Dr. Steadman “Stead” Upham served as the 17th (2004-2012) and 19th (2012-2016) presidents of The University of Tulsa in tenures that were marked by dynamic growth and advancement.
President Upham spearheaded initiatives that led to striking improvements in academics and research, fundraising, campus development and community engagement. During his administration, TU added nearly 40 new academic programs (including doctoral programs in chemistry, physics and anthropology); created interdisciplinary research institutes in several fields (including nanotechnology, alternative energy and the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities); raised $700,000,000 in the Embrace the Future campaign (endowing 20 new faculty positions and more than 300 new scholarships); added more than 700,000 square feet of campus facilities; established the OU-TU School of Community Medicine and launched the Mary K. and John T. Oxley College of Health Sciences in an effort to help turn the tide on the state’s dismal health statistics; entered a partnership with the City of Tulsa whereby TU manages Gilcrease Museum; opened the Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education in downtown Tulsa; and established the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum.
President Upham also established a comprehensive community service program called True Blue Neighbors, which is designed to assist those living in the low-income Kendall Whittier neighborhood adjacent to the TU campus, and this program involves youth mentoring, tutoring, food and clothing drives, home maintenance assistance, and a close partnership with neighborhood schools and is achieved through volunteer support from TU students, faculty and staff.
Under his watch, the University emerged with an exciting new profile as a top-tier national university, achieving recognition as one of the nation’s Top-100 doctoral universities, and also as a highly ranked private university, according to rankings released by U. S. News and World Report.
Steadman Upham’s career in higher education leadership began after he received his master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology from Arizona State University, and he went on to hold teaching and leadership roles at New Mexico State University and the University of Oregon before serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Claremont Graduate University, and finally, as President of The University of Tulsa.
It could be argued that President Upham’s undergraduate studies in English literature and Spanish at the University of Redlands in California were the most critical to his life, however, because it was there he met Peggy Cooper, a business and economics major who captured his attention and heart. Stead and Peggy Upham married in 1971 and were devoted partners in life, career and family.
Peggy Upham served with grace and distinction as The University of Tulsa’s First Lady, hosting events and parties and accompanying her husband in his duties and travels. Stead and Peggy Upham shared a passion for art, with Peggy specializing in silversmithing and creating unique wearable art in the form of jewelry, and Stead finding a creative outlet in abstract painting, with a distinctive style that combines geometric forms and pointillist technique. Stead and Peggy Upham received critical recognition for their art, and they generously donated some of their pieces to The University of Tulsa.
Steadman Upham was recognized for his higher education career achievements, receiving the following accolades: Tulsan of the Year (2015) by Tulsa People magazine, Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee (2015), Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Honoree (2014), the Academy Gold Medal of Honor by the Academy of Transdisciplinary Learning and Advanced Studies (2001), Graduate College Hall of Fame inductee at Arizona State University (1998), and Arizona State University Distinguished Alumnus (1998), among many others.
Steadman Upham also generously donated his time and service to a long list of professional and community organizations, serving on boards and commissions that included the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Council of Graduate Schools, the National Physical Science Consortium, The American Mutual Funds, Saint Francis Health System, the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, and the Tulsa Community Foundation (as Chair), among others.
In 2016, Steadman and Peggy Upham wished to uplift The University of Tulsa by establishing an endowment fund in association with the Chapman Legacy Society to support the University’s general operations. This fund is formally recognized as The Steadman and Peggy Upham Chapman Legacy Society Endowment.
In addition, Steadman and Peggy Upham were honored by three loyal supporters of The University of Tulsa who named endowments in their honor: The Steadman and Peggy Upham Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by Margery Mayo Feagin Bird in 2008; The Steadman and Peggy Upham Endowment for Community Service and Outreach was established by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation in 2016; and The Steadman Upham Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 by Trustee Emerita Evelyn Rayzor Nienhuis.
Steadman Upham’s passing in 2017 shortly after his retirement from the TU presidency was unexpected and premature, but the TU family draws inspiration from the enormous and lasting difference he made during his 12 years as president, and from the lasting contributions that will continue to come from his namesake endowment funds.
