Northwestern Honors Employees During 2025 Recognition Ceremony
November 14, 2025
ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s employees were honored during the annual Employee Service Recognition Ceremonies Nov. 11-12. Ceremonies took place in Alva and Enid to honor employees who work at Alva, Enid and Woodward campus locations.
Dr. Garrett Lahr, chair of the Northwestern Division of Business and assistant professor of business, received the John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service Award.
Dr. Garrett Lahr (left) was presented with this year’s John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service Award by Dr. James Bell (right).
This award was presented on behalf of Barton by Dr. James Bell, Northwestern vice president for academic affairs. The purpose of the award is to honor a faculty member who embodies Barton’s examples of service, distinguished teaching and administrative leadership to Northwestern along with local, state and national organizations.
Nominations for the award are made by faculty, staff and students, then the recipient is determined by a selection committee. To be selected, the recipient must be a full-time faculty member at Northwestern.
Sue Marker, financial aid assistant director, received the Thelma Crouch Staff Employee of the Year Award. Marker has worked for Northwestern for 17 years, including in the custodial department and the Upward Bound program before her current position in the Financial Aid office.
Sue Marker (left) was presented with this year’s Thelma Crouch Staff Employee of the Year Award by Dr. David Pecha (right).
“(Marker) in her nomination letter, was highlighted as an employee that goes above and beyond to help students,” said. Dr. David Pecha, Northwestern executive vice president, who presented the award on behalf of Crouch. “She can often be seen in the office working on trying to keep up with the ever-changing laws from Washington, D.C., and is the go-to person for answers concerning financial aid questions.”
Thelma Crouch Staff Employee of the Year Award winner Sue Marker (left) was joined at the 2025 Northwestern Employee Recognition Ceremony by her husband Earl Marker (right) on Nov. 11 at the Northwestern-Alva campus.
This award was established to recognize exceptional performance and/or service by a member of the Northwestern staff. The recipient of this award shows dedication to Northwestern and its students. The Student Government Association accepts nominations for this award and then determines the recipient.
Dr. Steven Maier, dean of faculty, presented the fourth annual outstanding adjunct faculty member award to Lindsey Nighswonger, who serves in the Northwestern Division of Nursing.
Lindsey Nighswonger is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Adjunct Faculty member award.
“From classroom facilitator to leading course labs and clinical experiences, (Nighswonger) has consistently demonstrated excellence and dedication, being instrumental in the successes of her students and in forging new partnerships for Northwestern and the division she serves,” Maier said. “She continues to blossom and grow professionally as an educator who embodies kindness, compassion, depth of knowledge, commitment and respect in her interactions with students, patients and colleagues. Her dependability and ever-increasing proficiency in her various teaching roles is a testament to her commitment to learning and professional growth for all.”
Employees who were honored for their years of service are listed by name and job title:
Northwestern’s five-year service award recipients are (back row, left to right) Kelsey Martin, Jack Staats, Dr. Mark Zadorozny, Victoriano Muniz Mendoza (front row, left to right) Dr. KeEra Byrd, Miranda Gilliland, Kennedy Dietz and Dr. Jonathan Thomason. Not pictured: Rachael Hopkins.
Five-year service recognition: Dr. KeEra Byrd, assistant professor of nursing; Kennedy Dietz, Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association marketing and communications manager; Miranda Gilliland, maintenance; Rachael Hopkins, Northwestern-Woodward campus coordinator; Kelsey Martin, director of marketing and university relations; Victoriano Muniz Mendoza, maintenance; Jack Staats, instructor of agriculture; Dr. Jonathan Thomason, dean of Northwestern-Woodward campus; and Dr. Mark Zadorozny, assistant professor of health and sports science education.
Northwestern’s 10-year service award recipients are (back row, left to right) Dr. Jesse Schroeder and Evan Vaverka, (front row, left to right) Dr Kaylene Armstrong, Keith Wear, Julie Lehr and Dr. Olivia Yandel. Not pictured: Chuck Korff.
10-year service recognition: Dr. Kaylene Armstrong, professor of mass communication; Dr. Mariann Braten-Hall, associate professor of education; Charles Korff, groundskeeper; Julie Lehr, Northwestern LASSO academic adviser and student coach; Dr. Jesse Schroeder, assistant professor of communication; Evan Vaverka, instructor of computer science; Keith Wear, assistant athletic director for student-athlete health; and Dr. Olivia Yandel, director of the J.R. Holder Wellness Center.
Northwestern’s 15-year service award recipients are Dr. Mindi Clark (left), Dr. Leslie Collins (center) and Mistie Kline (right).
15-year service recognition: Dr. Mindi Clark, professor of agriculture; Dr. Leslie Collins, chair of the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing and professor of nursing; and Mistie Kline, lecturer of psychology.
Northwestern’s 20-year service award recipients are (left to right) Skeeter Bird, Dr. Eric Schmaltz, Jake Boedecker and Dr. Kylene Rehder.
20-year service recognition: Allen “Skeeter” Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the Northwestern Foundation; Jake Boedecker, director of online services; Anthony “AJ” Johnson, lead custodian for the Northwestern-Enid campus; Dr. Kylene Rehder, chair of the Northwestern Department of Social Work and professor of social work; and Dr. Eric Schmaltz, chair of the Northwestern Department of Social Sciences and professor of history.
Eric Tutwiler (right) receives his 25-year service award from Northwestern President Dr. Bo Hannaford (left).
25-year service recognition: Eric Tutwiler, maintenance.
Northwestern’s 30-year service award recipients are Dean Kilgore (left) and Dr. Venkata Moorthy (right).
30-year-service recognition: Dean Kilgore, maintenance, and Dr. Venkata Moorthy, professor of biology.
Northwestern’s 35-year service award recipients are Angelia Case (left) and Dr. Roger Hardaway (right).
35-year service recognition: Angelia Case, academic projects assistant and media specialist, and Dr. Roger Hardaway, professor of history.
Calleb Mosburg, Northwestern vice president for student services and enrollment management, presented service learning awards on behalf of Kaylyn Hansen, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness and academic support, and the Service Learning/Civic Engagement committee.
Those being honored include:
Greatest Student Involvement Award: Xan Perkins, instructor of instrumental music, and the director of Northwestern University Band - given to employees who had the greatest student involvement in a project. The students in University Band prepared and performed 45 minutes of music for an audience of Northwestern students, faculty, staff, administration, and members from the local Alva community as well as several of the surrounding communities. This event, like almost all of the concerts, are open to the public and free to attend.
Greatest Community Impact Award: Dr. Roger Brown, professor of business, and the Business, Society and Government class - given to the faculty or staff member whose project impacted their community through beautification, culture, sustainability or other area’s that put a community’s need first. Students enrolled in the class must volunteer at least five hours of their time working for a non-profit organization or governmental agency that provides services to the community. Students volunteered at: Altus Pets for Life; Bridge2Hope; Forest Home Christian Camp; Marland's Place Foster Care; Northside Inter-Community Agency, Inc.; Nutrition and Senior Citizen Center of Alva; Tornado Alley Bulldog Rescue; the Alva Wesleyan Church Food Bank, and the YMCA. One student volunteered in the construction of a recording studio for a community center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Mindi Clark and the General Horticulture class - 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. The horticulture class worked with students and staff on the Northwestern campus to grow and provide the plants for Campus Beautification. The class also worked with Susan Holliday, Oklahoma State University Extension Educator, to grow plants for the Alva Community Garden.
Applaud Award: Northwestern Department of Social Work, “Primp for Prom” - given to a club/organization that shows the greatest overall effort, participation and hard work. Primp for Prom is an annual spring event held in Woodward for area high school students to pick out a formal dress and accessories at no charge. The event is held each spring at the Woodward High School.
Most Expressive Award: Dr. Bailey Lancaster, assistant professor of psychology, and the Northwestern Psychology Club, “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” - given to a club/organization that had a unique project/event. The Northwestern Psychology Club had a support board where students could write notes of encouragement to those who were impacted by sexual assault. Many filled the board offering support. There was also a news article that was written about sexual assault with further resources provided.
perSERVEring Ranger Award: Ethan Sacket and the Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors (NSA) - given to an organization for its extraordinary service and serving in multiple community service projects throughout the year. NSA volunteered for numerous community service projects including volunteering at the Bridge2Hope Store setup; Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie; the Northwest Technology Games for Middle Schoolers; Northwestern Employee Christmas Ornaments; Northwestern Thank-A-Thon; Operation Christmas Child Box Making; Trunk or Treat; the Lincoln Elementary Playgroup Painting, and much more.
Maier also presented Retention and Enrollment awards to: Tamara Brown, chair of the Northwestern Communication Department and assistant professor of speech; Dr. Sarah Fry, assistant professor of criminal justice and sociology; Shawna Gilbert, access services librarian and assistant professor of library science; Dr. Shane Hansen, chair of the Northwestern Health and Sports Science Department and assistant professor of health and sports science; Dr. Roxie James, chair of the Northwestern English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department and associate professor of English; Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager; Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of the Northwestern Division of Education and associate professor of education; Dr. Don Pratt, associate professor of biology; Dr. Taylor Randolph, chair of the Northwestern Psychology Department and assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Mary Riegel, professor of mathematics; Dana Roark, instructor of business; and Dr. Dean Scarbrough, chair of the Northwestern Agriculture Department and professor of agriculture. Collins and Rehder were also recognized.
Bell, on behalf of Tandy Keenan, director of sponsored programs, announced Northwestern received 19 grants, totaling $1.9 million.
Several employees also were recognized during the ceremony for their service to the Faculty Senate and the Staff Council.
Dr. Steve Maier (left) presents Dr. Mariann Braten Hall (right) her 10-year service award.
At the Enid campus ceremony, employees were recognized for their service. Images from the ceremonies may be found online flickr.com/photos/nwosu-rangers/albums.
Dr. Steve Maier (left) presents AJ Johnson (right) his 20-year service award.
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Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: (580) 327-8480