Advertising scholarship endowed at University of Central Oklahoma

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City),  Jun 19, 2008  by David Page

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Gean B. Atkinson has had a long career in advertising, public relations and marketing in the Oklahoma City area.

He started Atkinson Advertising Associates of Oklahoma City in 1975 and has corporate, military and political experience.

A graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with both his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism, Atkinson is now seeking to help a new generation of advertising and marketing students.

He has established an endowed journalism scholarship in UCO's College of Liberal Arts. The Gean B. Atkinson Scholarship for Advertising Excellence will provide funding for journalism majors who have an emphasis in advertising or public relations.

"UCO did so much for me that I'm delighted now to help those who show promise in the field of advertising and public relations," Atkinson said.

Atkinson said he established the endowed scholarship at UCO because of the pride he has in the accomplishments and growth of the school.

"UCO is one of Oklahoma's educational treasures," Atkinson said. "It has made quality higher education available to thousands of Oklahomans."

His experience extends beyond advertising and Oklahoma.

During Operations Desert Shield and Storm, he was recalled to active duty and was responsible for press operations in the United Arab Emirates as the director of the Joint Information Bureau- Dubai. He also served as the Naval liaison officer for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management. A former Marine officer, he was decorated for service in Vietnam. Atkinson retired as a captain in the Naval Reserve.

He also served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He is president of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, a trustee of the Cherokee National Historical Society and a former trustee of the University of Central Oklahoma Foundation.

His hobby is writing. He is the author of Internal Invasion, a novel on bioterrorism that has been optioned for a screenplay, and Bloodmoon at Cabin Creek, released in 2006.

"It is an honor for an award-winning advertising professional like Gean to invest in our students," said Pamela T. Washington, dean of the UCO College of Liberal Arts. "As a well-known and respected civic leader we are proud to call him an alumnus and friend of the College of Liberal Arts," said Dr. Pamela T. Washington, dean of the UCO College of Liberal Arts.

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