East Central University (ECU) is proud to announce that David Schallhorn will be honored at the university's Evening of Honors and Recognition event on Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the ECU Foundation Hall, located inside the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center. Tickets for the event are available for purchase online at ecok.edu/2025EOH. For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@ecok.edu or call 580-559-5651.
David Schallhorn, a graduate of St. Lucas Lutheran School and Milwaukee Lutheran High School, earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin—Whitewater and the University of Oklahoma, where he received his Master of Fine Arts.
Mr. Schallhorn began his teaching career as an English and Speech teacher at Hartford Union High School, serving five years before joining East Central University in 1969. Over the next three decades, he made a lasting impact as Assistant Professor of Speech and Theatre and as Designer and Technical Director of ECU Theatre until his retirement in 2000.
A devoted educator and family man, David shares his life with his wife, Judy Schallhorn, a retired teacher, play director, forensics coach, and school counselor. Together they raised five children: Mark, Andrew, John, Tad, and Jamie, and enjoy a large family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The Schallhorn family's bond with ECU runs deep—Judy, John and his wife Victoria, Jamie and his wife Amy, and granddaughter Brittany Mankin are all ECU alumni, with Tad a former student.
The Schallhorn family continues to serve Oklahoma and beyond through leadership roles in education, health, finance, and tribal governance. John is Director of Finance for the OU School of Dentistry; Andrew serves as Deputy Commissioner of Financial Regulation and Chief Actuary with the Oklahoma Insurance Department; Mark led the Outdoor Learning Center for the Carrollton, Texas School District until his retirement last year; Vicky is a marketing manager in personal health; Jamie serves as Director of Event Management at ECU; Amy and Brittany are teachers in the Ada school system; and Tad is the Information Technology Director for the Chickasaw Nation.
Now retired, David remains active with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and continues to enjoy traveling, participating in church activities, and playing golf.
East Central University is honored to recognize David Schallhorn, Distinguished Former Faculty, for his decades of service, artistic contributions, and the enduring impact he has made on the university and its community.