Poole, formerly of NEO, named to Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Hall of Fame
Three individuals who have committed their careers to higher education will be honored at the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC) ‘s annual luncheon ceremony. The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 3, at the Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center in the Sarkeys Foundation Atrium.
Tom Poole’s career in business and education reflects decades of leadership, service, and dedication to students and communities across the state.
Raised in Webb City and Shidler, Oklahoma, Poole began his academic journey at Northern Oklahoma College before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Phillips University in 1963. He launched his career as a corporate accountant with Champlin Oil and Refining Company before returning to Phillips University as Business Manager, a role he held for 16 years.
Poole returned to higher education in 1983 as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), where he dedicated 26 years to advancing the institution. At NEO, Poole’s leadership was pivotal, particularly following the devastating 2007 flood.
He oversaw the restoration of 12 buildings and multiple athletic fields, ensuring the college could quickly resume operations. He also served as Interim President in 2008 and later as Special Assistant to the President until 2009. His vision extended beyond administration as he played a key role in bringing Oklahoma Boys State to the NEO campus, enriching the college’s community engagement.
Following his retirement from NEO, Poole briefly returned to higher education as Interim President of Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) during the 2010–2011 academic year, where he successfully secured significant funding for the NOC Foundation. He later served as Chair of the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation Board of Trustees. As a highly respected college administrator and a distinguished alumnus of Northern Oklahoma College, Poole was honored with the NOC Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012 and the 2024 Outstanding Retiree Award for NEO.
Dr. Kyle Stafford, President of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, stated, “Tom Poole is well respected by his peers across the state of Oklahoma, and there were very few better than Tom when it came to fiscal affairs. His professionalism, wisdom, and commitment to higher education made a lasting mark on NEO and the entire two-year college system. His induction into the OACC Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor.” NOC President Diana Morris, shared, “Even during retirement, Mr. Poole continues to serve Northern through his dedication and service to the NOC Foundation. Tom has served as a trustee since 2016 in various roles, including on our investment committee and executive committee; he is the immediate past chairman of the NOC Foundation Board of Trustees.”
The 2025 Class includes Larry Duffy of Western Oklahoma State College and Dr. Jeanie Webb, former president of Rose State College.
Hall of Fame luncheon tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-oacc-conference. For questions regarding ticket purchases, please contact Jennifer Proctor at 405-736-0294.