Panhandle State Alumni Association Announces 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

The Panhandle State Alumni Association proudly presents this year’s distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame recipients: Marie Pool and Carl Huddleston. The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 20th at 5 p.m. in the OPSU Student Union Ballroom, and all are invited to join in commemorating their outstanding achievements.

Marie Pool has enjoyed a notable career spanning over 25 years as a highly respected educator across various Oklahoma public schools. Marie’s academic journey began at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where she pursued studies in biology and chemistry. Her numerous accolades, including multiple Teacher of the Year awards and recognition from the President for excellence in math and science teaching, underscore her dedication to education. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and has made significant contributions to STEM education through her involvement in robotics and NASA workshops. Her commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and excellence makes her a great new addition to the OPSU Hall of Fame.

Carl Huddleston’s distinguished tenure of 25 years with NASA’s Space Program is nothing short of remarkable. He is the Manager of the Ground Flight Application Software Team for Aerodyne Industries on the Test and Operations Support Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. A native of Texhoma, Carl’s continuous support for OPSU has impacted countless students. His contributions to the aerospace industry, recognized with prestigious awards, reflect his expertise and leadership as the manager of a prominent aerospace organization. Specifically, Carl was a recipient of the Space Flight Awareness Award in 2022. This award is one of the highest presented to NASA and industry partners and is for first-level management. Carl attributes much of his success to his formative years at OPSU, which laid the groundwork for his successful career.

University President, Dr. Julie Dinger, remarked, “Ms. Pool and Mr. Huddleston exemplify the extraordinary achievements of our alumni. Their unwavering dedication to their respective fields and support for OPSU make us at the university and the Aggie alums proud.”

Shawn Joy, the Director of the Alumni Association, added, “We are excited to pay tribute to Marie and Carl this year. Their achievements serve as a source of inspiration for us all of us here at OPSU.”
We eagerly anticipate honoring Marie Pool and Carl Huddleston at the upcoming induction ceremony. To RSVP for this event, email Shawn Joy at opsu.alumni@opsu.edu.