Sooner State News

Cameron University professor Dr. Sarah Eppler Janda is set to be inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame on March 20 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. The honor, established in 1993 by the Oklahoma Historical Society, acknowledges significant contributions to the history of Oklahoma.

Dr. Janda's interest in history was sparked by her grandmother, a family historian. Born in Blanchard, she earned her degrees from the University of Oklahoma where she met her husband, Lance. Both have been teaching history at Cameron University for over twenty years.

Since joining Cameron University in 2001, Dr. Janda has authored several works including “Beloved Women: The Political Lives of LaDonna Harris and Wilma Mankiller” and “Pride of the Wichitas: A History of Cameron University.” She co-edited “This Land Is Herland: Gendered Activism in Oklahoma” with Patti Loughlin and co-authored a high school textbook titled “Making Oklahoma: A History,” which was timed for the 2025-2026 textbook adoption cycle.

Dr. Janda also co-founded Redbud Historical Consulting alongside historians Heather Clemmer, Sunu Kodumthara, and Patti Loughlin. Their firm recently completed its first historic preservation project with a nomination form for listing the Johnson Family Home in Lawton on the National Register of Historic Places.

Active within various historical associations and boards, Dr. Janda has contributed significantly to Western history literature and served multiple roles at Cameron University including chairing the Faculty Senate twice.

The induction ceremony will also honor Carolyn G. Hanneman and posthumously Dr. Rachel Caroline Eaton during the Oklahoma Historical Society Awards Banquet on March 20 at the same venue. Attendees are required to RSVP by March 10 with tickets available online. Dr. AJ Griffin will deliver the keynote address while Joe Dorman will act as emcee for this event.