NBC News correspondent Ron Mott interviews Northwestern freshman Jake Spradling in the Ranger football locker room for an upcoming story on high school seniors making the transition to college following the devastating tornado in Moore on May 20. Spradling’s family home was destroyed that day.

When a tornado ravaged Moore on May 20, Jake Spradling and his family may have lost their home and possessions…but they found a new family.

At the time, Spradling was a senior at Southmoore High School, preparing for his high school graduation, ready to begin a new chapter of his life as a freshman at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and as a new member of the Ranger football program.

Despite the fact it would be three months before Spradling would meet his teammates at Northwestern, two of them, sophomores Austin Maly of Prague and James Pitts of Morrison, showed up at the site of Spradling’s home in Moore, ready to do whatever they could. Northwestern coaches were there, too, bringing the most basic of supplies.

This would be the start of a summer-long university and community effort to help Spradling and his family. The caring, generosity and support shown by strangers caught the attention of Dan Shepherd, a producer for the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

Monday, Shepherd, correspondent Ron Mott, and a production crew from NBC arrived at Northwestern to interview Spradling and his helpful teammates.

Shepherd said Spradling’s experience will be part of a larger story concerning high school seniors affected by the tornado who are now making the transition to college life. The story is expected to air on NBC Nightly News.

Three local businesses, Share Medical Center, Chesapeake Energy and SandRidge Energy, all held employee fundraisers to collect donations of clothes, household goods and money for the Spradling family. Northwestern also held a drive to provide relief and a large number of employees, students and community residents provided truckloads of supplies and money.

The Spradling family summed up their appreciation in a letter to the Alva Review-Courier.

“We are truly blessed that God introduced us to such a wonderful community and group of people,” the letter said. “We are a family that believes that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for us, and it includes Alva and NWOSU.”

Northwestern sophomores Austin Maly and James Pitts explain to NBC News correspondent Ron Mott their reasons behind helping a football teammate they had never met upon hearing his family’s home had been destroyed by the May tornado in Moore. They explained Jake Spradling became family the day he signed to play for the Rangers, and they went to help to represent Northwestern.

Northwestern freshman Jake Spradling lifts weights as the NBC Nightly News crew shoots footage for the upcoming news story.

-NW-

Honor roll listings for the 2013 summer session at Northwestern Oklahoma State University have been announced.  All students—undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate—on the President’s list had a 4.0 grade point average in a minimum of seven hours of work. Those on the Vice-President’s list had grade averages of 3.5 or better for a minimum of seven hours of work.

Listed by hometowns, those on the honor rolls are as follows:

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL
(Graduate & Post-Graduate Students)

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Kaylyn Hansen, Corie Kaiser, Tiffani Kilgore, Ngalula Mutsipayi, Jennifer Tyree.

BURBANK – Amie Berryman.

CASHION – Trisha Vanderpool.

CLAREMORE – Camerann Johnson.

ENID – Sean Byrne, Danielle Fields, Aranda Gulick, Rita Lyons, Kelli Osburn, Samantha Schmaus, Wukyoung Song, April Wallace.

FAIRVIEW – Kaci Edwards.

GOLTRY – Brianna Stephens.

GRACEMONT – Marsha Todd.

GUTHRIE – Jeffrey Ball, Lesley Cotton, Patsy Ritter, Conttessa Wallraven.

KINGFISHER – Amanda Matthews.

LAHOMA – Chad Thies.

LAMONT – Jill Green.

LONE GROVE – Tyler Young.

MAYES –  Anthony Wingard.

MENO – Marsha Cusack.

MULHALL – Dani Watson.

NEWKIRK – Kayla Johnston, Jenny West.

OILTON – Rebecca Hankins.

PONCA CITY –  Adriana Benson, Allison Brown, Kyrie Crippen, Ashley Davis, Elisabeth Hargraves, Katy Mcnew, Kenneth Naegele,  Charles Nix, Mary Radka, Kara Smith, Denny Wehr, Tim Williams.

PRYOR – Heather Burroughs, Patricia Davis, Daryl Heston, Melinda Thornton, Amy Wingard.

SAPULPA – Andrea Long.

STILLWATER – Crystal Deken, Amy Hartling.

TONKAWA – Lorrie Hazard.

WOODWARD – Kristan Bell.                            

 FLORIDA

MIDDLEBURG – Diane Hall.

KANSAS

CONWAY SPRINGS – Adam Burnett.

Undergraduate Students

OKLAHOMA

ALVA – Sugandha Aggarwal, Mason Lindquist, Matthew Martin, Tanner McGehee, Khadidja Souleyman, Bradley Trekell.

BLACKWELL – Brittany Gregson, Felicia Smith.

CHEROKEE – Kathi Jenlink.

EDMOND –Titua Bakare.

ELGIN –Kyle Enis.

ENID – Mallory Eulberg, Carissa Hernandez, Devin Horton, Stacia Paul, Tanner Schantz, Nicole Stone, Raymond Williamson, Amy Yankech.

LAHOMA – Kimberly Ward.

LAVERNE –  Jaden Crocker.

LUCIEN – Jennifer Harris.

MEDFORD – Malarie Cline, Janelle Przybylski.

MUTUAL – Kylie Pethoud.

NEWKIRK – Melani Cassady.

PAULS VALLEY – Patrick Driskill.

PERRY – Micah Keith.

PONCA CITY – Mark Bean, Allison Bishop, Lori Rau, Matthew Weers.

POTEAU – Alexandra Kirtley.

SHARON – Dalton Lamberth.

TONKAWA – Misty McCullough.

VICI – Charity Hickman.

WAUKOMIS – Mercedes Key.

WOODWARD – Britainee Clark, Ashley Malone, Hannah Mckay, Benjamin Smith, Matthew Weber.

CALIFORNIA

LOMPAC – Catherine Kelly.

NEBRASKA

WALLACE – Josi Hasenauer.

TEXAS

PERRYTON – Merilee Stelling.

VICE-PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL
(Graduate & Post-Graduate Students)

OKLAHOMA

BOISE CITY – Laura Torres.

ENID – Drew Bartel, Melissa Bell, Renna Bowers, Karen Curtis.

GAGE – Audra Olive.

KINGFISHER –Tamra Tollefson.

PONCA CITY – Brooke Fredricks, Jamie Roller.

PRYOR – Tamara Bryan,  Mikkel Stump, Travis Wheeler.

WOODWARD – Jeremy Jones.

CALIFORNIA

RANCHO CUCUAMONGA – Joshua Lange-Casillas.

KANSAS

CONWAY SPRINGS – Adam Burnett.

OLATHE – Lauren Vanderloo.

Undergraduate Students

OKLAHOMA

ALINE – Brooke Beckner.

ALVA – Dalton Beeler, Rupal Christian, Kamal Poon, Fernanda Tomazini.

BYRON – Elizabeth Guffy.

DUNCAN – Keziah Cook.

ENID – April Burshik, Robert Cossin, Ashley Hutchcraft.

FAIRFAX – Melissa Renfro.

MOORELAND – Julia Crawford.

MUSKOGEE – Jennifer Mitchell.

PONCA CITY – Kylie Fowler, Chandra Kimble, Regan Miles, Kimberly Wyckoff.

SHATTUCK – Kayla Murray.

WAYNOKA – Jack Nickelson, Rachel Ruble.

WOODWARD – Chaunce Carrico, Toni Stine.

CALIFORNIA

LA QUINTA – Jamey Alvarez-Braxton.

NORWALK – Nayeli Meza.

IDAHO

EAGLE – Samantha Smith.

ILLINOIS

MULBERRY GROVE – Brandon Barringer.

 MICHIGAN

MOUNT PLEASANT – Bethany Andrews.

NEW MEXICO

BLOOMFIELD –  Kellie Mason.

OREGON

TUALATIN –  Bimala Gurung.

TEXAS

AUSTIN – Brandon Wooley.

-NW-

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, in conjunction with various emergency response agencies from the City of Alva, will conduct a disaster training exercise at the Alva campus on Monday, Aug. 26, beginning at 7 p.m.

The exercise will begin with an emergency medical helicopter landing on the University’s parking lot at the corner of US 281 and US 64. Emergency responders will simulate loading victims into the helicopter on backboards.

The exercise then moves to campus as the Alva Fire Department will respond to a mock fire on the upper floors of Jesse Dunn. Emergency vehicles will be parked in the horseshoe drive around Herod Hall during the exercise, and the drive may be blocked to public traffic for up to 30 minutes.

Employees, students and visitors are asked to avoid the horseshoe drive during the period of 7-9 p.m.

-NW-

The Alva Area Chamber of Commerce named Northwestern Oklahoma State University August 2013 Chamber Member of the Month.

The award was presented to members of Northwestern’s senior staff during the August 16 chamber board meeting at Northwest Technology Building in Alva. Present to accept the honor were Dr. Janet Cunningham, president; Dr. Steve Lohman, executive vice president; Steve Valencia, associate vice president; Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs and enrollment management;  and David Pecha, vice president of administration. 

“We are proud to be long-time supporters of the Alva Chamber of Commerce,” Cunningham said. “We view our membership with the Chamber as a true partnership focused on the growth of the community. Northwestern is truly honored to be selected as the Chamber Member of the Month.”

Making the presentation were Alex Mantz, chamber director, and chamber board members Laura Girty with Oklahoma Small Business Development Center and vice president of the chamber board; Kelly Parker with Share Medical Center; Mike Ruby with OG&E; and Dwight Pfeiffer with Central National Bank.

“With various programs and workshops, the Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series, opening up facilities like the J.R. Holder Wellness Center to the public and being a resource for sporting events, Northwestern brings so much culture to our community,” Mantz said

Along with providing resources to the community, Northwestern is the largest employer in Alva with 220 full-time employees. 

-NW-

Kaylyn Hansen, director of student life and counseling, said that approximately 320 attended Freshman Orientation, and 53 students attended Transfer Orientation.

Orientation was opened in Herod Hall Auditorium with the Ride, Rangers, Ride fight song, played by Northwestern’s band, and a performance from the Ranger Cheerleaders.  Members of the Northwestern staff, Ranger Connectors and Northwestern Student Ambassadors were introduced. After introductions Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president; Calleb Mosburg dean of student affairs and enrollment management; and Scott Brown, Alva city council president, spoke to students.

Following the opening session, the freshmen braved the morning rain as they walked across campus for their various breakout sessions.

Each student had the opportunity to have their student IDs made, get parking decals, and visit with staff members about the differences between high school and college and what to expect from their college professors and classes. Freshmen visited with current Northwestern students to ask questions about college life. Financial aid, registry and the business office were open to assist students with final payments and questions. Freshmen students also visited the Academic Success Center and the J.R. Holder Wellness Center.

Campus clubs and organizations from throughout campus had booths set up in the Student Center Ballroom so all students were able to see many of the organizations they will have a chance to join.

“With the help of Northwestern’s administration, staff and the student organizations, Freshman Orientation was a success,” Hansen said. “We believe our incoming freshmen were able to engage in activities that will help with their transition into college life.”

Transfer students attended their orientation session in the afternoon and were given information about receiving their Northwestern e-mail accounts, the Student Information System, transcripts, IDs and parking decals, and a short wellness center orientation, among other topics.

“We are looking forward to showing new students on campus this year all the fun activities we have planned,” Hansen said. “We highly encourage all students to get involved.”

-NW-

Stewart Arthurs, Foundation Board Chairman, presented The Donovan Reichenberger Fundraising Award to Alan Hall, Northwestern Oklahoma State University head football coach, at the Northwestern Foundation Donor Appreciation Dinner. Hall was recognized for raising $79,258 for the football program.

The funds allowed the football team to purchase two new team uniforms and provided numerous items for the field house.

“Coach Hall is working hard for his program and his student athletes. His efforts and the efforts of his staff are paying off with backing from our alums and donors,” said Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO. “I am pleased to see our generous supporters recognizing the potential in his football program and investing their funds accordingly.”

Established in 2010 with the Northwestern Foundation, the Donovan Reichenberger Fundraising Award recognizes the private fundraising efforts of Northwestern faculty and staff. Named for Reichenberger and his example of generosity and fundraising service, the award honors an individual who seeks to further the mission and vision of the university, allowing continued prosperity during a critical time of diminishing state support.

“It’s an honor to be given an award for just doing your job, and I’m thankful to be able to do it,” Hall said. “It’s nice to be recognized from across all parties involved and knowing that everyone is doing their part to help raise funds for this institution.”

Hall played collegiately at the University of Miami (Fla.) and was a member of the Hurricane’s 1991 national championship team. He later transferred and earned his bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak (Conn.) State College. He earned his master’s degree from the University of West Alabama. Hall is entering his second season as the Rangers’ head coach.

“It says a lot about where our program is at, and I have a great staff. Obviously if I’m out fundraising, I’m not here and somebody needs to keep the ship moving,” Hall said.

To be considered for the award, nominees must be full-time Northwestern employees, demonstrate excellent personal qualities and exemplify Northwestern values. Selection by the Northwestern Foundation Executive Committee is based on the total funds raised by the nominee, both pledged and realized; the average age and income of the alumni base from which the nominee raised the funds; the nominee’s university position and level of responsibility; and the sources of private gifts secured for Northwestern.

The prestigious award’s selection criteria reflect Reichenberger’s dedication to the university. A former Northwestern faculty member and 1965 alumnus, Reichenberger is one of the university’s most generous benefactors. He has served as a Northwestern Foundation trustee since 1993.

For more information or to nominate Northwestern faculty or staff for the 2014 award, contact Bird at 580-327-8599, aebird@nwosu.edu or by mail at Northwestern Foundation Inc., 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717.

### Northwestern Foundation Release ###

Baxter Black entertains the audience during the Northwestern Foundation Donor Appreciation Dinner Aug. 22.

The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Inc., held its invitation-only Donor Appreciation Dinner featuring Baxter Black, cowboy poet, on Aug. 22 in the Student Center Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is held by the Foundation to say thank you to all donors for investing in Northwestern and its students during the past year.

This year, donors were treated to a western-style dinner and a humorous presentation by Western Horseman writer Baxter Black. A photo booth also was available for guests to capture the moment, with several different Ranger and western props.

For more than 25 years Baxter Black has traveled the United States and Canada, scattering his wit and left-handed observations to people. He has sold more than one million books and audios and writes for a weekly column, weekly radio program, and weekly television program. Black has been on National Public Radio (NPR), public television, Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Random House and USA Today.

Black says his life has been blessed and he enjoys what he does. He resides in Benson, Ariz., and can be reached through his website www.baxterblack.com.

Northwestern student, Patrick Driskill, also spoke at the dinner. Originally from Pauls Valley, Driskill is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2014. Driskill is the president of the Aggie Club and also serves in the Student Government Association.

For more information, contact Susan J. Holliday, Northwestern Foundation relationship manager, at sjholliday@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8592.

### Northwestern Foundation Release ###

Short biographies of each faculty member from the School of Arts and Sciences are listed below:

Matt Adair, instructor of mass communication/public relations, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication and a Master of Education degree in adult education and management from Northwestern. Most recently he has served as director of extended education at Frank Phillips College.

Matt Barnes, instructor of English, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Education degree in adult education and management from Northwestern.  He has been teaching English as an adjunct for Northwestern and Northern Oklahoma College.

Dr. Kenneth Drobnak, assistant professor of music/director of bands, holds a doctorate in performance from Michigan State University, a Master of Music degree from the University of New Mexico, and two bachelor’s degrees in music from the University of Akron. Most recently he was the director of bands at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Keenan Meeker, instructor of mathematics, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from The Master’s College, and is completing a master’s degree in math at Pittsburg State University.  He has been teaching in the Claremore Public Schools.

Dr. Justin Olmstead, assistant professor of social science, earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Sheffield, a Master of Arts degree in American History from Emporia State University, a bachelor’s degree in history from Southwestern College, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washburn University.  He has been teaching in the public schools in Winfield, Kan., and as an adjunct instructor at Southwestern College.

Tom Pantera, instructor of mass communication/journalism, holds a Master of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has served as a teaching assistant at Missouri and has experience as a professional journalist.

Dr. Mary Riegel, assistant professor of mathematics, has a doctorate and a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from the University of Montana, and a bachelor’s degree in math from Whitman College.  Most recently she has served as a postdoctoral lecturer in mathematics at the University of Montana.

Michele Scordato, assistant professor of social work, holds a Master of Social Work degree from California State University at Long Beach, and will complete a Ph.D. in social work from the University of South Florida this fall.

Jave Yoshimoto, assistant professor of art, earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a Master of Art in art therapy from the School of the Art institute in Chicago, and a Master of Fine Art in painting from Syracuse University.   Most recently he has served as an art instructor in Seattle area schools.       

Short biographies of each faculty member from the School of Professional Studies are listed below:

Roger Brown, instructor of business, is completing a Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Texas-Pan American. He also has an MBA from UTPA, a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of the West Indies.  Brown was a member of the faculty at UTPA.

Jason Busche, instructor of health and sports science education, has a master’s degree in physical education from Emporia State University and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern.  Jason worked in the public school system in Anthony, Kan., before coming to Northwestern.

Leslie Collins, instructor of nursing, earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northwestern.  She was coordinator of the Ketterman Nursing Laboratory before joining the faculty.

Dr. David Hawkins, assistant professor of business, earned a doctorate in business administration marketing from Northcentral University, an MBA from Dallas Baptist University and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology from Abilene Christian University.  He has been an instructor at the University of Phoenix.

Sandy Nigh, instructor of nursing, holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Oklahoma Baptist University.  She has worked as an adjunct instructor in nursing at Northern Oklahoma College and a professional nurse.

Robin Roberson, instructor of education, is completing a doctorate in education psychology from the University of Oklahoma.  She also has a Master of Education degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from East Central University.  Roberson previously was the director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Oklahoma.

John Stockmyer, associate professor of business, holds a Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Missouri.  He also holds an MBA from Rockhurst University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri.  He comes to Northwestern from Eastern New Mexico University.

-NW-

Employees and students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University will be able to enjoy an extended weekend as the university will close for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2.

Northwestern’s offices will be closed and no classes will be held that day. Classes will resume and all university offices will open with regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

-NW-

The pageants will take place in Herod Hall Auditorium at 4 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are still available at Holder Drug or from contestants for $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Rachel Stewart, pageant director, also may be contacted at (580) 327-8178 or rsstewart@nwosu.edu to purchase tickets. Northwestern students get in free with a student ID.

Competing for the Miss Northwestern title are Ellen Halliburton, Slapout freshman; Kayla Castle, Jet freshman; Alex Smith, Mooreland freshman; and Kierra Gilmore, Sallis (Miss.) senior. The title winner will go on to the Miss Oklahoma Pageant.

Six are participating in the Outstanding Teen Pageant. They include Emma Reed of Freedom; Ashley Tucker of Fairview; Meghan Webb, Connor Cummings and Landry Gaddy, all of Alva.

-NW-

Smith sang “Feeling Good,” and her platform is “M.U.S.I.C: Making U See Individual Characteristics.”  Tucker performed Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on the piano, and she will work to promote her platform, “Drive Awake 4 No Mistake.”

There was a People’s Choice vote where voters had the opportunity to put $1 in for whomever they chose. Both Tucker and Smith won those awards and received a prize. The proceeds will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, the national platform of Miss America.

Smith also will receive a $1,500 tuition scholarship and a cash scholarship as Miss Northwestern. 

When Tucker attends college at Northwestern, she will receive a $1,500 tuition scholarship as well. 

Rylee Ferguson of Mooreland, the Miss Northwestern Star, will accompany Smith to the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant in Tulsa in June.

Ellen Halliburton, a freshman from Slapout, was named first runner-up.  She will receive a $1,000 tuition scholarship and a cash scholarship. 

Kayla Castle, of Jet, was named second runner-up.  She will receive a $1000 tuition scholarship and a cash scholarship.  Kayla also won the Jordan Gaskill Scholar Award, a $100 cash scholarship from Robert and Patti Gaskill.  Gaskill held the Miss Northwestern title in 2007 and 2009, and this scholarship went to the Miss participant with the highest grade point average. She also won most ads and tickets sold.

Connor Cummings of Alva was named the first runner-up in the Teen portion of the pageant, and Emma Reed of Freedom, was second runner-up.  Each runner-up in the Teen category will receive a tuition scholarship if they choose Northwestern as their school of choice for college.

Contestants in the pageant were judged in talent, interview, fitness in a swimsuit and onstage questions categories.  Each contestant in both the Miss and Teen categories will receive cash participation scholarship awards.

Kierra Gilmore, Sallis, Miss., senior also competed in the Miss Northwestern pageant. 

Meghan Webb and Landry Gaddy, both of Alva, also were contestants in the Teen contest.

Other contestants for the Miss Northwestern Star program included Kinsey Harzman, Sarah Brown, and Lanie Ann Ginder. 

-NW-

She took her musical talents to New York and Munich, Germany, this summer for performances, and before she returns to New York for another engagement, Dr. Sarah Chan, assistant professor of music at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, will perform a piano recital in Herod Hall Auditorium in Alva.

The recital of French Impressionism, Spanish Nationalism and French-Polish Romanticism is Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Chan is an international artist, scholar and educator who has engaged a residency of musical artistry, scholarship and teaching across three continents.

As a concert pianist, Chan has garnered numerous prestigious awards through the years and has performed all over the world.

Chan, originally from Hong Kong, received her training in the United States and in France. Her areas of expertise include piano performance and literature, with additional concentrations in music theory/theory pedagogy, composition and voice.

Dr. Sarah Chan, who is performing here with the Enid Symphony Orchestra during a concert at the Enid Symphony Hall in 2012, will present a piano recital at Northwestern Oklahoma State University Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium in Alva. The performance is open to the public.

At Northwestern, Chan is the director of keyboard studies/music theory and history. She additionally teaches French, and directs the annual Northwestern Piano Festival for pre-college students. This year’s event is set for March 1 with an entry deadline of Feb. 15.

Chan teaches classes at Northwestern that lead to a major or minor in piano performance for those who have a solid background in pre-college piano training and are interested in pursuing piano performance, piano teaching and/or accompanying as primary areas of collegiate study and profession. She also teaches piano classes to those desiring to develop their keyboard skills. These classes are designed for students who may have little or no background in keyboard playing, as well as for those with skills through the early-intermediate levels.

She was nominated for the 2013 and 2012 John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service Award at Northwestern and has received the Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester where she taught previously.

She also has won The American Prize in Piano Performance, and currently is an adjudicator for The American Prize Competitions and Arts Advocacy Captain for Oklahomans for the Arts.

Her most recent performances were as a piano soloist in May with the New York Concert Artists Symphony Orchestra at the Good-Shepherd Faith Presbyterian Church in New York, and a solo piano recital at the Kunstlerhaus Concert Hall in Munich, Germany in July.

Chan will present a solo piano recital on Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center in New York.

For more information about Chan, her performances, or her classes, contact her at (580) 327-8690 or sschan@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

Family Day at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28. The annual event brings families to campus where they can take tours, purchase Ranger gear, shop for tuition scholarships and attend a Ranger football game.

Families are invited to visit the Alva merchants to “shop for tuition” to register for a $500, $300 or $200 tuition giveaway for the spring semester of 2014. This opportunity is Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m.  Families can register as many times as they’d like, and the winning names will be drawn during halftime of the football game (must be present to win).

The Alva merchants participating are Alva State Bank, Community Bank, K&S Tire, Holder Drug, Radio Shack, Taco Village, LaDEEda, The Etc. Shoppe, Rialto Theatre, Lyn’s T-Shirt Factory, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, The Happiness House, Merle Norman, Alva’s Market, Exotic Heat Wave, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Red’s Place, G&G Home Furnishing, Speedy’s T’s & More, BancCentral, Bar S Outfitters, Busy B, Floral Designs, Schumacher’s Copper Penny, Wickedly Rustic and Burlap Bungalow. No purchase is necessary to participate in the “shop for tuition.”

Family Day registration is Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Northwestern Follett Bookstore.  At registration families will receive free tickets to the football game and a change to win additional prizes. 

The presidential pre-game program will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Students and their families will hear from Northwestern’s President Dr. Janet Cunningham and will have the opportunity to meet with Northwestern faculty members. 

Families also are invited to the tailgate party on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.  at the Southeast corner of Ranger Field on the second tier of the parking area.  Food and drinks will be served for $3 a person.  The tailgate will go until kickoff. 

The event wraps up with the Ranger football game at 1 p.m.  The Rangers will go up against Southern Arkansas at Ranger Field. 

For more information, please contact Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs and enrollment management, at cnmosburg@nwosu.edu or (580) 327.8415.

-NW-

The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation will hold its Annual Meeting Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m.  The meeting will be held in the Student Center Ranger Room on Northwestern’s Alva campus.

All members of the Foundation are invited to attend.  A member is anyone who has given at least $100 to the Foundation.  On the agenda for the Annual Meeting are the presentation of plaques to donors who have reached new levels of giving, a report of the 2013 fiscal year and the selection of new trustees and officers.

For more information, contact Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, at aebird@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8599.

This is a Northwestern Foundation release.

###

Dr. William Corbett, who has written extensively on World War II Prisoner of War camps in Oklahoma, will present a talk on this subject at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the J.W. Martin Library on the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva campus. Corbett is this year’s Cultural Heritage Series speaker presented by the social sciences department.

The program is free and open to Northwestern students and employees, as well as community members.

Alva was home to one of the more notorious WWII POW camps as it was used as a maximum security camp, housing about 5,000 Nazi Party members who reportedly caused the most problems and proved the greatest risk of all the prisoners. Alva’s camp is listed as the only maximum security camp in the entire program across the United States. Many of the prisoners in the Alva camp and others worked in construction, farming and even manned the Santa Fe Railroad's ice plant at Waynoka.

A local community group and social science department members have been working to preserve the Alva POW Camp and its history in the community. It was located in the area where the red and white checked water tower is located near the Woods County Fairgrounds south of town.

Corbett is a professor of history and chair of social sciences at Northeastern State University. He earned a master’s in history from the University of South Dakota and a doctorate in history from Oklahoma State University.

Corbett serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Historical Society and has received the Muriel H. Wright Award for Excellence in the Preservation and Publication of Oklahoma History and a Public Humanities Award from the Oklahoma Humanities Council for outstanding programming in the Humanities.

He has authored a number of books and articles throughout his career.

“His presentation is expected to be quite informative and animated,” Dr. Kay Decker, chair of the social sciences department, said.

For more information, please contact Decker at (580) 327-8521 or email kldecker@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

For the first time since 2010, fall semester enrollment at Northwestern Oklahoma State University has eclipsed the 2,300 mark and is the fifth largest in history.

In a preliminary enrollment report submitted to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Northwestern reported 2,312 students are attending classes this fall, an increase of 0.6 percent or 13 students from the same time last year.

Prior to 2010, the last time enrollment topped 2,300 was in 1970, when 2,349 students were enrolled. The period from 1967-70 saw the largest enrollments in university history, during the height of the Vietnam War.

“We feel very good about our enrollment situation,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president. “We continue to be in the middle of a robust regional economy where jobs are plentiful. Despite many economic factors not in our favor, we have been able to maintain steady, manageable growth.”

At the main campus in Alva, enrollment is up slightly to 1,550 students, an increase of six from 2012. Student housing occupancy increased 2.5 percent with 743 students residing in the school’s four residence halls.

Cunningham said Northwestern welcomed 408 new freshmen to its campuses this fall.

Enrollment at Northwestern-Enid was virtually unchanged from one year ago with 280 students attending classes there, compared with 281 students in 2012.

Northwestern-Woodward saw enrollment rise by nine students to 276.

Enrollment at Northwestern’s outreach sites also increased slightly to 182 students, compared with 178 a year ago. Northwestern also is serving 71 high school students through concurrent enrollment courses.

Northwestern’s online course offerings, including its degree completion programs in business, accounting and nursing, continue to attract more students. Enrollment in online courses jumped nearly 9 percent to 624 students.

The enrollment increase at Northwestern bucked a trend as many of the state’s regional and two-year colleges are reporting smaller enrollments.

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With a new school year underway at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the campus community continues to come together to plan for its reaffirmation for accreditation visit in April 2014.

Representatives and peer reviewers associated with the North Central Association (NCA) of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) will visit all of Northwestern’s campus locations at this time.

“Accreditation is validation of the fulfillment of Northwestern’s mission, vision and values,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “The accreditation process provides an opportunity for critical examination of every aspect of our operation.”

Over the summer, university employees continued writing information that will become Northwestern’s self-study publication, a document that will provide proof that Northwestern is excelling in all areas related to higher education.

Dr. Jesse Schroeder, chair of the communication department and Northwestern’s Accreditation Liaison Officer to the HLC, said the peer review team will carefully review Northwestern’s self-study to ensure that the university meets all of the criteria enforced by the HLC.

“This is a very positive experience for our institution,” Schroeder said. “It allows us to not only pinpoint areas where we could improve, but it allows us to showcase all of the areas where we go above and beyond the expectations put forth by our accrediting body.”

The theme surrounding Northwestern’s reaffirmation for accreditation is “Credit for Credit: Accreditation Matters to You.”

“We want our students to be confident the college credits they are earning will add to their credibility with future employers and educational institutions,” Schroeder said.

Accreditation at Northwestern is important for a number of reasons.

1. It allows students to be able to apply for federal financial aid. Institutions that are not accredited do not get to offer this service to their students.
2. It allows for easy transfer of credit hours among accredited colleges and universities.
3. It lets students know the education they are receiving is of high quality and that future employers will know the education obtained at Northwestern is top notch.

“An increased presence of accreditation materials will be seen soon at all campus locations and in various local businesses to help explain what accreditation is and why it is happening at Northwestern,” Schroeder said. “Our goal is to help everyone -- on and off campus -- understand the importance of the accreditation process.”

Officials at Northwestern and at the HLC are always open to hearing from anyone with questions, concerns, or accolades regarding the institution. To provide a third-party comment, those interested should send information no later than March 7 to:

Third-Party Comment on Northwestern Oklahoma State University
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

or visit the Higher Learning Commission’s website at www.ncahlc.org and search “Third-Party Comment.” The web address is http://www.ncahlc.org/Information-for-the-Public/third-party-comment.html or visit the Northwestern home page at www.nwosu.edu and look for the third party comment button on the bottom right of the page.

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After a three year hiatus, the annual Northwestern Oklahoma State University President’s Association Golf Classic will return to Boiling Springs Golf Club, Thursday, Oct. 3.

The event is a benefit for the President’s Association program at Northwestern. Since its inception in 2000, the program has supported the development of the President’s Leadership Class, sponsored the participation of students in national events and competitions, provided funds for special unmet needs to enhance teaching and learning, and supported special projects to enhance student recruitment and retention.

“We are looking forward to bringing the President’s Classic back to Boiling Springs and Woodward,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president. “There has been a tremendous response to returning to Boiling Springs. We look to have a great day of golf and raise much-needed funds to benefit our students.”

About 100 golfers are expected to participate in the tournament, which features a four-person scramble format.

Tax-deductible entry fees are $450 per four-person team, and will include green fees, use of a golf cart and a barbeque lunch. President’s Association members who pledge this fall at the $1,000 or $500 levels will automatically receive up to two complimentary entries. 

Businesses or groups also may secure a team entry and hole sponsorship for $500.

Entry and sponsorship information is available by contacting Steve Valencia at (580) 327-8478 or sjvalencia@nwosu.edu.

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Cole was recognized, along with other State Stars, at the Annual Conference of America’s Small Business Development Center Network in Orlando, Fla., earlier in September. The annual conference brings together more than 1,400 SBDC professionals, trainers, consultants, management and administrative personnel.

Cole has a rich business history including owning and operating her own small business.  She has many small business certifications including being a Certified Pro Adviser for Intuit QuickBooks and currently is pursuing certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) with the National Development Council. 

“I am honored to be a part of the Northwestern SBDC team and work with Oklahoma’s small business community,” Cole said.

“Jeanne is an outstanding business counselor and is committed to quality assistance in serving our clients,” Laura Girty, Northwest Regional Director for the Northwestern SBDC, said. “She approaches her work with a positive attitude toward goal achievement and completing assignments. This recognition is a deserved and distinguished honor for Jeanne and the Northwestern SBDC.” 

The Northwest SBDC network includes offices and outreach in Alva, Enid, Woodward and Ponca City.

“The SBDC State Star Award has a long tradition in our industry as the top award for recognizing an individual’s outstanding performance and contribution to our mission of furthering small business success and job creation in Oklahoma,” Bill Carter, executive state director of the Oklahoma SBDC Network, said. “Before joining the SBDC center at Northwestern, Jeanne developed a wealth of small business knowledge as well as operating her own small business and leverages that real world experience to become a highly effective counselor and coach to small business. She is most deserving.”

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center network provides confidential, high-quality, no-cost business management advising in all Oklahoma counties to small business owners and new entrepreneurs. Management advising and related business management workshops cover business planning, capitalization, customer and competitive market research, export assistance, government contracting assistance, growth and succession strategies, business continuity planning and much more.

For more information contact the Northwest Oklahoma Small Business Development Center at OKSBDC@nwosu.edu or by calling (580) 213-3113.

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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of English, Foreign Language, and Humanities is sponsoring the Fall 2013 poetry readings.

Tonight the visiting poet for the American Studies program is Jeanetta Calhoun Mish at 7 p.m.  at the Graceful Arts Center.

Mish is a writer, scholar, professor, and editor of Mongrel Empire Press.  She earned her Ph.D. in American Studies with an emphasis on contemporary American poetry and working-class studies.  Her poetry collection, Work Is Love Made Visible, published by West End Press in March 2009, won three major awards in 2010.

For more information on this event please contact Dr. Shawn Holliday, associate dean of graduate studies, at (580) 327-8589 or spholliday@nwosu.edu.

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