The longtime partnership between Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the Charles Morton Share Trust of Alva recently was recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education during the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award program. This connection has paved the way to provide many university improvements to better serve northwest Oklahoma.

At a recent ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson, Northwestern and the Share Trust were one of 27 higher education partnerships throughout the state recognized for innovative collaborations that strengthen Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

The Share Trust made its first major investment in Northwestern in 1989, establishing the Charles Morton Share endowed chair in education. This gift led the way for Northwestern to secure commitments for 22 endowed chairs, the most of any regional university in Oklahoma.

In 1999, the Share Trust provided $1.5 million in private funding to help construct the J.R. Holder Wellness Center, a 42,000-square-foot wellness facility on campus. In 2007, when Northwestern announced its Vision for Victory Campaign for athletics, the Share Trust once again stepped forward with a lead gift of $1.5 million. This gift inspired many more donors to help raise nearly $4 million to construct new facilities and renovate existing facilities. The Share Trust also supports the Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series, university homecoming activities and the Heartland BEST robotics competition.

“The positive impact of the Share Trust on Northwestern and Alva cannot be understated,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president. “The vision of Charles Morton Share and the stewardship of the current Share Trust board has played such an important part in the growth and success of Northwestern. We are pleased to be able to highlight and celebrate their contributions to the students of Northwestern.”

Current Share Trust board members include Jim Holder, Ray Dean Linder, Darrell Kline and Johnny Jones of Alva, and B. Michael Carroll of Oklahoma City.

-NW-

The purpose of Phi Alpha Theta is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas.

Dr. Roger Hardaway, professor of history, has been the adviser to Northwestern’s Phi Alpha Theta chapter since 2004.

Hardaway explained that membership is open to only a few students each year. “Members do not have to be history majors,” Hardaway said.

“But they do have to take several courses in the discipline, and they also have to have excellent grades. By being selective in its membership, Phi Alpha Theta ensures that being inducted into the organization is truly an honor.”

Phi Alpha Theta was organized in 1921 at the University of Arkansas and has more than 850 chapters throughout the United States. Currently, more than 900,000 people, including all current Northwestern history professors, are members.

“These two students are to be commended for maintaining good grades and for upholding the purposes of Phi Alpha Theta,” Hardaway said.

-NW-

The Alumni Association invites alumni and friends of the university to travel south in September. Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, will lead the 11-day tour Sept. 8 through Sept. 18, which includes Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Puerto Varas, Casablanca, Valparaiso and Santiago de Chile.

During the trip, alumni and friends of Northwestern will have the opportunity to visit the Hidalgo Castle, Pérez Rosales National Park, and Angelmó’s handicraft fair and fish market. Among the sights to see are the stunning views from chairlifts on Mt. Campanario, the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco reflected in the green-blue water of Lake Todos los Santos, and the colorful houses that cascade down from the hills in Valparaiso. The travelers will cross the Andean Mountains and observe the Hill Tronador and its nine glaciers.

In Buenos Aires, the group will journey to the heart of Tango activity where the dance is performed in the street for passersby to enjoy. Touring an Argentinean ranch may be of particular interest to those from northwest Oklahoma. There, they will learn about the gaucho way of life and observe a horse riders’ exhibition.

At a vineyard in Casablanca Valley, the travelers will taste wine and see the process in one of Chile’s best wine regions. In Santiago de Chile, alumni and friends will take a trip to the Pre-Colombian Museum where statues, carvings, ceramics and textiles from different American cultures that existed before 1492 are housed.

In recent years, the Alumni Association has traveled to Rome, Peru, Ireland, Alaska, Greece and Northern Italy through Pilgrim Tours, the travel company for the upcoming tour of Argentina and Chile.

The double occupancy price per person is $3,899. Add an additional $550 for single occupancy. The trip price includes round-trip airfare from Oklahoma City, eight nights of lodging at four-star hotels, some meals, services of an air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, all guides, entrances, touring and transportation. Tips, some meals, an optional Tango dinner excursion, an Argentinean reciprocity fee and travel insurance are not included in the tour price.

A $300 deposit is due May 24, and the deadline for final payments is July 5. To request more information or to make reservations, contact Lizabeth Richey, director of alumni relations, at 580-327-8594 or lrrichey@nwosu.edu.

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Students majoring within the Division of Business at Northwestern Oklahoma State University were recognized for receiving scholarships for the 2012-13 year at the annual awards ceremony.

Although some students were unable to attend the ceremony, all recipients and awards received are listed below:

OKLAHOMA SOCIETY OF CPA’S (OSCPA’S) OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING STUDENTS: Nichole

Chase, Woodward senior; Kellcie Skinner, Alva senior; and Emily VanScoy, Enid senior.

OSCPA’S honor Oklahoma’s top accounting students who are selected by their school’s faculty. Universities are allowed to choose two students for the award.

MRS. W.W. STARR BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP: Earl Bell, Alva senior; and Drew Fischer, Jet senior.

The Mrs. W. W. Starr Business Scholarship was established by the family of the late Mrs. Starr. The award is to be made each year to a business major nominated by a member of the business department faculty. The recipient must be at least a junior, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and show strong leadership through campus activities.

DARR B. SIMS SCHOLARSHIP: Destrye Keith, Fort Supply senior.

Darr B. Sims attended Northwestern from 1936-1941, and graduated with honors with a major in business administration. This award was created in 1975 by his widow, Mabel Sims. The recipients of this scholarship are chosen by the business faculty.

GEORGE AND GRACE HENDERSON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP: Jeremy Gutierrez, Hallettsville (Texas) senior.

This scholarship was established in 1994 by the family of George and Grace Henderson. Pioneers of education in Ellis County, the Henderson’s were instrumental in establishing a high school at Bishop in 1923. Realizing the need for additional education, they brought their family to Alva where their four children continued their education at Northwestern State Teachers College. This scholarship is given to a continuing student majoring in business with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference is given to applicants who exhibit leadership skills and are active in campus organizations.

THE NORMA JEAN SMITH SCHOLARSHIP: Stephanie Hamaker, Fargo senior.

This endowment was established in 2001 in honor of Norma Jean Smith and her dedication to the students of Northwestern. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to a student majoring in the field of business at Northwestern.

HELEN VORE SUTTER MEMORIAL BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP: Kelsey Konrade, Ashland (Kan.) senior.

This scholarship was established in 2002 in honor of Helen Vore Sutter and her commitment to Northwestern and young people in northwest Oklahoma. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to Northwestern students majoring in business or business education.

ROBERT R. BROWN SCHOLARSHIP: Clansy Harzman, Alva senior.

Adair Brown and his family established this scholarship in 1997. This scholarship is given in Robert R. Brown’s name. This scholarship is awarded to a continuing Northwestern student with a minimum CGPA of 2.7. First preference is given to business majors, with second preference going to economics majors. The recipient must have resided in Oklahoma, Kansas or Colorado and must possess a positive attitude about the future and be able to express the same. Applicants must exhibit leadership skills and be active in campus organizations.
Students also were inducted into the Delta Mu Delta honor society during the awards ceremony.

Inductees include Mallory Atchley; Enid junior; Chaunce Carrico, Woodward junior; Drew Cunningham, Alva senior; Tiffany Diefenbach, Cherokee senior; Cheyenne Harper, Chattanooga junior; Jillian Hobbs, Lamont senior; Fawn Kingcade, Alva senior; Cindy Madsen, Beaver senior; Patricia Mitchell, Moore senior; Teila Mikel, Enid senior; Michael Morales, Alva junior; Samantha Soper, Medford junior; and Kevin Wilhite, Fairmont senior; along with Bell, Chase, Fischer, Hamaker, Harzman, Keith, Konrade, Skinner and VanScoy.

Also recognized were members of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL). PBL is a college organization to further leadership among the business community. Students can get started in this organization in high school under the organization name Future Business Leaders of America. Officers of PBL include Jillian Hobbs, president; Mekayla Weber, Mustang sophomore, Alva vice president; Brett Bingham, Waukomis junior, Enid vice president; Nichole Chase, Woodward senior, Woodward vice president; Nicole Stone, Enid senior, secretary; Chaunce Carrico, Woodward junior, treasurer; Jamey Alvarez-Braxton, La Quinta (Calif.) junior; PR/reporter.

Northwestern’s business student advisory council is made up of Atchley, Cunningham, Amanda Hamaker, Stephanie Hamaker, Taylor Marsh, Mansfield (Texas) senior; Nicole Stone, Enid senior; and Raymond Williamson, Enid senior.

Cunningham and Fernanda Tomazini, San Paulo (Brazil) senior, received Who’s Who recognition.

-NW-

The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-OK) has initiated a public education campaign to promote awareness and understanding of the social work profession. Two representatives from Northwestern Oklahoma State University have become members of the NASW-OK Public Education Campaign steering committee. Dr. Kylene Rehder, Department of Social Work chair and northwest branch chair; and Jason Thompson, Woodward senior, undergraduate student representative, will serve on the committee to increase social work awareness among other things.

The jobs and functions performed by social workers in contemporary society are varied and wide-ranging. Members of the profession agree the general public has little exposure to accurate knowledge of the social work profession. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 845,000 people are identified as social workers, but 245,000 of these individuals do not hold any social work degrees or licenses.

“As social workers, on any given day we work to make a real difference in the life of an individual or in the lives of many,” said Gary Bailey, NASW president (2003-2005). “Unfortunately, many in this country and around the world do not fully understand or appreciate the important role social workers have played in working with the most vulnerable in their communities and advocating on behalf of policies and programs to help them.”

Therefore, the NASW-OK Public Education Campaign has set forth the following goals: increase awareness and understanding of the social work profession; educate the public on the depth and breadth of social work practice; expand perceptions of who can benefit from social work services; attract young people to the social work profession and improve employment opportunities for professional social workers.

Recognized as a top growth profession, social work directly addresses the increased demand for health care navigation, mental health services, family care giving, child development and veterans’ assistance. There are currently more than 650,000 professionally-trained social workers in the United States, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth to 800,000 by the year 2020.

Besides Rehder and Thompson, the NASW-OK Public Education Campaign steering committee consists of the chair, Terrie Fritz, Cleveland County branch chair; Frannie Hale-Pryor, northeast branch chair; Kelly Wilkerson, graduate student representative from the University of Oklahoma; and Tina Blevins, secretary.

As part of the initiative, “Keep Calm and Social Work” t-shirts are being sold with proceeds going to the campaign.

Rehder is available for more details about the social work profession or information on Northwestern’s social work program at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.

-NW-

The Castle on the Hill was built and dedicated in 1898 as attendance and faculty increased at the newly established Northwestern Territorial Normal School, now Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The building’s turrets, battlements and towers gave it its castle-like character, and it was said to be one of the largest and most beautiful normal school buildings west of the Mississippi River.

The Castle burned March 1, 1935, in an uncontrollable fire, which destroyed the building and its contents: library books, historical documents, treasured pieces of art, band instruments and uniforms, museum relics, government publications, pictures and unique furnishings. However, the Castle remains an important part of the university’s history and a symbol of pride, holding a special place in the heart of many alumni, students, employees and friends.

Today's Jesse Dunn Building, finished in 1937, sits on the land once occupied by the Castle, and the memorial will stand on the north side of Jesse Dunn. The monument will include original bricks from the Castle and an image of the building, as well as information regarding its design, its approval, its cornerstone and its ultimate destruction.

The Northwestern Historic Preservation Task Force is seeking donations from alumni and friends of the university to complete the project. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized by name on the memorial. If funding is secured, the task force expects to host unveiling festivities in 2014.

The group is nearly finished with recognizing the historical significance of a series of campus buildings. A bronze plaque detailing the history of each building can be seen outside the Fine Arts Building, Herod Hall, Jesse Dunn, Shockley Hall, Vinson Hall, Carter Hall, Jesse Dunn Annex, Joe Struckle Education Center, J.W. Martin Library, Health and Sports Science Education Building, Science Building, Percefull Fieldhouse, President’s Home and J.W. Holder Wellness Center and at the former site of the Wyatt Gym and Oklahoma Hall. Interior displays featuring photos and additional information are in the works for many of the structures.
Sponsorships are still needed for South Hall, Ament Hall, Fryer Hall and the Stanley May Industrial Education Building. The cost is $900 for South Hall and $1,200 for each other building’s signage.

For more information or to sponsor a campus landmark, please contact John Barton, task force chair, by phone at 580-327-0406 or email at jl-mabarton@sbcglobal.net.

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Dr. Jeff Mills, a 1987 graduate, will deliver the commencement address. Mills is the executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.

Music will be provided by the Ranger symphonic band.

One hundred eighty students are candidates to receive bachelor’s degrees, 16 will receive Master of Education degrees and 16 will receive Master of Counseling Psychology degrees.

Twenty-seven of those receiving bachelor’s degrees will graduate with honors. Students with cumulative grade point averages between 3.70 and 3.79 are designated cum laude, those with GPAs between 3.80-3.89 are magna cum laude and those above 3.90 are summa cum laude.

Those honor graduates, their degrees and their hometowns are as follows:

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

OKLAHOMA

ARNETT – Janel Mitchell, Bachelor of Science Education in early childhood education.
BYRON – Clay Reed, Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry.
CHOCTAW – Kaitlin McAllister, Bachelor of Science Education in mathematics.
ENID – Sarah Owens, Bachelor of Arts in history.
JET – Leah Burchfiel, Bachelor of Arts in English.
PONCA CITY – Myka Storie, Bachelor of Science in mathematics.
TURPIN – Rhiannon Sherril, Bachelor of Science in biology.
WOODWARD – Jill Weidemann, Bachelor of Science in psychology.

KANSAS

VIOLA – Jordan Pauly, Bachelor of Science in agriculture.

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

OKLAHOMA

ENID – Gabriel Dunbar, Bachelor of Science in psychology.
FARGO – Amanda Hamaker, Bachelor of Business Administration.
HELENA – Kendra Frech, Bachelor of Science Education in elementary education.
MEDFORD – Matthew Lebeda, Bachelor of Science in biology.
MOORELAND – Robin Cline, Bachelor of Arts Education in English education.
OKEENE – Morgan Reinart, Bachelor of Science in biology and health and sports science education.
WAYNOKA – Sabrina Miller, Bachelor of Arts in English.

KANSAS

CONWAY SPRINGS – Mark Hemberger, Bachelor of Science in agriculture; Jason Carl, Bachelor of Science Education in agriculture education.

TEXAS

KNOXVILLE – Kristen Caluag, Bachelor of Science in nursing.

CUM LAUDE

OKLAHOMA

CHEROKEE – Blythe McMahan, Bachelor of Arts in general studies.
ENID – Rita Lyons, Bachelor of Social Work; Stephanie Martin, Bachelor of Science in biology.
GOLTRY – Tyler Severin, Bachelor of Science Education in health and sports science education.
KINGFISHER – Laura Heidlage, Bachelor of Science Education in elementary education.
WOODWARD – Carol Carnagey, Bachelor of Social Work; Jase Day, Bachelor of Science in computer science.

NEVADA

YERINGTON – Hannah Vaughan, Bachelor of Science in biology.

MASTER OF EDUCATION

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Brenna Heaton.
BROKEN ARROW – Justin Porterfield.
CHESTER – Linda Meister.
CLAREMORE – Leah Lanie.
CLEO SPRINGS – Sherrie Noble.
ENID – Karen Haymaker, Kurt Myers.
GUYMON – David Woodard.
JET – Paige Fischer.
RINGWOOD – Denise Bowers.
MOORELAND – Patricia Burrow, Garrett Cline, Courtney Hargis.
WOODWARD – Jennifer Dew-Cockreham, Jeremy Jones.

KANSAS

VALLEY CENTER – Madison Malone.

MASTER OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Leslie Hebert, Crystal Lovinggood, Kayla McClain, Jaimie Pryor.
ENID – Melissa Bell.
HELENA – Kasya Spade, Trent Spade.
LAHOMA – Krystal Roggow.
PONCA CITY – Allison Brown Candice Kent-Kemble, Courtney Lowe, Charles Nix, Jamie Roller, Kara Smith.
STILLWATER – DeLeah Poe.
TYRONE – Charlie Osborn.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Phoebe Bell.
ENID – John Beelendorf, Victoria Crow, Shawna Gilbert, Chelsea Hunter, Roxy Karben, Joanne Purdy, Connie Stephens.
GAGE – Danielle Miller.
HELENA – Dakota Helvie.
PERKINS – Anthony Hines.
PONCA CITY – Adria Rabb.
TONKAWA – Lukas Dollarhide, Manuel Vazquez, Jr.
WOODWARD – Justin Bilbo, Rocky Menefee.

CALIFORNIA

RIVERSIDE – Christopher Chamberlain.

KANSAS

ANTHONY – Lauren Weiss.

BACHELOR OF ARTS EDUCATION

OKLAHOMA

SHIDLER – Miranda Fields.
WAYNOKA – Zachary Zook.

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

OKLAHOMA

ALVA –Earl Bell II, Devon Cushenbery, Clansy Harzman, Kellcie Skinner.
BEAVER – Cindy Madsen.
BLACKWELL – Shayla Alvarez.
BUFFALO – Amanda Bowles.
ENID – Ryan Baldwin, Tanis Brinson, Manuel Izquierdo. Mary Maxine Patocka, Angela Richard-Simpson, Audrey Stillwagen, Misty Taylor, Emily VanScoy.
HILLSDALE – Danielle Nealis.
LAHOMA – Jake Williams.
NASH – Amanda McAlister.
WOODWARD – Nichole Chase.

MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS – John Hatlestad.

TEXAS

MANSFIELD – Taylor Marsh.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

OKLAHOMA

AFTON – Kevin Jarvis.
ALVA – Justin Hosey, Cade Johnson, Gretchen Jones.
BERNICE – Coy Crane.
BETHANY – Shayla Gleave, Vanessa Lopez.
BLACKWELL – Melody West.
BURBANK – Amie Berryman.
CHICKASHA – Jay Lee.
EDMOND – Ronita Coleman, Eric Pribil.
ENID – Jessica Blanchard, Walker Brainard, Aaron Clickner, Shalene Jones.
FAIRFAX – Shelby Holloway.
FAIRVIEW – Adam Brinson.
GUTHRIE – Michael Harmon.
JET – William Burchfiel.
LAMONT – Mikki Zachary.
LAWTON – Brittany Bunch.
MEDFORD – Mikki Zachary.
MENO – Michael Hiebert.
MOORE – Jared Jackson.
NOWATA – John Lakey.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Talytha Williams.
PONCA CITY – Sonya Holloway, Stephen Strasburger Jr., Matt Weers.
SAPULPA – Joshua Stephens.
SEILING – Whitney Jones.
SHATTUCK – Sandra Morgan.
SHAWNEE – Kristi Jarvis.
TEXHOMA – Jesse Todd.
WAUKOMIS – Devin Michelle Brett.
WAYNOKA – Danielle Bowling, Heather Hollingshead.
WOODWARD – Jennifer Floyd, Elizabeth Gay, Kent Jensen.

ALABAMA

ROBERTSDALE – Kyle Irwin.

CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO – Kylee Wilson.
CARSON – Daryl Glover, Jr.
HEMET – Eric DeVries.
INGLEWOOD – Keenan Gross.
LA QUINTA – Jasmine Alvarez-Braxton.

COLORADO

LAMAR – Casey Warnock.
TRINIDAD – Andrew Holden.

ILLINOIS

BELLEVILLE – Jeremy Felton.

KANSAS

CONWAY SPRINGS – Adam Burnett.
PRATT – Scotti Ross.
MADISON – Dawson McMaster.
MEDICINE LODGE - Brett Christensen.
TOPEKA – Collin Domer.

MISSOURI

NEWBURG – Marie Crowley.
ORRICK – Cali Grffin.

NEBRASKA

BROKEN BOW – Shaley Millsap.

NEW MEXICO

TIJERAS – Brenda Hearn.
LOS ALAMOS – Megan Burditt.

NEW YORK

WALTON – Wade Hammond.

SOUTH DAKOTA

PUKWANA – Kara Cable.

TEXAS

PAMPA – Ashley Price.

NEPAL

KATHMANDU – Dipesh Sharma.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Peter Phillips.
CHEROKEE – Chelsea Wallace.
ENID – Cecilia Baldwin, Misty Beckner, Ryan Bush, Ragen Newman
DRUMMOND – Christina Watkins.
GOLTRY – Jordan Severin.
HOOKER – Jennifer Edwards.
PONCA CITY – Casey Hicks, Joshua Swain.
WOODWARD – Kelsey Yarbrough.

KANSAS

ALTOONA – Tessa Odette.
KINSLEY – Tabitha Carothers.

MISSOURI

NEOSHO – Stephanie Thomas.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

OKLAHOMA

ALINE – Lori Sacket.
ALVA – Amanda Clepper, ShiAnne Cook, Elizabeth Stanley.
BYRON – Desirae Guffy.
BLACKWELL – Micah Corn.
CHEROKEE – Deann Lanman.
DRUMMOND – Lacey Mills, Stephanie Nance.
ENID – Dawn Cooper, Jennifer Craven, Jennifer Garvin, Alex Hammock.
MUTUAL – Christopher Stepp.
OKEENE – Allison Foster.
RINGWOOD – Jamie Fortner.
SHATTUCK – Brittany Jahay.
WAKITA – Karyssa Childress.
WAYNOKA – Leah Wyatt.
WOODWARD – Teresa Jensen.
VERDEN – Elizabeth Hill.

FLORIDA

LITHIA – Erika Haynes.

KANSAS

HARDTNER – Lacey Volker.
MEDICINE LODGE – Terranda Murry.

TEXAS

AUSTIN – Mary Schlaudt.
SANTA ROSE – Christina Robinson.

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK

OKLAHOMA

CUSHING – Morgan Helms.
LAMONT – Lacey Vaughan.
ENID – Jennifer Diener, Jessica Waller.
SHARON – Rebecca Gaskill.
WAYNOKA – Crystal Bryant.
WOODWARD – Jason Thompson.
FLORIDA
PENSACOLA – Jennifer Ghigna.

-NW-

Day began her career at Northwestern in 1988. She was initially hired to teach foreign language and English, but she began the formalized Spanish program in the fall of 2001. Although most of the current students and Spanish Club members may have never personally met Day, her legacy provided the groundwork for the distinguished Spanish program that exists at Northwestern today.

“I can tell you that I am delighted that two students will be receiving help on their tuition this coming fall,” Day said. “Since I have been retired since 2003, I am assuming that many who worked on that project do not even know me. Please convey my utmost gratitude to everyone who played a part in this significant milestone.”

During her career at Northwestern, Day received the John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service award for her excellence in teaching in 2003. Upon her retirement, Day moved to McAllen, Texas, where she currently resides. She enjoys keeping up with activities on campus through the Northwestern News and visits Northwestern as often as she can.

The Northwestern Spanish Club, under the advisement of Spanish professors Dr. Francisco Martinez and Dr. Claudia Young, has hosted cultural events on campus, such as the Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo celebrations, taco dinners and salsa-dancing lessons to raise funds and awareness for the Dorothy Day Spanish Scholarship. Martinez, who has played an integral role in endowing this scholarship, is pleased to see the fruits of his and others’ labor come to fruition.

“At first the scholarship seemed a long way off, but now it’s a reality,” Martinez said. “It took us some time to get to where we are, but we were always thinking of ways to help our students with funding because they deserve it. Our students are what make us proud as educators. We look forward to meeting our first scholarship recipients.”

Full-time continuing Spanish students with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average are eligible for the Dorothy Day Spanish Scholarship. Applicants must be either a Spanish major or minor who has completed three semesters of Spanish coursework. The scholarship may be applied toward university-related expenses, such as tuition, fees, room, board or books.

For more information about investing in Northwestern students, call Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, at 580-327-8599 or email him at aebird@nwosu.edu.

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Dr. Jeff Mills 

As Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates prepare for their futures, they’ll first get some advice from Dr. Jeff Mills, 1987 alumnus and executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, during the commencement address on Saturday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Ranger Field.

In case of inclement weather, commencement will be held in Percefull Fieldhouse.

Mills was a health and physical education major at Northwestern. In 1989, he began teaching and coaching at Snyder Public Schools. He eventually became the kindergarten through eighth grade principal, head football and wrestling coach.

Being a principal in Snyder helped him further his career in education where he was elementary and high school principal at El Reno Public Schools. He later became superintendent of El Reno Public Schools and Woodward Public Schools.

Because of his desire to provide strong educational foundations, he developed a Character First Program for the Woodward Public Schools and worked with the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee to have volunteers go into the schools to instill good character in the students.

Mills has served on numerous committees including the United Suburban Schools Association (USSA), Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration and the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators.

“I am very interested in building strong coalitions with higher education in the development and placement of future school administrators, teachers and staff,” Mills said. “Through my experiences I have found it to be very important for all levels of educational training to work together for the benefit of our students.”

-NW-

Winning $2,500 in the quarter-finals round of the “Mind Games” competition, Northwestern Oklahoma State University team members have made their way onto the semi-finals where they will play Cameron University, airing May 5 on KSBI.

Teammates Lukas Dollarhide, Tonkawa senior, history; Bimala Gurung, Kaski (Nepal) junior, mass communication; Zakk Burdg, Enid freshman, English; Matt Schneider, Enid freshman, biology; and Jennifer Hilgeman, Beaverton (Ore.) sophomore, chemistry, have demonstrated their collegiate knowledge and recently defeated Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City for scholarship awards.

The match against OSU-OKC can be seen at http://www.ksbitv.com/story/osu-okc-vs-nwosu-20130422. This game aired April 21.

Visit http://www.ksbitv.com/mind-games to watch Northwestern play “Mind Games” against Cameron University on May 5. It also can be seen on Cox channel 7, or Cox HD channel 707, DirecTV and Dish channel 52 or on Suddenlink channel 12 in Alva.

The team is led by Shannon Leaper, research and instructional services librarian. This is Leaper’s first year as team coach.

Northwestern’s “Mind Games” team usually practices four to five days a week for several hours at a time.

For more information about Northwestern’s “Mind Games” team, contact Leaper at (580) 327-8572 or seleaper@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

Northwestern Oklahoma State University senior Clay Thomas Reed of Byron receives a citation from Oklahoma House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Hickman at Research Day recently held at the state capitol. Reed’s research focused on sleep deprivation. He was one of 20 undergraduate students representing 15 Oklahoma colleges and universities where competitive scientific research posters were presented to the state legislature and the public.

Those to be honored include: Sheri Bushman, Charleen Carlile, Rhonda Cook, Carmen Eicken, Dr. Kathy Goddard, Sandra Kamas, Dr. Nancy Kilian, Ronnie Walker and Dr. Patti Wilber.

The reception in the Student Center Ranger Room on the Alva campus is open to the public. The presentation begins at 3:30 p.m. For more information, please call Kelley Burggraf at the Northwestern Foundation at 580-327-8593.

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Dr. Roger Hardaway 

Dr. Roger Hardaway, professor of history at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, recently presented a research paper at the annual Arkansas Historical Association conference in Helena, Ark.

Hardaway’s paper was titled “Arkansas and the Confederate Constitution.” He has been researching the constitution of the Confederate States of America for several years, and has published two scholarly articles on the constitution and the people who wrote it.

The conference brought together scholars and history buffs from all over Arkansas, as well as a few from other states.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to share some of my research with a large and interested audience in a historic setting,” Hardaway said.

Hardaway noted that at one time Helena had a significant and active Jewish community, and the session in which he delivered his presentation was held in a former synagogue that has been restored and maintained by the local historical society.

Helena was the site of a Civil War battle on July 4, 1863, won by Union forces. Conference participants were taken on a tour of the battlefield, as well as to several other historic sites in the town.

“Attending the conference was a wonderful scholarly and cultural experience,” Hardaway said.

-NW-

“In spite of only knowing Judy Jenlink for a few months, I experienced a connection that was unique and special,” Bradley said. “It was one in which I could say that Judy not only touched my heart, but also made a deeper connection where I felt that she has touched my soul.”

Jenlink, who received her undergraduate degree in social science at Northwestern and later pursued graduate classes in education at Northwestern, taught English and language arts at several Oklahoma schools including: Mustang High School, Putnam City West High School, Chisholm High School and Junior High, Alva High School and Timberlake High School.

While attending Northwestern, Jenlink excelled and was named to both the Dean’s Honor Roll and the Northwestern Honors Program. During her distinguished 37-year teaching career, Jenlink received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers award and the McDonald’s Teachers Make a Difference award and was chosen as the Timberlake District Teacher of the Year.

“I believe that Judy’s dedication to education and the profound effect that she had on her students should be recognized and her life’s work should be honored by the establishment of a scholarship,” Bradley said. “By offering assistance to English education students at Northwestern, I hope to inspire them to achieve a similar level of excellence and have a positive effect on the lives of future students.”

Bradley grew up on a farm near the Jefferson and Medford communities. He graduated from Northwestern with a Bachelor of Science degree in math and physics in 1966. He later taught math at Northwestern in the early ‘70s. He stays connected to campus and attends events, such as Homecoming, as his time permits.

After graduating from Northwestern, Bradley received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to attend graduate school in the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He attributes this opportunity to the excellent recommendations he received from his math and physics professors at Northwestern. Because of this, Bradley has developed what he calls a “pay it forward” attitude and encourages anyone thinking of giving to do it now, he said.

“I believe that we all have a sense to be a part of something larger than ourselves,” Bradley said. “I am the last of my primary family members and have the hope to develop an extended ‘family’ through making opportunities for others to be successful.”

Full-time, upper- division English education majors with a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average are eligible for the Judy Jenlink Language Arts Scholarship. Applicants must be northwest Oklahoma residents and be active members of at least one campus organization. The scholarship may be applied toward university-related expenses, such as tuition, fees, room, board or books.

For more information about investing in Northwestern students, call Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, at 580-327-8599 or email him at aebird@nwosu.edu.

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Dr. Kylene Rehder 

Dr. Kylene Rehder, Social Work Department chair, represented Northwestern Oklahoma State University at the Oklahoma Social Work Educators Forum recently held at the University of Oklahoma, Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work.

The forum provides Oklahoma social work educators the opportunity to discuss common educational trends, challenges and opportunities in social work education. This year’s forum focused on transitioning students to graduate education and effective ways to instruct and assess social work core competencies.

Rehder serves on the planning committee for this annual event and presented the group with updates regarding Northwestern’s social work program and results of program outcomes.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs in attendance were from Northwestern, University of Oklahoma, East Central University, Northeastern State University and Oral Roberts University.

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Starting at 11 a.m., Alma Folklorica will perform choreographed traditional Mexican dances in Herod Hall Auditorium. With bright, exquisite attire, these dancers will put on a great show using numerous props.

Pre-registration is required to compete in the salsa contest, and the deadline is Tuesday, April 30. Contestants are urged to make a mild salsa, which will be judged on consistency, appropriate heat level and taste. Salsa tasters can pay $1 to sample the salsa and vote.

The salsa contest will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the Student Center Ranger Room. Only the first 10 entries will be accepted. Salsa tasters are encouraged to cast a vote for “People’s Choice Award.” Contact Dr. Claudia Young, assistant professor of Spanish, at (580) 327-8464 or coyoung@nwosu.edu for a participation form.

The Cinco de Mayo dinner will be held in the Student Center Ranger Room from 7-9 p.m. El Maya is donating authentic Mexican food to adults for $5 and students for $3.

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates the defeat of the French by Mexico at the Battle of Puebla. Mexican troops won the fight on May 5, 1862.

All events are open to the public.

This celebration is sponsored by the Spanish Club and the Hispanic American Leadership Organization. All proceeds will go toward the Spanish Scholarship Fund.

For more information contact sponsors Dr. Francisco Martinez, associate professor of Spanish, at (580) 327-8566 or fjmartinez@nwosu.edu or Young at (580) 327-8464 or coyoung@nwosu.edu.

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The Exhibition will allow students to display the year’s works of art and present a piano recital.

Dr. Sarah Chan, assistant professor of music, has practiced with students to perform music from the piano repertory of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Impressionist eras. Specifically, the recital program will include music of Bach, Scarlatti, Dussek, Beethoven, Debussy and Grieg. Piano students include Clint Cropp, Alva sophomore; Dustin Stefan, Hazelton (Kan.) freshman; and Rilla Stone, a senior from Seiling High School who has been taking private lessons from Chan.

Art minors will be exhibiting work from this year’s studies, under the direction of Brandice Guerra, assistant professor of art.

Two graduating art minor students will present their thesis in the Exhibition. Woodward student-artist Sara Acosta’s work is centered on an exploration of Norse myths. Lesley Freese of Scott City (Kan.) will show her art work that is based on research of her family’s history from Kansas.

They both will be reading their artist statements during the opening and will be available to answer questions about their work.

Other art minors who will present work include John Cropp, Alva sophomore; Rachel Smith, Alva freshman; Anna Keigley, Alva junior; Natalie Malone, Valley Center (Kan.) sophomore; Hanson Long, Waynoka junior; Rabi Tamrakar, Alva junior; and Christopher Castor, Cherokee freshman.

They will present paintings, drawings, illustrations, comics and other projects.

For information about Northwestern’s piano program, contact Chan at (580) 327-8690 or sschan@nwosu.edu.

To learn more about the Studio Art program, contact Guerra at (580) 327-8108 or beguerra@nwosu.edu.

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A committee selected Jessica Blanchard, Cali Crissup, Janel Mitchell, Clay Reed, Morgan Reinart, Rhiannon Sherrill, Myka Storie and Jill Weidemann as 2013 Outstanding Seniors.

To apply, December 2012 or May 2013 graduating seniors had to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, have completed at least 60 credit hours at Northwestern, be involved in campus and/or community activities, show promise of future achievement and never have been subject to academic or disciplinary action. The award, sponsored by the Northwestern Foundation and Student Government Association, includes a plaque and gift card.

Outstanding Seniors

Jessica Blanchard

Blanchard, of Enid, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Currently the Psychology Club president, she has previously served as treasurer of the club. In addition to working as a psychology professor’s assistant, she has acted as a camp leader for the Northwestern Psychology Summer Science Academy. Active in her community, she has volunteered her time with Pet Me Pets Organization and Enid SPCA. She has been listed on the President’s Honor Roll.

Cali Crissup

Crissup, a Helena native, earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication with summa cum laude honors in December 2012. While at Northwestern, she reported and edited the news for NWTV as a staff reporter and post-show editor and for the Northwestern News as editor, staff writer, reporter and designer. A member of Leadership Northwestern, Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors and the President’s Leadership Class, she served as president and vice president of her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha. As the reigning Miss Northwestern in 2010, she received the Miss America Academic Achievement Award at the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mass communication from Oklahoma State University.

Janel Mitchell

Mitchell, of Arnett, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, Student Government Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association and Student Oklahoma Education Association. From 2010 to 2011, she worked as an anchor and news reporter for NWTV. She has served as vice president of public relations and recruitment, chapter president and social chair of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. Listed on the President’s Honor Roll and Vice President’s Honor Roll, she was named Freshman Queen and elected vice president of the freshman class.

Clay Reed

Reed, of Byron, will graduate in May with bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. Listed on the President’s Honor Roll, he received the Elks National Foundation Student Award, the Oklahoma Heritage Oklahoma History Award and the Rotary Leadership Award. A scholarship recipient, he has been named an Oklahoma Academic Scholar and a U.S. Academy All-American Scholar. Active in research at Northwestern, he earned first place in Ranger Research Day 2012. He is a member of the Chemistry Club, Biology Club, Medical Sciences Club and President’s Leadership Class and an honorary member of Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Nu Psi.

Morgan Reinart

Reinart, originally from Okeene, will earn his bachelor’s degrees in biology and health and sports science in the summer of 2013. He has been a member of the Medical Sciences Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Immaculate Heart Neuman Society. Listed on the President’s Honor Roll and Vice President’s Honor Roll, he has been named Who’s Who Among American College Students. A CPR-certified emergency medical first responder, he was a volunteer firefighter from 2007 to 2012 in the Okeene and Alva communities.

Rhiannon Sherrill

Sherrill, a Turpin native, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology. A scholarship recipient, she has been listed on the President’s Honor Roll and Oklahoma Honor Roll. She is a member of the Student Government Association, Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors, Chemistry Club, Medical Sciences Club and Leadership Northwestern. She is a resident assistant and has served as president of Rangers Excelling at Leadership.

Myka Storie

Storie, of Ponca City, will earn her bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in health and sports science in May. She is a member of the Student Government Association, the President’s Leadership Class and Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She has served as captain of the cheerleading squad, president and vice president of the Math Club, and president of the Red & Black Scroll Honor Society. Named the 2012 Northwestern Outstanding Mathematics Student and a 2012 Leadership Northwestern Chesapeake Scholar, she has been listed on the President’s Honor Roll and Vice President’s Honor Roll.

Jill Weidemann

Weidemann, originally from Woodward, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in English. She is a member of the Red & Black Scroll Honor Society, Rangers Excelling at Leadership, Conserving Our Ranger Environment and Psychology Club. Listed on the President’s Honor Roll and Who’s Who Among American College and University Students, she was selected as a Leadership Northwestern Chesapeake Scholar, Masonic Scholar and secretary of the freshman class.

Other Award Recipients

Kaylee Byrd, Reed and Weidemann will be awarded the T.C. Carter Award, presented to the graduating seniors with the highest grade point average.

Other Northwestern students and faculty to be recognized include:

Storie receiving the John F. Kennedy Award, Cary Cox receiving the Dr. Joe Dollins Merit Award, Robin Cline receiving the John Ted Meier Student Teaching Award, Gabriel Dunbar and Blanchard receiving the Psychology Student of the Year Award, Rance Castleberry receiving the Sabin and Pearl Percefull Scholarship Award, Kathryn Montes receiving the Newman Civic Fellow Award, Cassaundra Webb receiving the deSERVING Ranger Award, and Dr. Kay Decker receiving the John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award.

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The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alumni Association will recognize four Outstanding Graduates during the annual Spring Reunion Banquet on Saturday, April 27 at 6 p.m.

The honored alumni include: Diane Kasparek-Spicer, class of 1978 and 1983, Outstanding Education Award; Joe Shirley, class of 1970 and 1978, Outstanding Business/Professional Award; Karen Sue Liese Myers, class of 1968, Outstanding Humanitarian Award; and Adam M. Steuart, class of 2007, Outstanding Arts Award.

For more information, contact Lizabeth Richey, Northwestern Alumni Association director of alumni relations, at 580-327-8594 or lrrichey@nwosu.edu.

Outstanding Graduates

Diane Kasparek-Spicer
Outstanding Education Award

Originally from Burlington, Kasparek-Spicer graduated from Northwestern in 1978 with her bachelor’s degree in English and earned her master’s in guidance and counseling from Northwestern in 1983. She later completed additional coursework at Oklahoma State University in educational administration and higher education.

As a scholarship recipient at Northwestern, she was active in student government, her dorm council, the volleyball team, pompon squad, Biology Club and intramurals. She finished runner-up in the Miss NWOSU pageant.

In August, Kasparek-Spicer will return to her role as learning strategies facilitator for at risk students at Lawrence Public School’s Douglas County Youth Services Day School, where she has worked since 2002. She has spent much of the past year on foreign teaching leave serving as assistant principal at Nibras International School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her education administration experience also includes acting as assistant principal and then principal of Pittsburg, Kan., High School.

Kasparek-Spicer began her teaching career instructing English at Carmen-Dacoma High School and then Chisholm High School. She later served Chisholm as a counselor. For Enid Public Schools, she worked as a counselor and administrative assistant at Cherokee Park Special Education School and as director of guidance at Enid High School. She has also taught as a virtual school instructor for Lawrence Virtual School and adjunct instructor for the Washburn University Psychology Department.

Her work as both a teacher and principal has been recognized with a number of awards, and she has been named a 1998 and 2000 Kansas Master Teacher nominee, a 2000 Kansas MetLife Principal of the Year nominee and 2002 Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Area II Principal of the Year.

Her greatest challenge and success was raising her two children as a single parent and ensuring they had a quality education and skills to be happy, productive adults, Kasparek-Spicer said.

“Other than that, I hope I have made a positive impact on students and have worked to mentor and support others entering the profession of education,” she said.

Kasparek-Spicer lives in Lawrence, Kan., and has two children, Brooke and Blaire, and one grandchild, Smyth.

Joe Shirley
Outstanding Business/Professional Award

An Alva native, Shirley earned his bachelor’s degree in English in 1970 and his master’s degree in education in 1978 both from Northwestern.

While at Northwestern, he was a member of Science Club, Student Senate and Disciples of Student Fellowship. His favorite memory of Northwestern was playing French horn in the band for four years, especially playing in the orchestra for “Camelot” and “Brigadoon.”

Following graduation, Shirley taught English and journalism at Blackwell High School for four years and then junior high English at Waynoka for three years. Later, he taught all junior and senior high English at Freedom while serving as the librarian and advisor to the annual staff and even directing the school play in ’85-’86.

Since 1974, he has farmed and ranched in the Alva area. A charter member of Oklahoma Genetics, which promotes and protects Oklahoma wheat varieties, he has served as president of both Woods County Wheat Growers and Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association. In the early ‘80s, he edited Wheat News, the largest publication in Oklahoma, and as a member of the Class II Oklahoma Ag Leadership, he traveled to Brazil where he studied farming practices.

Shirley said one of his greatest successes is developing Shirley Farms into one of the largest certified seed dealers in Oklahoma.

Active in his community and church, he has served on the Alva School Board, the Woods County Fair Board, the First Christian Church Board and the State Christian Church Foundation Board. He has also guided the Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt.

Shirley and his wife, Ann, live in Alva and have two children, Biron and Brandi, and five grandchildren.

Karen Sue Liese Myers
Outstanding Humanitarian Award

Originally from Guymon, Myers graduated from Northwestern in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before earning her medical doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1972.

She was a member of the Rangerettes and choir and served as pianist for the Baptist Student Union and organist for the First Baptist Church of Alva. She also represented the BSU as a Ranger Queen candidate.

Her fondest memories include making friends, working for Dr. Jack Phelps, the head of the math department, and learning from Dr. Anna B. Fisher, who influenced her and her fellow premed students.

A physician, Myers began a general private practice in Alva before doing an OB-GYN residency in Tulsa. She later practiced shortly in Tulsa before moving her private OB-GYN practice to Oklahoma City in 1979, where she retired in 2009.

Locally, Myers has served as a Sunday school teacher at Quail Springs Baptist Church and Edmond First Baptist for 25 years, a Whiz Kids tutor for 12 years and a pianist for an Oklahoma City retirement center for eight years. Internationally, she has done mission work in Mexico City, and she traveled to Armenia in 2010 and 2011 on medical missions.

Myers said her greatest success was delivering babies for 35 years.

“I had a wonderful medical practice and wonderful employees all those years and believe God blessed my efforts and as a result I was very blessed,” she said.

Myers and her husband, Jim, live in Edmond. She has three children, David, Kyle and Misty, and two grandchildren.

Adam M. Steuart
Outstanding Arts Award

A Woodward native, Steuart received his bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education in 2007. While at Northwestern, he was active in marching band, concert band, jazz band, pep band and Phi Delta Music Society.

From 2007 until May 2009, Steuart directed the bands of Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Colo. He has also worked as a percussion instructor at Northwestern and a drum line tech for the Garden City High School Band in Garden City, Kan., where he taught marching and playing techniques.

In his current role as director of bands for Hennessey Public Schools, Steuart leads the marching band, concert band and pep band, as well as the recorder class and elementary music.

His bands have received top honors at the Valero Alamo Bowl parade and field show competition and achieved Best in Parade at Washington D.C.’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. In 2011 and 2012, his bands were named Class 2A Oklahoma Bandmasters Champions.

Steuart was named the 2010 Favorite Teacher of Kingfisher County and the 2010 Teacher of the Year for Hennessey. In 2012, he was recognized as one of School Band and Orchestra’s 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.

To honor a former Ranger band member and colleague, Steuart organized the Bradley Gilbert Memorial Band Day in 2012 in memory of the 2007 Northwestern graduate and former assistant band director of Hennessey High School.
Steuart said one of his greatest successes is shaping the lives of students.

He and his wife, Nicole, live in Enid with their Great Dane, Lyric Ann.

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Carmen Sander, Seiling junior, has been awarded the Randy Murrow Memorial Scholarship at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Sander has been chosen based on her academic achievements, as well as participation in leadership and student activities.

The biology major plans to attend medical school upon graduation.

While attending Northwestern, she has been a member of the President’s Leadership Class. She served as Miss Northwestern 2011 and represented the university well at the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. In 2013, she was chosen to attend the NIGH Academy.

Currently, she is the president of the Medical Sciences Club. Sander has been a member of the Young Republicans, senator in the Student Government Association and led the Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors as community service project coordinator.

The Randy Murrow Memorial Scholarship was established following his untimely death shortly after his graduation from Northwestern in 1969. Murrow served as the Student Senate president from 1967-1969. Funds were given in his name from Phi Lambda Chi fraternity, various campus organizations, and voluntary gifts from students, faculty, former students, family and friends.

Other members of Murrow’s family have been memorialized with the scholarship, including his mother, Dolores Murrow, and his grandparents, A.L. “Lute” and Mildred Murrow (Lute represented Woods and Woodward counties in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing Woods and Woodward counties from 1956 to 1966) and Sam and Oneita Riggs.

Northwestern’s Student Government Association scholarship committee chooses a recipient based on his or her responses on the application. Undergraduate students who are actively involved in campus activities are eligible for the scholarship.

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Amanda Callender (seated) is photographed with Dr. Kay Decker, Department of Social Sciences chair.

Amanda Callender, Alva senior, has been selected as Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Social Sciences Civic Education Fellow for this academic year.

The criminal justice major will spend two weeks in May working directly with Sen. Bryce Marlatt at the Oklahoma State Capitol during the final weeks of the legislative session working as a Civic Education Fellow. She was selected based on her grade point average and her professional goals of pursuing a career in the public service field.

She also has been selected to attend the National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership Institute from May 17-21, at the Carl Albert Center at the University of Oklahoma.

Callender will join other female students from across the state who have been selected to participate in the Institute. Participants will engage in three days of discussions, lectures and presentations about the leadership role of women in today’s society.

The curriculum includes skill building workshops, a campaign simulation, a networking day at the Oklahoma State Capitol, a collaborative action project, panel discussions and more.

To learn more about Northwestern’s Department of Social Sciences contact Dr. Kay Decker, chair, at (580) 327-8521 or kldecker@nwosu.edu.

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The Miss Northwestern Pageant committee encourages full-time students who are women 17-24 years of age, to attend the informational meeting to gather details about the pageant and pick up essential documents to participate.

More than $2,000 in scholarships, cash and prizes are available to the winner.

The Miss Northwestern Pageant will include a Miss Northwestern Outstanding Teen for individuals 13-17 years of age.

Contact Chesnei Thomas, Outstanding Teen director, at cdthomas@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8543 with questions regarding the teen pageant.

Contact Rachel Stewart, pageant director, at (580) 327-8178 or rsstewart@nwosu.edu with Miss Northwestern Pageant questions.

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Jason White
2003 Heisman Trophy Winner 

Heisman Trophy winner Jason White is coming to Northwestern Oklahoma State University Saturday, April 27, to speak on “Setting Goals and Achieving Your Dreams.” His presentation will begin at 10 a.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

White is a former University of Oklahoma quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2003. The Tuttle native played for the Sooners from 1999-2004.

After a stellar college football career, White went on to start his own business, the Jason White Companies, which owns the Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma memorabilia store – A Store Divided.

This program is sponsored by the Upward Bound programs at Northwestern, which are funded at $500,000 annually by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

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“We’re looking for your story,” Carly Williams, director of recruitment, said. “We want to hear why you came to Northwestern, what it is about the University and its people that make you love it here, and how the University is helping you to live your dream. We also want to see this story through your photos.”

Anyone wishing to participate by allowing the University to use photos and information should start sending their items to recruit@nwosu.edu as soon as possible. People can also use Twitter and Instagram to get that information out, but are asked to use the hashtag #NWMyStory so it can be found through search. Examples of what has been submitted already can be found by searching that hashtag on Twitter.

“We just want the story of Northwestern to be authentic for those who are considering attending here, so what better way to accomplish that than through their own words and photos,” Williams said.

“Photos and comments can span over the entire school year, so start looking through your albums to find those photos that you’ve already shared with friends and post them again with the hashtag or email them to us. Bahama Breakaway also is a good time to show a fun time at Northwestern, as well as graduation and just living in the dorm or eating in the cafeteria. We’re looking forward to seeing what everyone has to offer.”

For more information on this project, please contact the Office of Recruitment at recruit@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8545.

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The public is invited to attend this concert.

When considering a theme for the choir performance, Dr. Irene Messoloras, Department of Fine Arts chair, said she thought of the term peace and how everyone must be respectful of one another’s beliefs and cultures.

“No matter where you are in the world, everyone is proud of where they came from,” Messoloras said.

The theme is based on a cantata by Benjamin Britten, an English composer, conductor and pianist. Musicians from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will work alongside Northwestern choir students to put on a great performance that will feature the choir in a diverse way.

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Shrestha will team up with Dr. Aaron Place, associate professor of biology, to conduct a research project with the objective to determine if the coral snake-like pattern of the long-nosed snake prevents predation by birds that may experience coral snakes in other portions of their yearly range.

To test the hypothesis, Shrestha will create clay models that look like long-nosed snakes and brown snakes. Mimicry occurs when a palatable organism prevents predation by looking like a dangerous or unpalatable species. This experiment will determine if mimicry provides protection to the long-nosed snake.

The biology major has taken Place’s animal mimicry class and said she has always wanted to explore the topic more because she finds it very interesting. She approached Place about working on a research project, and by combining their interests they came up with this idea and applied for the grant.

“This is my first research project as an undergrad, so obviously I will get to experience various aspects of research like the process (how is it done, written), how to cope with problems that might come up during the process and so on,” Shrestha said.

“Secondly, I will have better knowledge about the topic, and along with knowledge and experience I will have more confidence to help me in my future researches.”

Long-nose snakes are non-venomous, typically harmless snakes that exhibit a body color pattern strikingly similar to the western coral snake. These snakes live in the desert southwest of the United States.

Shrestha and Place hypothesize that if avian predators avoid coral snake patterns, that the long-nosed snake models will have fewer talon and beak impressions than the solid brown control models.

“When birds or mammals attack the clay models their beak, talon and tooth marks are left behind as a record for Angeela to determine what animal attacked which models,” Place said.

“If our hypothesis is supported we will see more avian attacks on the brown models than the long-nose snake models.”

If the long-nose snake models are depredated on less than the brown control snakes a second series of experiments will be undertaken to rule out decreased predation due to disruptive coloration. The same models will be placed on white paper background and on a natural background. If the birds are truly avoiding the color pattern, models on the white background will not be attacked.

Fifty replicas of each type of snake will be used and checked on every four days. After recording data, the models will be moved to another location.

Shrestha was involved in writing portions of this grant proposal and read several key papers in order to make valuable suggestions in designing the experimental protocol. She will deploy the models and collect the data on the depredated models. Following data collection, she will assist with the data analysis and manuscript preparation.

“The skills she will learn while undertaking this project that includes designing the experiment, collecting data in the field and writing, will be invaluable in her future career,” Place said.

Place thinks that Shrestha’s experience is far better since she has participated in the project from inception to publication.

Place said Shrestha is the first one at the university to get the Research Experience for Undergrad grant to complete the research.

“I would encourage other students to apply for the grant so that we would have more research opportunities within the university,” Shrestha said.

“I think research opportunities help our university stand out.”

Upon graduation, Shrestha intends to pursue a career related to wildlife conservation and management. 

For more information about the Research Experience for Undergrad grant, visit www.okepscor.org.

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Free hamburgers and hotdogs will be available for students. They also will have a chance to win up to $120 in a volleyball match. The runner-up team will take home $80. Volleyball game sign up ends at 1:15 p.m. that day

More activities including a slip and slide, dunk tank, paint twister, tug of war, water balloon toss, sack race, three-legged race and a wheel barrow race will be set up on the square for student participation. Also, the National Guard will bring a rock wall, jumper and obstacle course.

This year the Student Government has more than $600 to offer in prizes. Gift cards to various stores in town will be given during a drawing.

T-shirts are still available in the Northwestern Business Office for $10 per shirt.

Contact Kaylyn Hansen, director of student life and counseling, with questions about Bahama Breakaway at (580) 327-8439 or klhansen@nwosu.edu.

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The public is invited to attend all of Brown’s events.

From 10-11 a.m., Brown will present a workshop in the Alabaster Room of Vinson Hall. This presentation is available to Northwestern students.

At 3 p.m., Brown will lead a writer’s roundtable discussion in Vinson Hall, room 200.

The Alva Public Library, 504 7th St., is sponsoring Brown’s poetry reading from 7-9 p.m. There will be a Q-and-A session following the reading. Refreshments will be served, and autographed books will be available for purchase.

Brown has published eight books, most recently “Karma Crisis: New and Selected Poems.” His book “Two Tables Over” won the prestigious 2009 Oklahoma Book Award for Poetry given by Oklahoma Center for the Book.

For more information about the event, contact Dr. Amy Hall, assistant professor of English, at (580) 327-8428 or amhall@nwosu.edu.

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University social work faculty and students recently attended the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) 37th Annual Oklahoma State Conference held at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Continuing Education.

This year’s conference theme was “Resiliency, Weaving, and Advocacy.” Northwestern was represented by social work majors, as well as Kylene Rehder, social work program director and chair of the department of social work, and Casie Brittain, social work interim director of field education.

Students in attendance included social work seniors Crystal Bryant, Stillwater; Lacey Vaughan, Lamont; and Jason Thompson, Woodward.

The keynote address was presented by Dr. Jeane W. Anastas, president of NASW. During the conference, social work practitioners and students had the opportunity to attend more than 20 different workshops covering topics such as suicide prevention, addressing needs of Latino immigrant families, Medicaid, health literacy, self-care, narrative therapy, social work ethics, disaster preparedness and response, moral injury, working with veterans and social work licensure requirements and policy updates.

Sharolyn Wallace, NASW-OK president, presented Northwestern student Vaughan with the Undergraduate Student of the Year Award.

To learn more about Northwestern’s Department of Social Work, contact Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.

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In an awards ceremony honoring Northwestern Oklahoma State University sophomores, 36 were inducted into the Red and Black Scroll honor society.  New Red and Black Scroll members pose for a photo after the ceremony (back row, from left) Aaron Pierce, Jeremiah Campbell, Jennifer Hilgeman, Kevin Charmasson, Blake Williams, Raymond Purdom, III, Bailey Craig, Taylor Robinson, Amber McGee, (middle row) Jugmen Sherpa, Linsey Mattheyer, Staci Stewart, Emily Eaton, Wendi Ridings, Amy Mikles, Madison Bird, Darcey Kliewer, Kassea Sander, Elizabeth Guffy, Kaitlyn O’Toole, Emily Witty, Sarah Witty, Courtney Herian, Janaki Shrestha, Tomoyo Inoue, Bimala Gurung, (Front row) Dr. Sheila Brintnall, Shelby Carpenter, president; Natalie Malone, vice president; Laura Haftman, secretary/treasurer; Tatum Hansen, reporter/historian; and Dena Walker.  Chelsay Adams, Taylor Bates, Jackson Cunningham, Teris Dangol, Harold Henson and Hayden Pearce are not pictured. 

Thirty-six sophomores at Northwestern Oklahoma State University recently were initiated into the Red and Black Scroll honor society during a ceremony in the Student Center Wyatt Room.

Red and Black Scroll recognizes outstanding scholarship and service among sophomore students at Northwestern. Requirements for membership include completion of 40-59 hours of college credit, a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, participation in two or more campus organizations or activities, attendance at Northwestern for at least two semesters and non-failure of a college course.

Sponsors are Dena Walker, instructor of mathematics, and Dr. Sheila Brintnall, professor of mathematics.

This year’s inductees include Chelsay Adams, Woodward; Taylor Bates, Gage; Madison Bird, Alva; Jeremiah Campbell, Beaver; Shelby Carpenter, Newkirk; Kevin Charmasson, Woodward; Bailey Craig, Kremlin; Jackson Cunningham, Vici; Teris Dangol, Kathmandu (Nepal); Emily Eaton, Calumet; Elizabeth Guffy, Alva; Bimala Gurung, Kaski (Nepal); Laura Haftman, Oklahoma City; Tatum Hansen, Beaver; Harold Henson, Alva; Courtney Herian, Thornton (Colo.); Jennifer Hilgeman, Beaverton (Ore.); Tomoyo Inoue, Kyoto (Japan); Darcey
Kliewer, Thomas; Natalie Malone, Valley Center (Kan.); Linsey Mattheyer, Chandler; Amber McGee, Dover; Amy Mikles, Turpin; Kaitlyn O’Toole, Watauga (Texas); Hayden Pearce, Kim (Colo.); Aaron Pierce, Enid; Raymond Purdom III, Haskell; Wendi Ridings, Fort Supply; Taylor Robinson, Hardtner (Kan.); Kassea Sander, Seiling; Jugmen Sherpa, Kathmandu (Nepal); Janaki Shrestha, Kavre (Nepal); Staci Stewart, Kiowa (Kan.); Blake Williams, Beaver, and Sarah and Emily Witty of Mustang.

Red and Black Scroll officers were elected the same evening. New officers are: Shelby Carpenter, president; Natalie Malone, vice president; Laura Haftman, secretary/treasurer; and Tatum Hansen, reporter/historian.

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