Former Ranger Quarterback to Deliver Fall 2025 Commencement Address

November 14, 2025

Northwestern alumnus Thad Dilbeck will deliver the commencement address Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2:30 p.m. in Percefull Fieldhouse.

ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University alumnus Thad Dilbeck will deliver the commencement address at his alma mater during the University’s fall commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2:30 p.m. in Percefull Fieldhouse.

Dilbeck played quarterback and wide receiver for the Ranger football team, playing on two Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC) Champion teams in 1986 and 1989. His favorite memories are spending time with his friends and teammates in Ament Hall. Those memories made profound impact on Dilbeck, along with his football coaches at Northwestern.

“Lee Brower taught me the value of hard work and preparedness,” Dilbeck said. “(Dr.) Steve Lohmann taught me tenacity, focus and intensity. My teammates taught me how to be a good teammate and good friend.”

As a player for the Rangers, Dilbeck earned OIC Player of the Week along with All Conference and All-Academic Team honors. In addition to his role on the football team, he was also a member of Phi Beta Lambda and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Dilbeck earned two degrees from Northwestern, an educational foundation that has led to a career of over 25 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration degree in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in 1994. He also served as the head coach for the Northwestern Men’s and Women’s track team in 1995.

Dilbeck graduated with a Master of Education in Education Leadership degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2010.

Dilbeck is originally from Pawhuska, which is where he currently resides, and serves as Executive Director of Activities and Athletics for Bartlesville Public Schools. In 2020, he earned the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) 6A East Athletic Director Newcomer of the Year.

He is also currently the secretary for the Oklahoma Frontier Valley Conference and serves on the board of Bartlesville Sports Commission. He is a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the Oklahoma Coaches Association and OIAAA.

Dilbeck is a trustee of the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association and a member of its governance committee.

A livestream link for the commencement exercises can be found on the Northwestern Athletics YouTube Channel.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: (580) 327-8480