Dr. Reba Neighbors Collins
Dr. Reba Neighbors Collins wore many hats. When she passed away in November 2005, she left a legacy that lives on in so many
ways.
Her work as a publicist has been published in thousands of newspapers on countless subjects. As an author and historian,
she researched, wrote and spoke extensively about Will Rogers.
In 1955, Reba enrolled at then Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, and she found a new passion in writing. After only 2 1/2 short years, she completed her bachelor’s degree. While working as an instructor at CSC, Reba completed her master’s in 1959 and her doctorate in journalism from Oklahoma State University in 1968. After communicating with the local newspapers, she was named head of public relations for Central State College. She also found time to teach journalism and sponsor the yearbook. During this time, Reba lobbied the Oklahoma State Legislature to have Central State College changed to Central State University, something she spoke of with great pride throughout the rest of her life. In 1975 she became the director for the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore. While there she wrote eight books on Will Rogers, received many awards, and even served as an advisor for the Broadway play “Will Rogers Follies.” In 1979 she was named a UCO Distinguished Former Student. In 1990 Reba “retired” at the age of 65. Even in retirement she wrote columns for The Edmond Sun, the Bethany Tribune and The Daily Oklahoman. In 1998 she was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and in 2005, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Historical Society Hall of Fame.
A generous gift from Oklahoma author and friend Bob Burke recently established the Reba Collins Endowed Scholarship Fund at the UCO Foundation. The scholarship endowment not only honors her life’s work, but also some of her greatest passions: education, journalism, public relations and Central. Through this fund, tomorrow’s journalists and authors will receive much needed financial aid and the honor of knowing they are walking in Reba’s footsteps.
With the permission of Reba’s family and at the request of many alumni, we invite you to participate in this effort to honor Reba. Your gift will determine how many students will be helped through this endowed scholarship. We can think of no other more appropriate way to honor someone who was such an important part of the UCO family. We invite you to help spread the word about this effort and to make a gift today.
Our special thanks to the UCO Vista and the Edmond Sun and to Jennifer Collins for editorial contributions.
Her work as a publicist has been published in thousands of newspapers on countless subjects. As an author and historian,
she researched, wrote and spoke extensively about Will Rogers.
In 1955, Reba enrolled at then Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, and she found a new passion in writing. After only 2 1/2 short years, she completed her bachelor’s degree. While working as an instructor at CSC, Reba completed her master’s in 1959 and her doctorate in journalism from Oklahoma State University in 1968. After communicating with the local newspapers, she was named head of public relations for Central State College. She also found time to teach journalism and sponsor the yearbook. During this time, Reba lobbied the Oklahoma State Legislature to have Central State College changed to Central State University, something she spoke of with great pride throughout the rest of her life. In 1975 she became the director for the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore. While there she wrote eight books on Will Rogers, received many awards, and even served as an advisor for the Broadway play “Will Rogers Follies.” In 1979 she was named a UCO Distinguished Former Student. In 1990 Reba “retired” at the age of 65. Even in retirement she wrote columns for The Edmond Sun, the Bethany Tribune and The Daily Oklahoman. In 1998 she was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and in 2005, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Historical Society Hall of Fame.
A generous gift from Oklahoma author and friend Bob Burke recently established the Reba Collins Endowed Scholarship Fund at the UCO Foundation. The scholarship endowment not only honors her life’s work, but also some of her greatest passions: education, journalism, public relations and Central. Through this fund, tomorrow’s journalists and authors will receive much needed financial aid and the honor of knowing they are walking in Reba’s footsteps.
With the permission of Reba’s family and at the request of many alumni, we invite you to participate in this effort to honor Reba. Your gift will determine how many students will be helped through this endowed scholarship. We can think of no other more appropriate way to honor someone who was such an important part of the UCO family. We invite you to help spread the word about this effort and to make a gift today.
Our special thanks to the UCO Vista and the Edmond Sun and to Jennifer Collins for editorial contributions.