DONOR DOLLARS AT WORK: Delaney Lambert, English Education
By Jana Garvie Lindley
“Attending school here has allowed me to create a Northwestern family. I am constantly surrounded by people who care about my education and well-being, and who are willing to create opportunities to help me achieve my goals.”
Delaney Lambert is a college senior thankful for the opportunities made available to her at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
An Alva, Okla., native, Lambert is active on campus as a member of Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors, President’s Leadership Class, Student Government Association, Sigma Tau Delta, Oklahoma Association of Student Councils and NWOSU Theatre. Her name has appeared on the President's Honor Roll all her college semesters. She works in the Northwestern Library and has been a substitute teacher in nearly every grade level and subject in the Alva Public Schools system. Lambert enjoys volunteering as a director of children’s productions at Alva Community Theatre, Inc.
Lambert will graduate with a degree in English Education in 2024 and plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Northwestern. Her career goal is to teach English to middle school students.
“I have always felt called to teach, and I know that teaching English will allow me to educate and empower students to the best of my ability,” said Lambert.
“At Northwestern, I receive valuable writing and critical thinking skills in my classes. My English professors work hard to ensure that coursework is rigorous and that we succeed.”
Growing up in Alva, Lambert appreciated what Northwestern offered. When it came time for her to choose a college, she immediately knew Northwestern was her best option. It provided a quality education, scholarship opportunities and the perk of staying close and connected to her family.
Lambert comes from a long line of people who value education and recognize the vast opportunities Northwestern has to offer. She is proud to carry on her family’s story at Northwestern as a 5th-generation Ranger. Alumni include her parents Brandon, ’99, and Amanda Lambert, ’00; Grandfather Frank Lambert, ’74; Great-Grandfather Clifford Lambert, ’36; and Great-Great Grandmother Stella Fuller, ’36.
Lambert feels there is something unique about the warm and welcoming environment at Northwestern that she would not be able to experience anywhere else. She has been able to create her own college family and is constantly surrounded by people who care about her education and her well-being, and are willing to help her achieve her goals.
“I greatly value the experience I have had at Northwestern,” said Lambert. “Attending college here has encouraged me to share the value of education with others, which I will do through my future career as a teacher. I have also had the opportunity to make many connections I know will impact me for years to come.”
Lambert received the Gladys Bingham-Dotter Scholarship.
This scholarship was established in 1997 in honor of their mother by Dr. and Mrs. Dale Dotter of Okeene and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dotter of Oklahoma City. Mrs. Dotter obtained her teaching certificate in 1917 from Northwestern State Normal School and taught in rural grade schools at the age of 16. After her marriage in 1920, she resumed teaching in Oklahoma, teaching English and drama. In 1935, the Dotters came to Alva and purchased Noah’s Ark No. 3; in 1939, the family opened Dotter’s Restaurant. Mrs. Dotter later returned to teaching and in 1967 operated the new Alva Public Library. This scholarship honors upperclassmen majoring in English who have at least a 3.0 GPA.
This scholarship was established in 1997 in honor of their mother by Dr. and Mrs. Dale Dotter of Okeene and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dotter of Oklahoma City. Mrs. Dotter obtained her teaching certificate in 1917 from Northwestern State Normal School and taught in rural grade schools at the age of 16. After her marriage in 1920, she resumed teaching in Oklahoma, teaching English and drama. In 1935, the Dotters came to Alva and purchased Noah’s Ark No. 3; in 1939, the family opened Dotter’s Restaurant. Mrs. Dotter later returned to teaching and in 1967 operated the new Alva Public Library. This scholarship honors upperclassmen majoring in English who have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Lambert received the Gloria Piersall English Scholarship.
Gloria Piersall was a lifelong educator dedicated to her students and their success. She served as an educator for 40 years, a decade of which was spent as an instructor of English at Northwestern. With her positive attitude and passion for education, she was an inspiration to her students. With funds left by Piersall in her estate, The Gloria Piersall English Scholarship benefits English majors at Northwestern who have at least a 2.5 GPA.
Lambert also received the Fran Wadley Slack Scholarship.
Mary Frances “Fran” Wadley Slack was born in 1934 to Frank K. and Garnet Wadley. Fran was born in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to Alva, Oklahoma, in 1935 when Dr. Wadley received his Ph.D. and subsequently became a member of the then Northwestern Oklahoma State College faculty. She died in May 1996 after a 33-month battle with cancer. Fran was raised in Alva; she graduated from Alva High School in 1951 and attended Northwestern for two years. She later completed her education at Oklahoma A&M with a major in vocational home economics and a minor in English. In December 1954, she married John D. Slack, a 1958 Northwestern graduate. In 1961, the family moved to Arlington, Texas, where Fran devoted her life to raising her family, church work, and other organizations, including the founder of the Arlington Literacy Group. The scholarship is awarded to full-time NWOSU junior or senior English majors or minors with a GPA of 3.0.
Gloria Piersall was a lifelong educator dedicated to her students and their success. She served as an educator for 40 years, a decade of which was spent as an instructor of English at Northwestern. With her positive attitude and passion for education, she was an inspiration to her students. With funds left by Piersall in her estate, The Gloria Piersall English Scholarship benefits English majors at Northwestern who have at least a 2.5 GPA.
Lambert also received the Fran Wadley Slack Scholarship.
Mary Frances “Fran” Wadley Slack was born in 1934 to Frank K. and Garnet Wadley. Fran was born in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to Alva, Oklahoma, in 1935 when Dr. Wadley received his Ph.D. and subsequently became a member of the then Northwestern Oklahoma State College faculty. She died in May 1996 after a 33-month battle with cancer. Fran was raised in Alva; she graduated from Alva High School in 1951 and attended Northwestern for two years. She later completed her education at Oklahoma A&M with a major in vocational home economics and a minor in English. In December 1954, she married John D. Slack, a 1958 Northwestern graduate. In 1961, the family moved to Arlington, Texas, where Fran devoted her life to raising her family, church work, and other organizations, including the founder of the Arlington Literacy Group. The scholarship is awarded to full-time NWOSU junior or senior English majors or minors with a GPA of 3.0.