Three individuals who committed their careers to higher education will be honored at the annual luncheon ceremony of the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC). The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 3, at the Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center in the Sarkeys Foundation Atrium. The 2025 Class includes Larry Duffy, Tom Poole, and Dr. Jeanie Webb.
Dr. Jena Marr, President of Redlands Community College and OACC Chair, stated, “It is a privilege to recognize this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. Since its founding in 2011, the OACC Hall of Fame has honored leaders of remarkable vision and dedication, governors, justices, chancellors, presidents, and educators who have shaped not only our colleges, but also the future of our state. Each new class of honorees strengthens this legacy, reminding us of the extraordinary impact that individuals can make through education, leadership, and service. On behalf of Oklahoma’s community colleges, I extend my deepest congratulations and gratitude to our inductees for the lasting difference they have made in the lives of countless Oklahomans.”
Larry Duffy, a 1962 graduate of Frederick High School, attended Altus Junior College as a non-traditional student and earned his associate in arts degree in 1975, the first class to graduate under the name of Western Oklahoma State College. He earned his Bachelors and Master of Music Education degrees at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In 1978, Duffy was hired as a vocal and instrumental music instructor, starting what would become an illustrious career at Western. During his 47 years of serving Western and its students, Duffy has held the positions of Music Department Chair, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, and Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs. Duffy accepted his current position as Executive Secretary of the WOSC Foundation, Inc., after his “semi-retirement” in 2013. Duffy has held many leadership roles in the Altus community, his church, and Rotary International on local, district, and international levels of service. His accomplishments for the WOSC Foundation include securing funding for transformational projects. His promotion of community college education gained him the honor of being inducted into the WOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, and the naming of “The Larry Duffy Hall” on the campus of Western.
Dr. Chad Wiginton, President of Western State College, stated, “In 1978, Western Oklahoma State College received a tremendous blessing when Larry Duffy accepted a position as a vocal and instrumental instructor. Since that time, he has given his heart and soul to the institution and played a vital role in shaping it into what it is today. Larry has been a leader, mentor, cheerleader, and friend to countless students, faculty, and staff. The impact he has had on Western and Oklahoma higher education is truly indescribable. His successes within the WOSC Foundation will continue to positively affect students and programs for generations to come.”
Tom Poole’s remarkable career in business and education reflects decades of leadership, service, and dedication to students and communities across the state. Raised in Webb City and Shidler, Oklahoma, Poole began his academic journey at Northern Oklahoma College before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Phillips University in 1963. He launched his career as a corporate accountant with Champlin Oil and Refining Company before returning to Phillips University as Business Manager, a role he held for 16 years. Poole returned to higher education in 1983 as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), where he dedicated 26 years to advancing the institution. At NEO, Poole’s leadership was pivotal, particularly following the devastating 2007 flood. He oversaw the restoration of 12 buildings and multiple athletic fields, ensuring the college could quickly resume operations. He also served as Interim President in 2008 and later as Special Assistant to the President until 2009. His vision extended beyond administration as he played a key role in bringing Oklahoma Boys State to the NEO campus, enriching the college’s community engagement. Following his retirement from NEO, Poole briefly returned to higher education as Interim President of Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) during the 2010–2011 academic year, where he successfully secured significant funding for the NOC Foundation. He later served as Chair of the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation Board of Trustees. As a highly respected college administrator and a distinguished alumnus of Northern Oklahoma College, Poole was honored with the NOC Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012 and the 2024 Outstanding Retiree Award for NEO.
Dr. Kyle Stafford, President of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, stated, “Tom Poole is well respected by his peers across the state of Oklahoma, and there were very few better than Tom when it came to fiscal affairs. His professionalism, wisdom, and commitment to higher education made a lasting mark on NEO and the entire two-year college system. His induction into the OACC Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor.” NOC President Diana Morris, shared, “Even during retirement, Mr. Poole continues to serve Northern through his dedication and service to the NOC Foundation. Tom has served as a trustee since 2016 in various roles including on our investment committee and executive committee; he is the immediate past chairman of the NOC Foundation Board of Trustees.”
Dr. Jeanie Webb served as the seventh—and first female—president of Rose State College from 2013 until her retirement on June 30, 2025, when she was named President Emerita in recognition of her transformative leadership. Dr. Webb joined the college in 1998 as Associate Vice President of External Affairs and became Vice President for Student Affairs in 2000. During her presidency, Dr. Webb oversaw significant growth and innovation, including enrollment increases, expanded student services, construction of a new Student Union, and the introduction of the college’s first on-campus student housing—the first of its kind for an urban community college in Oklahoma. She advanced student success and workforce partnerships; launched the Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center; secured approval for the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity; and expanded Nursing with $9.4 million in ARPA support. Dr. Webb secured more than $22 million in external funding and grants to advance campus improvements and workforce development, her visionary leadership earned her regional and statewide recognition for advancing student success, workforce partnerships, and higher education excellence.
Rose State College President Travis Hurst, shared, “Dr. Jeanie Webb is an exceptional leader, mentor, and friend. Her vision redefined what a community college can be. She brought to life Oklahoma’s first bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity offered at a community college and the state’s only associate degree in Artificial Intelligence. She secured more than $36 million for infrastructure and program growth, while increasing annual scholarship support from $35,000 to more than $400,000. Beyond academics, she transformed the student experience by introducing on-campus housing, a vibrant student union, new athletics programs, and an updated learning resources center. Marked by record growth in concurrent enrollment, rising graduation rates, and strengthened workforce and community partnerships, her steadfast dedication shaped Rose State College and Oklahoma in profound and lasting ways.”
Hall of Fame luncheon tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-oacc-conference For questions regarding ticket purchases, please contact Jennifer Proctor at 405-736-0294.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
