At the 2024 Bruins of the Year ceremony on April 18, 2024, of the Bartlesville Public Schools the Bartlesville Education Association presented the Bartlesville Education Promise Board of Directors the “Friends of Education” Award.

In presenting the award, Co-Presidents Anna Thom and Heather Boyle mentioned the BEP and their donors were being recognized for the years of continued support to the teachers, students and the entire school system. Due to the support from BEP and their donors the graduation rate has been improved and test scores have been improved in all nine Bartlesville schools coming out of the Pandemic.

In accepting the award in behalf of the BEP Board of Directors, Martin Garber, BEP Chairman, along with Board members George Halkiades, Earl Sears, and Stephen Colaw, said the Board of Directors is honored to be recognized, however all of the hundreds of donors are the ones that recognize the importance of education and thanked the teachers for their dedication and difficult job the Pandemic presented upon the families and students. Over the last two years BEP donors provided the funds to employee between 130-140 teachers for after school tutoring and special classes for over 5,200 students. Everyone in the community should be proud of the accomplishments. Joining BEP board members were Chuck McCauley, BPS Superintendent and LaDonna Chancellor, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning of the BPS.