Chad Budy, Agribusiness and Danielle Budy, Mathematics
By Caitlin Hofen
Chad and Danielle Budy came to Northwestern as legacy students, and their children are continuing the tradition of the Ranger Family.
Chad pursued a degree in agribusiness and worked to establish a farming operation south of Alva. He graduated from Northwestern in 1997 and started farming and ranching full time.
“I grew up going to [Northwestern] games with my family,” Chad said. “I was actively farming in high school and Northwestern was close enough I could continue doing so while getting my education.”
Danielle grew up in Cherokee, Okla., and majored in mathematics at Northwestern. She graduated in 2000 and took a teaching position in Waynoka, Okla.
“We were high school sweethearts and married young, so I partially chose Northwestern because Chad was here,” Danielle said. “The other reason was because both of my parents graduated from here and one of my grandmas.”
Today, Chad runs their sixth-generation farm and ranch and Danielle teaches math and is the Academic Success Center Coordinator at Northwestern. They have four children, including Colton, a 2019 Northwestern graduate; Tabor and Sagelyn, both currently attending Northwestern; and Davin, a sophomore in high school.
“My goal is to allow generation after generation to continue in farming and be good stewards of the land,” Chad said. “If my kids want that opportunity, I want to be able to give them that. Right now, two of them have chosen that path. I want to be successful in feeding and clothing the world. I take much pride in that and look to pass it on to the next generation.”
“I grew up a farm kid, too,” Danielle said. “Though I am a math teacher by trade and have my current position at Northwestern, I still take a lot of pride and joy in farming. It is such an important occupation. Everyone has to have food and fiber, so I do think it’s an accomplishment to continue in that industry. It’s hard work and long hours that our children have experienced firsthand.”
Danielle and Chad sit on numerous boards, with Chad being a member of the Board of Directors for Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and President of the Woods County Farm Bureau. They are also active in the First Baptist Church of Alva, where Chad serves as a deacon.
“We’re proud Rangers,” Danielle said. “We formed many relationships during our time here that impact us still today. Northwestern is significant enough to us that we’ve encouraged our kids to go here, as well. The amount of support given at Northwestern is unmatched anywhere else.”