VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — A longtime civic leader whose work helped transform Enid into a national model for military-community cooperation was named a 2024–25 Defense Community Champion.
Michael Cooper received the honor in recognition of decades of leadership that has helped expand higher education access, enhance infrastructure at Woodring Regional Airport and support families stationed at Vance Air Force Base.
The Defense Community Champion Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their defense communities.
“I didn’t do it for awards,” Cooper said. “But it’s nice to be recognized. I think I was recognized because I’ve led at every level — community, state and national.”
Cooper has served as mayor of Enid, chair of the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission and president of the Association of Defense Communities, where he held a record three-year term. But his most lasting contributions may be found in the deep-rooted relationship between Vance and the city it calls home.
One of the first major projects Cooper led was the effort to preserve the former Phillips University property and turn it into a hub for higher education. The 158-acre campus was vacated following the university’s closure, and under Cooper’s efforts the city purchased the property out of bankruptcy for $6.5 million.
“We didn’t want it to close,” he said. “It was about bringing higher education to all citizens in Enid — including the Airmen.”
After early challenges with limited program offerings, the city partnered with Northern Oklahoma College to provide two-year degrees and allow students to complete four-year degrees through Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The move aimed at serving both civilians and military families.
“We wanted them to go to school here instead of driving elsewhere,” Cooper said. “It was a win-win for the community and the base.”
When the 71st Flying Training Wing commander at Vance requested a longer runway at Woodring Regional Airport to support Vance operations, Cooper and local leaders responded. The city extended the runway to accommodate T-38 aircraft and other military operations.
The airport also added a pilot debrief room, updated its terminal and constructed military-use hangars, all in coordination with the base’s needs.
“Even if we only save one plane from a hailstorm with those hangars, it’s worth it,” he said. “It’s like having a fourth runway at Vance.”
Another long-term initiative was the redevelopment of Eisenhower Elementary School. Originally located on the outskirts of Vance’s perimeter, the school was rebuilt with state-of-the-art facilities, including tornado-safe rooms and double the space for learning inside the gate thanks to a land swap and a Department of Defense grant for on-base schools.
Today, the partnership between Vance and Enid is strong, built on open communication and trust. Cooper helped establish the Vance Development Authority, a multi-sector group that includes healthcare, housing, education and retired military representatives.
“We’ve bent over backward to solve problems,” he said. “We’ll always try to help.”
When asked to describe the community’s relationship with the base, he smiled.
“I always say it’s like a big hug,” he said. “You can’t leave your grandparents’ house without hugging them two or three times on the way out to the car.”
Although Cooper plans to retire from his corporate consulting work with AT&T after 51 years and spend part of the year in Florida, he says his commitment to Oklahoma and military advocacy will continue.
“I’ll always be tied to Oklahoma,” he said. “I have a home here. I’ll keep doing this work — I love it too much to stop.”
For other communities looking to strengthen ties with their local bases, he offered one key piece of advice: build lasting relationships.
“Those long-term relationships matter,” he said. “People won’t always do what you want — but if they know you and respect you, they’ll at least listen. And sometimes, that’s enough to change everything.”