Four new members of The Societies of Oklahoma City University will be honored at the organization’s 35th annual Awards of Excellence Luncheon on Tuesday, April 11, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
“The Societies of Oklahoma City University’s recognition of Hilarie Blaney, Christina Mallory Chicoraske, Patsy Homsey and Sally Starling as new members of this exceptional group of leaders is a point of pride for our institution,” said Ken Evans, OCU president. “These four women’s contributions to our community and beyond makes them not only role models to our students but changemakers within our network of alumni and friends. We are proud to work with them and congratulate each on their well-deserved honor.”
Blaney, senior vice president and lending officer in private banking at BancFirst, is receiving the Dulaney-Browne Library Society Award which was established in conjunction with the library on OCU’s campus. She is a graduate of OCU, earning her Bachelor of Science in business management in 1976 and her Master of Business Administration in finance in 1985. In addition, Blaney holds certifications from the renowned Protocol School of Washington, D.C., and Investments and Wealth Institute. Blaney is cofounder of Impact Oklahoma that has distributed almost $4 million to the Oklahoma City nonprofit community over the past eight years since its inception. Blaney is married to OCU law graduate Kevin Blaney, has one daughter, Jordan Dean, and four stepchildren.
Chicoraske is being honored with the Oklahoma City University Distinguished Philanthropist Award. She currently serves as the interim director of statewide learning and development for the Office of Management and Enterprise Services with the State of Oklahoma. Chicoraske earned her Bachelor of Arts in religion at OCU and her Master of Public Administration from OU before working as the assistant director of undergraduate admissions at OCU and the Uptown 23rd Historic District’s first executive director. She holds many awards for her volunteerism and activism at numerous area nonprofits and has been on the OCU Alumni Advisory Board for the past six years. She and her husband, Tim, live in the Wheeler District in Oklahoma City.
Homsey is the recipient of the Kirkpatrick-Petree Music and Performing Arts Society Award. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Homsey moved to Oklahoma to attend OU, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business and arts and sciences. Along with her long-time dedication to philanthropy, she has worked as deacon, wedding coordinator and member for 37 years of the Windsong Choral Group at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Previously, she served as a model for Oscar de La Renta and Bill Blass as well as a buyer for Balliet’s and executive clothing stylist for numerous clothing companies. Homsey is married to J.R. Homsey and has two sons, Hogan and Thomas Hunzicker, four stepchildren and four grandchildren.
Starling is the recipient of the Norick-Hulsey Gallery Society Award. She is a current board member of the Oklahoma City Ballet, Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and the Presbyterian Health Foundation. She also volunteers her time with a multitude of nonprofits in Oklahoma City and has spearheaded successful fundraising campaigns for these entities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College in California and worked in the U.S. Senate as well as on state and federal campaigns. She and her husband, Jeff, have two teenage daughters, Addison and Megan, and works in the community often with her parents, Polly and Larry Nichols, on various initiatives.
