2025 Northwestern Outstanding Seniors, Other Awards Announced
(ALVA, Okla., April 25, 2025) – Twenty Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have been selected as the 2025 Outstanding Seniors, and several other individuals have been named various award recipients. All awards will be presented at a special award ceremony Saturday, April 26, at 5 p.m. in the Student Center during the annual Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Reunion activities.
This year’s Outstanding Seniors include Hannah Appleton, Madeline Atchley, Brianna Brantley, Sagelyn Budy, Brittan Crabtree, Cooper Frymire, Samuel Grinder, Diamond Hilton, Addie Hoeme, Averie Larson, Abigail Meyer, Gracie Myatt, Tara Owen, Krystan Pierce, Madeline Rankin, Azucena Riley, Emily Smith, Jordyn Tucker, Noah Voth and Lindie Williams.
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.
2025 Outstanding Seniors
Hannah Appleton, a native of Drummond, graduated Summa Cum Laude in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Sports Science.
Appleton has been a Student Government Association member, a member of the Women’s Track and Field Team and a member of the University Marching and Concert bands. She plans to become a middle school teacher and coach.
Madeline Atchley, a native of Enid, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
Atchley transferred to Northwestern after completing her Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) – Enid. Along with other activities, she served as Northwestern’s Chapter president of Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association.
Brianna Brantley, a native of Amarillo, Texas, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Brantley was a Great American Conference (GAC) Academic All-American all four years. She served as captain of the Track and Field team, received the GAC Scholar Academic Award in 2024, and was a GAC Track and Field Conference Champion in 2022. Brantley also served as the historian for the Student Nurses Association.
Sagelyn Budy, a graduate of Waynoka High School, graduated in December as Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Budy has been involved in Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors, Aggie Club, Northwestern Baptist College Ministries and the Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. Budy also earned a minor in mass communication, which she uses daily as she delivers her own local ag report titled “The Farm Girl” on KALV radio. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Adult Education Management and Administration.
Brittan Crabtree, a graduate of Chisholm High School in Enid, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Crabtree is an active member of the Student Nurses Association, serving as the SNA vice president. In 2024, she completed an evidence-based practice project titled “Enhancing Pediatric Comfort: The Role of Virtual Reality During Medical Procedures,” which she presented with her student team at the Oklahoma Research Day. Crabtree has been accepted for a position as a registered nurse at the OU Health Cardiac Intensive Care Unit starting in June of 2025.
Cooper Frymire, a native of Thomas, will graduate in May with bachelor’s degree in Health and Sports Science.
Frymire was a member of the Cross Country team. He also has been a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador, Chemistry Club member and active in the Baptist College Ministries. Frymire intends to pursue a career as a radiology technician.
Samuel Grinder, a native of Sayre, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music.
Grinder has sung in all three university choirs, played guitar in the jazz ensemble, and played starring roles in multiple theatre productions. He also served as the logistics coordinator and eventually team leader for the Choral Leadership team. Upon graduation, Grinder has been accepted into the University of Central Oklahoma’s (UCO) Conducting and Vocal Pedagogy Master’s program.
Diamond Hilton, a native of Sapulpa, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Hilton has been a GAC Academic All-American all four years as a member of the Track and Field team. In 2024, she was selected as the Ranger Homecoming Queen. She is the first person in her family to attend college. After graduation, Hilton intends to pursue additional education and eventually become a psychiatrist.
Addie Hoeme, a native of Pratt Kansas, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Hoeme was named an Academic GAC All-American in 2024. She was a member of the Women’s Cross-Country team as well as the Women’s Track and Field team. She has also been a National Scholar Ambassador and Student Government Association member. After graduation, Hoeme intends to pursue a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition.
Averie Larson, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
Larson is a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador and a member of the Women’s Golf Team. She has presented multiple times at several events, demonstrating her collegiate research on Iodine Distribution and Concentration in Western Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma has accepted Larson to the Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering for the fall of 2025.
Abigail Meyer, a native of Blue Hill, Nebraska, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Education.
Meyer is an Aggie Club Member, a member of Oklahoma Aspiring Teachers Educators and a member of both the Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Track and Field teams. As a member of the National FFA organization, she has served as Chapter Treasurer and Chapter President.
Gracie Myatt, a native of Piedmont, graduated Summa Cum Laude in December with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Myatt has been a member of the President’s Leadership Class, a Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors and a member of the Northwestern Volleyball team. She also served as a tutor for students in the subjects of biology, zoology and general science classes. Myatt intends to pursue an advanced degree in medicine.
Tara Owen, a native of Alva, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication.
Owen is a Red and Black Scroll Honor Society member and a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador. She also has served on the Northwestern Cheer team and the Northwestern News staff. Owen excelled as one of the news anchors on Northwestern’s own television station – NWTV7.
Krystan Pierce, a native of Fargo, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Pierce has completed the last four years of school as a non-traditional student with the additional responsibilities of being a parent. She has already been accepted into the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Oklahoma.
Madeline Rankin, a graduate of Laverne High School, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
Rankin has served as a Resident Hall Supervisor, Student Government Association member and was elected as the SGA Secretary. Upon graduation, she hopes to secure a teaching position in the Alva Public Schools.
Azucena Riley graduated in December – Magna Cum Laude – with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Riley was a Miss Northwestern contestant and served as the Delta Mu Delta secretary. She has also served as secretary and vice president of the Ranger Business Club. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Northwestern and is anticipated to graduate at the top of her class.
Emily Smith, a native of Holdenville, graduated in December – Cum Laude – with a Bachelor of Music Education.
Smith was active in track, choir, and theatre throughout her collegiate career. In 2023, she was chosen as Miss Northwestern and represented her university at the Miss Oklahoma contest. Smith is currently serving as an elementary teacher in Moore.
Jordyn Tucker, a native of Johnson, Kansas, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Tucker is a member of the Women’s Track and Field team and a GAC Distinguished Scholar. She has been selected for Northwestern’s All-Conference Team every year to date. Tucker has been accepted to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School for the fall of 2025.
Noah Voth, a native of Enid, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science Education.
Voth was a member of the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) and then served as a President’s Leadership Class mentor. He also has been a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador and a member of the Northwestern University Singers, University Chorale and the Northwestern Community Choir. Voth plans a career in education.
Lindie Williams, a graduate of Fort Supply High School, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Williams was a member of PLC, as well as a Red and Black Scroll Honor Society member. She is also a member of this year’s Northwestern Leadership Class. After graduation, Williams will accept an internship at CF Industries in its research lab.
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Other Award Recipients:
The deSERVING Ranger Award – Krystan Pierce
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 – Aubry Rose
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.
Outstanding Psychology Student of the Year Award – Isabella Bouse (Alva), April Martinez (Woodward) and Adriana Quezada (Enid)
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in psychology. Established in 1991 by the Northwestern Psychology Club, the criteria for selection includes grade point average, field- related activities, classroom participation and potential of continued success.
John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award – Dr. Jenny Sattler, Professor Physics and Chair of the Natural Science Department
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Government Association honors the memory and ideals of Dr. John Sheffield by 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 – Emily Smith
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 – Noah Voth
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 – Kimberly Boles, Madison Buckley, Brittan Crabtree, Elizabeth Denney, Leslie Hernandez, Delaney Lambert and Aubry Rose
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 – Emily Smith
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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