NSU announces Outstanding Alumni for 2010

The Northeastern State University Alumni Association has announced its 2010 outstanding alumni honorees to be recognized during homecoming week.

The four alumni will be commended as part of NSU's homecoming celebration, "Welcome Back to Fabulous Northeastern State," during halftime of the Oct. 9 football game with Texas A&M-Commerce at Doc Wadley Stadium.

This year's honorees are Dr. Lowell Lehman of Tulsa and LTC Ron Quiett of El Paso, Texas, Distinguished Alumni. Dr. Dawn Holsted of Oklahoma City, Outstanding Young Alumna; and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett of Oklahoma City, President's Award for Community Service.

Lehman, a 1953 graduate, was a music professor at Northeastern and was named an NSU Centurion during NSU's Centennial Celebration. He became director of bands in 1966 and is the longest serving band director in school history.

He established and managed the Green Country Jazz Festival, still held annually. He was the Kappa Kappa Psi sponsor when it was awarded the Founder's Trophy in 1979 as the nation's top chapter. While at NSU, he brought many musical talents to campus. Students performed with such luminaries as Count Basie, Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Clark Terry, Frank Rosolino and Woody Herman. He is also a member of the Alumni Association.

Quiett, a 1988 graduate, was on the soccer team and in ROTC. During his time a NSU he was named an Outstanding Senior and is a member of the Student Hall of Fame. He is a battalion commander at Fort Bliss, Texas and has served deployments in Iraq. He has received numerous commendations including the Bronze Star for service performed to secure Mosul and the Nenewa Province. His civilian occupation is teaching special education at Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas. He has 14 years teaching experience. He is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.

Holsted graduated from the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry in 1991. She is the first female President of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians. She serves as state director for the TLC Laser Centers in Oklahoma City. She is also a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.

Garrett is the only woman in Oklahoma history to hold the state superintendent's position, and in November 2006 she became the only woman elected to statewide office for a fifth consecutive term. She served 15 years as a teacher and gifted programs coordinator in Muskogee County before joining the State Department of Education.

Garrett was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 2000. Also in 2000, she received the First Lady's Leadership in Literacy Award for her statewide efforts to improve reading instruction for children and expand literacy programs for adults. On Feb. 26, she was honored with the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Womens Kate Barnard Award, which has been presented to outstanding women in public service since 1998.

In addition to being recognized during the homecoming festivities, these exceptional NSU alumni will be formally honored during the 13th annual Emerald Ball on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the UC Rozell Ballroom. For more information about the Emerald Ball contact the NSU Alumni Association at 918-458-2143.