2002 OCU Honorary Doctorates for Dancers

Information about the tap dancers and other dancers who received honorary doctorate degrees from Oklahoma City University in 2002.

Nine distinguished American dancers were honored by Oklahoma City University (OCU) in February of 2002 for their contributions to the creation, development, preservation, and promotion of tap dance. OCU President Tom J. McDaniel conferred honorary doctorates of performing arts in American Dance on Bunny Briggs, Buster Brown, Cholly Atkins, Fayard Nicholas, Henry LeTang, Jeni LeGon, Jimmy Slyde, Leonard Reed, and Prince Spencer. The degrees were presented in conjunction with the Robert L. Reed Tap Heritage Institute.

Tap dancers who performed as a tribute to the honorees included Tribute performers include Avi Miller, Margaret Morrison, Michela Lerman, Nicole Hockenberry, Ofer Ben, Robert L. Reed, Tony Waag, and Ulrike Dinger. A congratulatory speech by Gregory Hines was read during the event and a video message from Ben Vereen was screened. The award ceremony ended with a tap jam during which the honorees and guests artists participated in an on-stage tap jam to demonstrate and share tap dancing steps.

Dancers Who Received Honorary OCU Degrees in 2002

Cholly Atkins
Tony Award-winner and Motown choreographer.

Bunny Briggs
Famous for his "paddle and roll" style of tap dance.

Buster Brown
Member of the Copasetics Club.

Jeni LeGon
Film star and protege of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Henry LeTang
Tony award winner

Fayard Nicholas
Tony award winning member of the Nicholas Brothers tap dance duo.

Leonard Reed
One of the foremost authorities on vaudeville.

Jimmy Slyde

Prince Spencer
One of the four step brothers.