Moore named OSU American Indian distinguished alum

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and the OSU American Indian Alumni Association honored Edwin Stanton Moore with the Distinguished Alumni Award on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.

Moore received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A&M College) in 1941 and 1952, respectively. He is Muscogee Creek and originally from Morris, Okla, where he graduated from Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in 1937. Moore also earned three varsity football letters at OSU and also played basketball under legendary coach Henry Iba.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Moore, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. “I’ve never had such an honor bestowed upon me.”

Moore spent more than 37 years in the education division of the Department of the Interior during which time he served as a coach, teacher and administrator. He was awarded the Department of Interior Meritorious Service Medal for his years of dedicated service.

"Moore provided leadership in each endeavor he was in," said Lillian Williams, ’64, immediate past president of the OSU American Indian Alumni Association. “He grew his students into young men and women with integrity.”

In addition to serving the Native American community, Moore served his country on numerous fronts beginning with his involvement in R.O.T.C. at OSU. He was a member of the Oklahoma National Guard and was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1944. In 1946, Moore was promoted to the rank of Captain and spent 15 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, during which time he received numerous awards. He went on to graduate from Command and General Staff School in 1959 and retired with the rank of Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves, in 1978.

"We are extremely proud of the success and legacy of Native American students at OSU,” said Burns Hargis, OSU President. “Mr. Moore is a great model for today's students, who can learn much from his work ethic, his pursuit of academic excellence and his commitment to his country."

Moore has been inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and recognized for his artistic abilities with two blue ribbons for his walking sticks at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. He is a member of the Big Cussetah Indian Methodist Church and the O-Club as well as a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.

For more information about the OSU American Indian Alumni Association, visit orangeconnection.org/AIAA or contact Melinda Tharp at 405.744.2794.