UCO Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Human Environmental Sciences Professor

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  • University of Central Oklahoma College of Education and Professional Studies faculty and alumni have established the Dr. Kaye Sears’ Honorary Scholarship for Professionalism in honor of longtime environmental sciences professor Kaye Sears, Ed.D.
    University of Central Oklahoma College of Education and Professional Studies faculty and alumni have established the Dr. Kaye Sears’ Honorary Scholarship for Professionalism in honor of longtime environmental sciences professor Kaye Sears, Ed.D.
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University of Central Oklahoma College of Education and Professional Studies faculty and alumni have established the Dr. Kaye Sears’ Honorary Scholarship for Professionalism in honor of longtime environmental sciences professor Kaye Sears, Ed.D. 

The scholarship will be awarded annually, providing financial assistance to UCO students within the family life education or family and child studies degree programs. Applications for the first scholarship are available through the UCO Scholarship Portal at scholarships.uco.edu

"I am truly humbled and honored by this wonderful scholarship that will continue to support students in the future after I am gone," Sears said. 

"I owe a big thanks to the thoughtful act of faculty who birthed this idea and to all the faculty, staff and students who have taught me what it means to impact the lives of future generations. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the impact it will have on future students."

Sears earned her master's degree in education from Central in 1969 and taught part time at UCO before accepting a full-time faculty position in 1975. She currently serves as a professor and department chairperson for the Department of Human Environmental Sciences. She holds multiple professional honors throughout her career, including the Professional of the Year Award from the Oklahoma Council on Family Relations, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy and UCO's Vanderford Distinguished Teaching Award. This November, Sears was recognized for over 45 years of service to the university at Central's Annual Years of Service celebration.

For more information about the Dr. Kaye Sears’ Honorary Scholarship for Professionalism, contact Erin Ta, development officer, eta1@uco.edu or 405-974-3782.

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