Inaugural Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program Applications Open Until Oct. 31

October 10, 2025

Donovan Reichenberger, Northwestern Oklahoma State University alumnus, faculty and benefactor.

ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University students will be able to step out of the classroom and learn about American historical locations in person this spring.

Applications are now open for the inaugural Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar program. This program will provide students with real-world exposure to ideas and concepts covered in traditional classroom study via travel and first-hand experience at historic locations.

All full-time Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply; no concurrent students are eligible, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

The first session of the program is titled Ancient America: Exploring America’s Pre-Columbian History. Students will consider the rise and fall of ancient American Indian civilizations by first learning about and then visiting sites such as Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in eastern Oklahoma and Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, Missouri.

Visitors explore the interior of the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center. Photo courtesy of TravelOK.com.

Students will study and appreciate the complexity and accomplishments of ancient American Indian societies and consider why they eventually ceased to exist. Students will also gain an appreciation for the idea of conservation of historic and cultural resources and study the politics associated with the preservation of these sites.

“We are very proud and excited to announce the inauguration of the Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program,” said Dr. Aaron Mason, Northwestern professor of political science. “This program will provide an innovative and groundbreaking opportunity for Northwestern students.”

Donovan Reichenberger was born in Andale, Kansas, in 1927. He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1963, a Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He married Dorothy Reichenberger on June 6, 1958.

After his completion of military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern in 1966, as well as a master’s degree from Wichita State University in 1967. That same year he joined the ranks of Northwestern faculty, but his commitment to the university extended far beyond the classroom.

During his tenure, he would also serve as Northwestern’s Faculty Representative for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference from 1975 until his retirement in December 1992. Upon his retirement, he served as the Chairman of the Centennial Steering Committee and aided in the formation of plans for Northwestern’s 100th Anniversary.

In 1996, he and his wife created the Donovan Reichenberger Chair in History. This gift provided non-appropriated funds to benefit Northwestern’s history program. This gift, as well as he and his wife’s many other contributions to the university over the years continues to support and nurture the Northwestern Department of Social Sciences.

“We are eager to honor and recognize our generous benefactor for his many gifts to the university and secure his legacy,” said Dr. Eric Schmaltz, Northwestern Department of Social Sciences chair and professor of history.

The program will consist of two components. First, students will familiarize themselves with the chosen historical topic outside of a classroom situation. This step, which will begin this fall, will involve students reviewing online resources, reading required texts, and meeting with faculty to discuss the topic at hand.

Students must complete these requirements to be eligible for the second component. Northwestern Social Science Department faculty members overseeing the program will determine student performance at this point.

The second program component will involve travel to the sites of study in Spring 2026. This stage of the program will involve students agreeing to make the trip and to comply with all university and departmental protocols during the trip.

An aerial view of Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site near St. Louis, Missouri. Photo courtesy of CahokiaMounds.org.

Upon returning from the trip, students will also be required to compose a final written assignment on a topic designated by the faculty organizers. Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn designation as Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholars and receive a certificate to that effect. Students will then be able to incorporate this distinction into their resumes, assisting them in future academic endeavors for graduate school or employment.

In the process, the program will showcase Northwestern’s role in making possible such activities outside of the classroom, while also recognizing the Reichenbergers’ generous legacy, both to Northwestern and the wider community.

The application can be completed online at www.nwosu.edu/forms/donovan-reichenberger-legacy-scholar or is available for download on the Northwestern Social Sciences webpage at www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-sciences. Hardcopy forms can be emailed to Schmaltz at ejschmaltz@nwosu.edu. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 31, at noon.

For more information, please contact Schmaltz by email or phone at (580) 327-8526.

-NW-

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