For Immediate Release – Lawton, OK, Feb. 13, 2007
Cameron celebrates Black History Month
As part of Cameron University’s Black Heritage Month celebration, Judge David B. Lewis, Oklahoma Court
of Criminal Appeals, will speak on campus on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. in the Cameron University
Shepler Mezzanine. The event is free and open to the public. Judge Lewis is the first African-American to
serve on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
“Cameron University is honored to have Judge Lewis speak as part of our Black Heritage Month
celebration,” said Jennifer Pruchnicki, J.D., CU Director of Student Development. “Judge Lewis still
maintains strong ties with our community, as evidenced by his enthusiasm in speaking to our students and
community members about his role in the OCCA and its impact on him as the first African-American to
serve on the state Court of Criminal Appeals.”
For more information, please contact the Office of Student Development at (580) 581-2209.
Below is a brief bio:
The Honorable David B. Lewis was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He graduated with honors from
Ardmore High School and entered the University of Oklahoma in 1976. As a business economics major, he
graduated with high honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1980. He graduated
from the University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1983.
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Lewis, ADD ONE
After admission to the bar in 1984, he worked in private law practice for a firm based in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Lewis has also served as a Comanche County Assistant District Attorney, Special District Judge, and
District Judge for Comanche, Stephens, Cotton, and Jefferson Counties. In 2002, he served as Chief Judge
at the Comanche County Courthouse. He maintained this position until Governor Brad Henry appointed him
to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in 2005.
He is the first African-American to serve on the state Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in
Oklahoma with appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases.
Judge Lewis is a past president and member of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. He previously served
on the Oklahoma Access to Justice Commission, Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries Lawton, Lawton
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Black Achievers Program Board of Directors, the Oklahoma Bar
Association Professionalism Committee, the OBA National Mock Trial Task Force, the Kiwanis Club of
Northwest Lawton and the Board of Christian Family Counseling Center, and has mentored in the Lawton
Public Schools and Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill. Judge Lewis has received a number of awards for his
dedicated service to the Lawton community and other statewide organizations.
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Editors and Broadcasters: For more information, contact Amber McNeil, Director of
Media Relations, in the Office of Community Relations at 580.581.2611.