Reception held to honor Neal McCaleb, recipient of Tau Beta Pi’s 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Pictured above, from left to right: Kurt P. Rouser, Ph.D., OH H ’11, Neal A. McCaleb, OK G ’57, Dr. Paul Tikalsky, dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology; and Jacob L. Lewellen, OK G ’22.

On September 23, members of the Pioneer Alumni Chapter, OK Gamma Collegiate Chapter, the Center of Sovereign Nations, and Oklahoma State University (OSU) staff attended a reception in honor of Neal A. McCaleb, OK G ’57, who was named a 2021 TBP Distinguished Alumnus. This award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated adherence to the ideals of Tau Beta Pi and foster a spirit of liberal culture on local, national, and international levels. Seen below with Mr. McCaleb is Caleb M. Bengs, OK G ’21, who received the TBP Scholarship named for McCaleb.

Nominated by the Pioneer Alumni and OK Gamma Chapters, McCaleb was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus for service to his country, as an engineer, and success as a business leader. He earned a B.S. in civil engineering from OSU and is a professional engineer and political leader with proud Native American Heritage.

Initiated into Tau Beta Pi in 1976, Mr. McCaleb is also a member of Sigma Tau, Chi Epsilon, and Phi Kappa Phi. He was inducted into OSU’s Hall of Fame in 2005 and the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology’s Hall of Fame in 1989.

McCaleb was appointed to key positions by four Oklahoma governors and three U.S. presidents, including President George W. Bush, who in 2001 appointed him as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. After leaving government service, he was appointed chairman of the board of Chickasaw Nation Industries and now serves as an Ambassador at Large for the Chickasaw Nation.

Commenting on the reception, Kurt P. Rouser, Ph.D., OH H ’11, Pioneer Alumni Chapter president and advisor to OK Gamma said, “We could really sense the impact Mr. McCaleb had with this award… on the University, to the profession, to his tribe, to the state and to the Nation.”

For more information about the award and other recipients, view the full press release here.