Northwestern Family Day set for Sept. 27; families can ‘shop for tuition’ for chance to win scholarships
September 16, 2025
Members of the Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors (left to right) Janie Rempel, a junior elementary education major from Forgan; Edna Garcia, a junior psychology major from Beaver; Kenzie Koehn, a biology graduate from Okeene; and adviser Ethan Sacket serve food at the 2024 Family Day Tailgate Party at Ranger Field. Northwestern’s annual Family Day is Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
ALVA, Okla. — Family Day at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is Saturday, Sept. 27.
The annual event, organized by students in the Northwestern Scholar Ambassador (NSA) leadership group, brings families to campus where they can take tours, purchase Ranger gear, shop for tuition scholarships, attend a Ranger football game and more.
Families are invited to visit the participating Alva merchants to “shop for tuition” where they can register for a $500, $300 or $200 tuition giveaway for the spring semester of 2026. “Shopping for Tuition” takes place from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23, through 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Families can register once per merchant location. The winning individuals will be presented with their awards during halftime of Saturday’s football game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Must be present at the game to win.
The Alva merchants participating can be found at www.nwosu.edu/family-day. Merchants and updates are added daily online. No purchase is necessary to “shop for tuition.”
If families are visiting on Wednesday, Sept. 24, there is a Ranger women’s soccer game vs Oklahoma Baptist University at 6 p.m. at the Alva Recreation Complex and on Thursday, Sept. 25, there will be a women’s volleyball game against Southern Nazarene in Percefull Fieldhouse at 6 p.m.
Current college and high school students whose parent(s) are Northwestern alumni are invited to attend a lunch Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 2 p.m. with their families in the Student Center Ranger Room, courtesy of the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association. Participants should register by Sept. 23 at ournorthwestern.org/event/family-day-raising-rangers-luncheon or by emailing sllambert@nwosu.edu.
Family Day registration is on Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Northwestern Student Center commons area. Families will receive free tickets to the football game and a chance to win additional prizes, including a prize for the family who traveled the farthest. Winners must be present at the Ranger football game to receive prizes.
The Ranger Market will be open from noon to 2 p.m. for families to buy Starbucks drinks and snacks. The bookstore will be open from noon to 4 p.m. to purchase Northwestern merchandise.
At 2 p.m. the Family Cornhole Tournament will be just outside the Student Center. Those wishing to take part can register inside the Student Center on Saturday.
A new activity this year is the Ranger Race, a town-wide scavenger hunt, on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Those wanting to participate can register in the Student Center.
Gates to Ranger Field open at 4 p.m. Families are invited to the free Tailgate Party starting at 5 p.m. on the fourth parking tier at Ranger Field. The food and drinks will be served for free thanks to Energy Transfer, who is sponsoring this year’s tailgate.
Saturday’s pre-game events will wrap up at 6 p.m. as the Northwestern Ranger football team takes on East Central University.
“Family Day is a special opportunity for students and their families to come together and participate in a variety of activities both on campus and in the community,” said Ethan Sacket, student success coordinator and Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors adviser. “We are excited for the weekend together.”
For more information, contact Sacket at egsacket@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8606.
-NW-
Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: (580) 327-8480