Northwestern Oklahoma State University Unveils New Ranger Statue at Ranger Field

August 18, 2025

A Ranger Statue now sits at the entrance to Ranger Field, welcoming fans to baseball and football games.

ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University will proudly unveil its newest campus landmark thanks to the generosity of Liz Smith, Jeff Allen and Woody Glass. The public dedication will take place on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at the entrance to Ranger Field.

The bronze figure, crafted to embody the spirit and strength of the Rangers, is positioned to greet fans as they arrive for football and baseball games.

This Ranger statue is the third installment, with one located on the northeast corner of the Alva campus, along with one at the Northwestern-Enid location. The original Alva statue was a gift to Northwestern from past university president Tom McDaniel and wife, Brenda, with Harold Holden as the artist. A dedication ceremony for the first Alva statue took place in November 2007.

In February 2008 during the dedication ceremony at the Enid location, Holden said, “The structure will symbolize the qualities of the cowboy: honesty, hard work and courage.” The Northwestern-Enid statue was donated by Harold Hamm and his former wife, Sue Ann.

The lead donation came from Liz Smith, wife of the late Alva optometrist Dr. Troy Smith, whose passion exuded when it came to supporting the university. The Smiths chaired Northwestern’s annual scholarship drive for 25 years and served the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association in other capacities. Troy Smith started at the Alva Vision Clinic in 1981 and was proud to serve his northwest Oklahoma clients, said Liz Smith.

When Liz Smith learned that another statue was still in storage, she knew this would be the best way to honor her late husband. While the three statues were being cast, the couple traveled to the workshop to watch the process. Liz said her husband loved building anything from tables to decks, and was really fascinated with the work on the statues.

The Smiths both graduated from Northwestern in 1976, Liz Smith with a business administration degree and Troy Smith with a biology degree. Jeff Allen, a former member of the Ranger baseball team, earned a business administration degree in 1987, and longtime friend of the university Woody Glass, a former member of the Ranger football team, attended Northwestern from 1986-1989.

“We are extremely grateful for these donors to create a lasting legacy through this statue,” said Dr. Bo Hannaford, university president. “It is more than art, it’s a reminder of who we are as a university and the values we stand for.”  

The statue now stands near Ranger Field, serving as a bold symbol of school pride and tradition.

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