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Officials at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) announced Annette Black as this year’s Award of Merit Honoree. Black will be formally honored during the Alumni Awards luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 13, at noon in the Calcagno Family Ballroom. All alumni and friends of the college are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under, and may be purchased by contacting the NEO Development Foundation office at 918-540-6115. NEO’s “May the Norse Be with You” homecoming festivities will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
Black arrived at NEO in 1964, where she was a work-study for legendary NEO Coach “Red” Robertson. While working for Robertson, Black not only gained lasting friendships and an outstanding education experience, but she also had the opportunity to interact with mentors who would open doors for her future career. Over the next several years, she served in the offices of legislators, lawyers, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
In 1998, she accepted a position as the executive assistant to Peoria Chief Ron Froman. During her sixteen years in that position, Black was able to combine her legal acumen with her love for golf as the Peoria Tribe developed the Peoria Ridge Golf Course. It was during this time that she was asked to join the NEO Development Foundation. Over the next several years, Black worked with the Foundation Board to produce enormous growth in Foundation assets. She was also tasked with coordinating golf tournaments at Peoria Ridge that raised over $100,000 for NEO.
Now retired in Kauai, Hawaii, she lives with the love of her life, Creighton, who recently retired. The couple remain active, and Black recently completed a half-marathon. While golfing remains her number one hobby, she also enjoys quilting, sewing, and scrapbooking, and one of her favorite activities: sharing her island with friends and family. “It is a privilege to honor Annette Black as this year’s Award of Merit recipient,” said Jennifer Walker, executive director of the NEO Development Foundation. “Annette’s blood runs blue and gold, and she has given tirelessly of her time, talents and resources to her alma mater over the years. She has been a steadfast member of the President’s Partners program, and most recently, she endowed a scholarship that will assist students in need from single parent homes. Her generosity has impacted countless students on our campus.” For more information, contact Jordan Adams at Jordan.m.adams@neo.edu.
