Dr. Margaret Flansburg, was a celebrated art historian and philanthropist, born and raised in Duncan, Oklahoma. She received her bachelor’s degree in painting from the University of Oklahoma (OU) in 1958.

After graduating, she toured the country exhibiting paintings and drawings at many distinguished museums and competitions, where she won several awards.

Flansburg actively painted until graduating with her master’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1971. She earned her doctorate in interdisciplinary Renaissance Italian studies from OU in 1986.

Flansburg was a full professor in the department of humanities and philosophy at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) for more than 20 years, as well as an adjunct art history professor at Oklahoma City University during the same period. During her time in academia, Flansburg served as field director for several international study trips to Italy and Mexico with her students.

While at UCO, she served as department chair for four years, as well as acting assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts for a year. Flansburg received numerous awards for her academic research. Upon retiring in 2001, she was awarded professor emeritus status.

In her field of study, Flansburg published numerous acclaimed articles, chapters and books, and served in various professional leadership roles, including art editor for the Journal of Patristic, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, founder of the Oklahoma Conference of Art Historians, evaluator of programs at the Oklahoma Humanities Foundation and more.

Following her retirement, Flansburg continued to conduct research, lecture and published findings, with her latest being published in 2015. Flansburg was elected to the Duncan Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame in 2005.

In addition to her celebrated career, Flansburg heavily contributed to many community causes. She served on the board of directors of KCSC Classical Radio and the board of directors of Chamber Music Oklahoma.

She served as a board member of Wilson Arts, a foundation that helps a neighborhood public elementary fund arts infrastructure and services. She was recognized by the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City as a “treasure” for her years of contributions and leadership.

Dr. Flansburg was proud of her Chickasaw heritage and passed along that pride to her children and grandchildren.