- 30-year service recognition: Dr. David Pecha, vice president for administration; and Debbie Skinner, administrative assistant to the executive vice president.
Kaylyn Hansen, who also serves as service learning coordinator, presented service learning awards on behalf of the SL/CE committee. Those being honored include:
- Greatest Student Involvement Award: Dr. Steven Palmer, professor of business — given to an employee who had the greatest student involvement in a project. Students performed social responsibility audits of for-profit businesses and volunteered eight hours of service to non-profit organizations or government entities.
- Greatest Community Impact Award: Dr. Martie Young, professor of education — given to the faculty or staff whose project impacted their community through beautification, culture, sustainability or other areas that put a community’s need first. Students hosted all classes from the Fowler Early Childhood Center for an afternoon of entertainment and learning. The teachers and staff got a much-deserved break for the afternoon.
- Distinguished Service Award: Kirk Rogers, instructor of criminal justice — given to an employee whose commitment to service sets a high standard in Service Learning while promoting the meaning of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. Students in the criminal justice internship course conducted 48 hours of job shadowing with law enforcement officers from the Woods County Sheriff’s Office in Alva and the Northwestern Police Departments.
- Most Inventive Project: Dr. Mariann Braten-Hall, assistant professor of education– given to a faculty or staff member who had a unique, creative project. Northwestern faculty and candidates worked with community schools to organize a Story Walk for young learners. The story walk this year was inside the Northwestern-Enid commons. Each candidate read and acted out one page of “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle.
- Applaud Award: Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association — given to a club/organization that shows the greatest overall effort, participation and hard work. The Thank-A-Thon is an event where students write thank you cards and make phone calls to donors, thanking them for their generosity to Northwestern.
- Most Expressive Award: Olivia Yandel, J.R. Holder Wellness Center director, along with students in her Ranger Connection class — given to a club/organization that had a unique project/event. Students held penny wars for one month around campus, then had a fundraiser where students on campus could pay $1 to egg a student in the class on the head. With the money raised, they went to Walmart to pick out presents for children. The class delivered them to Northwest Family Services and Toys for Tots.
- perSERVEring Ranger Award: Dr. Steven Mackie, professor of education, along with the student organization Conserving Our Ranger Environment (C.O.R.E) — given to an organization for its extraordinary service and serving in multiple community service projects throughout the year. The CORE organization volunteered for numerous community service projects including Recycling Enid, and Campus Beautification Day.
Dr. Roger Brown, associate professor of business, presented Diversity Initiative recognitions to Dr. Courtney Ballina, assistant professor and director of the doctor of nursing practice program; Angelia Case, academic projects assistant/media specialist; Lindsey Cherry, instructor of English and English education program coordinator; Dr. Leslie Collins, associate professor of nursing and assistant chair of the Charles Morton Share Trust division of nursing; Douglas Davidson, research and instructional services librarian and assistant professor of library science; Juanita Dotson, director of Upward Bound; Dr. Jason Ferrell, assistant professor and chair of the psychology department; Shawna Gilbert, access services librarian and assistant professor of library science; Kyle Larson, associate professor of art; Jeff McAlpin, instructor of sociology/criminal justice and BJCC administrative director; Megan Patel, assistant director of athletics for compliance and student services; Dr. Joseph Paul, associate professor of business; Dr. Eric Schmaltz, professor of history and chair of the department of social sciences; Dr. John Stockmyer, professor of business; Dr. Robert Vest, assistant professor of Spanish; and James.
Dr. James Bell, associate vice president for academics and dean of faculty, presented Retention and Enrollment awards to Dr. Luis Antunes, assistant professor of mass communication; Tamara Brown, communication department chair and assistant professor of speech; Sarah Fry, instructor of criminal justice and sociology; Shane Hansen, health and sports science department chair and instructor of health and sports science; Dr. Josh Hawkins, assistant professor of education; Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager; Shannon Leaper, library services director and assistant professor of library and information science; Dr. Karsten Longhurst, director of choral studies and assistant professor of music; Dr. Steven Maier, natural science department chair and professor of physics; Allissa Miller, instructor of psychology; Dr. Kylene Rehder, social work department chair and professor of social work; Dr. Mary Riegel, associate professor of mathematics; Collins, James, Roark and Scarbrough.
Keenan presented highlights of happenings from her office for the past year including the fact that nearly $1.5 million in grants were funded this past year, down from the $2.9 million in grants awarded the previous year.
Several employees also were recognized during the ceremony for their service to the Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Professional Staff Council.