2024 Northwestern Outstanding Seniors, Other Awards to be Presented in April 27 Ceremony
April 25, 2024
Northwestern's Outstanding Seniors from the 2023-24 graduating class.
Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association Release
Twelve Northwestern Oklahoma State University students have been selected as the 2024 Outstanding Seniors and will be honored along with other award recipients at the 2024 Northwestern Alumni Spring Reunion Saturday, April 27. (See schedule of events below.)
This year’s Outstanding Seniors include Alex Baxter, Shaylee Beck, Archer Bohlen, Jillian Bouse, Jadyn Budig, Tabor Budy, Jonas Decker, Abigail Gregory, Draven Hidalgo, Nahi Ramirez, Austin Rankin and Rebecca Wagner.
This award honors outstanding graduating seniors and is sponsored by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association. Recipients must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, have completed at least 60 credit hours at Northwestern, have never been subject to academic or disciplinary action, have been involved in campus and/or community activities, and show promise of future achievement.
2024 Outstanding Seniors
Alex Baxter, a native of Moore, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Sports Science.
Baxter was on the President’s and Vice President’s Honor Rolls and was a starting Tight End on the Northwestern Football Team. For the last year, Alex has been a personal trainer at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center.
Shaylee Beck, a native of White Deer, Texas, graduated magna cum laude last December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Sports Science.
Beck was part of the women’s track and field team where she was named a Great American Conference Academic Scholar Athlete. In May, she will start her graduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Arkansas.
Archer Bohlen, a native of Ringwood, Okla., will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in May.
Bohlen has been an active member in eight different student organizations and served as an officer in two of these. He has also been a part of six plays, one of which he was the lead. In 2022-2023 he was chosen for the Castle Player Award for the best male lead.
Jillian Bouse, a native of Woodward, Okla., and third generation Ranger, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in May.
Bouse has been on the President’s and Vice President’s Honor Rolls and a member of numerous student organizations, including Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors. She also played three seasons on the women’s softball team. This fall she will begin Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
Jayden Budig, a native of Shattuck, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry.
Budig was a member of several student organizations, including the President’s Leadership Class, Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors and Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. She has served as president of several student-led organizations. Budig intends to pursue a career in Optometry.
Tabor Budy, a native of Waynoka, Okla., graduated Magna Cum Laude in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.
Budy was a member of several student organizations, including the President’s Leadership Class, Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors and Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. Budy has worked on the family farm since 2008 and plans to continue to work as a full-time farmer and rancher after graduation.
Jonas Decker, a native of Meno, Okla., graduated Summa Cum Laude in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.
Decker remained on the President’s Honor roll his entire collegiate career and was inducted into the Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. Decker is also a versatile athlete who became a Women’s Basketball Practice Team Player. He also led his team to the Intramural Football Championship. Since graduation, Decker has started work on his Master of Business Administration degree.
Abigail Gregory, a native of Tupelo, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education.
Gregory was a member of Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association, Conserving our Ranger Environment and the Woodward Leadership Advisory Board where she served as President. Gregory has started her Master of Science in School Counseling with an expected graduation date of 2027.
Draven Hidalgo, a native of Hooker, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Music.
Hidalgo has been on the Vice President’s Honor Roll; a member of the cross-country team, University Singers and Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors; and participated in numerous theatre events. One of his achievements occurred while working in the Northwestern University Relations office. In the summer of 2023, Hidalgo moved a decade of university pictures onto the University’s Flicker account.
Nahi Ramirez, a native of Enid, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
Ramirez has been on the President’s and Vice President’s Honor Rolls and a member of numerous student organizations including Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association where she has served as Chapter Secretary, Vice-President and President. Ramirez is a first-generation college student and a first-generation American who went to school as an English Language Learner.
Austin Rankin, a native of Waynoka, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Rankin has been on the President’s and Vice President’s Honor Rolls and served as a member and leader of numerous student organizations, including the President’s Leadership Class, Student Government Association, Red and Black Scroll Honor Society and a Newman Civic Fellow. One of his most dramatic achievements was serving as Camp Ranger Director where he more than doubled the number of participants over a three-year period.
Rebecca Wagner, a native of Pawnee, Okla., will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication. Rebecca has been on the President’s and Vice President’s Honor Rolls, Red and Black Scroll Honor Society, Ranger cheerleading team, and a member of the Northwestern Newspaper staff. Wagner has also served as the Student Director of the Ranger Communication, a student run public relations agency.
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Other Award Recipients:
The deSERVING Ranger Award – Ashley Garner
The deSERVING Ranger Award is designed to recognize an outstanding Northwestern Oklahoma State University student serving within the Northwestern communities and campuses. Nominees demonstrate a dedication to service and a sense of responsibility to the Northwestern Student Learning and Civic Engagement vision, serve as community service models for other students, possess exceptional leadership and organizational skills, and exhibit a consistent work ethic and availability.
Dr. Joe Dollins Merit Award – Shayna Miller
This award is given in honor of Dr. Joe Dollins who served as a Northwestern faculty member from 1946-1948 and 1957-1970. It is given annually to a student who has completed the student teaching professional semester. Selection is made on cumulative grade point average and promise of future achievement in the field of education.
John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award – Dr. Mindi Clark
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Government Association honors the memory and ideals of Dr. John Sheffield in annually making this award. The recipient must show genuine enthusiasm for people, courage to give of self to others, and faith to trust in his or her honored profession.
John Ted Meier Student Teaching Award – Chase McCurley
This award is made annually to a student completing requirements for the teaching certificate. Criteria for selection include fairness, empathy for all students, a sense of humor and academic achievement.
Sara L. Bosworth and Mary DeLisle Scholarship – Abigail Gregory
Sarah L. Bosworth and Mary DeLisle were the first two teachers at Northwestern Normal School. This scholarship, in their names, provides monetary support for teacher candidates in their professional semester of student teaching.
T.C. Carter Award – Jonas Decker, Kynsey Dixon, Henrique Jun Koyoma Date, Shayna Miller, Anna Motycka and Juliana Murray
This award is named in honor of Dr. Thomas C. Carter, chairman of the Biology Department from 1916 until his retirement in 1952. It is presented to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.
John F. Kennedy Award – Jillian Bouse
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Government Association honors the memory of John F. Kennedy by annually presenting this award. The recipient must serve the university, community and country; display school spirit; promote the university; possess leadership; participate in organizations; and strive for academic betterment and achievement.
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Saturday's Schedule of Events
2:30 – 4:00 pm…………Campus Tours, begin in Food Court, Student Center Museum of Natural History and McKeever School open until 4:00 p.m.
4:00 pm…………………President’s Reception, Ballroom, Student Center Classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1999, 2014 and 2019 and the 2024 Outstanding Graduates
4:30 pm…………………Pinning Ceremony, Ballroom, Student Center with 5, 10, 25, 50, 60 and 70-year Anniversary Graduates
5:00 pm…………………Senior Awards Presentations, Ranger Room, Student Center
6:00 pm…………………Alumni Banquet, Percefull Fieldhouse The program includes the Outstanding Graduate awards, recognition of our honored classes and music by the University Singers.