UCO Professor John F. Barthell to be Inducted into Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame
Oct. 25, 2024
The Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame has selected University of Central Oklahoma Professor of Biology John F. Barthell, Ph.D., as a part of its 2024 class of inductees. Barthell will be inducted during the 30th annual banquet and ceremony at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 4, at UCO's Nigh University Center. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m.
Barthell’s induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame celebrates his distinguished career in higher education, marked by nearly three decades of dedicated service at UCO and notable contributions to scholarship, teaching and leadership.
“Dr. John Barthell’s work has significantly impacted communities throughout the world. His unwavering commitment to students and undergraduate research embodies the Broncho spirit,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“His induction to the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame honors his lifelong leadership in education on a state and national level. We look forward to honoring him on this noteworthy achievement.”
Starting his journey at UCO in 1995 as an assistant professor in the College of Mathematics and Science, Barthell’s exceptional leadership abilities led to his selection to serve in several key administrative positions, including assistant dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, interim associate dean and then dean of the College of Mathematics and Science.
His innovative vision and dedication to advancing undergraduate research, including at the national level, culminated in his appointment as UCO’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a position he held for six and a half years.
In January 2020, Barthell embraced an exciting new role as a rotating Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Program. This prestigious assignment closely aligned with his passion for advancing science and marked the first participation in the program by a faculty member from a regional institution in Oklahoma. Throughout his tenure at the NSF, Barthell remained actively involved with UCO, returning to campus regularly and engaging with the university community, reinforcing his commitment to advancing the university's mission.
Barthell’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research is further demonstrated through an eight-week, NSF-funded summer Research for Undergraduates (REU) program he has led for 15 years focused on the foraging ecology of solitary and honeybees in their native regions. His research on bees investigates plant-pollinator interactions, pollinator learning and responses to climate change. This program fosters international collaboration and advances global research on pollinator decline. Barthell’s extensive and enduring contributions to advancing undergraduate research were recognized by the Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) through his naming as a 2022 CUR Fellow.
The Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame was established in 1994 by the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, teaching and leadership. This year’s ceremony will feature a silent auction, live music and ample networking opportunities for leaders across the education field. For tickets, visit www.ohehs.org/hof.html.
For more information about the UCO College of Mathematics and Science, visit www.uco.edu/cms.
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Cutline: John F. Barthell, Ph.D., professor of biology and former provost at the University of Central Oklahoma, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame Nov. 4, recognizing his distinguished contributions to scholarship, teaching and leadership in higher education.
Tami Jackson