The Hurshel F. and George T. Baxter Scholarship and the Frankie Rogers Baxter Scholarship have been established to honor the education they and other family members received at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
| Pictured above are George T. and Frankie Baxter. George graduated from Northwestern in 1925 and Frankie in 1915. |
According to family members, Hurshel and Norene Baxter set up these scholarships because they wanted to give back to the community and university that gave George, Frankie and Hurshel their education. Norene, Hurshel’s wife, attended Northwestern for one summer session, but she concurred with these scholarships to benefit Oklahoma students in memory of Hurshel, George and Frankie.
| Pictured above are Hurshel, ’46, (right) and Norene (left) Baxter. |
George and Frankie Baxter believed in the power and value of education, both formal and at home. George majored in chemistry and graduated from Northwestern in 1925; Frankie majored in education and graduated from what was then called the “normal” school in 1915. She also took art classes because she enjoyed the self-expression painting afforded. Her name is on the Lincoln Statue located on University grounds. The couple raised their two children Hurshel and Pauline, in Alva, and used mealtimes not only as a time for eating, but for learning something new or for reviewing something taught before. The theme that consistently ran through Hurshel’s life from his parents, and which he imparted on his daughters, was “work hard and do your best.”
When it came time for Hurshel to go to college, his choice was Northwestern. Following his father’s footsteps, he majored in chemistry. Hurshel served in the Navy during World War II and continued his service in the Reserves until he retired as Lieutenant Commander. He married Norene Vickrey at the end of his freshman year at Northwestern and completed his education through the GI Bill. Hurshel graduated from Northwestern in 1946. He went on to teach chemistry, math and physics in Oklahoma, Wyoming and Illinois, and offered tutoring to students who were having difficulties. His proud moments were when a student finally “got it.”
George and Frankie eventually moved to Midwest City where they lived until George’s death in the early 1970s. Frankie resumed painting in her late 80s and continued until her death at 95. Hurshel passed away in 2007 and Norene in 2015.
“It is a great honor that this family, after three generations, chose to establish this generous scholarship here at Northwestern,” said Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association CEO. “As we spoke with the family, we were fascinated to discover the long family history linked to Northwestern. It is also exciting to realize the significance and perpetuity of the legacy this family is leaving for our students here at Northwestern.”
Full-time, continuing students majoring in science or math with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average are eligible for the Hurshel F. and George T. Baxter Scholarship. Full-time, continuing students majoring in fine arts with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average are eligible for the Frankie Rogers Baxter Scholarship. Preference will be given for both scholarships to juniors and seniors. Both scholarships may be applied toward university-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, room and board.
For more information on the Hurshel F. and George T. Baxter Scholarship or the Frankie Rogers Baxter Scholarship, or about investing in Northwestern students, call Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation CEO, at 580-327-8599 or email him at aebird@nwosu.edu.