State Regent retired Gen. Toney Stricklin was recognized as a state regent emeritus during the April 22 meeting of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Stricklin completes his nine-year term on the board in May.
“Regent Stricklin’s personal commitment to the quality and integrity of Oklahoma higher education has made him a valued member of the board,” said State Regents’ chair Joseph L. Parker, Jr. “His contributions have advanced the work of the State Regents and our colleges and universities at every level. We congratulate and thank him for his service to Oklahoma’s higher education system and the students of Oklahoma. His judgement, experience and commitment will be sorely missed.”
Appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin in May 2011 to serve a nine-year term, Stricklin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cameron University and Master of Arts in International Relations from Newport College in Rhode Island. He served for more than 32 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, which included a variety of command and staff positions throughout the U.S., Germany, Korea, and Vietnam.
“Regent Stricklin has consistently advocated for increased state fiscal support for our colleges and universities and has been a tireless champion for military-connected students,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “His dedication to affordability and access to higher education through programs such as GEAR UP and Oklahoma’s Promise has positively benefitted students across the state. He has made a significant impact on our state’s higher education system.”
Stricklin held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership in the U.S. Army, serving as executive officer to the director of the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management, commander of a field artillery brigade, deputy commanding general of the Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill and commanding general of Fort Sill. He earned numerous honors during his military career, including a Bronze Star for his active duty service in the Vietnamese Conflict, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit award and induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2006.
Stricklin served a two-year term as civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for Oklahoma. He also served on the State Board for Career and Technology Education, as chair of the Information Technology Panel for the Oklahoma Economic Development Generating Enterprise initiative, and as a member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation that testified before the regional BRAC commission regarding the relocation of the Air Defense Artillery School from Fort Bliss to Fort Sill. Stricklin also served on the board of directors for i2E, as president of the Southwest Oklahoma Advanced Technology Association, as vice chairman of military and government relations for the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, as chair of the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce Industry and as chairman of the Military Liaison Committee for the State Chamber of Oklahoma, and as chair of the Lawton Airport Authority.
He has received numerous honors and recognitions for his dedicated public service, including the Distinguished Service Award from Cameron University, Cameron University’s School of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award, and induction as an honorary member of the Delta Mu Delta national business honor society. Stricklin is a Cameron University Distinguished Alumnus and a member of Leadership Oklahoma’s Class XVI, serving as chair of Leadership Oklahoma from 2012-13.
“I am humbled and honored to be designated State Regent Emeritus,” said Stricklin. “My only motivation as a state regent the past nine years was to help Oklahoma’s college students attain a quality and affordable college degree and to provide the Oklahoma workforce well-educated and qualified graduates.” Stricklin went on to thank former Gov. Mary Fallin for his appointment in 2011.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is a nine-member constitutional board that coordinates all 25 public higher education institutions in Oklahoma. The board prescribes academic standards of higher education, determines functions and courses of study at state colleges and universities, grants degrees, makes budget requests to the Legislature, allocates funding for each college and university, recommends proposed fees within limits set by the Legislature, and manages numerous scholarships and special programs. State regents are appointed by the governor for nine-year terms.