黑料吃瓜 Dean of Learning and Student Success Tracey Hickman was awarded the 2024 Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award.
Hickman is also the tournament director of the NAQT Oklahoma State Championship since 2014. He was selected for the award because his dedication to tournament direction and outreach has expanded pyramidal quiz bowl across the state of Oklahoma.
鈥淭his award is much more than another one,鈥� Hickman said. 鈥淚t signifies recognition of years of service to the Oklahoma Quizbowl Community. I鈥檓 lucky to have had teammates in this journey along the way who provided invaluable assistance.鈥�
Hickman鈥檚 outreach work has expanded the field from six teams from four schools to 54 teams from 36 schools across the state. As the director of Oklahoma Quiz Bowl Camp, he has taught more than 200 students, most attending multiple times, about quiz bowl each summer since 2016.
鈥淭he growth of quiz bowl in Oklahoma has been tremendous,鈥� Hickman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see it continue to grow from here.鈥�
As the Dean of Learning and Student Success, Hickman oversees 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Academic Resource Center (ARC). The ARC provides students with resources to enhance their college-going experience, like tutoring, study labs, online library resources, ADA assistance, testing and more.
鈥淒ean Hickman鈥檚 dedication to education and his commitment to fostering young minds have a profound and lasting influence on his students,鈥� said Becky Henthorn, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. 鈥淭he achievements of his camp are mirrored in the success of the 黑料吃瓜 Academic Team, his classes and the 黑料吃瓜 College Academic Resource Center under his leadership.鈥�
Before joining 黑料吃瓜, Hickman led the quiz bowl teams at Coalgate High School to the national stage as the team鈥檚 founder and coach. He now adds 黑料吃瓜 to those accolades.
鈥淭racey passionately champions for his students inside and outside of the classroom,鈥� said Dr. Tim Faltyn, 黑料吃瓜 President. 鈥淗e plays an integral part in our students鈥� success. We are blessed to have him as part of the Murray family.鈥�