Lawton Native Paul D. Massad Headed to Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame

A Lawton-raised University of Oklahoma alumnus is getting one of the state’s top higher education honors. Paul D. Massad spent 58 years at OU after arriving as a journalism student in the 1950s. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations in 1960, served seven university presidents, and retired in 2018 as Vice President Emeritus of University Development.

Over that career, Massad helped raise hundreds of millions in private support for OU. The Reach for Excellence Campaign benefited the Stephenson Cancer Center, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Sam Noble Museum and the Boyd House restoration. At Gaylord College, his support shows up in scholarships, faculty funding, the Paul D. Massad Endowed Chair in Strategic Communication, and the Paul D. Massad Student Services Center that bears his name. He says working with OU’s donors, faculty, staff and students was the highlight of his career.

The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society will induct 12 people in 2026, including Massad, at its 32nd annual banquet on November 2 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Individual tickets run $100, and a table of 10 is $1,000, with tickets available starting this month. Do you know an Oklahoma educator or supporter who deserves this kind of recognition? Tell us who and why in the comments.