Spring Alumni Reunion

Spring Alumni Reunion 2023

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Northwestern’s Spring Alumni Reunion is a time for all alumni and friends of the University to return to the Alva campus, renew friendships, make new memories, and celebrate the legacy of being a Ranger.

The day of celebration is held annually on the last Saturday of April.

The day includes recognition of six alumni classes. The honored alumni are celebrating their 70-, 60-, 50-, 25-, 10- and 5-year anniversaries of their graduations. These individuals will be invited to receive their commemorative pin, presented by the president of Northwestern.

Also scheduled is the Special Awards Ceremony, where seniors are recognized for the accomplishments in several categories.

To complete the day, Outstanding Graduates – in the categories of Arts, Business/Professional, Education, Humanitarian, Ranger Recognition and Ranger Spirit – are recognized for their achievements.

This acknowledgement is part of the evening banquet.

Mark your calendars to celebrate being a Ranger.

RSVP by March 23, 2023.

 

The Outstanding Graduates Program

Northwestern graduates are making an impact, and each year we look forward to honoring them for their accomplishments.

The Outstanding Graduates program was established by the Northwestern Alumni Association in 1973 to recognize outstanding achievement. Initially, no distinction was made between categories. In 1977, awards were presented in the specific fields of business/professional, education and humanitarian.

In 1984, the Recognition Award was added to honor a graduate who has made significant achievements within five years of his/her commencement. In 2017, the Alumni Board voted to change the period of time to “ten years of his/her commencement”. This change was made to encourage the submittal of additional nominations while recognizing that it may take more than five years to realize significant career achievements. The Ranger Recognition Award was first awarded in 1990 and an arts category was introduced in 2010.

 Nomination Process

 Deadline for nominations is January 1.

  • The nomination form must be completed in its entirety in order for it to be considered by the Outstanding Graduate Committee. This committee is comprised of Alumni Board members
  • Nominees for Northwestern Oklahoma State University outstanding graduates must be graduates of the university.
  • Nominees must be able to attend the Spring Alumni Reunion Banquet the last Saturday of April.
  • Nominators have the opportunity to nominate in the category they believe best fits their candidate’s qualifications. However, the Outstanding Graduate Committee may select a candidate whose credentials and accomplishments fit within a different category.
  • If there are no nominations made for particular categories or the Outstanding Graduate Committee recognizes there are no qualified candidates for specific categories, then the award will not be given.

Outstanding Graduate Nominations

Nominees must be graduates who have demonstrated recognizable accomplishment in his/her profession, business, avocation, or life services in a way as to bring pride and honor to the University.

Nominees for each category do not necessarily need to hold degrees in a relevant discipline, as many of our alumni have successfully moved from one career to another.

Nominations remain active for two years.

The following information provides guidelines for nominating graduates in specific categories.  Including supporting information – relevant to these guidelines – about your nominee will be invaluable for the review by the Outstanding Graduate Committee

Further, information that substantiates a nominee’s credentials – including past awards and/or accolades – is important and should be included in the nomination packet.

Arts. Nominees for Outstanding Graduate in the Arts category should be recognized as having significantly contributed in one of the following areas:

·         Performing arts

·         Visual arts

·         Literary arts

Business/Professional. Nominees for Outstanding Graduate in the Business/Professional category should be recognized as having made a distinctive mark in their business and/or standing as a professional.
Education. Nominees for Outstanding Graduate in the Education category should be recognized for their excellence in and/or out of the classroom, as well as those contributing to research in the educational field.  Nominees may have experience in one or a combination of three of the following areas:

·         Public schools, K-12

·         Private schools, K-12

·        Schools of higher education, public and private

·       Vocational and technology schools

Humanitarian. Nominees for Outstanding Graduate in the Humanitarian category should be acknowledged for their work to improve the welfare and safety of others while maintaining and protecting human dignity. Their accomplishments can be recognized on a local, state, national or global level.
Ranger Spirit. Nominees for the Outstanding Ranger Recognition category should be recognized for their exceptional support of the university and the embodiment of Ranger spirit. This is the former Ranger Recognition Award.
Recognition. Nominees for the Outstanding Recognition category will be honored for their significant achievements within ten years of his/her graduation.

Nominate an Outstanding Graduate

Success! Your submission has been received!

Thank you for nominating a candidate for Oustanding Graduate if you require further assistance, please call 580-327-8593.

2022

Alexandria Carmon, Art
Rich Cantillon, Business/Professional
Tommi Earnhart Leach, Education
Patricia Mitchell, Humanitarian
Clay Reed, Ranger Recognition
Greg Bowman, Ranger Spirit

2019

Dixie Friend Gay, Art
Darrell Nay, Business/Professional
Kristi Goff, Education
Tom and Margaret Melander, Humanitarian
Felipe Eichenberger, Ranger Recognition

2018

Tim Rundel, Art
Doyle E. Hill, Business/Professional
Michael E. Mitchel, Education
Cynthia Rock, Humanitarian
Natalie Evans, Ranger Recognition
Judy Wolgamott, Ranger Spirit

2017

David Elder, Art
Doug Van Meter, Business/Professional
Julie Zollinger, Education
James Erskine, Humanitarian
Phyllis Brunsteter, Ranger Spirit

2016

Edana Caldwell, Art
Gary Sacket, Business/Professional
Tom Fisher, Education
Dr. Reid Holland, Humanitarian
Linda Tutwiler, Ranger Spirit

2015

Joshua Holland, Art
Connie Sturgeon-Hart, Business/Professional
Dr. William Pride, Education
F. Browning Pipestem, Humanitarian
Thelma Crouch, Ranger Spirit

2014

Marvin Wiebener, Art
Chad Moore, Business/Professional
James "Jim" Rodgers, Education
Linda Ybarra-Kotich, Humanitarian
J. Stewart Arthurs, Ranger Recognition

2013

Joe Shirley, Business/Professional
Karen Sue Liese Myers, Humanitarian
Adam M. Steuart, Art
Diane Kasparek-Spicer, Education

2012

Maj. Gen. Vaughn A. Ary, Business/Professional
Mike McGinley, Humanitarian
Larry Case, Art
Lee Haley, Education
Christopher Feeney, Recognition

2011

Charles L. Stuckey, Business/Professional
Keith Edward Ballard, Ed.D., Education
Barbara Kay Duncan, Humanitarian
Manny Gamallo, Art
Allison Woods, Recognition
Angelia Case, Ranger Recognition
Valarie Case, Ranger Recognition

2010

Rodney R. Dunkin, Education
Jane (Hobbs) McDermott, Business/Professional
Jack E. Kippenberger, Humanitarian
Nicolle (Rubenstein) Campbell, Arts
Grant Bowen, Recognition

2009

Scott W. Plunkett, Education
Kent A. Wilson, O.D., Business/Professional
Darin L. Headrick, Humanitarian

2008

Willie Spears Jr., Education
Andrew Fosmire, Business/Professional
Robert Wharton, Humanitarian
Patrick Crayton, Recognition

2007

Sheldon Russell, Humanitarian
Jim Seeger-Newby, Education
Michael Rauh, Business/Professional
Camee Smith, Recognition

2006

Jack Lancaster, Business/Professional
Dr. Gary Wolgamott, Education
Trudy Wheeler, Humanitarian
Eliot Smith, Recognition

2005

Duane Pierson, Business/Professional
Larry Sanchez, Education
Janet Cordell, Humanitarian
Bobbi Ramirez, Recognition

2004

Lynn Scott, Recognition
Robert Reeg, Business/Professional
Bill Pitts, Humanitarian

2003

Karen Bishop-Koehn, Education
Jennifer Flaherty-Berends, Recognition
Albert Pearson, Ranger Recognition
Terry Ingmire, Business/Professional
John L. Barton, Humanitarian

2002

Michael McNeeley, Business/Professional
Myrna Carney, Education
Billie Short, Humanitarian
Dustin Dersch, Recognition

2001

Donald Coppock, Business/Professional
Dr. Milt Lehr, Education
Scott Ware, Humanitarian

2000

Joe L. Heaton, Business/Professional
Kyle Roberts Dahlem, Education
Mary Williams Nichols, Humanitarian
Barbara Struckle, Ranger Recognition

1999

Robert Reusser, Business/Professional
Dr. Dan Shorter, Education
Fred Neuman, Humanitarian
Jane Johnson, Recognition
Dr. Billy Dale Dotter, Ranger Recognition

1998

Centennial Honorees
Maud Drake-Bingham
Edna Donley
Lori Hansen Lane
Mike Hargrove
Dr. John Marvel
M. L. Sharp
Andy Clark
Aurice Huguley
Chirold Epp
Phil Noah

1997

Dr. James Claflin, Business/Professional
Dr. Stephen Painton, Education
Mark Norman, Humanitarian
Julane Hart Taylor, Recognition

1996

A. J. Kotich, Business/Professional
Mary Jane Bassett, Education
Mildred Reusser, Humanitarian
Kay Farrell, Recognition

1995

Adair Brown, Business/Professional
Dr. John Allen Rider, Education
Ben Buckland, Humanitarian

1994

Dr. Peggy Wisdom, Business/Professional
Glen Piper, Education;
Rev. Darrel Hardy, Humanitarian
Dr. L.W. Patzkowsky, Ranger Recognition

1993

Richard G. Dotter, M.D., Business/Professional
Francisco Ybarra, Ph. D., Education
Larry Fields, Humanitarian

1992

Ira Painton, Business/Professional
Dr. Larry Claflin, Education
Karen Spicer, Humanitarian

1991

Dr. William H. Simon, Business/Professional
Elizabeth Johnson Zadorozny, Education

1990

Dr. Brock E. Schnebel, Business/Professional
James H. Hood, Education
Mark Sisco, Recognition
Bob Reneau, Ranger Recognition

1989

David A. Shafer, Business/Professional
Billy Sacket, Education
Ed Calhoon, M.D., Humanitarian
Brenda Sheik, Recognition

1988

P. D. Casper, M.D., Business/Professional
Dr. Larry W. Nutter, Education
Irving L. Smith, Humanitarian

1987

Melvin Kloefkorn, Business/Professional
J. N. Voorhees, Education
M. L. Sharp, Humanitarian
Paul Kinzie, Recognition

1986

Tom J. McDaniel, Business/Professional
Jack T. Strahorn, Education
Vesta M. Rundle, Humanitarian
Mary Jo Servis, Recognition

1985

Dr. Chirold Epp, Business/Professional
J. Edward Bennett, Education
S. Floyd Sibley, Humanitarian
Bob Merritt, Recognition

1984

Dr. A. Merrill Schnitzer, Business/Professional
Darrel Ray, Education
Mary Nell Legg, Humanitarian
Tom Newby, Recognition

1983

James D. Foliart, Business/Professional
Dr. Marvin C. Leist, Education
MeRita Hoy, Humanitarian

1982

Manuel O. Parra-Parada, Business
Dr. E. Leon Hibbs, Education
Lt. Col. (Dr.) Larry Hendricks, Humanitarian

1981

Dr. Dennis Weigand, Business
Dr. James H. Stringer, Education
Dr. Rosa Rodrigues-Reeves, Humanitarian

1980

Aurice Huguley, Business
William D. Overstreet, Education
Durward Brown, Humanitarian

1979

Dale Frieden, Business
Dr. Glenn A. Welsch, Education
Dr. John W. V. Smith, Humanitarian

1978

Jack M. Annis, Business
Wilda Walker, Education
Dixie Molz, Humanitarian

1977

Brandon Frost, Business
Scott Tuxhorn, Education
William J. Mellor, Humanitarian

1976

No awards given this year.

1975

Floyd Harrington
Dale Cullip
Dr. Larry Paul Martin
Dr. H. Leland Steffen

1974

Phil B. Noah
Dr. John Marvel
Dr. Wilton Anderson

1973

Edna Donley
Robert Innis

We look forward to you joining us for the Spring Alumni Reunion Banquet and Program on Saturday, April 29, 2023. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. in Percefull Fieldhouse. Online registration is closed please call (580)327-8593 for further assistance.

First Course

English Cucumber Wrapped Tender Red Leaf and Butter Lettuce with Red Onion, Grape Tomato and Julienne Carrot with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Toasted Parm Crisp

Entrée

 Filet Mignon with Red Wine Demi-Glace

 Boursin Potato Puree and Colorful Baby Carrots

Vegetarian Entrée

Oven Baked Semolina Polenta Cake with Roasted Exotic Mushroom, Peas and Wilted Arugula with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis

Dessert

 Expresso Mousse in a Dark Chocolate Shell

with Vanilla Cream and Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

Rolls/Butter

Iced Tea, Water and Coffee Service

*Menu items are subject to change according to availability in April.

Northwestern Alumni Information Sheet

Success! Your submission has been received!

Thank you for filling out our Alumni Information Sheet.

If you cannot attend the pinning ceremony, during the Spring Alumni Reunion, but would like a pin sent to you, you can order one here. The cost is $15, and includes postage and handling.

Alumni Spring Reunion Pin

Success! Your submission has been received!

Thank you for purchasing your 2022 Alumni Spring Reunion Pin.

2:00 – 2:30 pm…………Tour of the President’s Home; you will be greeted at the front door of the home

2:30 – 4:00 pm…………Museum and McKeever School Open

2:30 pm……………………Campus Tours, begin in Food Court, Student Center

3:30 pm……………………President’s Reception, Ballroom, Student Center

                                                     Classes of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1998, 2013 and 2018 and the 2023 Outstanding Graduates

4:30 pm……………………Pinning Ceremony, Ballroom, Student Center with 5, 10, 25, 50, 60 and 70-year Anniversary

     Graduates

5:00 pm……………………Senior Awards Presentations, Ranger Room, Student Center

6:00 pm……………………Alumni Banquet, Percefull Fieldhouse

The program includes the Outstanding Graduate awards, recognition of our honored classes and music by the University Singers.