East Central University (ECU) is proud to announce that Mark Stringfield will be recognized for Distinguished Service at the university’s Evening of Honors and Recognition, taking place on May 16, at 6 p.m. in the ECU Foundation Hall, located inside the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center.
Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase at ecok.edu/2025EOH. For additional information or to reserve tickets, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@ecok.edu or call 580-559-5651.
A 1973 honor graduate and scholarship athlete at what was then East Central State College, Mark Stringfield earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics, inspired by the mentorship of Drs. Bulman and Danley. He went on to the University of Oklahoma on a teaching assistantship, where he completed a Master of Science in Engineering Physics while teaching in the physics department.
Coming from a proud lineage of Oklahoma educators—including his grandmother, a 1928 graduate of East Central State Teachers College and acting Dean of Women at Oklahoma A&M (OSU)—Stringfield’s career has been defined by service, leadership, and commitment to education and industry advancement.
His professional journey began in the oilfields around Ada, where he worked summers and holidays, fueling a passion that led to a 40+ year career in petroleum engineering. Starting with Sun Oil Company in Oklahoma City, he went on to serve in technical and executive roles including Manager of Onshore Drilling at Oryx, Vice President of Engineering at Stokes & Spiehler, and ultimately Director of Drilling Technology and Director of Engineer Development at Noble Energy. In his final role, he helped guide the development of over 200 engineers and worked closely with six university partners to shape recruiting strategies and academic standards industry-wide.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Stringfield and his wife, Susie, have been steadfast supporters of the ECU Foundation, establishing both scholarship and programmatic funding with a special focus on STEM education in Oklahoma. Since 2016, he has served on the ECU Foundation Board of Trustees and currently chairs the Investment Committee. He has also served on the Advisory Board of the Oka' Institute and as an OLAN Advisor for the Oklahoma EPSCoR S3OK Program.
Though now living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Stringfields remain closely connected to Ada and East Central University.
ECU is honored to recognize Mark Stringfield’s legacy of leadership, educational support, and exceptional service to both the university and the broader community.