A.D. Stone [Outstanding Leadership '16]

Born in 1935, A.D. Stone, Jr., graduated from Hitchita High School in 1953. Upon graduation, Stone joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged after four years of active duty service, then served an additional four years of inactive duty service. 

Stone graduated from Connors State College with an Associate of Science and then continued his higher education at Northeastern State University, Southeastern State University, Oklahoma State University and Indiana University – earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and teaching. 

Stone was instrumental in obtaining numerous National Foundation Grants, and taught mathematics and physics for junior high, high school, junior colleges and major universities. Though, of all the places Stone has been, he considers Connors State College to be his “lifetime service”. 

Stone’s tenure is equivalent to one-third of the history of Connors State, where he was instrumental in the growth and development of all aspects of the college. During that time he served the college in numerous capacities: Registrar, Academic Dean, Director of Student Services & Auxiliary Enterprises, Assistant to the President, and Executive Vice President, among other titles. 

With the assistance of devoted colleagues, Stone helped Connors become one of the fastest growing and largest non-urban junior colleges in the state. His efforts and footprints are a large portion of the history of Connors State. Upon his retirement in 1994, the Student Union was named in his honor.

Stone married Jean Myers in 1958. They have one son, Dan, and two grandchildren, Robert and Arthur, all of whom are Connors alumni; and one great granddaughter, Emma Stone.