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Drdlovell

Joined 2 May 2019

Dr. Diana "Diane" Lovell

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Dr. Diana “Diane” Lovell started as president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) on July 1, 2021

Early Life and Education

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Dr. Diana "Diane" Lovell was born in August 1967 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to Janis Crall Lovell and James F. Lovell. She grew up on a farm one mile north of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). In August 1979, after all her siblings had graduated high school, she moved with her parents to Chicago, Illinois. Lovell attended Springman Junior High and was a member of the track team. She lived in Glenview, Illinois, for three years and completed her freshman year at Glenbrook South High School. Lovell graduated from high school in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the 1985 graduating class, where she won the high school state debate championship five times through the UIL and the Texas Forensic Association. Lovell obtained her B.A. in Education with teaching fields in Communication and History from Baylor University in 1989. She then pursued her M.A. in History from the University of Houston, graduating in 1992, and subsequently earned her Ph.D. in History from the University of Houston in 2003, specializing in American Legal and British History. She has a passion for British history and is a "Janeite".

Career

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Dr. Diane Lovell has accumulated over 30 years of experience in various academic and administrative roles. Her career has included significant positions at several institutions. Upon assuming the role of President at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in July 2021, Dr. Diane Lovell has led numerous initiatives to bolster the institution's prominence. She spearheaded the development of the new Hodge Center for Pharmacy and Rural Health and established significant partnerships with Integris Health, Rose State College, and Yukon Public Schools. Her leadership saw the engineering and physics club clinch the 2022 and 2023 Argonia Cup, while the eSports program flourished.

Before her tenure at SWOSU, Lovell served at Blinn College District from 2012 to July 2021 as Vice-Chancellor of Student Services, Dean of Social Sciences, and Professor of History. In this role, she managed a team of 160 and championed the RELLIS Academic Alliance at Texas A&M-RELLIS, a pioneering higher education model in Texas. She oversaw the revision of 54 academic programs and the launch of seven new ones, achieving a 40% increase in online program enrollments, thus reaching a broader student demographic.

At Houston Baptist University (2001-2012), Lovell was Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities from 2008 to 2011. She promoted academic excellence by refining over 80 courses, strengthening ties with regional K-12 educators, managing faculty recruitment, optimizing budget allocation, and securing funds and grants to enhance the college's research capabilities and infrastructure. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding the college through a successful 10-year accreditation review.

From 1995 to 2001, Lovell was a Professor of History at Montgomery College, Lone Star College System. She delivered instruction across various modalities and courses, developed and authored curriculum for the History of England, and founded and led the study abroad program, Montgomery College in Europe.

Her early career includes roles as a History Instructor at Houston Community College (1991-1995), where she engaged students and supported college enrollment among a largely Hispanic population, and as a Speech and Debate Team Coach at Waco High School (1989-1990).

Research and Scholarly Activity

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Dr. Lovell has been involved in various research projects and has published several works, including:

• "Prosecutions under the Statutes of Provisors and Premunire in the King's Bench, 1377-1394" (2006)

• "The Sherborne Princesses: The Bariatinsky Monument in Sherborne Church, Gloucestershire" (2016)

• "Persuading Catherine: Regency Courtship, Early Colonial Ceylon, and Late Georgian Society" (in discussion with publisher) She has also presented her research at numerous conferences and historical societies, both in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Personal Life

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Dr. Lovell is married to Dr. Stephen O'Grady, a pediatrician. She has two children, Josh and Elizabeth, as well as three stepchildreen, one stepson-in-law, and three step grandchildren. She remains actively engaged in her community and continues to support various educational and historical initiatives.

Volunteer Work

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• National Trust: Volunteer Archivist since January 2015.

• Sherborne History Society of Gloucestershire: President since January 2017.

• North American Friends of Chawton House: Board Member since February 2022.

• Heartland of America Museum: Board Member since May 2020.

• OETA: Board Member since 2023.

References

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