Oklahoma Rep. Mark McBride was recognized today with the Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education. He was honored for his support of higher education in his role as Chair of the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education and as a member of the Appropriations and Budget, Business and Commerce, and Energy and Natural Resources committees; the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget; and the State and Federal Redistricting South Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
“The State Regents, the college and university presidents, and I are honored to present Rep. McBride with the Distinguished Service Award,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Since his election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2013, Rep. McBride has been a strong voice for our state system of higher education and an effective advocate for funding the Endowed Chairs program and expanding workforce development initiatives, including engineering, nursing, and teacher education. He has also supported increased faculty pay, deferred maintenance on college and university campuses through the Section 13 Offset program, and fully funding our concurrent enrollment program. Finally, during the 2021 legislative session, Rep. McBride was instrumental in the passage of HB 1821, which allows our colleges and universities to more effectively and strategically distribute Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant scholarships to promote student retention and college degree completion.”
The Distinguished Service Awards for Higher Education recognize individuals who demonstrate distinguished leadership and support of higher education in Oklahoma during the legislative session. It is the highest award presented by the State Regents and the Council of College and University Presidents.
“It’s an honor for me to again receive the Oklahoma State Regents Distinguished Service Award,” McBride said. “It’s been a great accomplishment for me as chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee for Education to help increase the budget for higher education. We all know the incredibly important role our higher education institutions play in helping train young Oklahomans for their next steps in life, including the workforce, which strengthens our Oklahoma economy.”