For nearly three decades, Wayne Lane shared his love of
writing and journalism with hundreds of students at Northwestern Oklahoma State
University, guiding an award-winning student newspaper - the Northwestern News - that became a
mainstay of the University community.
In memory of his service as adviser of the publication,
and his dual role as director of public relations, the offices of the Northwestern News in Jesse Dunn Annex
will be named The Wayne L. Lane Northwestern Newsroom during a ceremony on
Homecoming weekend.
The public dedication will take place at 1 p.m.,
Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Northwestern News offices on the first floor of the
Jesse Dunn Annex.
“We are honored to recognize the legacy of Wayne Lane and
his contributions to Northwestern,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university
president. “For most of his life, he dedicated himself to this institution and
this community, but most of all, to his students.”
A native of Eldorado, Lane studied journalism at the
University of Oklahoma, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees and serving
as editor of the campus newspaper.
He spent more than two years in service to his country as
an aerial gunnery instructor with the United States Army Air Corps during World
War II. He worked at the Wichita (Texas) Daily Times, until 1959, when he
accepted a position at Northwestern.
During his career, Lane taught journalism classes, supervised
publication of the Northwestern News
and The Ranger yearbook, and served
as director of public relations. He was honored with many awards during his
teaching career, including the John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award in
1987. Upon his retirement in 1988, Lane was given the lifetime title of
Professor Emeritus.
Lane also was a founding member of the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame Committee and the Northwestern Historical Preservation Taskforce.
To commemorate the University’s centennial in 1996, Lane authored the book Northwestern: A Centennial History, which serves as the definitive history of Northwestern.
During his time at Northwestern, Lane was joined in all
of his endeavors by his wife, Bettielou, who also worked at the University and
served as second mother to many of his students.
Dedicating the newsroom in Lane’s honor during Homecoming
is most appropriate as the annual celebration was one of his most favorite
times of the year. He served for a time as homecoming chairman and was honored
as parade marshal in 1991.
Lane also was committed to service for his community. He served
as president of the Woods County Retired Educators Association and Red Carpet
Country, and was the Alva City Clerk for 24 years.
He was
a very active member of the Alva First Baptist Church and the Alva Masonic
Lodge and Scottish Rite. He received the Masonic Medal of Honor in 2010.
Lane passed away on Oct. 20, 2013, four days after his
89th birthday.
Northwestern is issuing a special invitation to all of
Lane’s former students and staff members of the Northwestern News and The
Ranger, to attend the dedication.
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