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OFE News Release

Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Honors Lewis for Distinguished Service

September 21, 2006
Nancy V. Lewis receives award from David BorenOKLAHOMA CITY -- Nancy V. Lewis, TULSA civic leader and tireless advocate for public education, has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

The foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools. Since becoming a founding trustee more than 20 years ago, Lewis has been an active volunteer, serving on numerous committees and increasing public awareness of the foundation.

Lewis was recognized by Foundation for Excellence founder and Chairman David L. Boren during the foundation’s Board of Trustees meeting earlier this month in Oklahoma City.

“Nancy Lewis has been a vital part of this foundation’s success since its establishment in 1986,” said Executive Director Emily Stratton. “For 20 years, Nancy has played a crucial role in expanding our mission by actively raising funds to support new and established programs as well as by participating on various committees. It is a pleasure to recognize her many contributions to the ongoing success of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.”

An active member of the foundation, Lewis has served on both the executive and board development committees. Her fundraising efforts have secured significant contributions to the foundation. In addition, Lewis and her husband, former Oklahoma House Speaker Steve Lewis, designated funds from the annual Speaker’s Ball to establish the Medal for Excellence in Alternative Education in 1990. Due to their leadership, this award annually recognizes an exceptional program that gives struggling students the extra resources they need to graduate and succeed.

A former high school and college teacher, Lewis recently retired as vice president of University Services for the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. A member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1986, she has also worked as executive director of the Oklahoma County Medical Society and as an interagency planning coordinator for the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth.

Lewis has served on the boards of many organizations, including the Tulsa City Council Library Commission, the Foundation for Tulsa Schools, the University of Oklahoma College of Education and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.