Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) announces it is partnering with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE) for the 31st year to televise their annual Academic Awards Banquet.
OFE holds its annual Academic Awards Banquet honoring Oklahoma’s brightest students and most dedicated educators. The top 100 graduating seniors will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a $5,000 cash award will be given to a combination of five outstanding Oklahoma educators and administrators. The gala event will be hosted by founder and chairman, David L. Boren and best-selling author and historian, H.W. Brands will be delivering they keynote address. Additionally, students of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra will provide musical entertainment for over 1,000 attendees.
“OETA is honored to have had been a part of this prestigious event for over 30 years.” Mark Norman, interim executive director of OETA continued, “OETA’s mission, to inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to large ideas, is mirrored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. By airing this awards ceremony we’re shining a light on Oklahoma’s brightest minds. Hopefully some young students will be watching and see what’s possible with dedication and hard work.”
Ken Busby, who serves as a Tulsa trustee of OFE and chair of the Academic Awards Banquet said of the event, “Some have described it as the ‘Academy Awards’ of public education in Oklahoma because we really roll out the red carpet to honor extraordinary teachers and students. Top that off with an address by H.W. Brands and inspiring words from David Boren, and you have a very memorable evening. I hope everyone will make reservations and plan to join us for this special celebration.”
The 31st Academic Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center. Admission to the event is $50; reservations can be made at www.ofe.org. The event will air Saturday, May 20, at 8 p.m. on OETA.
Airdates include:
Premiere: Saturday, May 27, 8 p.m., OETA
Tuesday, June 20, 3:30 a.m., OKLA
Tuesday, June 20, 3:30 p.m., OKLA
Tuesday, June 20, 8:30 p.m., OKLA