Two distinguished former professors at Ottawa University have passed away. George Chaney began his teaching career in Coffeyville in 1950, teaching math and coaching football at a junior high in Coffeyville. He joined the Coffeyville College Mathematics Department and spent six years there, being selected as Teacher of the Year in 1960. He spent five years at Pittsburg State, before being called to Ottawa as a Professor of Mathematics. In 1990 he was honored at the “Sybil Martin Distinguished Professor” at Ottawa University. His teaching career included 42 years in the classroom and one year as Provost of Ottawa University. Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church Saturday morning at 11:00.
Stanley DeFries was a Professor of Music at Ottawa University from the 1960’s until his retirement in 1998. A Sibyl Martin Distinguished Professor of Music, he conducted the Ottawa University Concert Choir for twenty years, touring the U. S. and the first tour to Europe. Stanley founded “Ye Olde English Feast” which was a 28 year tradition of the Christmas season at OU. He championed the music of American composers holding festivals of their music wherever he went. World famous composer, Aaron Copeland, was so impressed that he visited Ottawa twice and gave the OU Music Department a complete set of his scores. To honor his long tenure, Ottawa University established the DeFries Society for the Performing Arts. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
