Oklahoma lawmakers Denney, Laster receive recognition for higher education support

Thursday, April 22, 2010

(STILLWATER, OK – April 22, 2010) – State Senator Charlie Laster and Oklahoma State Representative Lee Denney were recognized Wednesday for their service to higher education during the 2009 legislative session.  The two state legislators were presented the 2009 Distinguished Service Award by Oklahoma Chancellor of Higher Education Glen Johnson and Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis.  

“Sen. Charlie Laster has been a strong advocate for the needs of our colleges and universities throughout his tenure. His efforts on a broad range of issues have had a positive impact on students across Oklahoma. He clearly understands that public higher education is the medium that has enabled him and many other Oklahomans to realize their dreams,” said Johnson.

The Chancellor added, “Rep. Lee Denney is very deserving of the Distinguished Service Award. With three higher education institutions in her district, she has been a consistent supporter of increased funding, endowed chairs and other issues critically important to our state system of higher education. We are very grateful to her for her leadership.”

Laster and Denney received their awards during a presentation on the campus of OSU in Stillwater, the site of Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.  

“We are appreciative of the work all our lawmakers do to improve the higher education system in Oklahoma,” said Hargis.  “We applaud Rep. Denney and Sen. Laster on their work for the students and citizens of Oklahoma.  We are especially proud they are OSU alumni.”

Laster and Denney are among 16 elected officials being honored with the award this year.  This year’s list of recipients consists of two from the state’s executive branch, seven State Senators and seven members of the State House of Representatives. Honorees are presented the awards at the higher education institution in or closest to their district or an institution of the recipient’s choosing.    

Laster graduated from OSU in 1972.  The Democratic Leader of the State Senate has served in the senate for seven years.  Laster represents Senate District 17 which includes most of Pottawatomie County, the Harrah-Newalla part of Oklahoma County and far northeastern Cleveland County.

Denny earned her Bachelor of Science degree from OSU in 1976 and receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OSU in 1978.  The republican represents House District 33 which encompasses both Payne and Logan counties.