2018.11.15 Dr. Jack Herron, Chickasha Schools

 

Dr. Jack Herron was named the Superintendent for Chickasha Public Schools in January 2018. Prior to joining the ‘Chickasha Chick’ family, Dr. Herron served 4 years as Government Relations Director for Professional Oklahoma Educators. Before joining POE, he held the position of Assistant State Superintendent for Financial Services for one year after having served 11 years as Outreach Coordinator/Director of Regional Centers for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. At OSSM, Dr. Herron coordinated “Regional Centers” which provide advanced-level science and mathematics courses for qualified students while still attending their regular high schools.

 

Dr. Herron has spent a lifetime working as a college administrator/teacher/coach, high school principal and teacher, as well as served as school superintendent for 18 years in Macomb, Mangum, Guthrie, and Duncan, Oklahoma.  He founded the Edge Academy Alternative School in Duncan.  He believes strongly in the incorporation of the arts into academic curriculum and has encouraged this practice throughout his professional life.  Dr. Herron is a 1991 Kennedy Center National Arts Award Winner, has been awarded the Oklahoma State Superintendent’s Arts Award for Excellence, and was named an Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award winner in 2007.  He is past Chair for the Arts Alliance for Education for Oklahoma, an affiliate of the Kennedy Center. In 2017, Dr. Herron was honored by the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society as their Pathmaker Award recipient for his Higher Education service and accomplishments.

 

Dr. Herron is Past Chair of the Oklahoma Community Service Commission, and is a recipient of the National Community Service Award. He has been an American Legion Post Commander and a Chamber of Commerce President. He is a graduate of several leadership programs including Leadership Oklahoma Class Two; he founded the Leadership Oklahoma State Association.  Herron has served on the Board of Directors for Oklahoma National Bank and the Oklahoma Schools Insurance Association as well as the Jim Thorpe Association. He is an Eagle Scout, a 32^nd degree Mason, and has been involved in Rotary and Kiwanis.  Dr. Herron is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He attended pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas where he served as Chief of Special Services Division; he also served as a fiscal control as well as non-appropriated funds officer during his military service.  Dr. Herron was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Achievement and honorably discharged while holding the rank of Captain.

 

Jack Herron was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma and graduated from Norman High School. He has a B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University and a M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Curriculum Supervision and Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He coached basketball at the University of Oklahoma and at the United States Air Force Academy.  He participated in the 1971 Pan American Games Basketball Trials and the 1972 Olympic Basketball Trials, and he is a past member of the United States Olympic Basketball Committee.  Having lived in Ethiopia and Eritrea as a youngster, Jack developed a passion for hunting, fishing, geology, and stamp collecting.  He has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe.

 

Outside of his school activities, Jack is an active member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Board of Trustees as well as remains involved with leadership activities for the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education and the Oklahoma FIRST Robotics Planning Board.  Most importantly, Jack enjoys spending time at home in Norman with his family, including his wife of 50 years Susan, and children Julie Hall (husband Larry & OU Freshman granddaughter Ashley), Dr. Jane Yaciuk (husband Tim & 10year old soccer star grandson Trevor), Camille Herron (husband Conor Holt), and Jack Herron III (wife Katie & 6month old grandson Henry).