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Evangel University honors alumnus John D. Harper with Regius Award

Published on Apr 12, 2012 by Jennifer Hall

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Department of Social Sciences presented its Regius Award to John D. Harper during the department’s annual banquet on April 10, 2012.

Harper, a 1977 graduate of Evangel, is the vice president of external affairs for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). He is responsible for governmental and environmental affairs, community relations, corporate communications and economic development.

“We are pleased to recognize and honor John for his outstanding accomplishments and life of service,” said Dr. Bryan Sanders, chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Evangel. “He started as a student leader on campus and applied those skills throughout his career. John has been a respected leader in his business, community, church and family.”

Since 1990, Evangel’s social sciences department has presented an annual Regius Award to honor its alumni for outstanding professional accomplishments.

Harper was presented a knight, hand-carved from Welsh slate in Wales. He also received a “Book of Memories” from his classmates, former Evangel professors and others who influenced his professional career.

Past recipients of the Regius Award include Dr. Troy Paino, president of Truman State University (Mo); the Honorable Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, federal judge in Chicago; and Bonnie Brewster, former Tulsa-area school teacher and executive director of the Magic Empire Girl Scout Council.

Harper earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Evangel University in 1977 and an M.B.A. from Oral Roberts University in 1980.

Practical experience is a hallmark of an Evangel education. Harper interned in Senator Robert Dole’s U.S. Senate office in 1974 and was student government president at Evangel in 1975-1976. He also was the baccalaureate speaker for his graduating class in 1977.

Harper currently serves on the executive board of the Oklahoma Academy and on the boards of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Tulsa Command of the Salvation Army, Tulsa Global Alliance and Volunteer Tulsa. He also is a newly appointed member of Leadership Oklahoma.

A native of Denver, John is currently a resident of Tulsa. His wife Esther (Mayfield) graduated from Evangel in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. They have four children, including 2006 Evangel graduate Justin Harper.

PHOTO CAPTION: Regius Award recipient John D. Harper (right) with Dr. Bryan Sanders, chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Evangel. The Regius Award was presented during the department’s annual banquet on April 10, 2012.