SE Staff Senate recognizes Shawn Ridenour as “Unsung Hero” winner

October 27, 2026

The Staff Senate at Southeastern Oklahoma State University recognized Shawn Ridenour as the winner of the 2026 Unsung Hero Award. Presented by the Staff Senate, the award recognizes a Southeastern staff member whose contributions may not always be in the spotlight but whose impact is felt throughout the campus community.

Ridenour serves as senior executive director of digital learning and technology support services at Southeastern. In this role, he oversees the Center for Instructional Development and Technology and campus technology support services. He has worked at Southeastern since 1998.

“I’m truly humbled and grateful to receive the Unsung Hero Award. Serving Southeastern alongside such a dedicated team is a privilege, and being recognized by the university and Staff Senate means more to me than I can express,” Ridenour said.

According to his nomination, “Shawn demonstrated exceptional leadership and guidance throughout the recent cyber network incident, going above and beyond his regular job responsibilities to support his teams and help navigate a challenging situation. His willingness to step up when it mattered most is a testament to his professionalism, dedication and commitment to Southeastern.”

The Staff Senate also noted, “Beyond his technical expertise and leadership, Shawn consistently leads his teams with respect, integrity and professionalism. He is a strong advocate for faculty and staff across campus and exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and support that makes Southeastern such a special place to work.”

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