Lindy Ritz

February 12, 2007

Norman – Lindy Ritz, director of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, has been named a 2007 College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumna. She represents the professional programs in the college.

Ritz earned her bachelor of science degree in fashion merchandising/marketing from OU in 1971.  She received a master’s degree in aviation and space science from Oklahoma State University in 1999.  She began her career in government in 1971 with the U.S. Forestry Service and joined the Federal Aviation Administration in 1979.  In 1997, Ritz became the first woman to serve as director of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

Being selected for the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Scholastic Fraternity while a graduate student was the beginning of many recognitions Ritz has received during her professional career.  These include the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate Award; President’s Award from the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees; Byliners Award from the Oklahoma City Professional Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications; Circle of Excellence by the Journal Record; Girl Scouts – Red Lands Woman of Distinction; and Order of the Delta Gamma Rose Award.  She has served on the board of directors of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, State Fair of Oklahoma, Arvest Bank, Mercy Health Center Board of Trustees, and the Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum at the Omniplex.  She is the chairperson of OU’s Aviation Advisory Council and is a member of Oklahoma State University’s Aviation Advisory Council, the Norman Board of Visitors, and the Norman Economic Development Coalition.

Ritz will present a free, public lecture, “Leadership – What It’s Really All About,” at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23 in the Heritage Room of Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Four OU College of Arts and Sciences alumni will be honored for their contributions at the local, national and international levels Friday, Feb. 23, during the college’s annual Kaleidoscope Evening. Other recipients of the 2007 College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award are John W. Saunders Jr., representing the natural sciences; Elizabeth Garrett, representing the social sciences; and Dick Lowry, representing the humanities.  GEICO will be recognized for exceptional service to the college by receiving the Distinguished Service Award.