Two members from East Central University’s Class of 1970 have been recognized as Distinguished Alumni for 2020.

Ruben Elizarde and Dr. Ed Huckeby received the prestigious honor this month. The award presentations traditionally take place during Homecoming weekend festivities each fall. Because the pandemic preempted this year’s Homecoming event, ECU representatives hand-delivered the news – along with the distinctive tiger trophies – to the recipients at their homes.

The Distinguished Alumni award recognizes alumni, defined as graduates or former ECU students, who have excelled in at least one of the following areas: 1) Achievement of distinctive success in his or her chosen field or profession; 2) Performance of outstanding service to his or her community; and/ or 3) Provision of service and contributions to the University.

“We are pleased to recognize Ruben Elizarde and Dr. Ed Huckeby as East Central University 2020 Distinguished Alumni,” said Dr. Katricia Pierson, ECU president. “Both men have achieved above and beyond in their chosen fields, elevating not only their own careers but also the value of the ECU experience. We are honored to add their names to an esteemed list of alumni who have built exemplary lives after graduation.”

Following is biographical sketch of Mr. Huckeby, including his reaction to being named an ECU 2020 Distinguished Alumni.

Dr. Ed Huckeby

“The fl ames of friendship, once kindled and nurtured, flicker in the winds of death, yet burn on undaunted by time and space, shining through the night as the light of a distant star.”

These inspirational words are from the poem “Of A Distant Star” written by Dr. Ed Huckeby, who also composed a moving piece of music with the same title. As described in the liner notes of a recording of this particular piece, Huckeby is “an eclectic composer with a broad creative streak ... noted for his exciting style of composition which features abundant use of mixed meters, dynamic scoring and memorable melodies.”

More succinctly, Huckeby is one of the most re spected band composers living today – his sparkling career leading him to ECU’s highest honor.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized, especially since that recognition comes on the 50th anniversary of my graduation from East Central University,” Huckeby said. “It is incredibly humbling to be among those honorees from the past who have had such a meaningful impact on the University throughout their distinguished careers.”

Never one to rest, Huckeby is now an freelance composer, arranger, conductor and clinician. His career has included roles in higher education and arts administration, most recently serving as president of Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma, until his retirement from administrative work in 2014.

Prior to his appointment at SCU, Huckeby was chief academic/operating officer and professor of Music for more than a decade at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow. He also served as an arts administrator for Tulsa Ballet Theatre and holds the title of emeritus professor of Music at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where during his 22-year tenure he also served as department chair and graduate dean.

“I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the faculty who were at East Central during my formative years,” Huckeby said. “Especially professor Don Gant, who served as a model for perseverance in my composing and arranging career through his tireless efforts as a ‘one-man’ instrumental music department.”

Huckeby directed the Allen, Oklahoma, high school band while he earned his degree from ECU. His early music education career included eight years in Oklahoma public schools, where his marching, concert and jazz bands won state and regional acclaim. Significant success in public schools led him to the college ranks where he became internationally recognized as an outstanding music educator and composer of more than 200 published works for concert and marching band.

Huckeby, who went on to earn higher degrees at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, again pointed to his formative experiences at ECU.

“My concept of music appreciation was formed in Dr. Robert Kaebnick’s and Charles Tracy’s Music classes,” Huckeby said. “I came to realize the gift of music that I had been given, which was nurtured through outstanding instruction.”

Huckeby’s many outstanding contributions to concert and marching band literature have played an important role in the development of the contemporary band repertoire, and his recently released sight-reading and music literacy curriculum, published by the C.L. Barnhouse Co., is receiving world-wide acclaim. As passionate about writing as he is composing, Huckeby has written music education articles for The Instrumentalist, The American Music Teacher and The Journal of the International Horn Society.

Huckeby’s career is dotted with high notes, having been selected as an “Outstanding Young Man in America” and named to the “International Who’s Who in Music.” In 1996 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Huckeby has created more than 50 commissioned works and has served as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor for instrumental ensembles around the world, including Japan, Australia, Canada and across the United States.

Huckeby and his wife Latricia now live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, near their daughters Angela and Amanda and their extended family. The couple is also celebrating their 50 ^th wedding anniversary in 2020.

“Although my life’s ambition while at East Central was to become an assistant band director at a small college, I quickly learned that goalsetting, perseverance and adaptability are essential elements in building a career,” he said. “Upon reaching each new career level, I was able to reassess, set new goals and adapt to new challenges. I attribute that attitude of flexibility and determination to the outstanding educational foundation I received at East Central University.”