18 Incoming Freshmen Selected for 2025-2026 Northwestern President’s Leadership Class

June 25, 2025

The Northwestern Oklahoma State University President’s Leadership Class (PLC) will welcome 18 new members this fall.

PLC is a leadership development program led by Dr. Bo Hannaford, university president. The program seeks to develop leadership skills in students who have compiled exemplary records of academic success and participation in high school activities. Graduates of the program are expected to assume leadership roles on campus during their time at Northwestern.

Students selected for this year’s Northwestern President’s Leadership Class include:

Jordan Banuelos, a computer science major from Thomas

Kate Bentley, an elementary education major from Pond Creek

Jax Bernard, a health and sports science education major from Fairview

Danyel Cato, a biology major from Waynoka

Channing Dillinger, an agriculture major from Hugoton, Kansas

Ryann Eastes, an elementary education major from Pratt, Kansas

Abbey Elam, a mass communication major from Shattuck

Marissa Finley, a marketing major from Wichita, Kansas

Cambell Gaisford, an accounting major from Alva

Delphia Howell, an agriculture education major from Edmond

Kaden Lambert, an accounting major from Alva

Boden Miller, an entrepreneurship major from Fairview

Lauren Nelson, an education major from Meno

Kade Parker, an undecided major from Alva

Nik Ramos, a computer science major from Enid

Raegan Snider, an undecided major from Kingfisher

Alexis Thompson, a pre-nursing major from Wichita, Kansas

Harlie Williams, an early childhood education major from May

Selection to the PLC is through a competitive process including applications, letters of recommendation and an interview on the Northwestern-Alva campus.

The students will begin their year-long adventure July 26-30 with a trip to Dallas, Texas. Activities during the five-day trip include guided tours of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, The National Medal of Honor Museum and AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The group will also attend a baseball game at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.

Hannaford is excited to welcome this new class to Northwestern and guide them as leaders through their first year. He said this trip is a great opportunity for the incoming class to not only learn, but get to know one another and create relationships before the academic year.

The first PLC class began in the fall 2001 with assistance from the Presidential Partners. In 2007, Presidential Partners was renamed The President’s Association. Moving toward a more long-term investment, the President’s Association was changed to the Northwestern Leadership Trust in 2020, which is an endowment program to better serve the needs of the students.

Class members participate in leadership activities and assist the president and staff in hosting dignitaries on campus and in selected recruitment activities.

To learn more about this program, visit www.nwosu.edu/plc.

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
sjdoherty@nwosu.edu | 580-327-8480