2021-22 roundUP

roundUP

Making a Lasting Impact

University President: Dr. Bo Hannaford

Official Publication Published annually by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association

Editors: John Allen & Jana Garvie Lindley Art Direction/Designer: Jana Garvie Lindley

Writers: John Allen & Caitlin Hofen

Photography: Caitlin Hofen, Jana Garvie Lindley Emma Sporleder

Cover mural “Heat Wave” by Natalie Sacket-Evans

Change of address notices and other correspondence may be sent to: John Allen

Director, Alumni Relations

Northwestern Student Center 709 Oklahoma Blvd. Alva, OK 73717 580-327-8593 nwalumni@nwosu.edu

For information about making a contribution to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, contact: Allen E. “Skeeter” Bird Chief Executive Officer 709 Oklahoma Blvd. Alva, OK 73717 580-327-8593 aebird@nwosu.edu

President: Jeremiah Campbell Vice President: Tony Crouch Secretary/Treasurer: John Allen Recording Secretary: Kandee Almgren Visit us online at: ournorthwestern.org Connect with us on social media:

roundUP magazine is published by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association office. It is mailed to more than 2,000 alumni, parents and friends of Northwestern throughout the country and world. To change your mailing address, send an email to NWalumni@nwosu.edu; write the roundUP magazine, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, Oklahoma 73717; or call 580-327-8593.

Dear Northwestern Family,

This year has been a much-needed blessing. We have returned to many of our missed events that provide the opportunities to reconnect, in person, with our Ranger family. Homecoming 2021 was back with the unmistakable Ranger Spirit. The Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame celebrated two years of inductees – outstanding athletes and coaches who are a part of our athletic legacy.

For the annual Spring Alumni Reunion, we prepared for three years’ worth of honored classes – 18 total classes – to return and celebrate their Northwestern journeys. Percefull Fieldhouse was filled with these incredible alumni and their Ranger enthusiasm.

With each event and celebration – and with every conversation with alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff and community – I recognize the enduring strength of Northwestern. Its history details decades of challenges and adversity. Yet, it also records the perseverance, the vision and the successes of the institution. To borrow half of a slogan that cities, companies and other entities have used, we are NorthwesternStrong

We now are pleased to offer you this edition of roundUP. This issue provides a look into the busy lives of four of our remarkable alumni, individuals who well represent Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Actress Sarah Acosta, ’14, earned a role in “1883,” the limited-run television drama which first aired in 2021 on Paramount+. Sarah shared some of her on- and off-set experience with us earlier this year.

We caught up with Dr. Dudley Darrow, ’02, who became superintendent of Chisolm Public Schools in the fall of 2022. Proud of his Northwestern roots, Dudley offers enthusiasm in his passion for public education.

Natalie Sacket-Evans and Jordan Evans, both 2016 graduates, are making an impact on Oklahoma City in both their careers and their volunteer work for several civic groups. And like Sarah and Dudley, they acknowledge Northwestern as a foundation that continues to be a strength in building their careers.

This year also marked the retirement of Dr. Janet Cunningham, who provided extraordinary leadership as Northwestern’s president for 16 years. The next chapter of Northwestern leadership did not miss a beat as Dr. Bo Hannaford was appointed the 20th president of the university and assumed his role on July 1, 2022. Enjoy Dr. Hannaford’s profile on page 12.

Thank you for your part in the Northwestern story. We are looking forward to the year ahead, and we hope to meet and visit with as many of you as possible. Mark your calendars now to join us October 7, 2023, for Homecoming.

Ride, Rangers, Ride.

John Allen Director, Alumni Relations Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association

Dear Northwestern Alumni and Friends,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Northwestern Alumni Board the past several years.

After a year-plus of canceled events, we were able to welcome back our alumni and friends to Homecoming 2021 on October 9. Ranger Pride was alive and well as the Alva Square filled with Ranger Run participants and those eager to get a good seat for the homecoming parade.

The Spring Alumni Reunion returned on April 30, 2022, after a two-year hiatus. Alumni from 18 honored classes of the past were recognized, and six new Outstanding Alumni were honored. More than 200 guests filled Percefull Fieldhouse. And, yes, Ranger Pride was obvious.

Beyond the events, the Alumni Board launched Ranger2Ranger a little over a year ago. Ranger2Ranger is a mentoring program that provides our Northwestern students with the advantage of connecting with alumni and Northwestern friends – mentors – all over the world. These mentors can help with advice on career choices, job shadowing, résumé development and improving interview skills. I encourage you to be a part of this program. I believe the investment of time will reap great benefits to both our students and to us as alumni and friends of Northwestern. Please be a part of a student’s success by signing up at https://ournorthwestern.org/get-involved/ ranger2ranger.

Finally, I want to thank my colleagues who have served with me on the alumni board over the last several years. Your tireless dedication and commitment to connecting with alumni and community, your well-timed humor, and the ceaseless pride in the red and black have made this an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I look forward to what you will make happen next.

Ride, Rangers, Ride.

Jeremiah Campbell President Northwestern Alumni Board

Making a Lasting Impact

Natalie Sacket-Evans, ’16, digs her shovel into the earth and makes a hole big enough for a tree. Demonstrating the process for her volunteers, Natalie covers the roots of the tree that will benefit generations of Oklahoma City residents.

Across town, Jordan Evans, ’16, meets with local advocates to discuss a long-range vision for safer and more convenient bicycling and walking infrastructure in central Oklahoma.

Together, these young Northwestern alums use their passions for community and service to make a lasting impact on the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Before Jordan and Natalie started working in Oklahoma City, the couple met in 2013 on the Alva campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

“We were fortunate to be pretty involved on campus,” Jordan said. “We were each able to become involved in a number of diverse activities and

organizations, allowing us to expand our skill sets and leadership traits.”

After graduating from Northwestern in May 2016, the couple married and started careers as young professionals in the nonprofit business sector around Oklahoma City. Natalie began a role with a statewide nonprofit doing project management, and Jordan served with the State Regents for Higher Education in the College Assistance Program.

“I knew I wanted to work in the nonprofit setting in some capacity, but I wasn’t sure which field of nonprofit,” Natalie said. “I stumbled upon Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, which is a state-wide environmental nonprofit. I worked with many local municipalities and volunteer organizations across Oklahoma. I developed a passion for the power of local communities to come together and make positive change.”

In December 2018, the couple graduated with

Master

by Caitlin Hofen

J ordan Evans and Natalie Sacket-Evans at the grand opening of the Scissortail Park Lower Park, Oklahoma City

of Public Administration (MPA) degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma. Jordan focused on public and nonprofit management, while Natalie found her calling in urban government and local sustainability. She soon began working for the City of Edmond to focus on local initiatives and municipal government.

The call for hands-on work led Natalie back to the nonprofit sector, where she became the program and marketing director for OKC Beautiful, an environmental beautification and education nonprofit serving the Oklahoma City area.

“We work closely at the local level with the City of Oklahoma City to create a more sustainable community,” Natalie said. “We teach environmental stewardship to the general public and try to create a better quality of life through public projects.”

In 2019, Jordan started working for the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), a voluntary, non-partisan association of local governments that includes 37 cities and covers four counties.

“In my role as a transportation planner, I primarily look at bike and pedestrian issues,” Jordan said. “I try to make it easier for people to walk and bike safely in the Oklahoma City region.

“When I was going through my MPA, my goal was to still work for the state government like I did for the Regents. However, I felt ACOG was a good mix of the local issues I enjoyed learning about, while still working with a larger group of people and having a broader reach.”

During their time at Northwestern, Natalie and Jordan were English and history majors, respectively. They believe the concepts they learned during their undergrad years gave them a firm foundation for their work in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Jordan applies the fundamentals of history to his position as a transportation planner.

“History is looking back, and as a planner, I’m looking forward,” Jordan said. “While they may be opposites,

many of the same principles apply. I use research, writing and analyzing the process to get the end result. By looking at past experiences, I can plan more critically for better outcomes.”

Natalie utilizes the technical experience she gained at Northwestern.

“I use the communication skills I learned through my undergraduate experience on a daily basis for my job,” Natalie said. “I apply the writing and research skills to policy development, grant writing, content creation and more. I believe it was the community and campus involvement that made me look at a more nontraditional career path in nonprofit leadership and community development.

“Being so involved on campus and doing things like enacting policies with the Student Government Association and planning events for students really motivated us to continue that involvement after we graduated,” Jordan said.” The time we spent at Northwestern helped us find where our passions lie and steered us toward our respective career paths.”

“My favorite part of my job is getting to work with the community. One of the programs we do is called Bike Month where we promote biking for transportation through the month of May. Our events get people out into the community, riding their bikes and meeting their neighbors.”

“OKC Beautiful engages over 5,000 volunteers every year,” Natalie said. “I meet a lot of people and community organizations. It’s empowering to spend time with people who show up because they care about their city and community. The ability to meet other people who have a passion for the environment and Oklahoma City is encouraging. It makes me hopeful for our city and our state.

“Coming from a farming community, it’s so clear to me now that through human behavior we can help foster a beautiful environment. I grew up always being in nature, so having clarity of purpose in fostering and educating others about the environment and our impact is so empowering.”

Jordan and Natalie serve on numerous boards and volunteer with a variety of organizations to make an impact in their community. They are active in planning community events and programming to bring people together for a better Oklahoma City.

In their free time, they explore a variety of community activities. Jordan completed his first

Ironman triathlon in May 2021 and is a current member of the Leadership Oklahoma City LOYAL Class XVII. Natalie painted her first two public murals this year at the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival and the State Fair Mural contest, and she donates several paintings to nonprofit fundraising events.

Oklahoma City’s unlimited potential is cultivated by the endeavors of people like the Evans, who foster positive changes. With a firm foundation and a drive to enrich their community, Jordan and Natalie make Oklahoma City a better place, one project at a time.

- Natalie Sacket-Evans, ‘16

“...having clarity of purpose in fostering and educating others about the environment and our impact is so empowering.”

Outstanding Graduates 2022

2022 Outstanding Seniors and Award Winners

T.C. Carter Award – Madison Dehlinger, Mikayla Edris, Shelby Gibbs, Barbara McPherson, Katelyn Schieber

DeSERVING Ranger Award – Chambrea Cook

Alexandria Carmon

Ranger Spirit Ranger Recognition Humanitarian Education Business/ Professional Arts

Greg Bowman Clay Reed, M.D. Patricia Mitchell Tommi Earnhart Leach

Rich Cantillon

Leading the Way for Northwestern

by John Allen

A new era in leadership began on July 1, 2022, as Dr. Bo Hannaford became the 20th president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

“I was humbled when I was given the news,” Dr. Hannaford said. “I have great respect for this institution and it means a great deal to me. But I continue to be aware of the huge responsibility.”

Growing up in Alva and being employed at Northwestern since 2011, Dr. Hannaford has a keen understanding and a strong appreciation for the impact the university has on the future of Northwest Oklahoma and the world beyond. His introduction to Northwestern started as a young child, as his two grandfathers worked at Northwestern.

“I was introduced early to Northwestern, attending countless sporting events, concerts and plays.”

Dr. Hannaford received his bachelor’s degree in social science at Northwestern in 1992 and followed with earning his master’s degree in education in 1996. His early career in education was spent coaching and teaching at the high school and college levels for 11 years. He eventually served as a coach and principal in the Ponca City Public Schools for seven years.

Balancing the responsibilities of a full-time career and family, he earned his doctorate from Walden University and eventually returned to Northwestern. Before stepping into the office of president, Dr. Hannaford served in the roles of division chair, dean, vice president and executive vice president.

Servant and transitional leadership Dr. Hannaford’s capacity for strong leadership is noted by a friend and colleague, Dr. Steve Lohmann, former executive vice president at Northwestern.

Bo Hannaford (right) and his future brother-in-law Tim Taylor, ‘93, are ready for a Ranger football game.

“Bo is the type of person who works well with others and does not hesitate to take on responsibility,” Dr. Lohmann said. “He is a man of his word and possesses strong integrity. Northwest Oklahoma can rest assured that it has a gentleman who will give his all to move NWOSU forward.”

Dr. Hannaford shared he is grateful for the mentorship and advice he has been offered throughout his career.

“Over the years, I represented President Janet Cunningham (Northwestern’s 19th president who retired in June 2022) on many occasions, and these opportunities provided me with a unique perspective of her role as the president. I am grateful for her and the encouragement she provided.”

The passion for Northwestern led Dr. Hannaford to participate in fundraising opportunities for the benefit of the university. He played a critical role in securing a $5 million-plus gift to establish the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Northwestern, which was launched in the fall of 2017. Northwestern’s first doctorate-level program places an emphasis on rural health care in Oklahoma. The DNP program allows nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing to earn their nurse practitioner degrees. To date, 27 individuals have earned their Doctor of Nursing degrees at Northwestern.

More recently, it became apparent there was a need to bring back the visual arts major to Northwestern.

“We were losing students to other universities, students who wanted the major. We had the donor with the passion to see its return to our degree offerings.”

Dr. Hannaford is recognized as a leader who is not restricted by doubts. He watches for the needs of the community and sees if there are new possibilities to answer those needs.

Dr. Hannaford enjoys Homecoming 2022 with son, Tucker, and wife, Tara.

“It is a process that takes time,” Dr. Hannaford admits. “But we cannot be afraid to put in the time and resources to see if we can provide an answer. Sometimes it’s a home run, and sometimes it is not. But we always learn something valuable.”

Family Time, Hannaford Style

The Hannaford home is all about family, even with balancing the responsibilities of Northwestern. Dr. Hannaford’s wife, Tara, offered a glimpse into their family life.

“We are all competitive,” Tara said. “Game night may not happen as often, but it will remain a time when we can come together to enjoy one another with laughter, conversation and fun rivalry. We enjoy hanging out together, whether it is around the table or doing yard work.”

Family includes Dr. Hannaford’s daughter, Carson, who graduated from Northwestern in December 2020 with a degree in English education. Carson currently teaches English and is the yearbook advisor at her hometown high school in Dewey, Oklahoma. Carson is currently working on her master’s degree in school counseling from Northwestern.

The Hannaford’s son, Tucker, is an eighth grader who earns top grades in academics. He inherited athletic genes from both parents and participates in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.

Tucker recently announced to his parents that he was going to join FFA and immediately took on the responsibility of caring for pigs, which are housed at the Alva Schools farm.

The Hannaford family life is full, and it takes the skill of an organizer to make it work. Selfproclaimed – and also husband-proclaimed – Tara is the ultimate organizer.

“I want students, alumni and community to be proud of Northwestern.”

“She gets it done, period,” Dr. Hannaford offers with a smile.

Tara also enjoys, and balances, a career as the Director of Financial Aid for Northwestern. She graduated with her master’s degree in education from Northwestern in 2015.

She recalled her thoughts when she heard the news that her husband had been named Northwestern’s new president.

“I was very excited for Bo. He has worked hard in his career to do the right thing.

“I recognized early when we began dating that he bleeds red and black. That hasn’t changed. He loves this university and wants to see it succeed. He wants our students to succeed. I am very proud of him.”

Moving forward for Northwestern Dr. Hannaford recognizes the challenges he and his team face. Enrollment at Northwestern is starting to see a comeback after experiencing the decline that institutions across the United States experienced for several years. The work to grow enrollment numbers continues.

“Higher education is necessary to fill many of the critical occupations in the State of Oklahoma and beyond,” said Dr. Hannaford. “We are working to get in front of more high school students, their parents and high school counselors.

“Our campus infrastructure is a never-ending opportunity for improvement. We must keep facilities up-to-date.

“Professional development for faculty and staff is another critical investment. We have exceptional faculty and staff, and we are all recruiters for Northwestern.

“I want students, alumni and community to be proud of Northwestern. We cannot yield to offering anything less than a high-quality, affordable education for our students. And we will continue to be confident, good stewards of the investments provided by our donors.

“I’m looking forward to the work and the results in front of us.”

Ranger Events 2021-2022

Ranger Wake Up Aug 16, 2021

On the first day of Northwestern classes, donuts, apples, bottles of water, coffee and encouragement were offered to students. Several door prizes were awarded to students.

Dr. Jonathan Thomason, Woodward Dean, (left) and Dr. Janet Cunningham, Northwestern President, recognized Bruce and Sheryl Benbrook for their investment in Northwestern.

April 12, 2022

Baseball, Hot Dogs & Apple Pie

Hosted by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association and the Enid campus, this annual event provided an opportunity for alumni to cheer on the Ranger baseball team as they took on East Central University. Hot dogs were prepared by the Rowdy Rangers, and free tee shirts were provided for the first 120 youth league baseball players.

1.

Game On: Ranger 2021 Edition Homecoming

Northwestern Homecoming was celebrated on a sunny October 9 with the annual Ranger Run kicking off the day followed by the traditional parade featuring floats, bands, queen contestants and parade marshal Linda Tutwiler.

“Ranger Lunch on the Square” featuring tasty pulled pork sandwiches was provided by the Rowdy Rangers. A massed band performance of local high school musicians preceded the football game, with Rangers taking on the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

The Alumni Band was in full force directed by former Northwestern band director Mike Knedler. Announcement of Ranger Royalty as well as the winner of the Homecoming drawing took place at halftime.

Dr. Mike Knedler, former Northwestern Band Director, leads the Alumni Band in a rousing rendition of “Ride, Rangers, Ride.”

Northwestern President Dr. Janet Cunningham poses with Miss Cinderella Contest contestants from area high schools.

Northwestern friends celebrate 2021 Homecoming together.

From left: Vada Parker, Carla White, Peggy O’Neil and Linda Tutwiler.

Linda Tutwiler, Parade Marshal, waves to the crowd.

The Ranger drum major leads the band down the street in the annual parade.

Rangers attend a packed Ranger Lunch on the Square.

Ranger Queen Erika Hernandez with well-wishers at the parade.

Greg Bowman, Ali Kirtley, Jeremiah Campbell and John Allen serve Ranger Lunch on the Square.

Blazing sun beats down on the Texas plains. The long, meandering wagon train creaks over the tall prairie grass, protecting the inhabitants from the dry wind. A woman wearing a squirrel-pelt vest and purple headscarf runs along the wagon train. Dirt covers her face, streaked with sweat. Her legs strain as she pushes harder to keep up with the group.

In the distance, a bell rings and a loud voice shouts, “Cut!” The scene is over as makeup artists rush to cover the woman’s glistening skin with more brown makeup to mimic dirt. Quickly, the crew moves back to their places, and the woman prepares to run again.

Sara Acosta, ’14, plays the woman — a gypsy immigrant — in the Paramount+ Network series “1883,” the origin story for the television series, “Yellowstone”. The season of “1883” aired from

December 2021 through February 2022 with 10 episodes.

“It was my responsibility to bring the world surrounding the wagon train to life,” Acosta said. “I came up with my own story for my character. She was a very driven woman who I would consider the gossip. She was always trying to find out news and letting others know the pertinent information needed to move along the trail safely.

“When the producers put the designation of gypsy immigrant on me, I did a lot of research before I even stepped on set. I read books and articles about the Romani culture to learn why they would seek a new home. I decided my particular reason would be because of discrimination. My character brought her immediate family to start a new life.”

Sara Acosta, ’14, revisits Herod Hall Auditorium where she acted in Northwestern Theatre productions during her college years.

Acosta’s Early Career

A native of Woodward, Okla., Acosta started her acting career at the age of six with the Woodward Arts Theatre and Missoula Children’s Theatre. After graduating from high school, Acosta attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and obtained a degree in speech and theatre.

“I’ve always wanted to be an actor,” Acosta said. “I had given up the idea of pursuing theatre until I got to Northwestern. I saw how inclusive it was and how anyone could be a part of the productions.”

Upon the completion of her degree, Acosta lived at home in Woodward as she looked for acting jobs. When the opportunity arose, she accepted a position at Woodward Public Schools to teach speech and reading.

“When it was time to move on, I looked seriously into moving to California,” Acosta said. “When I couldn’t make solid plans to go, a friend encouraged me to visit her in Florida to see what was offered there. I went for a week and saw all the work opportunities I had. The entertainment industry was strong and there were plenty of jobs.”

Acosta lived in Florida for four and a half years, where she worked in various aspects of the entertainment and theme park industries. However, the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the

entertainment industry forced Acosta to move home, where she auditioned for roles virtually. Eventually, she was selected as a background performer for “1883”.

Filming in the Wild West “1883” follows the fictional Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last stretch of untamed America — Montana. According to the network, “1883’ is a stark retelling of Western expansion and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future.

A majority of filming took place on Bosque Ranch Headquarters in Weatherford, Texas, owned by Taylor Sheridan, Academy Award nominee and co-creator of “Yellowstone”. Later episodes were filmed in Montana as the Dutton family reached their destination.

“Filming was a lot like living on the trail,” Acosta said. “While we did sleep in hotels, it was 14-hour days in the Texas summer. Our hottest day was 113 degrees Fahrenheit and the coldest it got was 11 degrees Fahrenheit in the early morning. Dealing with the elements was hard, but at the same time it was peaceful. It was just the earth, the sky and us. It was a great experience.”

by Caitlin Hofen

While Acosta was a background character in her role, she was still able to work with some of the biggest names in the film industry.

“Sam [Elliot] is about as legendary as you can get,” Acosta said. “He’s one of the oldest actors still working. He was very professional and endured everything the same as everyone else. He was masterful in the way he could turn on and off the intense emotions he would need for his character.

“A lot of people think Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are just country music performers, but they are definitely actors. They have their own processes to get into character. You could see how proud they are of their characters and wanting to do them justice.”

Northwestern’s Impact “1883” is the biggest production Acosta has been in so far, but she has worked in nearly every aspect of theatre, including directing, stage design, costumes

and more. She has also played a variety of roles in several productions and musicals.

“The work ethic I created from Northwestern’s theatre program is what has prepared me the most for the productions I’ve been a part of,” Acosta said. “Without that, I wouldn’t have been prepared to take direction from so many different places, or been prepared for the long haul, like the 14-hour days. I wouldn’t have learned anything about the fundamentals of a production like lighting or scene design. I learned how to network and keep a level of professionalism at work. I would have had a huge learning curve to get over if it weren’t for coming to Northwestern and earning my degree.”

From working under the hot Texas sun to performing under big stage lights, Acosta uses the skills she learned at Northwestern to hone her craft and breathe life into the characters she portrays. The woman with the purple headscarf and squirrel-pelt vest lives on through Acosta, still running along the wagon train and searching for a new home.

on-set photos provided by Sara Acosta

with the elements was hard, but at the same time it was peaceful. It was just the earth, the sky and us. It was a great experience.”

- Sara Acosta on her role in the Paramont+ series “1883”

“Dealing

Sports Hall of Fame Inductees 2021-22

Bob Battisti Basketball Brandon Christenson Football

Dean Farrow Baseball

2021 Honorees

From left: Bob Battisti, Brittany (McBride) Johnson, Brandon Christenson, Dean Farrow and Bill Julson

2022 Honorees

Bill Julson Baseball

Brittany (McBride) Johnson Basketball

GRADUATE TO A WORLD OF BENEFITS

As a card-carrying Northwestern Alumni Association member, you can enjoy several membership benefits, including 20% off selected merchandise at the Northwestern Alva Bookstore.

Other benefits include:

• Discounts up to 55 percent on hotels worldwide (hotels.com)

• Discounts at participating area merchants

• A temporary visitor’s pass to Northwestern’s J.R. Holder Wellness Center if you live more than 60 miles outside of Alva

• The alumni magazine, roundUP, and the Foundation’s Annual Report

• Discounts on selected alumni merchandise throughout the year

• Monthly emailed newsletter

• Invitations to exclusive University and alumni events You asked for it, and we listened. Lifetime memberships can now be obtained through a payment plan customized to your needs... Make installments that fit your budget. See ournorthwestern.org/get-involved for more information.

JIM BOOTH TRAINING ROOM

A lifelong Northwestern supporter, the late James Booth of Caldwell, Kansas, left a $500,000 gift to Northwestern Athletics to be used for student trainer scholarships and the addition of state-of-the-art training equipment.

Renovation of the training room took place over summer 2022, and the newly renovated space is named the “Jim Booth Training Room.”

As a 1973 graduate, Booth was the first student trainer for the football, baseball and basketball teams. Because of his premature birth, Booth was left with physical challenges and unable to play sports. However, his love for athletics was evident through the motivation he provided his athletes while he was a student from 19691973.

“The full renovation was so positive,” Franz said. “When the health and sports science building was renovated in 2012, the training room was the only area that didn’t get a facelift. With Jim’s generous gift, we will be able to serve our athletes better and continue Jim’s legacy.”

Even after his time at Northwestern, Booth could be found at many games and events. He was a member of the Rowdy Rangers and held a spot in the tiers at the football stadium. He was a regular for many years at Ranger baseball, basketball and football games.

“Jim came to games up until 2021 when his health began to limit his travel,” Franz said. “Jim would call often to talk Ranger sports. He loved the Rangers and wanted them to succeed. Northwestern was his university”

A small committee of Jim’s friends — Dean Gregg, Bill Kusik, Blaine Easter and Randy Smith — worked with the university to help shape the donation. The amount of $400,000 will go toward endowment scholarships for student trainers who want to pursue the training profession

while at Northwestern.

The remaining $100,000 will go to new equipment and equipment upgrades, providing Ranger trainers with state-of-the-art equipment. Northwestern supported the physical renovation of expanding the training room to accommodate the growing number of student-athletes.

“This gift impacts the health of our student-athletes and that is so important to us,” President Hannaford said. “It allows head athletic trainer Keith Wear and his staff the opportunities for more space and better equipment. This will make a big difference in the experience for our student-athletes. I appreciate the committee and their work in guiding the project the entire way. We are so happy to honor Jim Booth and his commitment to this university.”

“This renovation will assure our current and future athletes they are in good hands and supported with equipment that will help them get well when injured,” Franz said. “Jim would be proud of this endeavor. It allows for additional student training opportunities like Jim had at Northwestern. Jim’s name and legacy for treating student-athletes will last for many years.”

Booth, right, tends to an injured Ranger in a 1972 game.

Photos and autographs now line the walls as memorabilia of the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame, housed in Percefull Fieldhouse for generations of Rangers to view and enjoy.

“We have 30 years of Ranger greats in the Sports Hall of Fame, so it was time to give them a proper home,” said Brad Franz, director of athletics.

“It’s wonderful to have an area to highlight our very best in athletics,” said Dr. Bo Hannaford, university president. “I am so proud of this partnership with our donors who deserve all the credit. This place will be here for generations to come, where everyone can learn about Northwestern’s outstanding student-athletes.”

The physical memorabilia were originally housed in the Ranger Room located in the Student Center.

“It was a great place but outside of athletics,” Franz said. “We wanted a place closer to Percefull Fieldhouse because it is a natural place to come and look. We wanted to make it easier for those who return to see their plaque or their family member’s accomplishments.”

Randy Smith, athletic director from 1983-1998, led the establishment of the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. The inductees are selected based on their contributions to Rangers sports, as well as their citizenship, sportsmanship and scholarship.

Located on the north side of the fieldhouse, the designated Sports Hall of Fame served various purposes before its renovation.

“It’s where the old concession stand was,” Franz said. “Over the years it’s been a weight room, a storage depository and a baseball hitting cage. It was the only non-renovated space in Percefull.”

The generous donations from Jim Dunning, Verne and Gloria Metcalf, Larry and Joy Glass, Sallie Holder Eggleston and Susie Holder Simpson — and university backing — allowed for the area to be renovated into the Sports Hall of Fame. Visitors can now walk through and celebrate individuals who are recognized for their contributions to Northwestern Athletics.

“It’s a great source of pride,” Franz said. “We have 108 Ranger individuals and the 1999 national championship football team in the Hall of Fame. To have a permanent place is fantastic. The Ranger legacy will be celebrated for years to come.

“It is a showpiece for us. It’s a place to stop and talk with recruits as they come through our facility and see our great Ranger tradition.”

NORTHWESTERN SPORTS HALL OF FAME

The inductees of the 2021 and 2022 Sports Hall of Fame classes pose in the new area.

STILL FEELS LIKE HOME

by

A self-proclaimed lifelong Ranger, Dr. Dudley Darrow, ’02, is proud of his alma mater even 20 years after he walked across the stage.

“I can’t imagine my life without Northwestern,” Darrow said. “I met so many people and have so many great memories from there. I don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t associated with Northwestern.”

A native of Shattuck, Okla., Darrow chose to attend Northwestern to play football.

“I wasn’t offered a scholarship to play, but Coach Tim Albin let me walk on,” Darrow said. “I redshirted my first year and quickly got a scholarship. I played for the Rangers the next four years.”

Darrow was a member of the 1999 national championship team for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Rangers celebrated a 13-0 undefeated season including winning Northwestern’s only national championship.

“We won 35 games straight, from the last five games my freshman year until the last game my junior year,” Darrow said. “Winning the national championship is a great memory of mine. We had the chance to win a second one but fell short.

“Something I’m extremely proud of was being a walkon without a scholarship, then being elected captain my senior year. I never thought I’d be a leader, but my teammates thought I was. That really means a lot to me. I was just a guy who stuck with it and worked hard, and they put their faith in me.”

Caitlin Hofen

Upon completing his degree in physical education, Darrow taught and coached at Mustang Public Schools in Mustang, Okla. for three years while his wife, Megan, ’02, attended dental school at the University of Oklahoma.

“Megan had a really good job opportunity in the Enid area, so we moved and have been in Enid ever since,” Darrow said. “I worked for 17 years at Enid Public Schools and now for Chisholm in North Enid.”

In May 2022, Darrow was hired as the new superintendent for Chisholm Public Schools. Two days later, he received his doctorate in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University.

“I finished my doctorate in five years and one semester,” Darrow said. “I took classes the more traditional way and was able to work full time while having a family. I’m very proud of it.

“When I walked out of Gallagher-Iba Arena with my doctorate, I called Coach Albin. I wanted to tell him I’d graduated with my doctorate degree because of the impact he and Northwestern had on me.”

Darrow worked his way up from teacher and coach to assistant principal and principal. Now, he hopes to make an impact on the Chisholm School District.

“I hope to be a good superintendent for Chisholm,” Darrow said. “I want to continue providing good opportunities for our students and try to recruit and retain good teachers and coaches for Chisholm. I want to be here for a long time. To be anywhere a long time, you have to do a good job.

“I’d love to retire here. I’m a northwest Oklahoma kind of guy and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

“I can’t imagine my life without Northwestern”

- Dr. Dudley Darrow, ’02

Tim Albin, a 1989 graduate who is now the head football coach for Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, is excited for Darrow in his new leadership position.

“Dudley joined our team at Northwestern as a walkon, earned a scholarship, became a starter and then earned his degree from Northwestern,” Albin said. “He has gone on to earn his Ph.D. in administration. I am looking forward to seeing his leadership grow in this new role as superintendent In addition, he is a great husband and father.”

Darrow and Megan have two children, Dallas, age 15, and Audrey, age 11.

“My wife and our children mean the world to me,” Darrow said. “Being a family man is a top priority for me. God has tremendously blessed Megan and me with our two kids. They’re smart, active and athletic. They are involved in so many different activities. Every day with them is a new adventure.”

Darrow and his family have integrated the Ranger Spirit into their everyday lives.

“My wife and I were married in July 2002 in Alva; when they announced us as a couple, ‘Ride, Rangers, Ride’ was played,” Darrow said. “My kids have grown up watching games at Ranger Field. We have season tickets and a spot on the tiers for every home game. I’d like to go watch Northwestern football every Saturday if I could.

“I have so many great memories from Northwestern, and I think that’s why I love it so much. When I go back to Alva and I go over that hill to come down on Ranger Field, it’s such a great feeling. It still feels like home to me.”

“My wife and I were married in July 2002 in Alva; when they announced us as a couple, ‘Ride, Rangers, Ride’ was played.”

Dr. Dudley Darrow,’02, shows his Northwestern Ranger championship rings earned during his football years.

In Remembrance

’41 Bernetta Lorraine (Herd) Kendrick 2/4/2022

’42 Dorothy Aline Creech 2/26/21

’42 Lois Pickett 2/2/21

’46 Emma June Martin 5/22/21

’47 Laura (Haskins) Walker 10/27/21

’49 Loyd Thomas Stout 6/9/22

’49 Laurence H. Wells 3/15/21

’50 Karl Reinke 2/6/2022

’50 Merle Allen Glasgow 1/26/22

’50 Dorothy Lee Krob 1/24/2021

’50 Mildred “Millie” Lenora Hall 1/6/2021

’50 Ralph Lynn Parker 2/9/2022

’51 Sylvester Clifford 11/6/2021

’52 Edgar Eugene “Ed” Fielder 5/18/2021

’52 Vesta Mae Rundle-Ross 1/12/2021

’52 Letha Mae Smith 12/16/2021

’52 DewAnn Strahorn 2/12/2021

’52 Bob VanOsdol 10/6/2021

’52 Margaret Alice Winters 8/19/2022

’53 Carol Delight (Melton) Talley 5/19/2022

’55 Billie Jeanna Lasley 7/29/2021

’56 Dr. James “Jim” L. Holder 5/16/2022

’56 Lila Lee (Goodnight) Hays 8/23/2021

’57 Bonnie Marie Jeffries 2/16/2022

’57 Lois M. Moore 1/31/2022

’57 Vearl Moore 11/3/2021

’58 Jerry Lee “J.L.” Bowen 10/1/2021

’58 Bill R. Crow 11/25/2021

’58 George Rau 2/10/2021

’50 Stearns Walter Rogers 4/5/2022 Professor of Chemistry

’59 Max Leon Burns 2/2/2021

’59 Dale Leroy Hall 10/30/2021

’59 Haskel Irvin Lentz 11/8/2021

’59 Donald Leroy Myers 2/14/2021

’59 Eugene E. Tolly 5/2/2021

’59 Ruby L. Wantoch 3/28/2021

’60 Dr. Thomas Joseph Kenny, III 7/1/2022

’60 Lavona Mae Niles 5/7/2021

’60 Jimmie Low Ward 8/15/2021

’61 Leland Joe Hamman 12/7/2021

’61 Laura Faye (Beene) Harris 4/23/2021

’61 Thomas J. “Tom” Robinson 11/9/2021

’61 Earl David Vore 6/23/2021

’61 Mary Beth Witt 1/29/2021

’62 Lynn Buckland 11/4/2021

’63 William Bart Lawson 10/25/2019

’66 Linda Lou Joseph 7/21/2022

’67 Herbert Lee “H.L.” Brown 12/2/2021

’67 Jerald E. Devore 2/28/2022

Class Notes

’68 Charlene Rae Smyly 11/14/2021

’68 Wesley Albert Green 4/28/2022

’70 John M. Castrignano 6/16/2021

’70 Carole Claudette Grover 2/2/2022

’70 Evelyn Jean Hofen 2/11/2022

’70 Carol Kamas Rooney 3/10/2022

’71 Robert “Bob” Wilson 12/7/2021

’72 Mark B. Crowley 12/21/2021

’72 Charles Andrew Estes 4/15/2021

’72 Linda K. Fiscus 3/1/2021

’72 Daniel F. Fuksa 2/16/2021

’72 Sharon Jean Lively 6/3/2021

’72 Valarie Adele Zaloudek 10/9/2021

’76 Karen Sue Tucker 3/6/2022

’77 Jewel Elieen Conner 8/1/2022

’79 Peggy Jane Colson 2/15/2022

’79 Gary Hart 7/12/2022

’81 Ellen Marie Howe 3/3/2021

’85 Richard Louis Rutherford 7/7/2022

’88 Donna Lynn Baxter 10/4/2021

’91 Willis Terry Bill Wolgamott 4/15/2022

’19 Darci Lynn Sander 6/21/2022

Luis Chavez, ’16 Chavez won the 22nd Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon 5K with a time of 17:15.

Tony Crouch, ’86 was chosen as interim president at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

Dr. Dudley Darrow, ’02 Darrow was hired as superintendent of Chisholm Public Schools in North Enid, Okla.

Dr. Cheryl Evans, ’92 Evans was elected to the Security National Bank of Enid Board of Directors in Enid, Okla.

Tom Fisher, ’66 Fisher was elected as mayor of Woodward, Okla.

Ashley Furguson, ’99 Furguson was selected as Regional Administrative Director for OSDH District 1, which includes Beaver, Cimmaron, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Texas, Roger Mills, Woods and Woodward counties.

David Glover, ’81 Glover was hired as superintendent and athletic director of Kingfisher Public Schools in Kingfisher, Okla.

Ann Neilson, ’21 Neilson was hired as principal of Trout Elementary in Ponca City, Okla.

Dr. Vicki Nighswonger, ’89 Nighswonger was hired as principal at Alva High School in Alva, Okla.

Chantal Rocha, ’22 Rocha was accepted into the National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership Institue.

Maya Stewart, ’21 Stewart was hired s the special education teacher at Alva High School in Alva, Okla.