2023 Northwestern Outstanding Seniors, Other Awards Announced
(ALVA, Okla., April 18, 2023) - Eleven Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have been selected as the 2023 Outstanding Seniors.
This year’s Outstanding Seniors include Liberty Bird, Emilie Brown, Landry Gaddy, Jordan Green, Kylee Harzman, Caitlin Hofen, Camryn Howard, Allison Huffmaster, Josey Myers, Paige Robinette and Gracie Scarbrough.
This award is sponsored by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association to honor outstanding graduating seniors. Recipients must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, have completed at least 60 credit hours at Northwestern, never been subject to academic or disciplinary action, be involved in campus and/or community activities and show promise of future achievement.
2023 Outstanding Seniors
Liberty Bird, a native of Alva, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May 2023 with a bachelor’s in business administration. Serving as Miss Northwestern for two years, she was also a Miss Oklahoma candidate and scholarship recipient.
Bird was on the President’s Honor Roll all four years and in Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. Vice-President of Ranger Business Club and member of the Student Government Association, Bird is the business manager for 4 Generations Organic Farms and a donor/volunteer for the Oklahoma Blood Institute. She judged numerous speech competitions and entertained at and emceed area pageants.
Emilie Brown, a native of Jetmore, Kan., will graduate magna cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in health and sports science.
Brown ran track for the Rangers and was named a Great American Conference Distinguished Scholar Athlete, gained D2ADA Academic Achievement Honors and was an All-Team Academic. Additionally, she has been on the President’s Honor Roll and was inducted into the Chi Sigma Alpha honor society. A Northwestern Scholar Ambassador, Brown is vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She tutors at Northwestern’s Academic Success Center.
Landry Gaddy, a native of Alva, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude from Northwestern in May with a bachelor’s degree in political science/pre-law.
Gaddy was recognized on the President’s Honor Roll and was a member of Red and Black Scroll Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. She received the Delta Zeta Northwestern Chapter Leadership Award, was a Newman Civic Fellow and was an Oklahoma State Capitol Intern for Representative Newman. Gaddy is a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador and a member of the President’s Leadership Class and Leadership Northwestern.
Jordan Green, a native of Blackwell, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. An Eagle Scout, Green was a President’s Leadership Class member.
He has been editor-in-chief of Northwestern News since his sophomore year. Green has garnered multiple awards from the Oklahoma Press Association Better Newspaper Contest and Oklahoma Collegiate Media Association, including the 2021 Journalist of the Year. He has balanced school and work at Northwestern, serving as a staff writer for The Blackwell Journal-Tribune and an intern writer for The Saturday Evening Post and The Oklahoman.
Kylee Harzman, a native of Alva, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
A member of the President’s Leadership Class, Harzman has been on the President’s and Vice-President’s Honor Rolls. She serves as the Lady Ranger’s volleyball manager. She is a member of the Castle Players Theatre Troupe, Student Government Association, Gay-Straight Alliance and is president of the Writers’ Roundtable. Harzman recently completed a student internship at the Garfield County Courthouse.
Caitlin Hofen, a native of Alva, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications.
Hofen was a member of the University Singers, Leadership Northwestern, Red and Black Scroll Honor Society and Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society. The Feature and Entertainment Editor of Northwestern News since 2021, Hofen has garnered numerous awards from the Oklahoma Collegiate Media Association. She is the director of the Ranger Agency and has been an intern for the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association since 2019, serving as a writer and photographer.
Camryn Howard, a native of Woodward, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She is completing 420 hours of social work practicum experience at Western Plains Youth and Family Services.
Howard was on the President’s Honor Roll and was a Red and Black Scroll Honor Society member. She is a Highland Park Elementary School mentor. Howard is a Woodward Leadership Advisory board member, a Woodward Area Coalition member, a National Association of Social Workers member and an Oklahoma Association of Infant Mental Health member.
Allison Huffmaster, a native of Enid, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
While at Northwestern, Huffmaster served as Northwestern band section leader and band president and was a member and leader of the NWOSU Art Society. Other achievements include Sigma Nursing Honor Society, the President’s Honor Roll, Red and Black School Honor Society and the Northwestern Honors Program. Huffmaster is an Oklahoma Academic Scholar, volunteers for the Northwestern Campus Cabinet and works for the OU Children’s Hospital.
Josie Myers, a native of Anadarko, Okla., will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. Myers is on the President’s Honor Roll and recently completed student teaching at Ringwood High School.
As a Northwestern student, Myers served as president of the Aggie Club/Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers and was an FFA event volunteer for numerous area livestock shows. She completed internships at the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp, Kennedy Ventures Marketing, Cattleman’s Congress and the Tulsa State Fair.
Paige Robinette, a native of Waukomis, Okla., will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
On the President’s Honor Roll, she is in Red and Black Scroll Honor Society. She is a Northwestern Leadership Class member and a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador. A Northwestern Admissions tour guide, Robinette was a Freshman Connection Peer Leader, serves as Northwestern Cheer Team captain and is a student worker for NWOSU Transfer Recruitment. She is an officer for the Medical Sciences Club and the Chemistry Club. Robinette has completed over 200 volunteer service projects.
Gracie Scarbrough, a native of Alva, Okla., will graduate summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Recognized on the President’s Honor Roll every semester, Scarbrough was named a Nigh Academy Scholar. A President’s Leadership Class member, she is a Northwestern Scholar Ambassador, is on the Division of Business Student Advisory Council, and is a Student Government Association senator. Scarbrough was active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries and Ranger Business Club and worked for Studio Pro Dance and Fitness and Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Services.
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Other Award Recipients:
Newman Civic Fellows Award – Sagelyn Budy
The Newman Civic Fellows Award is named for Dr. Frank Newman, one of the founders of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating opportunities for student civic learning and engagement. Students are nominated by their college or university president as inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.
The deSERVING Ranger Award – Bishop Buck
The deSERVING Ranger Award is designed to recognize an outstanding Northwestern Oklahoma State University student serving within the Northwestern communities and campuses. Nominees demonstrate a dedication to service and a sense of responsibility to the Northwestern Student Learning and Civic Engagement vision, serve as community service models for other students, possess exceptional leadership and organizational skills, and exhibit a consistent work ethic and availability.
Outstanding Psychology Student Awards – Laura Blair (Alva), Grace Hise (Enid)
and April Martinez (Woodward)
This award is given to an outstanding graduating senior majoring in psychology. Established in 1991 by the Northwestern Psychology Club, the criteria for selection include grade point average, field-related activities, classroom participation and potential for continued success.
Dr. Joe Dollins Merit Award – Tanner Clarkson
This award is given in honor of Dr. Joe Dollins who served as a Northwestern faculty member from 1946-1948 and 1957-1970. It is given annually to a student who has completed the student teaching professional semester. Selection is made on cumulative grade point average and promise of future achievement in the field of education.
John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award – Dr. Venkata Moorthy
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Government Association honors the memory and ideals of Dr. John Sheffield in annually making this award. The recipient must show genuine enthusiasm for people, courage to give of self to others, and faith to trust in his or her honored profession.
John Ted Meier Student Teaching Award – Beret Watters
This award is made annually to a student completing requirements for the teaching certificate. Criteria for selection include fairness, empathy for all students, a sense of humor and academic achievement.
T.C. Carter Award – Gibson Barlow, Molly Bruyn, Tanner Clarkson, Landry Gaddy, Caitlin Hofen, Camryn Howard, Jocelyn Long, Gracie Scarbrough and Braden Reichert
This award is named in honor of Dr. Thomas C. Carter, chairman of the Biology Department from 1916 until his retirement in 1952. It is presented to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.
Sara L. Bosworth and Mary DeLisle Scholarship – Josey Myers
Sarah L. Bosworth and Mary DeLisle were the first two teachers at Northwestern Normal School. This scholarship, in their names, provides monetary support for teacher candidates in their professional semester of student teaching.
John F. Kennedy Award – Paige Robinette
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Government Association honors the memory of John F. Kennedy by annually presenting this award. The recipient must serve the university community and the country, display school spirit, promote the university, possess leadership, participate in organizations, and strive for academic betterment and achievement.