James C. Nance - Legacy

Legacy

Nance received the Distinguished Service Citation from the University of Oklahoma in 1982. The resolution by the OU Regents commended Nance for his sponsorship of legislation authorizing the issuance of bonds for funding the construction of buildings and dormitories built at the campus of The University of Oklahoma which was located within his state senate legislative district (Cleveland, McClain, and Garvin counties).

Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh wrote and delivered the funeral eulogy for Memorial services held in Purcell for Nance, and Attorney General Mike Turpen read Nance's public policy career highlights on September 6, 1984 at the Presbyterian Church of Purcell OK.

The Norman Transcript said in a Sept. 4 1984 article that Nance was an effective senator for the Norman and Purcell areas and particularly a strong supporter of The University of Oklahoma, during the period of rapid growth of The University of Oklahoma, following World War II. The Transcript article stated that Nance led a successful statewide campaign to create an independent Board of Regents for The University of Oklahoma.

In 1994, Nance's granddaughter Nance Langdon Diamond of Shawnee became the first woman nominated by the Oklahoma Democratic party for the statewide office of Lt. Governor. Diamond served in 2002 as transition advisor for Gov. Brad Henry. Previously in early 1990, Ms. Diamond, who as a young child had sat on her grandfather's lap as he presided in the legislative chambers, became the first woman to address a joint session of the Oklahoma Legislature as she spoke in favor of the 1990 Child Abuse Prevention Act, and providing services to disadvantaged, neglected and abused children.