Stephen Dickson
Encyclopedia
Stephen Dickson was an American baritone
who had an active career in opera
s and concerts from 1972 through 1990. He was active with the United States's most important opera companies during the 1980s, sharing the stage with many notable singers like Luciano Pavarotti
, Jessye Norman
, and Renata Scotto
. He was particularly admired for his portrayal of Papageno in The Magic Flute
, a role he sang throughout Europe and the United States. At the time of his premature death, Dickson had just reached the pinnacle of his career, having only recently gained a more substantial role at the Metropolitan Opera
in New York City and with major European opera houses like the Royal Opera, London
and the Bavarian State Opera
among others.
, Dickson graduated from Putnam City High School in 1969. He then studied with Inez Lunsford Silberg at Oklahoma City University
(OCU) where he graduated in 1973. He then pursued further studies with Gregory Stapp
in San Francisco. He later returned to OCU in 1990 for one year to fill in as a voice instructor for Florence Birdwell
, who was on sabbatical.
(SFO) in 1972 in the minor role of one of the guests in the United States premiere of Aribert Reimann
's Melusine. He appeared in small to mid sized parts with a number of smaller American companies during the 1970s. His first leading role came in 1977 at the Houston Grand Opera
when he portrayed Figaro in Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville
. That same year he returned to the SFO to portray Guglielmo in Così fan tutte
and Emilio in the American premiere of Nino Rota
's Il cappello di paglia di Firenze
. He returned to Santa Fe periodically through 1984, appearing in such roles as Papageno in The Magic Flute
and Prince Paul in La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein
. He also notably directed the SFO's 1980 production of Eugene Onegin
.
In 1978, Dickson sang in an internationally-televised production of Albert Herring
from the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. In 1980 he made his first appearance with the New York City Opera
as Ford in Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor under conductor Julius Rudel
. With that company, he went on to appear in Ariadne auf Naxos
(as Harlekin), La bohème
(as Schaunard), Les pêcheurs de perles
, Pagliacci
, and Faust
. In 1987, he sang Papageno in the NYCO's nationally televised production of The Magic Flute with Jon Garrison
as Tamino.
In the early 1980s, Dickson's career began to take off with a series of important engagements with America's top opera companies. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera
on November 24, 1981 as Papageno to the Pamina of Gail Robinson, Tamino of David Kuebler, and Queen of the Night of Zdzisława Donat. He later returned to the Met to sing Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos annually from 1985-1988 with casts that notably included Jessye Norman
as Ariadne, Kathleen Battle
as Zerbinetta, and James King
as Bacchus. His final performance of the series on March 12, 1988, which was to be his last appearance at the Met, was televised (and later released on DVD).
Dickson made his first appearance at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
on May 14, 1982 as Dr Falke in Johann Strauss II
's Die Fledermaus
with Gualtiero Negrini
as Alfred. He returned there the following September to portray Frédéric in Léo Delibes
's Lakmé
with Luciana Serra
in the title role. On November 4, 1982 Dickson made his debut at the San Francisco Opera
as Prince Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades
with Teresa Żylis Gara is Lisa and Regina Resnik
as the Countess. He returned to San Francisco frequently over the next six years, singing such roles as Albert in Werther
(with Alfredo Kraus
in the title role and Renata Scotto
as Charlotte), Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette
(with Ruth Ann Swenson
as Juliette), and Guglielmo (with Dénes Gulyás
as Ferrando, Etelka Csavlek as Fiordiligi, and Diana Montague
as Dorabella). His final appearance with that company was as Schaunard to the Mimi of Mirella Freni
and Rodolfo of Luciano Pavarotti
on December 11, 1988. That production, directed by Francesca Zambello
, was video taped and released on VHS and DVD.
On the international stage, Dickson made his European debut in 1979 as Papageno, a role he sang in numerous opera houses in Austria, Italy, France, and Germany during the 1980s. His European performance credits include appearances at the Bavarian State Opera
, the Bayreuth Festival
, the Paris Opera
, and the Zurich Opera
. His last European appearance was as Figaro in The Barber of Seville in 1988 for his debut at the Royal Opera, London
.
In 1991, at the age of forty, Stephen Dickson died at his mother's home in Oklahoma City, of complications from AIDS
.
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
who had an active career in opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s and concerts from 1972 through 1990. He was active with the United States's most important opera companies during the 1980s, sharing the stage with many notable singers like Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
, and Renata Scotto
Renata Scotto
Renata Scotto is an Italian soprano and opera director.Recognized for her sense of style, musicality and as a remarkable singer-actress, Scotto is considered one of the preeminent singers of her generation, specializing in the bel canto repertoire with excursions into the verismo and Verdi...
. He was particularly admired for his portrayal of Papageno in The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
, a role he sang throughout Europe and the United States. At the time of his premature death, Dickson had just reached the pinnacle of his career, having only recently gained a more substantial role at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
in New York City and with major European opera houses like the Royal Opera, London
Royal Opera, London
The Royal Opera is an opera company based in central London, resident at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Along with the English National Opera, it is one of the two principal opera companies in London. Founded in 1946 as the Covent Garden Opera Company, it was known by that title until 1968...
and the Bavarian State Opera
Bavarian State Opera
The Bavarian State Opera is an opera company based in Munich, Germany.Its orchestra is the Bavarian State Orchestra.- History:The opera company which was founded under Princess Henriette Adelaide of Savoy has been in existence since 1653...
among others.
Education
Born in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, Dickson graduated from Putnam City High School in 1969. He then studied with Inez Lunsford Silberg at Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
(OCU) where he graduated in 1973. He then pursued further studies with Gregory Stapp
Gregory Stapp
Gregory Stapp is an American bass who has performed actively in concerts and operas internationally for more than 35 years. He has had a particularly fruitful partnership with the San Francisco Opera, portraying more than 30 roles with the company since 1980. He has also worked actively as a...
in San Francisco. He later returned to OCU in 1990 for one year to fill in as a voice instructor for Florence Birdwell
Florence Birdwell
Florence Gillam Birdwell is an American educator, musician, and singer, who has taught musical theater and opera singing to thousands of voice students over a six-decade career, continuing today as professor of voice at the Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University.Born in Arizona, Birdwell...
, who was on sabbatical.
Career
Dickson made his professional opera debut at the Santa Fe OperaSanta Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera is an American opera company, located north of Santa Fe in the U.S. state of New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch of .-General history:...
(SFO) in 1972 in the minor role of one of the guests in the United States premiere of Aribert Reimann
Aribert Reimann
Aribert Reimann is a German opera composer, pianist and accompanist, known especially for his literary operas. His version of King Lear was written at the suggestion of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who sang the title role....
's Melusine. He appeared in small to mid sized parts with a number of smaller American companies during the 1970s. His first leading role came in 1977 at the Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera Houston Grand Opera was founded in 1955 through the joint efforts of Maestro Walter Herbert and cultural leaders Mrs. Louis G. Lobit, Edward Bing and Charles Cockrell...
when he portrayed Figaro in Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville, or The Futile Precaution is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The libretto was based on Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville , which was originally an opéra comique, or a mixture of spoken play with music...
. That same year he returned to the SFO to portray Guglielmo in Così fan tutte
Così fan tutte
Così fan tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti K. 588, is an opera buffa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart first performed in 1790. The libretto was written by Lorenzo Da Ponte....
and Emilio in the American premiere of Nino Rota
Nino Rota
Nino Rota was an Italian composer and academic who is best known for his film scores, notably for the films of Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti...
's Il cappello di paglia di Firenze
Il cappello di paglia di Firenze
Il cappello di paglia di Firenze is an opera by Nino Rota to an Italian-language libretto by the composer and Ernesta Rota, based on the play Le chapeau de paille d'Italie by Eugène Labiche and Marc Michel.The opera premièred at the Teatro...
. He returned to Santa Fe periodically through 1984, appearing in such roles as Papageno in The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
and Prince Paul in La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein
La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein
La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein is an opéra bouffe , in three acts and four tableaux by Jacques Offenbach to an original French libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy...
. He also notably directed the SFO's 1980 production of Eugene Onegin
Eugene Onegin (opera)
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24, is an opera in 3 acts , by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by Konstantin Shilovsky and the composer and his brother Modest, and is based on the novel in verse by Alexander Pushkin....
.
In 1978, Dickson sang in an internationally-televised production of Albert Herring
Albert Herring
Albert Herring, Op. 39, is a chamber opera in three acts by Benjamin Britten.Composed in the winter of 1946 and the spring of 1947, this comic opera was a successor to his serious opera The Rape of Lucretia...
from the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. In 1980 he made his first appearance with the New York City Opera
New York City Opera
The New York City Opera is an American opera company located in New York City.The company, called "the people's opera" by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, was founded in 1943 with the aim of making opera financially accessible to a wide audience, producing an innovative choice of repertory, and...
as Ford in Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor under conductor Julius Rudel
Julius Rudel
Julius Rudel is an American opera and orchestra conductor who emigrated to the United States from Austria at the age of 17 and studied conducting at the Mannes College of Music in New York City. He then forged a 35-year career with the New York City Opera, from 1944 to 1979, and was the Music...
. With that company, he went on to appear in Ariadne auf Naxos
Ariadne auf Naxos
Ariadne auf Naxos is an opera by Richard Strauss with a German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Bringing together slapstick comedy and consuming beautiful music, the opera's theme is the competition between high and low art for the public's attention.- First version :The opera was originally...
(as Harlekin), La bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
(as Schaunard), Les pêcheurs de perles
Les pêcheurs de perles
Les pêcheurs de perles is an opera in three acts by the French composer Georges Bizet, to a libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré. It was first performed on 30 September 1863 at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, and was given 18 performances in its initial run...
, Pagliacci
Pagliacci
Pagliacci , sometimes incorrectly rendered with a definite article as I Pagliacci, is an opera consisting of a prologue and two acts written and composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo. It recounts the tragedy of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe...
, and Faust
Faust (opera)
Faust is a drame lyrique in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré from Carré's play Faust et Marguerite, in turn loosely based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust, Part 1...
. In 1987, he sang Papageno in the NYCO's nationally televised production of The Magic Flute with Jon Garrison
Jon Garrison
Jon Garrison is a successful American operatic tenor who has been performing in locations around the world since 1965. He first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in 1974, in a secondary role in the company premiere of Death in Venice, which featured Sir Peter Pears...
as Tamino.
In the early 1980s, Dickson's career began to take off with a series of important engagements with America's top opera companies. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
on November 24, 1981 as Papageno to the Pamina of Gail Robinson, Tamino of David Kuebler, and Queen of the Night of Zdzisława Donat. He later returned to the Met to sing Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos annually from 1985-1988 with casts that notably included Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
as Ariadne, Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle , is an African-American operatic soprano known for her agile and light voice and her silvery, pure tone. Battle initially became known for her work within the concert repertoire through performances with major orchestras during the early and mid 1970s. She made her opera debut in...
as Zerbinetta, and James King
James King (tenor)
James King was widely regarded as the finest American heldentenor of the post-war period.-Biography:Born in Dodge City, Kansas, King studied music at Louisiana State University and earned a master's degree in 1952 from Kansas City University. He started singing as a baritone, but noticed in 1955...
as Bacchus. His final performance of the series on March 12, 1988, which was to be his last appearance at the Met, was televised (and later released on DVD).
Dickson made his first appearance at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1952, under the name 'Lyric Theatre of Chicago' by Carol Fox, Nicolà Rescigno and Lawrence Kelly, with a season that included Maria Callas's American debut in Norma...
on May 14, 1982 as Dr Falke in Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II , also known as Johann Baptist Strauss or Johann Strauss, Jr., the Younger, or the Son , was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas...
's Die Fledermaus
Die Fledermaus
Die Fledermaus is an operetta composed by Johann Strauss II to a German libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée.- Literary sources :...
with Gualtiero Negrini
Gualtiero Negrini
Gualtiero Negrini is a pianist, conductor, and singer, known mostly as an Italian-American tenor who has performed leading roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington Opera and many others...
as Alfred. He returned there the following September to portray Frédéric in Léo Delibes
Léo Delibes
Clément Philibert Léo Delibes was a French composer of ballets, operas, and other works for the stage...
's Lakmé
Lakmé
Lakmé is an opera in three acts by Léo Delibes to a French libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. Delibes wrote the score during 1881–82 with its first performance on 14 April 1883 at the Opéra Comique in Paris. Set in British India in the mid 19th century, Lakmé is based on the 1880 novel...
with Luciana Serra
Luciana Serra
Luciana Serra is an Italian soprano.-Debuts:Serra made her international debut in 1966 at the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest, but did not achieve general acclaim until the late 1970s, when she took on coloratura roles in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Bellini's La sonnambula...
in the title role. On November 4, 1982 Dickson made his debut at the San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera is an American opera company, based in San Francisco, California.It was founded in 1923 by Gaetano Merola and is the second largest opera company in North America...
as Prince Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades
The Queen of Spades (opera)
The Queen of Spades, Op. 68 is an opera in 3 acts by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to a Russian libretto by the composer's brother Modest Tchaikovsky, based on a short story of the same name by Alexander Pushkin. The premiere took place in 1890 in St...
with Teresa Żylis Gara is Lisa and Regina Resnik
Regina Resnik
Regina Resnik is an American operatic singer.Regina Resnik, the American mezzo-soprano, started a dramatic career ten months after earning her B.A. in Music at Hunter College. The role was Lady Macbeth under Fritz Busch in December, 1942 with the New Opera Company. A few months later, she sang...
as the Countess. He returned to San Francisco frequently over the next six years, singing such roles as Albert in Werther
Werther
Werther is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann based on the German epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe....
(with Alfredo Kraus
Alfredo Kraus
Alfredo Kraus Trujillo was a distinguished Spanish tenor of partly Austrian descent, particularly known for the artistry he brought to opera's bel canto roles...
in the title role and Renata Scotto
Renata Scotto
Renata Scotto is an Italian soprano and opera director.Recognized for her sense of style, musicality and as a remarkable singer-actress, Scotto is considered one of the preeminent singers of her generation, specializing in the bel canto repertoire with excursions into the verismo and Verdi...
as Charlotte), Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette
Roméo et Juliette
Roméo et Juliette is an opéra in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. It was first performed at the Théâtre Lyrique , Paris on 27 April 1867...
(with Ruth Ann Swenson
Ruth Ann Swenson
Ruth Ann Swenson is an American soprano who is renowned for her brilliance in coloratura roles.Born in Bronxville, New York and raised in Commack, New York on Long Island, Swenson studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and briefly at Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut...
as Juliette), and Guglielmo (with Dénes Gulyás
Dénes Gulyás
Dénes Gulyás is a Hungarian tenor. A native of Budapest, he studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in that city. He had an international career in the 1970s, and sang at the Metropolitan Opera, among other houses; one of his performances there, a Manon in which he sang Des Grieux to the...
as Ferrando, Etelka Csavlek as Fiordiligi, and Diana Montague
Diana Montague
Diana Montague is a British mezzo-soprano known for her performances in opera and as a concert singer.-Biography:She was born in Winchester and educated at the Testwood School, the Winchester School of Art and the Royal Northern College of Music...
as Dorabella). His final appearance with that company was as Schaunard to the Mimi of Mirella Freni
Mirella Freni
Mirella Freni, birth name Mirella Fregni, is an Italian opera soprano whose repertoire includes Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Tchaikovsky...
and Rodolfo of Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
on December 11, 1988. That production, directed by Francesca Zambello
Francesca Zambello
Francesca Zambello is a leading American opera and theatre director. Zambello lived in Europe when she was a child, learning to speak French, Italian, German and Russian. Zambello is of Italian descent, the daughter of Jean , an actress and Charles C. Zambello, a former actor who became head of...
, was video taped and released on VHS and DVD.
On the international stage, Dickson made his European debut in 1979 as Papageno, a role he sang in numerous opera houses in Austria, Italy, France, and Germany during the 1980s. His European performance credits include appearances at the Bavarian State Opera
Bavarian State Opera
The Bavarian State Opera is an opera company based in Munich, Germany.Its orchestra is the Bavarian State Orchestra.- History:The opera company which was founded under Princess Henriette Adelaide of Savoy has been in existence since 1653...
, the Bayreuth Festival
Bayreuth Festival
The Bayreuth Festival is a music festival held annually in Bayreuth, Germany, at which performances of operas by the 19th century German composer Richard Wagner are presented...
, the Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
, and the Zurich Opera
Zurich Opera
Oper Zürich is an opera company based in Zurich, Switzerland. The company gives performances in the Opernhaus Zürich which has been the company’s home for fifty years.-History:...
. His last European appearance was as Figaro in The Barber of Seville in 1988 for his debut at the Royal Opera, London
Royal Opera, London
The Royal Opera is an opera company based in central London, resident at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Along with the English National Opera, it is one of the two principal opera companies in London. Founded in 1946 as the Covent Garden Opera Company, it was known by that title until 1968...
.
In 1991, at the age of forty, Stephen Dickson died at his mother's home in Oklahoma City, of complications from AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
Honors
- On December 20, 1981, Dickson performed in a concert of Young American Artists at the White HouseWhite HouseThe White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, hosted by Beverly SillsBeverly SillsBeverly Sills was an American operatic soprano whose peak career was between the 1950s and 1970s. In her prime she was the only real rival to Joan Sutherland as the leading bel canto stylist...
. - In 1987 Dickson was inducted into the Oklahoma City University Performance Hall of Honor.
- In 1988 Dickson performed the role of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia in a special performance at the White HouseWhite HouseThe White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
at the invitation of President Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. - In 1989 Governor Henry BellmonHenry BellmonHenry Louis "Harry" Bellmon was an American Republican politician from Oklahoma. He was a member of the Oklahoma Legislature, the 18th and 23rd Governor of Oklahoma , and a two-term United States Senator.-Service in World War II:Bellmon was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and graduated from Billings...
appointed Dickson an Ambassador of Oklahoma to the United States and the World, bestowing on him the title "Contributor to the State of Excellence". - In 1990 Governor Bellmon and the Oklahoma Arts Council awarded Dickson the Oklahoma Cultural Ambassador Award.
- In 2008 an annual scholarship in his name was established at Oklahoma City University, by Ron Raines.