February Bear of the Month - Representative Emily Virgin
We are thrilled and honored to introduce you to Noble 2005 graduate, Representative Emily Virgin, our February Bear of the Month! February marks the beginning of a new 2019 Oklahoma Legislative session and we can’t think of a more appropriate alumni to highlight than our newly appointed Oklahoma House Minority Leader.
Emily attended the University of Oklahoma where she worked as an equipment manager for the OU football team. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 with a degree in political science and a minor in criminology. Emily was also selected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She began law school at OU in the Fall of 2009 and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in November of 2010. Graduating with distinction from OU Law in 2013,. Emily was also a member of the Oklahoma Law Review. In the Oklahoma Legislature, she is the House Minority Leader and serves on the Judiciary, Higher Education, Public Safety, and Appropriations & Budget committees in the House of Representatives. She is also a board member of several non-profit organizations in Norman, including the Thunderbird Clubhouse, Norman Arts Council, and Bridges.
We met up with Emily to find out a little bit about her years spent in Noble and how being a Noble Bear has impacted her life and career. Here is what she shared with us:
How did your years spent in Noble contribute to shaping who you are today?
I am so glad I went to a small(ish) school district. It gave me a perspective that has become very useful in my work as a legislator. Since I represent Norman in the legislature, everyone assumes that I don’t know anything about small schools or rural Oklahoma, but my time at Noble has given me a great perspective on these issues and has served me very well. Aside from being helpful in my current work, I know that the amazing teachers and staff at Noble have had a lasting impact on me as a person.
What is your favorite memory of growing up in Noble?
Oh gosh…that’s a tough one! A few things that I always loved: going to the Rose Rock Festival and begging my parents to let me stay as long as possible, the shaving cream fight (most of the time I was just jealous of my older brother when we dropped him off there) and being involved with the basketball team as their manager/trainer. We weren’t the best team in the world, but we had a great time and always went to IHOP after games, which became as much of a highlight as the games themselves.
Who were your most impactful teachers and why?
Mr. Caddell was very impactful for me, as I know he was to so many other students. I had him for geography and he used that class to open our eyes to all different areas of the world and different cultures, which I think is so important. I also loved Mr. Peck’s class because I felt like he really prepared me for what college would be like. And because he was fun!
What advice do you have for the current students of Noble?
My advice is to appreciate where you’re from and never forget it, but also see as much of the world as possible. I’m still working on that, but every time I travel I learn something new. Meeting other cultures where they’re at is so important when we’re trying to make decisions for the global economy and culture that we live in.
What is your personal definition of success?
My definition of success has always been helping people with the gifts and talents you’ve been given. If it’s only one person, you’ve succeeded.
REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIN, WE ARE PROUD TO INCLUDE YOU IN THE LONG LIST OF NOBLE ALUMI THAT HAVE GONE ON TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES! Congratulations on your new leadership role in the Oklahoma House of Representatives!
GO BEARS!