TCC Regent Honored for Decades of Service

Tulsa Community College recently honored Ronald S. Looney, who served as a TCC Regent for 36 years.

Following his final board meeting, TCC leadership, colleagues, and family hosted a reception to recognize his decades of service to TCC and legacy.

Appointed in 1985 to the Tulsa Junior College Board of Regents, Looney would see a college name change and helped the College become a leader in higher education and an engine for northeast Oklahoma workforce development.

“Regent Looney has been a guiding hand in the leadership of TCC for decades. As TCC developed with four campuses strategically located across the community, he had a voice in how our facilities look, how they function, where they are located, and how we continue to maintain them,” said Dr. Leigh Goodson, TCC president and CEO.

With his background in real estate and commercial development, Looney served many years on the Facilities Committee and served four terms as Board Chair.

“Regent Ron Looney has been a tireless advocate for Oklahoma higher education for more than three decades. From his dedication to modernizing TCC facilities to his steadfast leadership in selecting three very capable and qualified TCC presidents, he has made a lasting, positive impact on the state system of higher education. Generations of Tulsa-area residents have benefitted from Regent Looney's service to TCC and his commitment to expanding opportunities to earn a college degree,” said Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

Looney chaired three TCC presidential searches leading to Dr. Goodson’s hiring in 2014 as well as the presidential searches leading to the hiring of President Emeritus Dean VanTrease and President Emeritus Tom McKeon.

“Regent Looney has always been caring, thoughtful, and supportive of people's ideas. He is a wonderful example of dedication and commitment along with his wife, Sue Looney, who has been at his side as he served TCC and our community for many years,” said VanTrease.

Regent Looney is president and CEO of Tri-Angle Development Co., a real estate development company engaged in general contracting, including construction of industrial as well as commercial buildings. He is a member of the Signature Symphony at TCC Advisory Board and has served in that role with the professional orchestra for 14 years as well as involved with a number of professional and community organizations throughout his career.

“Regent Looney has been incredibly generous with his expertise and talent as well as with his time over all these years. I think he embodies what it means to be a servant leader with his service to the community, the students, faculty and staff. Through your dedication, you were quietly making sure students had the best facilities, resources, and programs in place to meet their individual needs. Thank you on behalf of the faculty and students,” said McKeon.

A graduate of Will Rogers High School, Regent Looney attended the University of Tulsa, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Sue, live in Tulsa.