Note:  Feel free to stop reading anytime your definition of "a little background" has been exceeded.

        I was born, raised, and educated in Texas, but long ago became an adopted Okie.  I consider Tahlequah my home and have spent most of my professional career as an instructor in the Department of History at Northeastern State University.

        I attended college at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a Social Studies Major/Minor, a Masters of Education (Educational Administration with a History minor) and a Ph.D. in History (Government minor).

        My teaching experience spans a variety of academic levels.  My first teaching job was in the Lubbock Public Schools teaching 8th grade social studies.  Since then I have taught at junior college, college, and university levels.  I joined the faculty of Northeastern in 1968.

        Throughout my career I have attempted to place my greatest emphasis and effort on quality teaching and advisement for my students.  I encourage students to seek my assistance when they need it.

        There are various activities outside the classroom that have given me considerable satisfaction and pleasure over the years.   One is the role I had in establishing Northeastern State University's Symposium on the American Indian.  I conceived of the program, wrote the first grant to secure off campus funding, and directed the program for five years.  Each year I was able to finance it with grants from off campus.  After I stopped directing the program to finish my Ph.D., others at the University continued the program.   It gives me pleasure to know that more than 25 years after its inception the Symposium on the American Indian continues to serve.

        Working with the National / Oklahoma History Day program has also been a highlight of my career.  I was among a group of individuals who introduced the National History Day program to Oklahoma in the early 1980's.  Since then I have continuously served as the District 8 Contest Coordinator.   I have also served as the Oklahoma State Contest Coordinator and as a member of a National History Day coordinating committee.  Working with this contest has rewarded me in a thousand different ways.  Most important and enjoyable has been the opportunity to meet outstanding teachers, students, parents, and History Day supporters from across Oklahoma and from around the nation.  Many of the best and most impressive people I have been privileged to know I met through History Day.  It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with others trying to improve the quality of education in our schools.