The Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association continued the annual tradition of encouraging the Alva community to invest in the students of Northwestern Oklahoma State University by kicking off the Scholarship Drive on Wednesday, February 8.
During the month-long Scholarship Drive, off-campus teams consisting of a community member and either a University or Foundation & Alumni office employee and captains representing each campus building compete in raising funds. These funds finance continuing student scholarships at Northwestern through the RISE (Rangers Investing in Students & Education) scholarship endowment. The Enid and Woodward campuses also are represented by captains.
“Last year was fantastic, as we raised more than $41,000 for scholarships,” said Skeeter Bird, CEO, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association. “Regardless of the tight agriculture and oil/gas markets, our goal is to match or beat last year’s total.”
Bird added, “It is inspiring to see the commitment our faculty, staff and community members have to our students and our University. Several of our scholarship drive volunteers have been a part of this event for more than 30 years. I remain proud to live in a community that repeatedly displays this level of commitment and dedication.”
Thelma Crouch, co-chair, leads the off-campus teams, including Drue Washburn and Christee Jenlink, JoDe Bradt and Karsten Longhurst, Deb and Paul Corr, Thelma Crouch and Charla Turner, Bill Beeler and Calleb Mosburg, Guy Forell and Shane Engelken, Rod Gourley and Dr. David Pecha, Dayna Jordan and Skeeter Bird, Jane Tucker and Dr. James Bell, Bettielou Lane and Dr. Janet Cunningham, Melissa Fisher and Dr. Mindi Clark, Barbara Rockenbach and Karen Koehn, Kendra Schnebel and Hailey Cudmore, Don Thomas and Lawana Newell, Linda Tutwiler and Susan Holliday, Brandon Sherman and John Allen, and Traci Williams and Rita Castleberry.
The on-campus teams are led by Dr. Bo Hannaford, co-chair. Team captains include Patrick Wilson, Dr. Shawn Holliday, Brooke Taylor, Dr. Jennifer Mahieu, Dr. Deena Fisher, Dr. Tim Maharry, Dr. Wayne McMillin, Dr. Chandler Mead, Natalie Miller, Melissa Brown, Dr. Venkata Moorthy, Jake Boedecker, Dr. Dean Scarborough, Tara Hannaford, Markangela Kinnett and Debbie Anderson.
The 2017 Scholarship Drive will conclude March 8 as the off-campus teams and on-campus captains celebrate their funds raised.
RISE, introduced in Nov. 2015, is the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association’s newest annual giving program. It replaces the former Millennium Club scholarship endowment and encourages every person to give at some level, without a pledge commitment. Those interested in giving to Northwestern students through the RISE program are encouraged to donate online with a credit card at my.nwfoundation.com/RISE or by check payable to the Northwestern Foundation and sent to 709 Oklahoma Blvd. Alva, OK 73717.
For more information about investing in students at Northwestern, the RISE annual giving program or to get involved with next year’s Scholarship Drive, contact Bird at aebird@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8599.