Courtney Ann Vaughn

Dr. Courtney Ann Vaughn, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on May 7th, 2022. She was seventy-three years old. Courtney served her entire adult life as a dedicated and prolific scholar-educator. Born January 16th, 1949 in Oklahoma City, OK, mother Mary Sue Hill, father John O. Vaughn, and sister Johnna Vaughn, Courtney graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Social Studies Education in 1973. She then served as an instructor of history at the historic Topeka High School in Topeka, KA. In 1975, she received her M.E. in Social Studies of Education from Central State University and M.A. in history at Oklahoma State University in 1976. In 1980, Courtney completed her dissertation at Oklahoma State, obtaining an Ed.D. in History and Higher Education. Courtney worked her way through graduate school by working as an instructor of history and sociology at Seminole Jr., College, history and English at Strother High School, and history and sociology at South Oklahoma City Jr. College, respectively. 

During her graduate studies, she met Glen Roberson, a doctoral candidate at Oklahoma State University’s Department of History and the eventual father of Courtney’s children Misha and Clayton. While working as an instructor at the Social Science Department at El Reno Jr., College in 1982, Courtney gave birth to her daughter Misha. In 1983, Courtney joined the Educational and Women’s Studies Department at the University of Oklahoma. The following year, she co-published her first book with Glenn entitled City in the Osage Hills. In 1986, Courtney gave birth to her second child and son, Clayton. Reaching the peak of her professional achievement, Courtney became the Brian E. and Sandra O’Brian Presidential Professor in 2008. Upon retirement in 2015, she had published four books, forty-six peer reviewed articles, and seven book chapters. 

Despite all of her accomplishments, Courtney found her greatest joy with her children Misha and Clayton and her granddaughter Lucy Ann. Whether it was a roadtrip with Misha and Lucy or helping Clayton with his graduate work, Courtney always searched for ways to spend as much time with her family as possible. Her unconditional love and support for Misha, Clayton, and Lucy was, in fact, her finest achievement. She also enjoyed competitive dressage riding with her horse, Maggie, and playing with her dogs, Cole and Gracie. 

The family will hold a memorial service and celebration of Courtney’s life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, 1212 Bedford Dr., Nichols Hills, OK, 73116. 

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Dr. Courtney Vaughn Memorial Fund. This fund will support the creation of an endowed scholarship in Courtney’s name at the University of Oklahoma. The link for contributions is as follows: home.oufoundation.org/vaughn