Former Lexington and Purcell Superintendent S. Wayne Maxwell is one of two East Central University alumni to be inducted into the Gene and Evelyn Keefer Educators’ Hall of Fame at ECU.

The induction ceremony will take place September 25 at 2 p.m. inside the Estep Multi Media Room located inside the Bill S. Cole University Center.

A reception will follow in the Lanoy Legacy Lounge located inside the Lanoy Education Building, room 216.

Inductees for 2025 include Rita R. Volturo and a posthumous induction for Maxwell.

Maxwell, a native of Tishomingo, was born in 1943.

After graduation from Tishomingo High School, he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years, attaining the rank of corporal.

Following his military service, he began his journey in education as a student at ECU.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in education in 1967 from ECU, his master’s degree in education from ECU in 1973 and later an additional master’s degree from OU, Maxwell began his teaching career in Davis.

He followed that by positions in Prague, Okemah and Wellston, where he served as a teacher, coach and principal.

This was the beginning of what became a distinguished career in education.

He later served as superintendent of Thackerville, Lexington, Caney and Purcell Public Schools.

After retiring from an already storied career in public schools, Maxwell continued his support of education by becoming the first Director of Retirement for Professional Oklahoma Educators, a role he held for 14 years.

In addition to his career in education, Maxwell was also a successful writer.

He co-wrote a book with his wife, Carolee Maxwell, titled Touched by Greatness, and authored Slim Pickens, a book about starting eight-man football in 1979 during his first superintendent position in Thackerville.

Maxwell was married to his wife for 60 years. They have two children Brandon Wayne Maxwell and Malee Isenberg.