President's Letter

LETTERLETTERFROMFROMTHETHEPRESIDENT:PRESIDENT:

Northwestern Oklahoma State University has experienced an interesting COVID-19 year in 2020-2021. We are certainly glad to now be enjoying in-person activities. Students are able to enjoy campus life once again and have many opportunities to get involved and meet their peers with no face coverings required.

At Northwestern, we are supporting the next generation of our state’s leaders and thinkers. We are creating doctors, political scientists, small business owners, and so much more. The experiences students have while on our campuses are so critical to a quality educational experience, which is why we are so glad to have a normal year.

We are pleased to report that the state legislature increased our allocations this year and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education also allocated funds to several areas of emphasis including nursing, teacher education and STEM fields. Federal CARES funds were distributed to students, which will help with their educational expenses, while the university has several ongoing projects to increase technology opportunities throughout our three campuses.

While we have many goals at Northwestern, we continue to seek more students to walk through our doors. We are experiencing a decrease in enrollment as are many higher education institutions across the state and nation; and we are working hard to improve those numbers. Our enrollment task force is continually working to implement new strategies to increase our student population.

As the supporters of our University, your generosity has made a difference in the lives of countless students. The education of our students is impacted greatly because of these resources you give to increase scholarships, support faculty and renovate facilities. We see the success students encounter while in the classroom, on the stage, court, or field. We get to see that success because of you, and we thank you for those special moments.

Ride Rangers, Ride!

Dr. Janet Cunningham

President, Northwestern Oklahoma State University Class of 1976