FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    February 19, 2007

GIFT FROM MCDANIELS WILL CREATE ENDURING SYMBOL OF RANGER PRIDE

            Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s most treasured symbol – the bucking horse and its rider – is about to take on new life on campus.

            Northwestern announced today that alumnus and former president Tom McDaniel, and his wife Brenda, will underwrite the creation of a bronze statue of the horse and rider that will become a focal point of the Alva campus and an enduring symbol of Ranger pride.

            Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, made the announcement today at a luncheon honoring the McDaniels and attended by approximately 60 university and community leaders.

            The statue will be named “The Ranger.”

            “The horse and rider symbol has been the cornerstone of our ‘Ride with Pride’ campaign and characterizes the spirit and courage of northwestern Oklahomans,” Cunningham said. “This outstanding work of art will be a wonderful addition to our campus and will be a source of pride for generations of Rangers.

            “We are so pleased that Tom and Brenda McDaniel have stepped forward and supported this project,” Cunningham said. “They understand what Northwestern means to Alva and all of northwest Oklahoma and once again have graciously given back to the University.”

            Tom McDaniel is a 1960 alumnus of Northwestern and later earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was in private practice in Alva before he was appointed the administrative director of state courts in 1981. McDaniel joined Kerr-McGee in 1984, ultimately becoming vice chairman of the company and a member of its board of directors.

            After retiring from Kerr-McGee, McDaniel served as president of Northwestern from 2000 to 2001. He was named president of Oklahoma City University in 2001.

            Brenda McDaniel attended Northwestern from 1957 to 1960 before completing her degree at the University of Oklahoma. She served as alumni director at Northwestern in the 1970s, earning her master’s degree from the University in 1976.

            The McDaniels have three sons, Lance, Randy and Mark, and three grandchildren.

            Cunningham also announced at the luncheon that noted western artist Harold Holden of Kremlin has been commissioned to create the “The Ranger.”

            When completed, “The Ranger” will stand approximately 10 feet high and will be placed on a four foot base that will recognize the contributions of the McDaniels. Completion of the project is expected in the fall of 2007.

            Holden has been capturing the West in sculptures and paintings for more than 30 years. While his work can be found in the Oklahoma State Capitol and on a postage stamp, his public sculptures have kept him busy the last few years.

            His sculpture of Will Rogers on horseback can be seen at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and his piece “We Will Remember” is part of a memorial at Oklahoma State University that honors members of the basketball team killed in a place crash. Holden also is working on numerous Oklahoma Centennial projects.

-NW-

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