OCU announces Milhouse Award recipients
Oklahoma City University presented the 2009 Bishop Paul W. Milhouse Award to Elliott and Ruby Lu Simpson Fenton at a campus dinner Dec. 11. The Fentons are members of UM Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City. OCU established the award in 1982 to honor people who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the community, their United Methodist churches, and the annual conference, in addition to advocating on behalf of the church’s partnership with OCU. The Fentons are active at every level of church life in the Oklahoma Conference. Elliott was on the original Board of Trustees that helped establish Epworth Villa, the United Methodist-related retirement facility in north Oklahoma City. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, which strongly supports OCU in a number of ways. Both the Fentons sing in the choir at Church of the Servant and are beloved members of the Classics Sunday School Class. Prior to becoming active in that congregation, Elliott served in leadership roles at OKC-Wesley United Methodist Church. Both Fentons have established scholarships at OCU. Elliott initiated the Wesley United Methodist Church Scholarship, which assists music students who sing in the choir at Wesley church. Lu set up the Coover Scholarship, that assists music students, both vocalists and instrumentalists, who perform at Sunny Lane United Methodist Church, and the Tom and Ruby Simpson Scholarship for students at the OCU Wimberly School of Religion who are preparing for the ministry. In addition, Lu is a member of the Gold Star Society, which recognizes people who make a provision for OCU through a deferred or estate gift. When presenting the award, clergywoman Margaret Ball, vice president for OCU University-Church Relations, stated, "This year’s recipients are unwavering supporters of OCU. There is no doubt they love OCU. And there is no doubt that we love them." |
