Oklahoma Political Science Association Honors Dr. Brian Rader

TAHLEQUAH The Oklahoma Political Science Association recently honored Northeastern State University Professor Dr. Brian Rader for 40 years of dedication to the students of Oklahoma.

Rader, former president of the OPSA, has served as a professor of Political Science at Northeastern since 1967. He was honored at the Presidents Luncheon in the Rotunda of the Oklahoma Capitol held in conjunction with the 2007 Annual OPSA Meeting in Oklahoma City on Nov. 8-9. At the event, Rader also received a citation of merit from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, signed by 13 NSU graduates who are members of the House.

I am proud and humbled by this honor, said Rader. Ive always said that public service is an honor and Im glad to see that my students have gone out and gotten into public life.

During his tenure at NSU, Rader has amassed impressive credentials in community service. He served on the Tahlequah City Council for 16 years, chaired the board of Tahlequah City Hospital, was a representative to the Eastern Oklahoma Development District, was chair of the Sanitation Enterprise Committee, served as acting mayor of the city of Tahlequah, was a member of the board of directors for the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the Tahlequah Library Board, held numerous positions within the Kiwanis Club of Tahlequah, served as lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis Division 31, worked with several Boys Scout troops, and other community and church affiliations.

Over the course of his career at NSU, Rader has touched the lives of 15,000 students. Many of his former students have sought work in public service, with positions ranging from city managers to town councilors to state representatives. It seems like anywhere my wife and I go, someone will know who we are, said Rader. I always look forward to going to classes and enjoy the students and the interchange with them.

The Northeastern Student Government Association honored Rader last spring as the 2007 faculty member of the year. He was also the 1995 OPSA Teacher of the Year, 1995 NSU Teacher of the Year for Service, 1990 Oklahoma Main Street Association Board Member of the Year, 1982 Professional Man of the Year from the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class XI.

Rader is married to Tahlequah Middle School teacher Deborah Rader. The couple has four children and six grandchildren.

The OPSA is the professional organization of Oklahoma political scientists. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the states politics. OPSA serves the teaching and research interests of its members.

12/4/2007

Published: 2007-12-04 00:00:00