DONOR DOLLARS AT WORK: Archer Bohlen, Computer Science
By Jana Garvie Lindley
Northwestern student Archer Bohlen, Ringwood, Okla., found that Donor Dollars allowed him to focus on his academic goals.
“The scholarships I have received have not only helped relieve the financial stress associated with paying for college, but it has also allowed me to focus completely on my studies.”
In addition to academic pursuits, Bohlen is president of the Northwestern Art Society, secretary/treasurer for Castle Players and a Student Government Association Senator.
He will graduate in 2024 with a computer science major and a visual arts minor. He intends to pursue data management or information security while being able to live in the northwest Oklahoma area.
Bohlen comes from a family of Rangers. Grandmother Marjorie Bohlen, ’83, mother Gina, ’93, father Doug, ’93, and many cousins are Northwestern graduates.
Bohlen expresses his gratitude to generous Northwestern donors: "Being a student at Northwestern has completely changed my life. Before I came here, I was soft-spoken and unsure of myself. Now, I feel like I am a new man, being active in the Ranger community and participating in all sorts of events on campus, like Northwestern Theatre.”
Bohlen received the Dean Ranson Scholarship.
This scholarship was established in 2003 to honor Dean Ranson by his daughters and their families. Dean grew up on a family farm southwest of Fairview and graduated from Longdale High School in 1938. He married Ethel Martin in 1942 and graduated from Northwestern State College in 1943 with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. Dean served his country during World War II and, after receiving his military discharge, taught high school for one year in Zenda, Kan. In 1947, he moved back to Fairview, where he worked various positions for the Farmers and Merchants National Bank for 55 years. Dean married Mary Teske in 1990, and in 2002, he retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, a position he held for over 13 years. Dean died in the summer of 2007. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from Major County to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and may be pursuing any area of study.