Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Stephenson Life Sciences Center

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

1. The Stephenson Life Sciences Center Marker, Side Two

Inscription. [Text from Side One unavailable]

projects as diverse as the development of alternative energy sources to new therapies for diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer, and other diseases. It also will foster more collaboration with the OU Health Sciences Center.

In addition to the Stephenson Research Complex and the National Weather Center, the research campus also includes several “Partners Place” buildings, which house private and OU entities involved in technology development.

Charles and Peggy both grew up in Antlers in southeastern Oklahoma. Charles spent part of his youth working in a grocery store owned by relatives. His ancestors were Presbyterian missionaries with the Choctaw people. He came to OU in 1954, graduated four years later with a petroleum engineering degree, and has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the oil and gas business, including founding Vintage Petroleum Company in Tulsa. Among OU's most loyal and generous supporters, the Stephensons also endowed a chair in petroleum engineering, and were founders of the Sarkeys Energy Center.

Erected by The University of Oklahoma.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 35° 11.118′ N, 97° 26.427′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is on Stephenson Parkway west of Lawrence Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Stephenson Pkwy, Norman OK 73019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Research and Technology Center (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct

The Stephenson Life Sciences Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

2. The Stephenson Life Sciences Center Marker

line); David L. Boren Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); The National Weather Center Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lloyd Noble Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The National Weather Center Building (approx. ¼ mile away); The John Frank Ceramics Studio (approx. ¼ mile away); The Dr. Kenneth C. Crawford Oklahoma Mesonet Site (approx. ¼ mile away); The Oklahoma Mesonet (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Also see . . . Peggy and Charles Stephenson - a Legacy of Love and Philanthropy (YouTube). Charles and Peggy Stephenson's love story began in Antlers, Oklahoma. Married more than 60 years, this couple's commitment to each other, OU and Oklahoma, continues to inspire. (OU Engineering, uploaded April 30, 2018) (Submitted on June 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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