Southeastern update, 12/2011

              Rodney Bivens, the founder and executive director of
the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, will be the speaker
at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Fall Com-mencement.
Commencement is scheduled for Saturday,
Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. in the Bloomer Sullivan
Arena. Following commencement, a reception
will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the
Visual & Performing Arts Center.
Bivens is a 1971 graduate of Southeastern,
where he earned a degree in sociology, with a minor in ac-counting
and business administration.
Under his direction, the Regional Food Bank has
evolved into a highly respected model for food banks
across the country, serving more than 825 elementary
schools and charitable feeding programs throughout 53
central and western Oklahoma counties.
Bivens has served on the board of directors and on nu-merous
advisory committees for Feeding America for more
than 12 years. He also serves on the National Disaster Re-lief
Task Force, where he has been called upon to respond
to national disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Before founding the Food Bank in 1980, Bivens was
Director of Hunger and Aging at Neighborhood Services
Organization, and Director of Social Services at the Mary
Mahoney Health Center.
He was awarded the prestigious John Van Hengel
award in 2007 in recognition of his outstanding efforts in
the fight against hunger. Most recently, the Oklahoma Cen-ter
for Non-Profits recognized the Regional Food Bank of
Oklahoma as the Outstanding Non-Profit for the state.
In addition to his degree from Southeastern, Bivens
holds a master’s degree in social work from the University
of Oklahoma.
He is a graduate of Class IV of Leadership Oklahoma
City and a member of the Alumni Association, board
member of the Homeless Alliance, member of the National
Executive Director’s Forum, and member of the Oklahoma
City Chamber of Commerce.
S o u t h e a s t e r n O k l a h o m a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
December 2011
UPDATE
Food Bank founder to address fall graduates
Southeastern Oklahoma State University President
Larry Minks has been selected as the 2011 Oklahoma State
Star by America’s Small Business Development Centers
Network.
Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OS-BDC)
Director Dr. William D. Carter formally presented
the award at a reception on Nov. 15.
Minks was chosen by the OSBDC for his commitment
to small business across the state of Oklahoma, his vision
for building a strong network of partners, and his advocacy
on behalf of the OSBDC and small business owners.
President Minks receives State Star
Southeastern president Larry Minks, left, accepts the State Star
Award as OSBDC director William Carter looks on.
Bivens