Spears Business marketing and communications director honored at 2025 Distinguished Service Awards

Spears Business marketing and communications director honored at 2025 Distinguished Service Awards

Monday, December 15, 2025

Media Contact: Hallie Hart | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-1050 | [email protected]

Stephen Howard, director of marketing and communications in the Spears School of Business, has received a campuswide honor for his service and impact on Oklahoma State University.

OSU's Staff Advisory Council presented Howard with the third-place Distinguished Service Award at the Dec. 11 ceremony in the Student Union's Starlight Terrace. The award annually allows OSU-Stillwater employees to nominate staff members who go above and beyond in their roles and represent the university in a positive and meaningful way.

Howard leads strategic planning, media relations, branding, positioning, advertising and writing for Spears Business while inspiring creativity in his team. He finished in the top three along with first-place winner John Lee, Landscape Services director, and runner-up Jim Coakley, Animal and Food Sciences herd manager.

Two of the 10 finalists represented Spears Business. Erin Potts, administrative associate in the School of Architecture, was nominated for her previous role as administrative associate in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Potts balanced numerous responsibilities to serve HTM faculty, staff and students while maintaining the personal approach that defines Spears Business.

Howard was also one of three Spears Business employees to receive a 2025-26 Staff Advisory Council Endowed Scholarship. The council recognized 10 winners, including Lori Christian, assistant director of student services in the Chesapeake Energy Business Student Success Center, and Samantha Lancaster, academic advisor in the BSSC.

Scholarship recipients must have full-time continuous employment at OSU-Stillwater for at least one year and be enrolled for college credit in at least one OSU course.

Founded in 1975, the Staff Advisory Council serves as the voice of staff to OSU Administration. Visit the websiteto learn more about the SAC Distinguished Service Award and scholarships, including past recipients.