Ranger2Ranger
On October 8, the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association hosted 20 alumni on campus for the Ranger2Ranger face-to-face event. Throughout the day, alumni met with students for 30-minute sessions. Four alumni also served as guest speakers in various classes, sharing their experiences and advice. A total of 67 students participated in 107 meetings.
A post-event survey was sent to students and alumni, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Students rated their satisfaction at 4.5 out of 5 stars, while alumni rated their satisfaction 4.75 out of 5 stars.
Jessica Goucher, a sophomore and future nurse, met with Kylee Loustaunau and left feeling inspired about her career path.
“The one thing she said that really stood out to me was that it might be difficult to go through the process, but it is so rewarding to love what you do and make a positive impact on people during some of the most important days of their lives,” Goucher said.
Loustaunau also shared helpful advice on study habits and encouraged Goucher to take advantage of campus resources like the Academic Success Center.
Similarly, Danyel Cato, freshmen, met with Paige Kruckenberg, MHS, PA-C, and says the meeting made a big impact on her future career plans.
“She explained the differences between the PA and MD programs,” Cato said. “After talking with her, I realized the PA path might be a better fit for me because of factors like cost and work-life balance.”
Cato also left the meeting with the contact information of a PA who specializes in trauma surgery, which is the field she hopes to pursue.
Carson Wright, senior, also met with Paige Kruckenberg, MHS, PA-C, and gained an experience that proved to be both timely and impactful. Coincidentally, Wright had his interview for physician assistant school the very next day.
“This meeting made a huge difference for me,” Wright said. “It was great to get insight from someone who has already been through the PA school interview process. I went into my own interview with much more confidence than I would have if I hadn’t had the chance to talk with Paige.”
A few days later, Wright received the call he had been waiting for. He had officially been accepted into physician assistant school and will begin his next chapter in the fall of 2026.
Coy Bullard, Junior, met with several Northwestern alumni from a variety of career fields, including attorney Clint Claypole, who practices law in Enid, Okla.
Although Bullard is not currently pursuing a career in law, he says the meeting offered lessons that went far beyond legal advice.
“Clint gave me life advice on how to be a man,” Bullard said. “He talked about the importance of balancing a demanding career with personal life. He reminded me that no matter what profession I choose, maintaining a healthy balance is the key to success.”
The conversation left a lasting impression on Bullard, and what started as a simple meeting may soon turn into a mentorship.
“I think he may end up being a great mentor for me, and I hope to intern for him this summer,” Bullard said.
While the meeting began with uncertainty, it ended with a helpful connection, and gave Bullard both a job opportunity and a mentor.
Sara Acosta
Actress and Multi-Media Rep
2014, Speech and Drama
Career Specialty: Professional Acting
Sara Acosta portrayed a gypsy immigrant in the popular “1883” television series, which premiered December 19, 2012, on Paramount Network. She endured 14-hour days with temperatures reaching 113 degrees on location in Texas, and 11-degree days in Montana.
Acosta’s experience on stage began at the age of 6 with local theatre. Before moving to Florida to work in a variety of entertainment venues, Acosta taught speech and reading in Woodward (Okla.) Public Schools. While auditioning for further roles, Acosta serves as the multi-media rep for Woodward News.
Acosta was named the Outstanding Graduate, Ranger Recognition, in 2024
Jeremiah Campbell
Vice President, Alva State Bank
2015, Health & Sports Science Education
Career Specialty: Banking
Jeremiah Campbell is a vice president and loan officer at Alva State Bank (ASB). Campbell joined ASB in 2016. Before serving as loan officer, Campbell was a collateral inspector, assessing property to ensure it meets the lender’s requirements.
Campbell has served as president and board member on the Northwestern Alumni Board.
Dr. Madison Campbell
Owner, Hometown Dentist (Alva)
2015, Biology
Career Specialties: Dentistry and Business Owner
Madison Campbell, DDS, opened Hometown Dentist in 2023 after acquiring the practice of her mentor, Dr. Larry Smith. Dr. Campbell served as dental assistant to Dr. Smith before entering the OU College of Dentistry. At her graduation, Dr. Campbell was presented the distinction of the 2022 Brasseler/Sillingburg Award for Excellence in Restorative Dentistry.
Dr. Campbell was named Northwestern’s Outstanding Graduate, Recognition, in 2023.
Rich Cantillon
Former CEO/President of the Ponca City (Okla.) Chamber of Commerce
1981, Business Administration
Career Specialties: Business and Civic Leadership; Non-profit
Rich Cantillon served as the CEO/president of the Ponca City Chamber for 20 years. During this time, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Chamber Hall of Fame in 2021. Cantillon also was named the Outstanding Graduate, Business/Professional Category, in 2022.
With a passion for community well-being, Cantillon put aside retirement to serve as a mentor at Whimsey in Ponca City. Whimsey is a gift shop that benefits Opportunity Center, Inc. – a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.
Cantillon is a board member on the Northwestern Alumni Board.
Clint Claypole
Attorney and Partner, Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, PLC (Enid)
2007, Political Science
Career Specialties: Legal Representation, Court Advocacy and Non-Profit Involvement
Clint Claypole obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He began to distinguish himself as a courtroom advocate while in law school. He won the class wide 1L moot court competition his first year of law school and then won the Calvert school wide competition his second year of law school.
Claypole’s skill in the courtroom has been recognized by several awards, including being named the Garfield County Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2014, and named Super Lawyers Magazine’s Rising Star every year since 2014.
Claypole serves the community as a member of several non-profits, including the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association’s Governance Committee.
Kevin Evans
Executive Director of Western Plains Youth & Family Services (Woodward, Okla.)
1982, Speech
Career Specialties: Non-profit, Social Services and Humanitarian Leadership; Community Service
For more than 30 years, Kevin Evans has impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Western Plains Youth & Family Services is a non-profit that serves children from one day old to 17 years in seven counties at no cost to families. The organization has seen significant growth under Evans’ leadership.
Evans has been the recipient of numerous awards given his stellar career and passion for community. He received the Outstanding Graduate Award, Humanitarian, in 2023.
Jerrad Hada
Owner, Ignite Therapy (Alva)
2008, Biology
Career Specialties: Health Care Services and Business Owner
Jerrad Hada is the owner of Ignite Physical Therapy in Alva, Okla. Hada and his team serve clients from multiple communities, focusing on customized therapy treatments for optimum recovery.
Hada received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in 2016. In 2022, Hada completed his fellowship certification through the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Hada’s clinical interests include diagnosis and treatment of movement impairment syndrome and manual therapy, particularly of the spine. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Hada was a science teacher for five years.
Dr. Cori Hoffman
Owner, Ridgeview Veterinary Hospital (Alva)
2017, Biology
Career Specialties: Veterinary Services and Business Owner
Dr. Cori Hoffman earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University in 2021. With the respect for agriculture in northwest Oklahoma and the mentorship from Dr. Terry Lohmann, Dr. Hoffman returned to Alva to begin his practice.
Dr. Hoffman has recently acquired the practice from Dr. Lohmann.
Dave Johnson
Entrepreneur and Owner of Several Businesses
Former Student
Career Specialties: Entrepreneur, Business Startups and Business Leadership
Dave Johnson attended Northwestern for three semesters before earning his accounting degree in 1976 from the University of Oklahoma. Johnson passed his CPA exam in 1977 and worked for an accounting firm for six years, serving as an auditor and tax manager before moving to private business in 1982.
Johnson joined Sanguine, Ltd., a privately-owned oil and gas exploration company. Beginning as the director of the Revenue Department, he was appointed president in 1990. Johnson also retained controlling interest in Anadarko Dozer and Trucking, LLC, an oil field service company.
In 2002, Johnson and a long-time associate formed Southwester Energy, LP, a natural gas marketing company with offices in Houston, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The company is one of the largest independent natural gas companies in the United States.
Johnson is the president of Johnson Properties, LLC, which has a variety of investments in oil and gas properties, commercial real estate, restaurants, oilfield services and construction, and the equipment rental business.
Johnson served as the Investment Committee Chair and a member of the Executive Committee for the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association.
Marc Kliewer
General Counsel, Skyland Grain, LLC (Bushland, Texas)
1983, Economics
Career Specialties: Merger Acquisitions, Property Taxes, Commercial Transactions and Federal and State Security Laws
Marc Kliewer received his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. is general counsel for Skyland Grain, LLC, a grain, agronomy and cotton ginning company with more than 60 locations in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Prior to Skyland, Kliewer was in private practice for 35 years. His practice was focused almost exclusively on representing agribusiness clients, primarily in the grain, ethanol, and cotton ginning industries.
Considered an expert in his field, Kliewer has delivered presentations to several trade organizations. He has testified on property tax issues and proposed legislation to the Kansas Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.
Ali Kirtley
Brand & Communication Manager, Koch Fertilizer Enid and Koch Methanol St. James in Louisiana (Ali is based in Enid)
2015, Mass Communication/2017, Master’s in Adult Education Management and Administration
Career Specialties: Strategic Communications, Branding, Social Media and Public Relations
Alexandra “Ali” Kirtley has more than a decade of experience in public relations and marketing, working across diverse industries that include manufacturing, e-commerce, higher education, newspapers and more. Her leadership has earned her notable recognition, including being named one of E-Town Magazine’s “Top 10 Women of Influence” in 2022 and a NextGen Under 30 award recipient in 2021 for "Manufacturing, Industry, The Trades and Agriculture”.
Kirtley serves as the president of the Northwestern Alumni Board. She also manages her wheat farm and fuels her passion for motorsports by building and racing her drag Camaro.
Paige Kruckenberg
Dermatology Physician Associate, U.S. Dermatology Partners (Alva and Woodward)
2015, Biology
Career Specialties: Healthcare and Dermatology
Paige Kruckenberg, as a dermatology physician associate, currently practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She has been practicing since 2018, but recently switched to dermatology in 2021. Paige originally started her career in family medicine and urgent care, where she won Healthcare Professional of the Year her first year in practice.
Kruckenberg graduated from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she graduated from their Physician Associate Program in 2017.
Once she decided she wanted to work in dermatology, Kruckenberg studied and trained with Dr. Thomas Hall, who has 15+ years of dermatology experience.
Kylee Loustaunau
Charge Nurse, Labor and Delivery, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center (Enid)
2019, Nursing
Career Specialties: Postpartum, Labor, Special Care Nursery, Lactation Consulting
After her graduation in 2019, Kylee Loustaunau accepted the position of registered nurse in labor and delivery at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. In 2021, she pursued travel nursing and accepted assignments in Bartlesville, Okla., Woodward, Okla., and Wichita, Kan.
Loustaunau is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, which required 95 hours of further education and 1,000 hours of clinical experience with breastfeeding before passing the international exam.
Ashleigh McClung
Managing Director, Spraycan Creative (Yukon, Okla.)
2005, Mass Communication
Career Specialties: Business Owner, Creative Management in MultiMedia
Ashleigh McClung is a community-driven professional with a diverse background in operations and project management. Her experience includes serving as the managing director at Spraycan Creative, LLC, since its inception in 2012. Spraycan is a creative agency specializing in branding, web design and business consulting.
Shalyn Monsees
Family Nurse Practitioner in Family Medicine, St. Mary’s Physicians Associates (Enid)
2019, Nursing; 2024, DNP
Career Specialties: Family Healthcare, Nursing
Shalyn Monsees began her career in 2019 as an ICU nurse at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Enid. A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Monsees realized she had a different purpose in helping patients and applied for Northwestern’s Doctor of Nursing Program.
While in the DNP program, Monsees transitioned to a house supervisor role at St. Mary’s, when she supported the coordination of capacity management and staffing needs. She also facilitated clinical resources, conflict resolution, and quality and safety standards while promoting a positive and financially-solid work environment.
Monsees is now a family health practitioner at St. Mary’s Physician Associates.
Judy Ridgeway
Former Attorney, Owner of Law Practice
1970, Psychology and Social Science
Career Specialties: Law, Family Law, Law Practice Owner, Entrepreneur, Community Leadership
Judy Ridgeway received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1975, and immediately opened her own law office in Norman, Okla. Her areas of legal expertise include criminal, bankruptcy, divorce, child custody and family disputes. She closed her practice in 2011. She has taught and lectured at the University of Oklahoma School of Law.
Ridgeway’s career includes leadership out of the courtroom. She has owned and operated a restaurant in Norman, and is an active managing officer and stockholder in Tee-Square, Ltd., Investment Real Estate Corporation.
Ridgeway is a champion for community improvement, initiating the still-successful Little Axe Trash Off program and the Little Axe Chamber of Commerce. She us active in 12 Step Programs.
Bryce Schanbacher
Superintendent, Cherokee (Okla.) Public Schools
2003, Health & Sports Science/Med, Education Leadership and Administration
Career Specialties: Education Leadership, Science Education and Coaching
Bryce Schanbacher has experience from classroom teacher to leadership of a public school system. He served as a junior high science teacher for 12 ½ years, before being named the district superintendent in January 2021. He continues to serve as the head football coach for the Cherokee Chiefs.
Schanbacher serves as a board member on the Northwestern Alumni Board.
Jermaine Wade
Owner, Zoom Diagnostic Imagine (Enid, Okla.)
2002, Business Administration
Career Specialties: Business Startup, Entrepreneur, Business Development
Jermaine Wade launched Zoom Diagnostics Imaging in his hometown of Enid, Okla., in 2017. The business provides low cost, high quality and timely diagnostic imaging services. Wade’s drive and success with Zoom has created the same services in Ardmore and Durant.
Wade’s career includes sales manager and financial manager in auto sales, mortgage work and rental car management before opening his own business. He is based in the Dallas, Texas, area.
Jana Walker
CPA, Non-Proft Auditor and Advisor, Tax Preparer, Educator, Entrepreneur and Multiple-Business Owner (Enid and Woodward)
2012 Accounting
Career Specialties: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Business Startup, Educator and Public Speaking
Jana Walker began her drive to becoming a CPA as an intern in 2011. In six years, she had moved to partner. In 2017, she opened her own CPA firm, Jana Walker, CPA, PLLC.
Walker, alongside her husband, Wade, are instrumental in a number of revitalization projects in historic downtown Woodward and Enid. They have renovated and operate Walker Mercantile Company in Woodward, and Walker’s Western Store in Enid. In addition, she served as an adjunct professor of accounting at Northwestern. Her knowledge offers a financial perspective and real-world experience in developing her own businesses.
Walker also helps manage her family’s ranch near Freedom, Okla.