Distinguished Alumni: Janie Umsted leaves lasting mark through art, education and service

September 25, 2026

DURANT, Okla. – For Janie Semple Umsted, art has been more than a career. It has been a way to teach, preserve history and stay connected to the heritage of southeastern Oklahoma.

A Durant native with five generations of Bryan County roots, Umsted grew up with Southeastern Oklahoma State University woven into her family history. Her aunt was among Southeastern’s first five graduates, while her grandfather played on the university’s first football team. She is also a direct descendent of Choctaw Chiefs Peter P. Pitchlynn and William F. Semple.

The connection to Southeastern continued throughout Umsted’s life. She earned a Master of Education from Southeastern after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. Her career in education spanned more than three decades and included teaching art at Norman, Atoka and Durant schools and serving as a faculty member at Southeastern.

Outside the classroom, Umsted developed a career as an accomplished Native American artist. For more than 50 years, she has worked in painting, sculpture and batik, with her work receiving recognition at the Red Earth Festival, Choctaw Nation Art Show, Five Tribes Art Show and Trail of Tears Art Show.

Her paintings and sculptures are displayed throughout Choctaw Nation properties as well as on Southeastern’s campus including the life-size bronze sculpture of “The Two Brothers” located on the university’s front lawn.

Her commitment to Native American art and education has taken her beyond Oklahoma as well. Umsted is a Presidential appointee to the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Southeastern has remained another important part of her story. Umsted spent 10 years as the university’s director of alumni and public relations and has continued to support the university as the curator of the Semple Family Museum of Native American Art and through the Alumni Association and other community organizations.

Now retired from teaching, Umsted continues her work as an artist and curator, carrying forward the traditions and stories that have shaped her life.

Her journey – from a Durant family with deep Choctaw roots to career in education, art and cultural preservation reflects a lifelong connection to the people and heritage of Oklahoma.

Janie and her husband, Gus have five children and three grandchildren.

The Distinguished Alumni Banquet is on Friday, Oct. 23 and tickets can be purchased by visiting se.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni-banquet/.

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