Academic Awards Program

Academic Awards Program

Symbols are important. What we as a people choose to recognize and honor helps determine our priorities and define what we regard as successful. When our students and educators excel, it is vital that they be recognized and serve as role models encouraging others to aspire to excellence. That is the purpose of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’ flagship event, the annual Academic Awards Banquet.

The Foundation recognizes and honors academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools through a prestigious Awards Program, which bestows $258,000 in cash awards annually. Awards to be given at the Academic Awards Banquet in May include:

  • a $2,000 scholarship to each of the 100 Academic All-State scholars selected from Oklahoma's public high school graduating seniors;
  • a $10,000 cash award and Medal for Excellence to each of four public school educators, one each at the elementary, secondary, college/university, and administrator levels; each recipient's school receives a $2,000 cash award; and
  • a $10,000 cash award and Medal for Excellence to the state's most effective public school alternative education program

"We know that education is the best investment our society can make for the future,” said David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. “If we make all of the right policy decisions in every other area but fail to adequately educate the next generation, we will imperil the future of our society. By working together to give academic achievement the recognition it deserves, we send a strong message to our state and to the nation that Oklahomans value scholastic excellence.”

Since 1987, the Foundation has honored some 2,100 exceptional students, 84 educators, 17 outstanding alternative education programs, and six local education foundations. It has presented more than $2.4 million in academic scholarships, $767,500 in Medal for Excellence Awards and an additional $36,000 to Medal for Excellence recipients’ schools or school districts.

Academic All-Staters and Medal for Excellence recipients are honored at the annual Academic Awards Banquet, which is attended by more than 1,000 supporters of public education and televised statewide by OETA.