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Senator Pugh Honored with Distinguished Service Award by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, was recently presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education during the annual Higher Education Day at the State Capitol. 

This award recognizes Senator Pugh’s leadership as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and his tireless commitment to elevating Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities.

“It is vital that Oklahoma maintains a robust higher education system to drive our state's economy and prepare the next generation of our workforce,” Senator Pugh said. “Improving education at every level has been my primary motivation since the day I took office. Receiving this honor from the State Regents is a testament to the progress we are making together. I look forward to continuing our work to make Oklahoma a leader in academic excellence.”

A Proven Track Record of Education Results

Since becoming Chairman of the Senate Education Committee in 2021, Senator Pugh has authored landmark legislation focused on teacher recruitment, student literacy, and workforce readiness. His key accomplishments include:

  • Historic Teacher Pay Increases  Engineered an historic 2023 pay raise, increasing annual salaries by up to $6,000 and extending the salary schedule to 40 years to reward veteran educators.   This year he has authored legislation for an across-the-board $2,000 teacher pay raise.   
  • Strengthening Early Literacy  Authored the Strong Readers Act, mandating science-based reading instruction and providing intensive support for K-3 students to ensure they are reading at grade level.  
  • Workforce and STEM Preparation  Introduced distinct graduation tracks and increased math and science requirements to better align high school curriculum with college and career demands.  
  • Teacher Support and Benefits  Established Oklahoma’s first state-funded paid maternity leave for public school teachers and created the Oklahoma Teacher Corps to provide tuition assistance for future educators.  
  • Elimination of DEI Programs  Senator Pugh authored Senate Bill 796, landmark legislation signed in 2025 that prohibits Oklahoma's higher education institutions from using state funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) positions or programs. The bill mandates that universities focus on merit-based hiring practices.  
  • Teacher Preparation Reform  Through Senate Bill 841 (the Strong Readers Act), the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are required to integrate science-based reading instruction into university teacher preparation programs for early childhood and elementary education.  
  • Oklahoma Teacher Corps  He introduced Senate Bill 529 to create a scholarship program covering tuition and fees for college students who major in teacher preparation and commit to teaching in Title I school districts for four years.  
  • Expanded Scholarship Access 

Senator Pugh has supported legislation to expand eligibility for the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program, specifically including children of long-time public school teachers to incentivize educator retention.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to higher education in Oklahoma through their leadership and legislative advocacy.

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