FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    March 13, 2008 

NORTHWESTERN WELL REPRESENTED AT HIGHER EDUCATION DAY AT THE CAPITOL

            Northwestern Oklahoma State University was well represented at the recent Higher Education Day at the State Capitol.

            The event, sponsored by the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma (HEACO), attracts hundreds of Oklahoma college students and alumni to the Capitol to provide information to lawmakers and garner support for higher education issues.

            Two representatives from Northwestern played special roles of during the event.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University student Allison Cunningham (left), Alva junior, speaks about the importance of higher education at the annual Higher Education Day at the State Capitol. Jane McDermott (above), president of the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, introduces Speaker of the House Chris Benge during Higher Education Day.

            Allison Cunningham, a junior from Alva, was selected to deliver a speech in the chamber of the House of Representatives. She spoke on the general importance of higher education.

            “Speaking at Higher Education Day gave me a chance to express my own opinions about how important higher education is to me and the benefits it provides,” Cunningham said. “It was a wonderful experience.”

            Jane McDermott of Alva, a 1977 graduate of Northwestern and president of HEACO, had the honor of introducing Speaker of the House Chris Benge, who addressed the group.

            Other students attending from Northwestern included: Sherryce Benson, Amy Hook and Chelsea Staats, Alva; Vik Desai, Hillary Starling, Jennifer Scroggins, Tyler Washmon and Stephanie Widick, Woodward; Amy Lowe and Carolyn Wagner, Enid; Heather Gottsch, Medford; Krysten Mayfield, Mooreland; April Miranda, Gage; Tye Parr, Washington; and Christy Wallace, Aline.

            Also attending from Northwestern were: Dr. Janet Cunningham, president; Dr. Steve Lohmann, executive vice president; David Pecha, vice president for administration; Steve Valencia, associate vice president for university relations; Brad Franz, dean of student affairs and enrollment management; Dr. Cheryl Evans, dean of the Enid campus; and Dr. Deena Fisher, dean of the Woodward campus.

            Richard Ryerson of Alva, a regent of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, also attended the event.

-NW-

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