Countless old newspapers, pictures and yearbooks fill the archives room in Vinson Hall. Years of history are written and displayed within those pages. As you take a moment to search through them, you begin to realize how times have changed within each year that passes.
Northwestern has seen its share of students come and go. It has witnessed the teased hair, bell bottoms, pink poodle skirts and even an occasional crop top. Technology has flooded each classroom and Google has become the all-knowing to every unanswered question. One hundred and nineteen years has passed since Northwestern first opened its doors; however, despite all the changes this university has seen, it has never lost sight of the traditions they built it.
Since it was first established, Northwestern has always prided itself on its rich history and traditional values. Northwestern President and alumnae of Northwestern, Dr. Janet Cunningham grew up in this community and has had several children graduate from Northwestern as well. “Tradition is engraved in the people of this university and community,” Cunningham said.
One of the oldest traditions of Northwestern is homecoming. The Ranger Nation enjoys a week full of events including Miss Cinderella, a parade, alumni reunion and Ranger football.
Miss Cinderella is a pageant and talent show where senior girls from all over northwest Oklahoma and southwest Kansas compete in a two-day event held at Northwestern’s Alva campus. Miss Cinderella was first held back in 1952 and was originally given the name of the Queens Contest. During the pageant and talent show, each young lady had to perform a talent for the judges, answer judge’s questions and strut her stuff in elegant evening gowns. Sixty-four years later and the pageant has provided hundreds of contestants the chance of honors, scholarships for higher education and the title of Miss Cinderella.
On the morning of game day, the Northwestern community gathers around the downtown square to watch the homecoming parade. Every year Northwestern has a theme inspired by Northwestern’s history and individuals prepare weeks in advance on their floats. First, second and third place prizes are award to the top theme inspired floats entered in the parade. Marching bands from far and wide also participate in the parade march while Miss Cinderella contestants are chauffeured around in style, athletes are showcased and farmers display the backbone of this country.
Homecoming is also the time that Northwestern’s alumni return to their old stomping grounds. A luncheon is held and while the game is going on they are encouraged to join the band, football, cheerleading and other groups that they were once a part of. “Graduates view Northwestern as home and every year we have quite a few return,” Cunningham said.
As part of the homecoming tradition, during the halftime of the Ranger football game, the Homecoming King and Queen are announced and crowned. In weeks leading up to this, each individual running campaigns throughout the campus and in recent years on social media. A week before homecoming the freshman queen is announced and crowned. Afterwards the crowd continues to cheer on the football boys to victory.
Every so often new traditions are started. Within the last several years, students, faculty and the community Rally around the Ranger and pep up the spirits of every Ranger fan for the upcoming big game. “Traditions usually take a while to get started; however, each tradition started somewhere,” Cunningham said.
Homecoming has become a long and glorious tradition for Northwestern. It was created on the foundation of a better future and grew into a lasting imprint on thousands of graduates. Traditions are what keep the spirit of hard work, dedication and Ranger pride alive. “Growing up here I have witnessed years of homecoming tradition and that is why I absolutely love this time of year,” Cunningham said.