Northern Oklahoma College and Dillingham Insurance of Enid were among twenty-seven business and higher education partnerships throughout the state recognized March 9 as innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce in a ceremony at the University of Central Oklahoma.The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships that enable current students to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.For over three decades, Northern Oklahoma College and Dillingham Insurance have enjoyed a partnership centered on higher education and economic development. The late Dan Dillingham joined the family insurance business in 1958, founded on the principles of teamwork, character, and commitment to the communities they serve. Dillingham Insurance has provided comprehensive insurance solutions for clients of all sizes across the United States. As a 4thgeneration, family-owned business headquartered in Enid, Oklahoma, they offer business insurance products, group benefits, personal insurance products, and human resource services.Dan and his wife Kay along with the legacy of their three sons Jed, Peter and Chad are focused on community leadership with a passion for affordable and accessible higher education for all citizens in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma.The Dillingham Foundation has provided significant endowed student scholarship funding and various other support to the College and the NOC Foundation.Through the leadership of Dan Dillingham and other Enid community leaders whose dedication and desire for higher education aided in the purchase of Northern Oklahoma College Enid – formerly Phillips University in 1999. The family has volunteered their service on either the NOC Board of Regents, NOC Foundation Board of Trustees or the Enid Higher Education Council Board of Directors with the goal of working together to promote public college access and degree completion. Thus, increasing the number of graduates from NOC Enid and strengthening the city’s and state’s workforce and economy.
