Four Oklahoma women will be recognized for their service to the community during a luncheon todayApril 17 as new members of The Societies of Oklahoma City University.
The 36th annual Awards of Excellence luncheon will honor Penny McCaleb, Sherri Lance, Lori Blumenthal and Jacque Fiegel as new members of the distinguished organization.
“Members of the Societies of Oklahoma City University have a reputation for their tireless and selfless work to improve our community,” said OCU President Ken Evans. “This exceptional group of leaders are role models to our students, and changemakers within our network of alumni and friends. We are proud to work with them and congratulate each on their well-deserved honor.”
About the honorees:
Penny McCaleb, Dulaney-Browne Library Society Award
McCaleb is a regular volunteer in the community and a member of several boards including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Junior League and the YWCA. She has been honored as a “Ladies in the News” sponsored by Oklahoma Hospitality, the Lee B. Brawner Literary Voices Award, and was the Panhellenic Kappa Alpha Theta of the Year in 2023.
McCaleb formerly taught high school English after earning an undergrad and graduate degree in the subject. She was appointed to the Oklahoma County Metropolitan Library Commission, serving as chair for eight years during the planning and completion of the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library. She serves as liaison to the Library Endowment Trust and has chaired its “Literary Voices” fundraiser.
Sherri Lance, Kirkpatrick-Petree Music and Performing Arts Society Award
Lance has been recognized as a distinguished professional in the gaming and corporate sectors. Her list of volunteer service has included the United Way of Central Oklahoma, for which she was chair of the board from 2021 to 2023 and is currently chair of its Strategic Growth Committee.
She played a pivotal role in the Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming, serving as president, treasurer and secretary on the board. She also serves on the INTEGRIS Health System board, specifically focused on the safety, quality, strategy and investment committees at the state’s largest health care system. She teaches Sunday school at her church, Central Church Fellowship of Believers in Sulphur, Oklahoma.
Lori Blumenthal, Norick-Hulsey Gallery Society Award
Blumenthal joined the Junior League in 1993, a year after moving to Oklahoma City, becoming active in many community placements including chair of the annual Mistletoe Market and serving on the executive committee. She developed a passion for helping at-risk youth, becoming a CASA Advocate where she became a champion for the individualized best interests of children in foster care. During her 20-year career with CASA, she has served 15 sibling sets totaling 58 children.
She also became a founding member of the Citizens for Children and Families, which spearheaded new initiatives improving outcomes for children in foster care.
Blumenthal was honored by the National CASA Association as the 2016 Board Member of the Year and received the Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofit VISIONS 2020. She served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City from 2015-2019.
Jacque Fiegel, Oklahoma City University Distinguished Philanthropist Award
Fiegel serves as chair of the Central Oklahoma Area for Prosperity Bank. Her banking career spans 47 years.
A graduate of Leadership OKC, she also serves as a member of the board for Jack Henry & Associates, a technology provider serving community and regional financial institutions. She has previously served on the Oklahoma City Branch Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and as a board member of the Oklahoma Banker’s Association. She is a past president of the Economic Club of Oklahoma. She was recognized as one of the U.S. Banker 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking and was twice named as one of the 25 Women to Watch.
Fiegel’s non-profit experience includes serving as board chair of the YWCA of Oklahoma City, former co-chair of the American Heart Association’s Oklahoma City Go Red for Women and as a former board member of Canterbury Choral Society. She is currently a member of the Finance Advisory Group for the Alpha Phi Foundation.
Fiegel was a recipient of the Oklahoma City University Servant Leader Award, Alpha Phi Panhellenic Woman of the Year and Journal Record Circle of Excellence as part of the Woman of the Year’s 50 Making A Difference. She is a recipient of the Pilot Award by Oklahoma Business Ethics for ethical leadership and received recognition from Alpha Phi International for excellence and success in her business field.
