Lee Denney was born and raised in Cushing, Oklahoma. Lee started at Oklahoma State in 1971 and pledged to Alpha Chi Omega in the spring of 1972. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics and later received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978.  

Alpha Chi Omega was known for having sisters involved all over campus. “We had scholars, prom queen candidates, athletes, artists, musicians, and more. We were very active and very involved,” Lee said.  

Lee met many lifetime friends at the house, along with a cousin she had never met, Melinda Drake. “Melinda was raised and educated in Iran as her father worked for an oil company.  She came to OSU and was already in the house when I joined. We are still close.”   

“My ‘mom’ in the house, Debbie Wright Hardee, had a great influence on my while I was at the house. She mentored me during my freshman year and helped me settle into college life. But there were many others whom I was close with. Sheryl Cline, Peggy Holman '72, Kathy Troutman, Lizzie Roos, Cindy Shepherd, Diane Wheat '73, Melinda Drake, Patty Sinclair, Pam Collier, and so many more. We were a close-knit group,” Lee said. 

Lee’s favorite spot to hang out in the house with her sisters was the second floor TV lounge. “We watched All My Children every day at lunchtime. Lots of laughing and camaraderie.” Lee also remembers spots such as Coachman, The Grey Whaler, and Coney Island were popular on the “strip” for nightlife.  

Lee also remembers that the sorority participated in a few intramural sports. “We always participated in the Phi Psi 500, and I believe we usually placed. It was a competition with lots of events. A lot of members were involved.” 

One of Lee’s favorite things about Alpha Chi Omega is that she can find sisters anywhere.  

“The very first day in veterinary school, I noticed a classmate with her lyre pin as a ring. She was an AX from the University of Arkansas. We were both alums just from different chapters. We became very good friends, study mates, and even roommates through college and we are still very good friends years later. You run into sisters everywhere. After my divorce, I needed an accountant, and one was recommended to me. I found out that the accountant’s wife was a sister in the house with me, Gail Klingingberg. I love finding sisters everywhere.” 

“I hope they still do a candlelight ceremony when a sister gets engaged. It was always exciting waiting to see who was engaged. I love the tradition of the ‘Mom/Dot’ activities and having a ‘mom’ as well as two ‘dots’ in the house. We had the opportunity to mentor and be mentored,” Lee said.  

Lee practiced veterinary medicine for 35 years after receiving her degree before she decided to have a career shift and run for office. In 2004, she ran and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives where she served 12 years before being term limited in 2016. She ended her service as the Speaker Pro Tempore for the House. Lee then worked as the Director of the Veterinary Technician Program at Oklahoma State for 16 months. During that time, she was appointed by the U.S. president to serve as the State Director of Rural Development for the USDA for three years. Today, she serves as the interim State Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech Education. In July of 2023, she will become the Payne County Treasurer. Lee has two children and four grandchildren.  

“Life is busy but very good,” Lee said.