OU professor receives honor for being a ‘star’ in his field
Dick Henry has nurtured an interest in astronomy since childhood

BY JAMES S. TYREE

Published: November 20, 2008

NORMAN — From glittering galaxies to great jazz musicians, Dick Henry has always been attracted to the stars.

Dick Henry University of Oklahoma astronomy professor

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The University of Oklahoma astronomy professor became a bit of a star Tuesday, at least within the College of Arts and Sciences, when he received the Kinney-Sugg Outstanding Professor award.

Henry, the seventh Kinney-Sugg award recipient, received $5,000 and a plaque, and his name will be added to a permanent display at Ellison Hall, home of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The award, endowed by Norman couple Sandy Kinney and Mike Sugg, is given each year to "recognize, reward and retain” the college’s best professors.

"It’s a complicated subject,” Henry said of astronomy and physics, "and you have to be creative enough to explain how to get the concepts across. I like that.”

The Kinney-Sugg award is the latest of many honors and research grants Henry has received.

The university made him a David Ross Boyd professor, OU’s highest teaching title.

His 24-year career at OU started after Henry ditched a career as a pharmacist. Henry had nurtured an interest in the stars since he was 9, when he received a "Golden Book of Astronomy” as a Christmas present.

By 1977, he decided to do something about it by enrolling in graduate school. OU hired him in 1984, the year he completed his post-doctoral work.

While Henry teaches and studies subjects such as the origin of chemical elements, he’s also known in the Norman area as a jazz drummer.

Henry, who has met boyhood heroes Count Basie and drummer Sonny Payne, has performed with several local groups over the years, most recently the Joe Whitecotton Quartet.

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