State Regent Ann Holloway was recognized as a state regent emeritus at the April 25 meeting of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, which was held on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Appointed to fill an unexpired term by Gov. Mary Fallin in 2013 and reappointed by Fallin to a nine-year term in May 2015, Holloway will complete her second term on the board May 16.
Holloway earned an associate degree from Murray State College and a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She was involved in oil field equipment manufacturing for 25 years and currently serves as president of Holloway Inc. and as a managing member of EAH LLC, which has investments in oil, gas and real estate.
“Southeastern is so proud of this recognition for Regent Emeritus Holloway and her continued involvement with Southeastern,” said Southeastern President Dr. Thomas Newsom. “She is a frequent speaker at our commencement ceremonies and very eloquently shares her unique story with our students about how it is never too late to better oneself through education. I want to thank Regent Emeritus Holloway personally for her friendship and support and the amazing support she has given and will continue to give to our university. She is truly a great example of building a Southeastern Legacy.”
Before being appointed to the State Regents, Holloway served a nine-year term as a regent for the Regional University System of Oklahoma. She was appointed to the Professional Responsibility Tribunal for the Oklahoma Bar Association by Gov. Frank Keating and to various boards and commissions by Gov. Henry Bellmon. She has been named Outstanding Young Woman of Oklahoma and among Who’s Who of Outstanding Women in America.
“Regent Holloway’s leadership and dedication to Oklahoma’s students, colleges and universities is reflected in her many contributions as a state regent,” said OSRHE Chair Jack Sherry. “We sincerely thank her for 11 years of exceptional service to ensure our state system continues to provide a quality, affordable education for students while producing more college graduates to meet changing workforce needs.”
“Regent Holloway understands the value of our higher education system for both individual Oklahomans and for our state,” said OSRHE Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “A champion for students, her unique perspective as an adult learner has benefitted our work to help more Oklahomans achieve their dreams. She will be deeply missed.”
The State Regents are the constitutional coordinating board for the 25 public colleges and universities of the Oklahoma state system of higher education. Oklahoma’s public universities have the eighth-lowest cost of attendance in the country. The number of engineering degrees and certificates conferred by state system institutions increased 43.1% over the last 10 years, and STEM degrees increased 19.2% at all degree levels. More than 95% of Oklahomans who graduate from a state system college or university remain and work in the state one year after graduation.
