WILBURTON, Oklahoma – Eastern Oklahoma State College has announced the honorees for its 16th annual Sapphire Ball, scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. The event will be held in the E.E. Tourtellotte Student Center Ballroom, with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. In addition to the awards presentation, the event will feature an online auction hosted on Eastern’s Facebook page from March 5 at 10 a.m. through March 8 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the Sapphire Ball are $60 and may be purchased online at eosc.edu/sapphireball, where additional sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The Sapphire Ball is Eastern’s premier scholarship fundraiser and a black-tie optional affair that celebrates outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners who exemplify service, leadership, and dedication to student success. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sapphire Scholarship Fund, which provides critical financial support for Eastern students.

The 2026 honorees include Maria Martinez, recipient of the J.C. Hunt Award for Staff Excellence; Dr. Julie Collins, who will receive the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award; the Oklahoma Miner Training Institute, honored with the President’s Community Spirit Award; and Claude Bess, Shauna Williams, and Sterling Zearley, recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

“The Sapphire Ball is an opportunity to honor the people and organizations who make a lasting impact on Eastern Oklahoma State College and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Randy Harp, president of Eastern. “Their commitment to education, service, and leadership helps open doors for our students and ensures a strong future for Eastern. We are deeply grateful for their continued support.”

Maria Martinez, Director of Library Media Services at Eastern, is being recognized with the J.C. Hunt Award for Staff Excellence for her more than 15 years of dedicated service to the College. Since joining Eastern in 2009, Martinez has played a vital role in enhancing campus life through initiatives such as the Library Expo and International Food Festival, as well as the creation of the Multi-Cultural International Club. She also helped guide the most recent renovation of the Eastern library, which now includes modern study spaces and a coffee bar. Beyond campus, Martinez is an active community leader, serving with the Latimer County Arts Council and previously dedicating 13 years as a Girl Scout troop leader.

Dr. Julie Collins will receive the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to student learning and academic excellence. A graduate of Wilburton High School, Collins began her college journey at Eastern before earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University. She joined Eastern as a science instructor in 2007 and has taught a wide range of courses, including nutrition, anatomy, physiology, environmental science, and zoology. In addition to her teaching, Collins has served in numerous leadership and advisory roles on campus. Outside the classroom, she is an ordained minister and actively serves her community through jail ministry and recovery programs.

The Oklahoma Miner Training Institute is being honored with the President’s Community Spirit Award for its decades-long partnership with Eastern and its significant impact on workforce safety and education. Established by statute in 1986 and housed at Eastern, OMTI provides state- and federally mandated miner safety and health training to mining companies and contractors across Oklahoma. For nearly four decades, OMTI has played a critical role in ensuring a safer, more skilled mining workforce while strengthening Eastern’s mission of workforce development and community service.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to Claude Bess, Shauna Williams, and Sterling Zearley, recognizing their professional achievements and continued service to their communities.

Claude Bess, a 1968 Eastern graduate, has built a distinguished career in agricultural education and extension services. After earning degrees from OSU and the University of Arkansas, Bess served in multiple Extension leadership roles across Arkansas and Oklahoma. Since 1996, he has served as District Director for the Southeast District of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, providing leadership and support to agricultural communities throughout the region.

Shauna Williams, a 2005 Eastern graduate, serves as the Executive Director of Communications for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. With a 20-year career spanning education, economic development, and communications, Williams has played a key role in major tribal projects across southeastern Oklahoma. She is a recognized leader locally and across the state, serving on multiple boards and completing prestigious leadership programs, including Leadership Oklahoma and Leadership Native Oklahoma.

Sterling Zearley, a 1983 Eastern graduate, has more than 25 years of experience in tourism, recreation, and public service. He served as Director of Oklahoma State Parks, Resorts, and Golf Courses and previously held the role of Interim Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Zearley has also contributed to higher education as an adjunct instructor and remains committed to preserving Oklahoma’s natural and recreational resources for future generations.

The Sapphire Ball is more than a celebration. It is a reflection of Eastern’s enduring commitment to education, community partnership and creating opportunities for future generations.

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