August 3, 2015

Efforts at Northwestern Oklahoma State University to assist groups of underrepresented students with academic services have received a significant boost in the form of a federal grant from the Department of Education.

For the first time ever, Northwestern was awarded a Student Support Services (SSS) grant to provide students with opportunities for academic development, assist with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward completion of their postsecondary education.

The grant will provide Northwestern with five years of funding totaling around $1 million. The University will use the funding to serve 140 students, including first generation, low income and disabled students.

Northwestern will employ a program director and academic counselors to provide participants with educational and support services including: tutoring and advising; information on financial aid programs and assistance in completing financial aid applications; financial literacy; career counseling; and preparation for graduation.

“While the overall goal of the program is to improve institutional retention and graduation rates, our Student Support Services grant will focus on assisting individual students meet their individual goals,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “We expect this grant program, like our existing Upward Bound and Title III programs, to make a real difference in the academic success of our program participants.”

Cunningham said Northwestern was fortunate to secure the grant. Schools that already have existing SSS programs automatically receive additional points as grant applications are scored. She said it is difficult for new applicants to be selected, but credited the work of Dr. Mike Knedler, former dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, for his work in building an excellent application.

Northwestern plans to begin implementing the grant program in September once funding is received.

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August 5, 2015

The 2015 National Education Association (NEA) Student Program Convention in Orlando, Florida was attended by two of Northwestern’s Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) members and officers.

Senior Micah Keith of Perry, and recent graduate, Karolyn Thompson of Alva, were local members, local officers as well as state officers of Northwestern’s SOEA.

“Anytime I was able to attend a conference with SOEA, it was a learning experience,” said Thompson, a SOEA member for two and a half years and a state officer for one year.

The two students attended the event with SOEA co-sponsors Dr. Martie Young and Roxann Clark, both Education Division professors.

“Sponsoring the leaders of Northwestern’s SOEA chapter to a national convention is such a pleasure and one of the best perks of our jobs as teacher educators,” said Dr. Young. “There are always new things to learn about the state of education and new people to meet from all across the nation.”

Three days of meetings, elections, and professional development were followed by eventful sight-seeing. The day spent at the Epcot Center was the most noteworthy for the future educators. It is dedicated to technological innovation and international culture and is often referred to as a "permanent World’s Fair."

“Each student was part of something much bigger than any experience ever before,” said Dr. Young. “Not only were there hundreds of other students from all around the nation but also many active and retired educators working alongside each of them, so they had experiences to pull from hundreds of others.”

EPCOT is an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”; a city of the future planned by Walt Disney. The Disney World Properties were the backdrop for the convention where many venues were readily within walking distance for the convention attendees.

In Walt Disney's words, "EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry. It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed, but will always be introducing, and testing, and demonstrating new materials and new systems. And EPCOT will always be a showcase to the world of the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise."

One of the three days was set aside for the SOEA participants to work with a school in the area of the hosted conference. Hundreds of NEA members joined the Student Program Convention attendees to kick-off a new program called Leaders Empowering Grassroots Advocacy for Communities and Youth (LEGACY) Project.

The project involved working with nearly 800 elementary-aged students at a community fair at Osceola High School and Thacker Avenue Elementary School. Each student NEA member had the responsibility of a class to sponsor at the fair. The convention was a successful journey of professional growth and collaboration which empowered future teachers and their sponsors.

“It is an amazing opportunity to work together and network with hundreds of educators for the good of our profession and those we serve,” Dr. Young said. “Because of support from our administration, we are able to allow our students to take part and learn from a higher level of experiences that the national convention offers. From these experiences, our students and future teachers return with fresh ideas and excitement for the field of education.”

“SOEA is a wonderful organization,” said Thompson. “I would encourage all education majors to take the opportunity to become a part of something that is supporting what they want to become.”

For more information about Northwestern’s SOEA please call Ms. Roxann Clark, Education Professor at (580) 327-8460 or contact her by email rlclark@nwosu.edu; or Dr. Martie Young, Education Professor at (580) 213-3195 or mlyoung@nwosu.edu.

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August 10, 2015

The Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy Judd to its staff. Judd joins the organization as its database and research manager, responsible for the development, management, accuracy and input of the alumni and donor database for the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association.

“We are excited to have Jeremy on our team as his talents and skills will help raise our organization to the next level,”said Skeeter Bird, CEO, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association.“He will immediately begin several projects where his technical acumen will result in rapid implementation. I expect Jeremy will be an excellent addition to a highly-effective team of professionals.”

Judd is a 2008 Northwestern graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He also completed his masters of counseling psychology at Northwestern in 2012. Prior to his position in the Foundation & Alumni Association, Judd was employed by Northwestern as a contract clinical supervisor/counselor at the Bill Johnson Correctional Center in Alva.

Judd and his wife, Kelcie, reside in Cherokee with their 2-year-old son, Terek.

For more information about the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association, contact Skeeter Bird at (580) 327-8599 or at aebird@nwosu.edu.

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August 10, 2015

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction program has been redesigned.

This redesign will enable teachers who hold alternative certification to take courses that will lead to standard certification while also allowing them to earn a master’s degree in education.

“The program offers 18 hours of courses that will allow alternatively certified teachers to meet the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s (OSDE) professional education requirements,” Dr. Shawn Holliday, associate dean of graduate studies, said. “These students can also opt to finish the Curriculum and Instruction program by taking an additional 14 hours of coursework to receive the master’s degree.”

The newly-designed program is a win-win for alternatively certified teachers, school districts and students by providing classroom teachers with the necessary skills to become effective teachers.

“This program not only allows alternatively certified teachers to take the courses they need for standard certification, but, with a little more work, they can also earn a master’s degree, which means a substantial pay raise for them,” Holliday said. “Additionally, their knowledge of educational practices and pedagogy will be greatly strengthened.”

“This program of study has the potential to reach far beyond the university and those who complete it,” added Roxann Clark, instructor of education and she is program chair for the master’s degree curriculum and instruction, took the lead in the program’s redesign.

“Ultimately, students in the classroom will benefit from teachers who have deepened their pedagogical knowledge through the Curriculum and Instruction graduate program at Northwestern.”

Holliday did caution, however, that alternatively certified teachers who enroll in the program must work directly with OSDE to complete the certification process. Holliday noted that “taking the courses does not make one automatically eligible for standard certification. That can only be granted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.”

For more information on Northwestern’s M.Ed. degree in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as the other graduate programs, those interested may call the Office of Graduate Studies at (580) 327-8589, (580) 327-8410 or can visit the graduate studies website at www.nwosu.edu/graduate-studies.

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August 11, 2015

Two Northwestern Oklahoma State University professors are announcing the recent publication of the third annual volume of “Civitas: Journal of Citizenship Studies.”

The Northwestern Institute for Citizenship Studies (NWICS) and the Department of Social Sciences make possible this academic publication. Dr. Aaron Mason, associate professor of political science, and Dr. Eric Schmaltz, professor of history, serve as Institute co-directors and “Civitas” senior editors.

“Civitas” is an annual, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed publishing venue aimed at promoting scholarship concerning the humanities and social sciences as they relate to citizenship matters. The journal draws upon the talents and perspectives of a diverse editorial review board from the United States and abroad. It welcomes both qualitative and quantitative submissions by faculty and advanced undergraduate and graduate students from Oklahoma’s regional universities, two-year community colleges, and other institutions of higher education and beyond.

“We are breaking some new academic ground in this third annual volume,” Schmaltz said. “In particular, we are excited to showcase for the first time a number of student contributions from both Northwestern and outside academic institutions. In addition, departing somewhat from the previous two years’ greater local and regional focus, this edition covers an even wider range of citizenship-related topics ranging from issues in Oklahoma and Washington, DC, to distant parts of the former Soviet Union.”

Mason added, "We continue to encourage students from interdisciplinary fields, especially at the graduate level, to consider submitting appropriate original research findings or book reviews for potential publication in Civitas. This kind of publishing venue offers many opportunities to younger scholars. It is also a way to help preserve part of our local and regional history.”

At present, Northwestern is the only regional state university in Oklahoma to operate an endowed institute and publishes its own journal.

The link to the journal’s digital copy, as well as submission requirements, deadlines and additional details concerning the journal, is found at www.nwosu.edu/civitas.

Journal print copies also are available for sale at the Institute for $10 with checks made payable to the Northwestern Department of Social Sciences.

For general information about Northwestern’s Institute for Citizenship Studies, call (580) 327-8525 or email nwics@nwosu.edu.

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August 11, 2015

Northwestern Oklahoma State University will have freshman and transfer student orientation sessions this week, plus several welcome-back activities are planned for all Northwestern students.

Freshman Orientation activities will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 15, on the Alva campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Herod Hall. The session is required for all freshmen.

Transfer Student Orientation for the Alva campus will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, in the Education Building, room 109.

Transfer Student Orientation for Woodward and Enid campuses will take place on Thursday Aug. 13, from noon to 1 p.m. Woodward campus orientation will take place in the Phillips conference room, while the Enid campus orientation will take place in the Enid commons area.

After the traditional freshman group picture is taken at the Alva campus at about noon on Saturday, Northwestern’s Registry Office will be open to provide copies of class schedules and answer questions.They will not be able to process enrollments or drop/add on that day. The Financial Aid Office will be open to accept paperwork and answer questions. The Business Office will be open to accept payments, Residence Hall deposits, and answer any questions. The Bookstore will be open to purchase books or Northwestern gear or students can visit the Northwestern homepage and purchase their books online.

The Monday following student orientations will kick off the Alva campus Howdy Week excitement with “Aloha Northwestern” for all Northwestern students. At 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, near Coronado Hall will be a cookout, slip n’ slide, dunk tank and music.

Day two of Howdy Week will be “Movie Night” at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Just south of Coronado Café will be a movie playing for students, topped off with corndogs and popcorn. Students are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on.

“Paint the Town Red” is day three of Howdy Week. At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, a scavenger hunt, prizes and pizza will be waiting for students downtown on the Alva Courthouse lawn.

The last day of Howdy Week will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, with a Block Party where a cookout and music will be between South Hall and Coronado Hall.

Enrollment is open through Aug. 25. Course schedules can be found online at www.nwosu.edu/course-schedules.
All first-time freshmen must enroll in a Ranger Connection class. Ranger Connection classes are listed under University Studies in the fall schedule and serve as an orientation to the university and college life.

For more details on Freshman or Transfer Student Orientation please visit www.nwosu.edu/freshman-transfer-orientation. Additional questions should be directed to Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs & enrollment management, at (580) 327-8415 or cnmosburg@nwosu.edu; Dr. Deena Fisher, dean, Northwestern Woodward Campus, (580) 256-0047 or dkfisher@nwosu.edu; or Candace Reim, Enid student services coordinator, at (580) 213-3147 or cmreim@nwosu.edu.

For those attending the University Center at Ponca City, please contact Ellan Edwards at (580) 718-5607.

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August 13, 2015

A Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduate student recently presented a paper at an international academic conference in Europe.

Sarah Hardaway, who will receive her Master of Arts degree in American Studies in December, attended the “Tenth International Conference on Social Sciences” at the University of Split in Split, Croatia, June 11-14.

Hardaway, who is a museum assistant at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, presented “The Filibuster in the United States Senate.” Her paper evolved from research she conducted in a political science class taught by Northwestern’s Associate Professor Aaron Mason.

Hardaway said she enjoyed the opportunity to attend her first international conference and interact with scholars from all over the world.

“Academics attending the conference came from 47 different countries,” Hardaway said.

In addition, Hardaway noted that the experience of traveling to an eastern European country made the experience even more rewarding.

“Visiting Croatia was an incomparable cultural experience,” she said. “Reading every book written about the country couldn’t teach me what I learned from seeing it with my own eyes.”

One of the scholars that Hardaway met at the conference was Ivo Josipovic, a professor of law at the University of Zagreb who served as president of Croatia from February 2010 to February 2015.

“Meeting President Josipovic, who is an eminent scholar as well as a dynamic political leader, was definitely the highlight of the conference,” Hardaway said.

Hardaway also said that she hopes to present additional research papers at other academic conferences in the future.
For more information on graduate programs at Northwestern please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies Rebekah Wagenbach at (580) 327-8410 or by email at rmwagenbach@nwosu.edu.

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August 27, 2015

After reviewing several submissions, the Northwestern Oklahoma State University/Alva Homecoming committee selected “Ranger Nation: Ride of Fame,” as the 2015 theme.

The option was turned in by Melissa (Law) McGaughy, a 2004 Northwestern alumna.

Student and community groups are encouraged to create a float that incorporates this theme for Homecoming, which is set for Oct. 8-10.

Leading the parade on Saturday, Oct. 10, will be the family of the honorary parade marshal Dr. Charles White, who recently passed away. For 23 years, Charles White worked in various positions at Northwestern. During those years, most of his time was spent as a professor of education and psychology as well as chair of the division of education and psychology.

For the submission, McGaughy will receive $25 in Alva Chamber Bucks and a Homecoming button. Homecoming button sales kick-off will be announced at a later date.

To keep up-to-date with Homecoming events, visit www.nwosu.edu/homecoming. The page will be updated as events are finalized.

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August 28, 2015

A Northwestern Oklahoma State University assistant professor of English will be publishing a book review in the print journal “Arkansas Review: A Journal of Delta Studies.”

Dr. Richmond Adams’ book review discusses “After Appomattox: Military Occupation and the Ends of War” written by Gregory P. Downs, an associate professor of history and graduate center at the City University of New York.
Downs explores the role played by the Union military in the immediate years of Reconstruction following General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House.

“Downs argues that Reconstruction, once believed to be a failed experiment, actually brought about many positive results, such as expanding the nature of American citizenship,” Adams said. “It opened the ballot to former slaves—all men, despite efforts to open the franchise to women—the establishment of schools, hospitals, and the desegregation of public facilities.”

Adams continued by noting how, as Downs points out, the former Confederate leaders, and the white Southerners who followed them, did not accept these efforts at a new and integrated social order. From these complex cultural and political tensions arose almost immediately such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan. Consequently, violence and death spread throughout much of the South for many years after the war had officially ended.

The review will be published sometime between this fall and the spring of 2016.

“American historians and literary critics almost all agree that the Civil War and its aftermath was the single most important watershed event in our nation's history,” Adams said. “Given the summer's events in Charleston, where the war technically began, we as Americans need to grasp just how much the war and its immediate aftermath continues to affect our national life 150 years later.”

For more information on Adams’ publication please call (580) 327-8428 or email him at rbadams@nwosu.edu.

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August 28, 2015

New faculty members begin the 2015-2016 academic year at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Pictured left to right in the front row is Dr. Kaylene Armstrong, assistant professor of mass communication; Mariann Braten-Hall, instructor of education; Dr. Marc Decker, assistant professor of music and director of bands; and Mistie Kline, instructor of psychology. Second row left to right, Joshua Hawkins, instructor of education; Kyle Larson, assistant professor of art; Evan Vaverka, instructor of computer science; Dr. Cristina Gordon, assistant professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department; Stephanie Widick, instructor of psychology; and Dr. Christee Jenlink, professor of education and chair of the division of education. Not pictured are Dawn Allen and Karsten Longhurst.

Short biographies of each faculty member from the School of Arts and Sciences are listed below:

Dawn Allen, instructor of English, holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and a Master of Fine Arts in writing from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She has worked as an adjunct instructor of English for the last three years.

Dr. Kaylene Armstrong, assistant professor of mass communication, holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Brigham Young University, a Master of Science degree from Utah State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has previously served as an instructor/faculty media adviser at Brigham Young University, Georgia College and State University, University of Southern Mississippi and Lorain County (Ohio) Community College.

Dr. Marc Decker, assistant professor of music and director of bands, earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a Master of Arts and Doctorate of Music Arts from the University of Iowa. He has directed bands at American University in Washington D.C. and at South Haven High School in Michigan. For 15 years he has been a summer clinician/director of the Smith-Waldridge Clinics in Charleston, Ill.

Kyle Larson, assistant professor of art, holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art and English, and a Master of Arts in painting and drawing from California State University-Sacramento. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Boston University. He has teaching experience at Nashua (N.H.) Community College, The Winsor School (Mass.), California State University and Boston University. He served as the artist-in-residence at Northwestern during the 2014 fall semester.

Karsten Longhurst, instructor of music and director of choral music, earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in German from Weber State (Utah) University. He has a master’s degree in music from the University of Utah. Longhurst has previously served at the University of Southern California and at secondary schools in Ogden, Utah. He has been a clinician and private voice instructor throughout Utah and California.

Evan Vaverka, instructor of computer science, earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Northwestern. He previously worked as a computer science tutor and library assistant at Northwestern.

Short biographies of each faculty member from the School of Professional Studies are listed below:

Mariann Braten-Hall, instructor of education, holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Education in educational leadership from Northwestern. She previously served as an elementary and special education teacher in the Ponca City Public Schools.

Dr. Cristina Gordon, assistant professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, a Master of Arts degree from the State University of West Georgia, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Capella (Minn.) University. She served in teaching and administrative roles at Fox Valley (Wisc.) Technical College and has served as an adjunct faculty member at several Wisconsin colleges.

Joshua Hawkins, instructor of education, earned a Bachelor of Science in special education and a Master of Education in educational administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He was a graduate teaching assistant at Oklahoma State University and served in teaching and administrative roles in the Morrison Public Schools. He also served as a special education teacher at several other Oklahoma elementary schools.

Dr. Christee Jenlink, professor of education and chair of the division of education, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. She holds a Doctorate of Education in educational administration from Oklahoma State University. Jenlink previously served as dean of the Broken Arrow Campus for Northeastern State University (NSU), and also held faculty and leadership roles in NSU’s College of Education. She also served as a principal in the Tulsa Public Schools and as an instructor of music at various public schools in Michigan and Oklahoma.

Mistie Kline, instructor of psychology, has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Phillips University and a Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Northwestern. She previously served as director of the Academic Success Center at Northwestern and operated a local retail business.

Stephanie Widick, instructor of psychology, holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Counseling Psychology from Northwestern. She has been a registration assistant on Northwestern’s Enid campus for five years.

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August 31, 2015

Employees and students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University will be able to enjoy an extended weekend as the university will close for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7.

Northwestern’s offices will be closed and no classes will be held that day. Classes will resume and all university offices will open with regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

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August 31, 2015

The Red Dirt Rangers will kick off the Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series at Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, Oct. 20, as the first of four scheduled acts for the season.

The homegrown red dirt band originated during the 1980s in Stillwater. The group has been spreading red dirt music across the plains for 25 years. Woodstock (NY) Times describes the band as “hip cowboys” who “play with soul,” like a bit of “Tex-Mex with extra jalapeño.” Laid-back and identified as taking the road-less-travelled, the Red Dirt Rangers share their passion of red dirt music everywhere they go.

All Concert Series performances will be in Herod Hall Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Season tickets are now available in Alva at the Graceful Arts Center, Holder Drugstore, Rialto Movie Theater and the Northwestern Bookstore. Adult season tickets are $40, and student season tickets are $20. Tickets to individual performances will be sold on an “as available” basis at $15 for adults and $10 for students.

Continuing as second in the lineup are Jeff and Stacy Pederson on Tuesday, Dec. 1.The Pedersons will bring a refreshingly clean and an award-winning comedy act to Northwestern’s stage. Hailed as one of the best female comedians by Vocatus Productions, Stacy also is known as a motivational and inspirational speaker for women. Stacy and her husband Jeff, also known as “The Rock N’ Roll Pastor,” provide a dynamic duo that is entertaining and witty.

The Justin Pierce Jazz Quintet will perform on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.Justin Pierce is a saxophonist and professor of music at Oklahoma Baptist University. He currently is completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas (UNT), where he also earned a Master of Jazz Studies degree. While at UNT, he served as lead alto saxophonist in the One O'Clock and Two O'Clock Lab Bands. As a freelance woodwind performer, Pierce has performed with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Temptations, The O'Jays, and Wayne Newton. The Justin Pierce Jazz Band performs jazz standards with a contemporary jazz flavor.

RUNA on March 8, 2016, is the last performance in the lineup. RUNA is a group of five musicians who come from a variety of musical backgrounds ranging from folk, classical, rock n’ roll, Middle Eastern and more. The Celtic band’s pure rhythm will send chills through the spine as the members dive into the songs from their albums for their performance. Recognized as “an incredible masterpiece” by The Celtic Crier, RUNA will finish the concert series with a bang.

This year, seven different sponsorship packages are being offered, each including season tickets, reserved seating and program advertisements. The sponsorship packages are as follows:

· Member, $150 to $249 contribution—three season tickets, seating in reserved section and name recognition in concert program.
· Partner, $250 to $349 contribution—five season tickets, seating in reserved section and name recognition in concert program.
· Friend, $350 to $499 Contribution—seven season tickets, seating in reserved section, name recognition in concert program and a quarter-page ad in concert program.
· Associate, $500 to $749 contribution—nine season tickets, seating in reserved section, name recognition in concert program and a quarter-page ad in concert program.
· Sustainer, $750 to $999 contribution—11 season tickets, seating in reserved section, name recognition in concert program and a half-page ad in concert program.
· Patron, $1,000 to $4,999 contribution—18 season tickets, seating in reserved section, name recognition in concert program and a full-page ad in concert program.
· Benefactor, $5,000 or more contribution—25 season tickets, seating in reserved section, name recognition in concert program and a full-page ad in concert program.

The reserved seating section at each concert will be held until five minutes prior to the performance.

Anyone interested in buying a sponsorship package or tickets, please contact Kimberly Weast, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, at (580) 327-8462 or by email at kkweast@nwosu.edu.Stay updated and watch for videos of the performers to come with Northwestern's Facebook page.

The Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series is supported by the Alva Tourism Convention Development Committee, the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Charles Morton Share Trust.

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September 1, 2015

The home football opener for Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Sept. 12, will take on special meaning this year as the school celebrates the completion of two major stadium improvement projects.

Northwestern will officially dedicate the Dean Linder Press box during a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on the west plaza area of the structure. The facility is named in honor of the longtime radio voice of the Rangers and retired district judge.

The University also will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new artificial turf surface during on-field pregame ceremonies that will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. Donors to the turf project will be publicly recognized at that time.

“It will be a very special day at Northwestern,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “Not only do we get to celebrate the completion of two major athletic facility projects, but we also will have the opportunity to honor the lifetime contributions to Northwestern of Dean Linder, and say a very public thank you to the donors who provided the private funding for both projects.”

The Dean Linder Press Box is a state-of-the-art, two-story structure that contains 10,000 square feet of useable space. Fans will benefit from an expanded concession area that is now on the west side of the structure, along with a retail shop and public restrooms, an amenity not available in the old press box.

The first level of the press box contains three suites, one expanded suite for university use and two other smaller suites that have been leased to fans. The second level, accessible by stairs and elevator, contain all game management operations, including private rooms for coaches and media use.

“There was only one name that seemed appropriate for our new press box, and everyone at Northwestern is thrilled that it will bear the name of Dean Linder,” Cunningham said. “Judge Linder has meant so much to the athletic history of Northwestern and is one of the most iconic figures in the history of Alva.”

A native of Waynoka, Linder began broadcasting football and basketball games in 1962 on radio station KALV, bringing home the action to fans with his combination of sports knowledge, a little humor and his signature sign-off line, “I hope you will continue to be… real good sports.”

In 1998, Linder was inducted into Northwestern’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Linder ended his judicial career earlier this year, retiring as a District Judge in the Fourth Judicial District of Oklahoma. During his time on the bench, Linder was named Trial Judge of the Year four times.

Primary funding for the press box was provided by the Charles Morton Share Trust.

The artificial turf playing surface at Ranger Field replaces the natural grass surface that was original with the stadium when it was first used in 1969. Ranger Field is now one of only a handful of football venues in western Oklahoma that will use an artificial surface.

“An artificial playing surface is the norm in Division II football and an expectation of many student-athletes from larger high schools,” Cunningham said. “The surface gives Northwestern and Alva High School (which uses Ranger Field for games), an all-weather, multi-purpose competition venue. In addition, we will significantly reduce water consumption and manpower used for field maintenance.”

The surface prominently features the school’s iconic Ranger logo at midfield, along with two Pioneer Cellular logos on the playing surface.

“The support of Pioneer Cellular made the project a reality,” Cunningham said. “They were the first group to step up and contribute financially. Their partnership with Northwestern inspired others to participate.”

Additional donors to the project include the Charles Morton Share Trust, Alva State Bank, BancCentral National Association, Larry and Joy Glass, Gloria Metcalf and the Alva Community Foundation.

Northwestern’s football team, led by new coach Matt Walter, will take on Southern Arkansas University in the home opener of the 2015 season at 7 p.m.

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September 1, 2015

Constitution Day is coming to Enid at 7 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 17, on the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Enid Campus. The 2015 event will feature Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D.

Jasser is the founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) and the author of “A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith.”

Dr. Jasser is a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy who served for 11 years as a medical officer, including a tour as the staff internist to the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. Currently, he is a well-respected internist and nuclear cardiologist in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also a past-president of the Arizona Medical Association.

A devout Muslim, Jasser founded AIFD in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the United States in an effort to provide an American Muslim voice advocating for the preservation of the founding principles of the U.S. Constitution, liberty, and freedom through the separation of mosque and state.

Jasser is a first-generation American Muslim whose parents fled the oppressive Baath regime of Syria in the mid-1960s for American freedom. He is also actively involved in the Syrian-American community.

Dr. Jasser will discuss the issue of reconciling Islam and liberal democracy in the 21st Century. This event is free and open to the public and is brought to you by Northwestern’s Institute for Citizenship Studies and Department of Social Sciences. For more information, please call (580) 327-8525.

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August 31, 2015

Family Day at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12. The annual event brings families to campus where they can take tours, purchase Ranger gear, shop for tuition scholarships and attend a Ranger football game.

Families are invited to visit the Alva merchants to “shop for tuition” to register for a $500, $300 or $200 tuition giveaway for the spring semester of 2016. Families can register as many times as they’d like, and the winning individuals will be presented with their awards during halftime (must be present to win).

The Alva merchants participating only on Friday are Alva State Bank, Banc Central and Floral Designs. Alva merchants participating both Friday and Saturday are Community Bank, K&S Tire, Holder Drug, Radio Shack, Taco Village, LaDEEda, Rialto Theatre, Lyn’s T-Shirt Factory, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Merle Norman, Alva’s Market, Exotic Heat Wave, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., Bar S Outfitters, Wickedly Rustic, Graceful Arts Gallery, Schuhmacher’s Copper Penny and The Hot Pink Daisy & Chrome. No purchase necessary to “shop for tuition.”

Family Day registration is Saturday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Northwestern Student Center.

After registration, families are invited to attend the Presidential Pre-Game Program in the Student Center Ballroom from 3:30 – 4 p.m. Students and their families will hear from Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, and will have the opportunity to meet with Northwestern faculty and staff members. After the Presidential Pre-Game, families will receive free tickets to the football game and a chance to win additional prizes.

Families also are invited to the Tailgate Party from 5 p.m. until kickoff on the west side of the Ranger Field Fieldhouse. Food and drinks will be served for $3 per person. In case of inclement weather, Northwestern will play host to the tailgate event in the Student Center.

Saturday’s events will wrap-up at 7 p.m. when the Northwestern Ranger football team takes on Southern Arkansas for the first home game of the season.

For more information, please contact Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs and enrollment management, at cnmosburg@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8415.

-NW-

September 2, 2015

Northwestern Oklahoma State University will play host to the deadCENTER Film Festival Organization Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 9-10, in conjunction with the Graceful Arts Center and Rialto Twin Theatre for the Salt Fork Film Festival. This event is free and open to the public.

The two-day event will include educational seminars about film making on both the Northwestern and Alva High School campuses. It also will include a kick-off party at the Graceful Arts Center, and free film viewings at Rialto.

Free Salt Fork Film Festival T-Shirts will be given out to the first 50 attendees in the door at the Rialto on Sept.9.
The schedule for the Salt Fork Film Festival is listed by time, location, and event:

Wednesday, Sept. 9
1:30 to 3 p.m. – deadCENTER Film Office Staff will meet with Alva High School Students at Alva High School

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – A Kick-off Party to meet with film directors and actors at the Graceful Arts Center

6:30 p.m. – The Rialto will show films by Beau Jennings titled “Verdigris: In Search of Will Rogers” and the film “The Life & Death of an Unhappily Married Man” by Waynoka native, Josh Hope

9 p.m. – Alva native Brand Rackley will present a series of his film shorts and sketches and screen his latest film.

Thursday, Sept. 10
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – deadCENTER staff will meet with Alva High School students at Alva High School

11:00 a.m. and at 3:25 p.m. – deadCENTERstaff will meet with Northwestern students in Carter Hall 105

6:45 p.m. – At the Rialto “Lone Man’s Land” by Director Ezra Gentle and a film by Lance McDaniel of deadCENTER Films will be screened

For more information about deadCENTER visit www.deadcenterfilm.org.

For more information on the Salt Fork Film Festival contact Dr. Kay Decker, social sciences department chair, at (580) 327-8521 or kldecker@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

September 1, 2015

Northwestern Oklahoma State University welcomes 36 new staff members to campus. Short biographies of each staff member are listed below:

Matt Barnes, director of the Academic Success Center, has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. He previously taught English for Northwestern and Northern Oklahoma College. He also worked as a licensed investment adviser.

Sadie Bier, financial manager for the Northwestern Foundation, has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwestern. She is a six-year member of Oklahoma National Guard and served eight months in Afghanistan.

Sherman Cornelsen, mechanic, has 40 years of experience as a mechanic.

Troy Cornelsen, custodian, has previous work experience at the Burlington Coop.

Ashley Decker, assistant for Registry and Financial Aid Services at the Enid Campus, earned an Associate of Arts degree from Rose State College. She served as a secretary at Enid High School and also has worked at several Enid banks.

Shane Engelken, development officer for the Northwestern Foundation, will complete a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northwestern in December. He has worked in various positions in the oil and gas industry.

Brad Franz, head men’s basketball coach, has a Bachelor of Education in health and sports science education, and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. He served as vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Northwestern for seven years.

Lisa Franz, career services coordinator and transfer recruiter, has a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. She served for six years as secretary for intercollegiate athletics at Northwestern and in roles at Otero (Colorado) Junior College.

Jennifer Grassano, communications and marketing manager for the Northwestern Foundation, holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Texas State University. She was previously employed as Northwestern’s career services coordinator/transfer recruiter.

Luke Hanusiak, custodian, has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College-Chicago. He previously worked for Royal Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets in Illinois.

Monica Hill, custodian, has worked with special needs students at Alva Public Schools. She also worked at Walmart and Beadles Nursing Home.

Alishia Jamison, BJCC treatment counselor, has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Northwestern. She worked at BJCC as a graduate assistant and also worked at Walmart.

Ali Kirtley, university relations specialist, has a Bachelor of Science in mass communication from Northwestern. She has experience working as an office assistant at Cherokee Publishing Company and as a student for NWTV-Channel 7.

Chuck Korff, groundsman, worked 20 years at Bill Johnson Correctional Center as a security officer, retiring as a sergeant.

Jay Lee, director of athletic communications, has a Bachelor of Science in mass communication from Northwestern. He assisted with athletic communications prior to this full-time position. Lee also worked with Caddo Electric Cooperative and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative in their marketing department.

Craig Liddell, head women’s soccer coach, holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California Baptist University and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. He previously served as a coach and teacher with the Enid Public Schools.

Gary Maxey, director of the Early Settlement Program at Northwestern’s Enid Campus, earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Oklahoma State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa. He was a district court judge for the State of Oklahoma for 21 years.

Ben McKaig, assistant football coach, holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Emporia State University. He was a graduate assistant for football at Utica College in New York and a teacher at Andover High School in Kansas.

Joseph Morrison, groundsman, has experience as a mechanic and in auto detailing.

Tatum Hansen Radcliff, hall supervisor in Fryer Hall, has a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Northwestern. She previously was a student worker in the recruitment office.

Kayle Reaves, assistant women’s basketball coach, has a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, and a master’s degree in sports studies and athletics from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She was a graduate assistant coach there.

Alexandria Skinner, printing services assistant, currently is a vocal music education major at Northwestern. She previously was a part-time employee in the print shop and a secretary at Alva Vision Clinic.

Jana Smith, financial aid assistant, has work experience at several Alva businesses including H&R Block and Continental Credit.

Bruce Stoll, custodian, worked at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline in Liberal, Kansas, for 22 years and also worked for the City of Liberal.

Milissa Sturgill, ITV/events coordinator at the Woodward campus, has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma. She was the business manager at the Woodward News.

Cory Sullivan, assistant football coach, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sports science from Ohio University. He was a graduate assistant for football at Emporia State (Kansas) University and Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Sarah Sullivan, admissions counselor/recruiter, has a bachelor’s degree in sports and recreational leadership from Barclay (Kansas) College. She has marketing production and event management experience with KTD Event Staffing.

Bailey Trammell, Title III academic adviser, earned a bachelor’s degree in health and sports science education from Northwestern. She worked as a student assistant in the Wellness Center and as a student receptionist for student services.

Fredrick Wagner, head volleyball coach, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Metro State (Colorado) College. He has head coaching experience at Iowa Central Community College, Kansas City Community College and Avila (Missouri) University. He won three state titles as head coach at Overland High School.

Jean Wahlgren, coordinator of Ketterman Nursing Lab, has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degree from Southern Nazarene University. She has been a nursing instructor at Northern Oklahoma College and a nurse supervisor at The Carmen Home.

Matt Walter, head football coach, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in natural science and a Master of Education degree from Northwestern. Walter served as offensive coordinator at Emporia State (Kansas) University and head strength coach at New Mexico State University and Southern Louisiana University.

Keith Wear, assistant athletic trainer, has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in sports administration from Henderson State (Arkansas) University. He was a graduate assistant trainer at Henderson.

Emily Williams, coordinator of sponsored programs, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Northwestern. She previously worked in the registry office as the academic records coordinator and as a service coordinator/therapist for Western Plains Youth and Family Services in Woodward.

Amy Wreath, custodian at the Woodward Campus, worked at Woodward Regional Hospital as an enrollment clerk and at Meinders and Meinders, P.C., as a legal assistant.

Olivia Yandel, office manager in the Recruitment Office, has a bachelor’s degree in health and sports science education from Northwestern. She previously worked as a counselor in Upward Bound and as an instructor with Studio Pro Dance and Fitness in Kiowa, Kansas.

Charlie Zeilman, head softball coach, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from the University of the Southwest (New Mexico). He previously was the head coach at Louisiana State University-Alexandria and has 10 years of experience as a high school coach.

-NW-

September 7, 2015

Take advantage of approximately 30 local merchants’ discounts and a chance to win $500 in Alva chamber bucks by purchasing a 2015 Northwestern Oklahoma State University homecoming button. The buttons designed for the 2015 Homecoming, “Ranger Nation: Ride of Fame,” will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m., during a kickoff celebration at Holder Drug.

Button salespersons are invited to pick up their packets then to begin selling buttons.

Northwestern fans on and off campus are encouraged to show their pride by purchasing a button as a way of supporting the annual event set for Oct. 8-10.The sale of buttons is the primary funding source for Homecoming, and supporters are encouraged to buy buttons even if they will not be able to attend all the events.

Each homecoming button is numbered and has a chance to win $500 in Alva chamber bucks. The winning button will be drawn during the homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 10, and the drawn number must be present to win.

Making the button even more of a great deal, some local merchants will be offering discounts to patrons who wear a Homecoming button into their businesses during the week of Homecoming, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. A list of discounts and participating merchants is available at www.nwosu.edu/button-discounts.

"The buttons pay for every aspect of homecoming”said Karen Koehn, button sales chair. “The costs include everything from floats, to Miss Cinderella, to the banners that are strung across the streets at the downtown square.

“We've been fortunate to keep the price of the button to $10, so everyone can afford one. The button alone saves an individual money, if attending both Miss Cinderella events and the football game.”

The best way to support Homecoming is to purchase a button, the proceeds of which provide a financial foundation to ensure Homecoming remains a major event for years to come.

A homecoming button sells for $10 and is a $38 value, providing admission to the Miss Cinderella Talent Show and the Miss Cinderella Pageant. Each of those events has a ticket price of $10, and tickets to the homecoming football game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University are $18.

Angelia Case, academic projects assistant/media specialist, designed the button.

Koehn has 50 sales persons across Northwest Oklahoma and urges the community and all Rangers to buy a Homecoming button to show Ranger pride.

“Help us, Alva and Northwestern have one of the best Homecomings ever,” Koehn said. “Ride, Rangers, Ride!”

Each building on the Alva campus will have a button sales representative. Contact Karen Koehn, chairman of the button committee, at kkoehn@nwtech.edu or at (580) 327-0344, to find out who is representing each building. Katie Botts, Enid administrative assistant, (580) 213-3101, will be the button sales representative for the Enid campus, while Milissa Sturgill, Woodward campus coordinator, may be contacted for buttons in Woodward at (580) 254-2503.

Anyone who wants to purchase buttons and is not contacted by one of the salespersons can buy them at the Alva Chamber of Commerce office located at 502 Oklahoma Blvd., (580) 327-1647; the Northwestern Foundation office in the Student Center, (580) 327-8593; or the Northwestern business office in Herod Hall, (580) 327-8536.

Buttons also will be available at Rialto, (580) 327-0535; Sights and Sounds/Radio Shack, (580) 327-0409; Daisy Village, (580) 327-3467; and Holder Drug, (580) 327-3332; Alva Vision,(580) 327-2393; Hair on the Square, (580) 327-0258; and LaDEEda’s, (580) 327-0382. Those interested also can contact any of the listed salespersons.

-NW-

September 14, 2015

Every fall semester Northwestern Oklahoma State University welcomes a guest speaker to present the Annual Cultural Heritage Lecture. This year’s lecture will be presented by Dr. Benjamin Myers, Crouch-Mathis professor of literature at Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma’s current poet laureate.

His talk, “Reticence and Expansiveness: Oklahoma and its Poetry,” will provide discussion on the history of poetry within the state and will be presented on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Ranger Room on Northwestern’s Alva campus.
The following evening, Tuesday, Sept. 22, Myers will give a reading of his work at the Graceful Arts Gallery and Studios in downtown Alva. His reading will begin at 7 p.m.

Myers’ visit coincides with the recent publication of “The Oklahoma Poets Laureates: A Sourcebook, History, and Anthology” written by Shawn Holliday, associate dean of graduate studies and professor of English.

“It is our honor to bring Myers to Northwestern to present the Cultural Heritage Lecture,” Holliday said. “Northwestern is becoming known for its relationship with the state’s poets laureate, which began with Nathan Brown’s visit to campus two years ago. This is an on-going relationship that the university will continue to foster.”

The Annual Cultural Heritage Lecture Series is sponsored by the Social Sciences Department and the Northwestern Institute for Citizenship Studies, the Master of Arts in American Studies program, and the English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department.

For more information concerning Myer’s lecture and poetry reading, contact Holliday at (580) 327-8589 or at spholliday@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

September 15, 2015

Total student enrollment for the 2015 fall semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is similar to last year’s number, according to information contained in a preliminary enrollment report provided to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Enrollment for the fall semester totaled 2,135 students, a decrease of 36 students from a year ago. This marks the seventh consecutive fall semester that enrollment has eclipsed the 2,100 mark.

At the main campus in Alva, enrollment dipped slightly with 1,378 students taking classes this fall, compared to 1,444 last fall.

Enrollment also dropped slightly at Northwestern-Woodward. Enrollment there stood at 245 students, a decrease of only 13. Northwestern’s Enid campus enrolled 214 students compared with 265 a year ago.

At Northwestern’s outreach sites, including the University Center at Ponca City, enrollment enjoyed a 13.1 percent increase with 199 students enrolled. Concurrent enrollment, which involves high school students enrolled in college courses, also experienced a significant increase.

“While overall enrollment continues to remain strong, we continue to explore and implement initiatives to increase enrollment, retention and degree completion,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said.

Northwestern’s Ranger Preview, which brings prospective high school seniors to the Alva campus, is Nov. 14. Each registered participant will be awarded a $600 scholarship to attend Northwestern in Alva.

-NW-