Educators from around the world visited OU on Monday to be recognized for their achievements in the field of adult education.

The International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame inducted seven teachers at the ceremony, which took place at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

The event was held at OU as a tribute to hall of fame founder Thurman J. White, who was inducted in the first Class of 1996 and is the founder of the Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, according to the center’s Web site.

With more than 200 inductees in the Hall of Fame, this was the hall’s eleventh induction ceremony.

“These individuals have made a significant contribution to the development and expansion of adult education,” University Outreach Vice President James P. Pappas said.

The 2008 inductees were Paula Harbecke, Richard Liles, Jamaican Mortimer Neufville, Nigerian Michael Omolewa, Canadian Thomas Sork. Col. Hazel Benn and Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire were inducted posthumously.

“I did not expect to be awarded for something that I get paid to do. I cherish and will continue in this field,” Neufville said. “I will continue to mentor as I was mentored.”

The Hall of Fame’s official home is the Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, in the Thurman J. White Forum on OU’s campus. White founded the hall to honor and document contributions of the past to inspire the next generation of continuing education leaders.

The selection process begins with nominations, most by past inductees. The nominees then send in a resume and letters of recommendation to a committee for selection. The committee selects between six and 10 individuals each year, Pappas said.

“Before I went into this field, I was told that change not only happens through the education of our youth but rather change happens through the education of adults,” Sork said.

Adult and continuing education is not just meant to educate adults but also to help businesses, groups and communities further their learning. Adult education also helps improve literacy and education around the world, especially in developing countries, Pappas said.

“I am honored to be recognized, but there are many others who have worked day and night to get recognition to battle illiteracy,” Omolewa said. “I dedicate this award, not to myself, not to Africa, not to any specific person, but to the world.”

The induction ceremony was held in conjunction with the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame Symposium Tuesday afternoon. At the symposium, guest speaker Bobby Moser, Ohio State University’s vice president for university outreach, spoke of White’s legacy and the next generation of adult and continuing education leaders. The 2008 inductees also spoke about their personal backgrounds at the symposium.

Each year, the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame holds two events, one in the United States and another outside the country, Pappas said.

A second induction ceremony will be held in December in Budapest in conjunction with a major United Nations conference.