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

R. Boyd Gunning Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2025

1. R. Boyd Gunning Park Marker, Side One

Inscription.

R. Boyd Gunning Park. . This park is named in honor of R. Boyd Gunning (1913-1990). Gunning, who served OU in many capacities, is best remembered as the first and highly successful executive director of the University of Oklahoma Foundation, a post he held for thirty years. , Gunning was a native Oklahoman who came to Norman in the fall of 1931. He spent the next six years completing a program that led to a B.A. and LL.B. in 1937. Upon graduation, Gunning began what would be a long and productive career at the University. In the summer of 1937, he became the director of the visual education branch of the Extension Division, later becoming the assistant director of that department in 1939. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gunning took a leave of absence on February 1, 1942 to join the Army. His service in World War II brought him many honors, including the Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to the University, becoming director of the Extension Division on July 1, 1946. , Gunning's superb directorship of the Extension Division brought him much attention from other areas of the University. On February 15, 1948, he was appointed as the first executive director of the University of Oklahoma Foundation. Following the untimely death of Ted Beaird, executive director of Oklahoma Alumni Association, in 1949, Gunning assumed that responsibility. For the next twenty years, he effectively served both the foundation and the association, obtaining private funds and property for the university and overseeing alumni affairs. , Gunning's talents also stretched beyond university matters. He gave his time freely to the community outside the university as an active member in many organizations. Before his retirement, the university awarded Gunning the Distinguished Service Citation for the exceptional contributions he had made to the university and the community. As a further expression of appreciation, the trustees of the foundation also established the R. Boyd Gunning scholarships awarded to outstanding students. , Upon his retirement on July 1, 1978, the university gave Gunning additional recognition by naming this park in his honor.

This park is named in honor of R. Boyd Gunning (1913-1990). Gunning, who served OU in many capacities, is best remembered as the first and highly successful executive director of the University of Oklahoma Foundation, a post he held for thirty years.

Gunning was a native Oklahoman who came to Norman in the fall of 1931. He spent the next six years completing a program that led to a B.A. and LL.B. in 1937. Upon graduation, Gunning began what would be a long and productive career at the University. In the summer of 1937, he became the director of the visual education branch of the Extension Division, later becoming the assistant director of that department in 1939. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gunning took a leave of absence on February 1, 1942 to join the Army. His service in World War II brought him many honors, including the Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to the University, becoming director of the Extension Division on July 1, 1946.

Gunning's superb directorship of the Extension Division brought him much attention from other areas of the University. On February 15, 1948, he was appointed as the

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first executive director of the University of Oklahoma Foundation. Following the untimely death of Ted Beaird, executive director of Oklahoma Alumni Association, in 1949, Gunning assumed that responsibility. For the next twenty years, he effectively served both the foundation and the association, obtaining private funds and property for the university and overseeing alumni affairs.

Gunning's talents also stretched beyond university matters. He gave his time freely to the community outside the university as an active member in many organizations. Before his retirement, the university awarded Gunning the Distinguished Service Citation for the exceptional contributions he had made to the university and the community. As a further expression of appreciation, the trustees of the foundation also established the R. Boyd Gunning scholarships awarded to outstanding students.

Upon his retirement on July 1, 1978, the university gave Gunning additional recognition by naming this park in his honor.

Erected by The University of Oklahoma.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work

R. Boyd Gunning Park Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2025

2. R. Boyd Gunning Park Marker, Side Two

• Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1946.

Location. 35° 11.786′ N, 97° 26.649′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is at the intersection of Asp Avenue and West Timberdell Road, on the right when traveling north on Asp Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 William J. Ross Courtyard (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Frank & Edna Asper Elkouri Oval (about 800 feet away); The University of Oklahoma College of Law

R. Boyd Gunning Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

3. R. Boyd Gunning Park Marker

(about 800 feet away); Pete Kyle McCarter Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Couch Center (approx. ¼ mile away); David Burr Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on June 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.