Vernon Anderson was awarded the Outstanding Board Member Award at the OSSBA/CCOSA 2012 Conference for his services on the school board at Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC).

Only one member of the Oklahoma State School Board is given this award each year. “Getting this award is quite an honor,” said Teresa Stewart, adding that Anderson cares deeply for KTC and its students.

Anderson also received the OSSBA All-State School Board Award during the weekend’s conference. This award is given to five board members each year for outstanding service to public education in Oklahoma.

“I am proud for the school. It gives the school a lot of recognitions,” said Anderson. He added that Kiamichi can now be recognized statewide as a premier technology center in Oklahoma.

Anderson was nominated to receive both awards by Eddie Coleman, Superintendent of Kiamichi Technology Center.

According to Administrative Assistant, Jean Leamy, Coleman had stated, “Mr. Anderson is highly respected by his peers not only in his community but across the state.” Coleman said that Anderson worked tirelessly for the betterment of education.

Anderson lives on his ranch east of Durant and has been on the Board at KTC for 22 years. Anderson said that he is the first and only member of the KTC School Board from the Durant campus.

While on the board Anderson has served as president, vice president, clerk and now member.

As a board member Anderson has been involved in making decisions that affect the entire school. The board makes decisions on all policies of the school.

Anderson said at KTC, “We think everybody needs and education. We try to provide training for the people of Bryan County.”

He said that he appreciates the support that the school gets from the citizens within the district and especially Bryan County.

Anderson has been involved with Oklahoma’s public education for the past 59 years. Anderson served as Superintendent at Achille Public Schools for 22 years.

Anderson said he was asked to be on the board at KTC and felt that with his education and experience he could contribute to the board, the county and the state.

Anderson is also on the Bryan County Ambulance Authority Board of Directors, Bryan County Flood Plain Board, Bryan County Soil Conservation Board of Directors and the Bryan County Baptist Association Executive Board.

He served in the United States Army for three years where he “wound up in the infantry,” said Anderson.

During his time in the Army Anderson was awarded the Victory Medal, Purple Heart with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, East Africa Military Expedition Ribbon with 4 Bronze Service Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge.