FEATURE STORY: May 7, 2007

Oklahoma Scenic Byways, a coordinated partnership between the Federal Highways Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and University of Oklahoma Outreach received the Recognition of Excellence Award for Innovations in Outreach and Engagement from the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA). This award recognizes creative and innovative programs in the field of adult and continuing education.

The committee was impressed with the uniqueness of the program and the grassroots collaborative effort to recognize, preserve and enhance state and national byways designations for Oklahoma communities,” wrote Miriam Simmons, chair of the Outreach and Engagement Awards Committee for UCEA.

“The new features, particularly the emphasis on economic development contributes to sustainability in new and different ways,” she said.

Pam Lewis serves as director of Oklahoma Scenic Byways for Outreach which presented representatives of ODOT with the national award at the organization’s May meeting.

Pictured: Celebrating national recognition of the Scenic Byways Program outreach efforts during the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s May meeting are: Pam Lewis, University of Oklahoma Outreach contract manager for the state Scenic Byways program; Richard Andrews, state Scenic Byways program coordinator and assistant division manager for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation; James Pappas, Ph.D., vice president of University of Oklahoma Outreach; Transportation Secretary Phil Tomlinson; David Smith, ODOT Division 2 engineer and chairman of the Scenic Byways Advisory Council; James Dunegan, District 2 transportation commissioner; John Fuller, ODOT assistant director; and Gary Corino, division administrator, for the Federal Highways Administration.