Cutline: NOC President Diana Morris Watkins and Dineo Heilmann at the KPAC auditorium naming ceremony April 23 at NOC Tonkawa.
NOC names the KPAC auditorium after Dineo Heilmann
Northern Oklahoma College named the auditorium inside the Kinzer Performing Arts Center the “Dineo Heilmann” auditorium on April 23 in Tonkawa.
Heilmann, the longtime college music instructor and Fine Arts Division Chair, taught at NOC from 1986-2017.
The plaque to be displayed in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center says, “2025 NOC Distinguished Alumnus Dineo Heilmann served Northern Oklahoma College admirably as a faculty member, division chair, and Roustabouts Director from 1988 to 2018.”
“A former Roustabout himself, Dineo built on his father Bill Heilmann’s legacy, continuing the Roustabouts’ tradition of serving as ambassadors of the College, recruiting and attracting students to attend one of the NOC campuses. Thanks to his commitment, leadership, and vision, thousands of students have enjoyed being part of NOC’s life-changing experience.”
“During his thirty-two years of service to NOC, he remained dedicated to the students, faculty, and staff of Northern Oklahoma College and fostered the ultimate goals of higher education. The entire NOC community recognizes the meaningful and significant impact Dineo Heilmann made on our behalf.”
Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Rick Edgington introduced Heilmann, speaking of his generosity to students throughout the years saying, “Dineo was always on the search for musical instruments better than their parents could afford. He was generous to a fault.”
President Diana Morris Watkins also spoke in honor of Heilmann.
“Dineo, I want you to know how cool it was that the first naming request I received as president of Northern Oklahoma College was to name something after Dineo Heilmann. My first stage experience at NOC was as a junior high trombone player over in Wilkin as part of honor band with Dineo Heilmann. That’s pretty cool.”
Watkins added that signage will be placed at the KPAC in honor of Heilmann as well as the plaque.
“I’d like to thank my family, friends, and the fine arts division for coming out today for their support,” he said. “I appreciate it very much, it’s a great honor. I’d like to thank the (NOC) board of regents, administration, and whoever sent in the (recommendation) letter to do this, I want to thank you for making this happen.”
The NOC Board of Regents voted to renamed the auditorium at their February meeting.
He received his Associate degree from Northern Oklahoma College, his Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma State University where he was named Outstanding Music Student his senior year. He then received a fellowship to complete his Master of Music Education degree at Wichita State University.
He was named 1991’s Outstanding Young Bandmaster for the state of Oklahoma by Phi Beta Mu. He has had the honor of working with famed conductor Eugene Corporon, renowned composer Jack Stamp and has performed in a master class for Richard Stoltzman.
Heilmann has been honored twice by the Northern Oklahoma College board of Regents, the first with a “Resolution” of outstanding contribution to music culture and the second he was honored along with his father with a “Resolution” for the 50th anniversary of the Roustabouts for “50 years of inspiring performances”.
In 2014, the city of Tonkawa named him “Citizen of the Year.” In 2015 Tonkawa High School named Mr. Heilmann as “Friends of Education” for raising money to purchase a Steinway grand piano for their Events Center.
He appeared annually with the Northern Gala Orchestra since its inception in 1996, under the baton of Conductor Gerald Steichen, performing traditional clarinet literature. Dineo has been so lucky as to have performed with New York Philharmonic Violist Dorian Rence and such soprano artists as Loraine Ernst, Julie McCoy, and Janet Gray.
In 2000 he participated in the Higher Education Leadership Academy.
He has served as the representative for Junior/Community Colleges for the Oklahoma Association of Schools of Music. He has been a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and Phi Beta Mu.
Heilmann, Class of Northern Oklahoma College 1982, was recently inducted into the NOC Distinguished Alumni.