Southeastern to honor three Distinguished Alumni at October 9-10 Homecoming festivities

Press Release Date: 09-10-2009

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will honor three Distinguished Alumni during its Centennial Homecoming Celebration on Oct. 9-10.

This year's honorees are Dr. Cordell Adams, Butch Arnett, and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield. They will be formally honored at the Distinguished Alumni/Former Faculty Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Visual and Performing Arts Center. They will also be recognized in pre-game ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 10, prior to the 2:30 kickoff between Southeastern and the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Cordell Adams ('82) is a board-certified practicing ophthalmologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, with a subspecialty in glaucoma. He has been in private practice for 17 years, and he is a three-time recipient of the Physician Recognition Award from the American Medical Association (AMA).

He has distinguished himself for 30 years, first as a student at Southeastern, as chief resident in his ophthalmology residency, in his solo medical practice still averaging 25 new patients weekly, and as a member of his community, professionally and socially. He was in the upper third of his class in medical school and his research, while in residency, fellowship, and private practice, is published in scholarly journals.

Adams was a Presidential Honors Scholarship recipient and earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. He was involved in SE campus activities such as Student Senate, the American Chemical Society, the University Players, and as an undergraduate research participant in Minority Biomedical Sciences. He graduated Summa Cum Laude.

His hobbies include fine arts, music, intramural sports, fitness training, community activities, and recently number one on the list, creative writing. From this last endeavor, Adams has embarked on a literary career, and his first novel, Light Bread, was recently ranked No. 1 for local paperback fiction in the Dallas Morning News, in which he pays homage to his maternal grandmother's wit, wisdom, and insatiable curiosity (www.sweettaterpiepublishing.com for more details). His schedule now commands numerous book signings and speaking engagements, and Dr. Adams still maintains his medical practice full-time.

Cordell's father, the late Dr. Claude Adams, was an assistant professor of English at Southeastern.

Butch Arnett ('69, '74) is a long-time local businessman, having joined his father in the Arnett Insurance Agency after a career in teaching/coaching. He is now the owner of Arnett Insurance Agency in Durant.

The Arnett family has established two endowed scholarships at Southeastern, one in athletics and one in Elementary Education. They have also made generous contributions to SE's Student Union campaign.

Arnett serves as Vice Chair of the Southeastern Foundation, Inc. Board, is a member of Presidential Partners, and is a member of the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Durant High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

His ties to Southeastern go back to his playing days as an All-America offensive guard for the Savages football team. He truly bleeds "Blue and Gold" and regularly gives of his time and resources to support the University.

He played linebacker and handled kickoff duties as a freshman at SE. He moved to offensive guard where he became a 3-time All-Oklahoma Collegiate Conference performer while earning NAIA All-America honors. As a senior, he played both linebacker and offensive guard. Arnett was also a team captain in his last three seasons and a key player on the 1967 Savages team that won the OIC championship by knocking off East Central before a standing-room-only crowd at Paul Laird Field.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Behavioral Studies.

Butch and his wife Carolyn have a son, Michael, and a daughter, Vickie Piearcy.

Senator Johnnie Crutchfield earned a bachelor's degree at SOSU in Social Science in 1970, and a master's degree in Education in 1975. A Democrat from Ardmore, Crutchfield was elected to represent District 14 in 1998. He came to the senate with over 18 years experience as teacher, coach and administrator in the Ardmore School System. He also served a brief time as Mayor of Ardmore.

The senator's work in the Oklahoma State Legislature has resulted in numerous awards and honors during his tenure. He was recognized as "Legislator of the Year" by the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association in 2001, and the following year, the Oklahoma State Troopers Association honored him with a similar award. In 2005, Crutchfield received the Bill Lawry Library Champion Award. In 2006, he was named to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's Hall of Fame. That same year, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center honored him with the naming of the "Johnnie Crutchfield Research Laboratory" for his support of education and health care. In 2007, he was named the Oklahoma Education Association's Outstanding Legislator.

Crutchfield was Chair of the Appropriations Committee from 2006-2008 and continues to serve as a member of that committee. He also serves on the Senate Committees for Agriculture and Rural Development, Energy and Environment, Finance, and the Appropriations Subcommittee for Natural Resources.

In addition to representing Senate District 14 at the State Capitol, Crutchfield owns ranches in both Carter and Pittsburgh County. He is a lifetime member of the NRA. Crutchfield is also a 32nd Degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason and India Shrine.

Crutchfield also serves on the Board of Directors for SE's Alumni Association, where he was instrumental in developing three important initiatives, including the establishment of the Century Club, the Benefactor Award and the Endowed Scholarship Award.

Crutchfield and wife Kipp have been married 43 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Candice Crutchfield and Kristi, who is married to Thomas Cox.

For more information about homecoming, visit www.SE.edu.