On Thursday, Nov. 5,Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) will add six distinguished individuals to its growing list of honored Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. Three men and three women were selected this year. The event will be held in the college’s Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) Theater Atrium at 6:30 in the evening.

The 2015 honorees hold positions in college teaching, journalism, music, early childhood education, engineering and law. The 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Jackie Burns, Ph.D.

Professor, Chair of Sociology and Anthropology/Women’s Studies, Principia College

Jackie Burns, Ph.D., is a professor and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology/Women’s Studies at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois near St. Louis. She earned her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University, her M.A. from Oklahoma State University, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma – all three degrees in the field of Sociology. She is a 1984 graduate of Oklahoma City Community College. She has previously taught at Prairie View A&M University and Austin Community College, among other institutions.

Dr. Burns is a published author with numerous works focusing on the effects socio-economic conditions have on our citizenry. She has presented professionally at conferences throughout the U.S. as well as internationally, and her expertise is sought across many educational and informational platforms. Jackie is a volunteer mentor, a member of several sociological professional societies, and is co-founder of the Alton, IL Food Hub Coalition and Grassroots Grocery Store.

• Antonio Maria Delgado
  Journalist, Latin American Correspondent, El Nuevo Herald

Antonio Maria Delgado is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in financial and political news as well as investigative journalism. He has served as an international correspondent and editor, most notably in Spanish Language Services for the Reuters News Agency for over 10 years, concentrating on Latin American politics and economics. Currently, Antonio is a Latin American correspondent for El Nuevo Herald based in Miami, Florida, where he has been deeply involved in investigations of the Hugo Chavez regime in Venezuela. He previously served as correspondent and editor for the AmericaEconomica magazine, Latin America’s largest business publication.

Antonio has covered numerous critical situations in Central and South America over the years including international skirmishes, drug wars, coups, corruption and corporate financial scandals. Antonio was most recently awarded First Place in the 2015 Sunshine State Awards “Best Investigative Report – Newspaper/Spanish Language†category. He is a 1988 graduate of Oklahoma City Community College’s Journalism program and a former editor of the student newspaper, “The Pioneer.â€

• John Humphrey

Musician, Drummer for the band Seether

John Humphrey is the drummer for internationally renowned rock band Seether. Since joining the band in 2003, John has been an integral part of their success which includes multiple awards, gold and platinum records, nationally televised performances and sold-out concerts around the globe. Seether is known for their melodic hard rock sound and profound lyricism. The group is a frequent performer at USO shows, entertaining American servicemen and women all over the world, and their music is a staple of Active Rock Radio playlists. The group’s most recent album “Isolate and Medicate†was released last year.

Before joining Seether, John was a member of Norman, OK based ‘90s alt-rockers The Nixons for eight years, also touring heavily and recording albums for MCA. He is a native of Moore, Oklahoma and attended OCCC from 1989-1990.

• Lisa Todd Lawson

Teacher, Parmelee Elementary, Oklahoma City Public Schools

Lisa Todd Lawson is an early childhood educator working in the Oklahoma City Public School district. She teaches at Parmelee Elementary where she has worked for nine years. During her time at Parmelee, she has taught first grade, kindergarten and is currently teaching prekindergarten, helping young students get the start they need. She attained her BMA, a vocal degree, from Oklahoma Baptist University. Lisa has a passion for education and serving the community, passed on in part by her father, the late Dr. Robert P. Todd, former president of Oklahoma City Community College.

Through the Ann Lacy Foundation, Lisa supports many arts and education organizations throughout the city, including the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation and the Oklahoma City Community College Foundation.

• Madison Schultz

Mechanical Engineer, Guernsey Engineering

Madison Schultz is a licensed professional engineer with an extensive resume of projects to her name. A native of Yukon, OK, she is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and currently works as a Mechanical Engineer specializing in HVAC design for Guernsey Engineering in Oklahoma City. She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, the latter in which she holds a leadership position. Madison has worked hard throughout her career to break the stereotype of being an anomaly in her male-dominated vocation, and she actively advises and recruits young women to the field of engineering.

Madison is heavily involved in community service, giving back in the form of volunteer work for Rebuild OKC and the Salvation Army among others. In early 2006, sacrificing personal goals, she traveled to the Gulf Coast to perform months of volunteer work, assisting those in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

• Kenneth R. Nance

Former State Legislator, Lobbyist

The late Kenneth R. Nance was an attorney and lobbyist at the Oklahoma state capitol where he served in some capacity for nearly 50 years. He worked for the House of Representatives staff and as an assistant attorney general before being elected to the state house in 1968. Mr. Nance served as the representative for District 91 in south Oklahoma City for 10 years until 1978. He was known as one of the “founding fathers†of Oklahoma City Community College, working to bring the college into existence during his time in the legislature.

Mr. Nance was a 1959 graduate of Capitol Hill High School and earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Oklahoma City University. He died in 2013. The Kenneth R. Nance Memorial Scholarship at OCCC is named in memory of Mr. Nance and is designated to assist students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Mr. Nance will be recognized as an honorary inductee at the ceremony.

Induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor that annually recognizes a select group of former students, showcasing their career and civic accomplishments over the years. Hear their stories at the 2015 banquet held in the VPAC Theater Atrium on the campus of OCCC, 7777 South May Avenue. For ticket information, please call the OCCC Foundation at (405) 682-7591.