specifically with the passage of HB 1017, an educational reform bill passed during his second term as governor. As the state’s chief executive officer, Bellmon also prioritized economic development and making Oklahoma an attractive place to do business.

Russ Florence, president of the Tulsa Press Club and vice president of Schnake Turnbo Frank, said Bellmon is more deserving of the recognition.

“Few people in modern Oklahoma have the widespread respect and admiration that Governor Bellmon has,” he said. “As a public servant, Governor Bellmon took bold steps in moving our state forward. But he did so with tact and humility, without alienating any part of his constituency. That’s the mark of a true leader.”