Distinguished Alumni
Criteria
The true measure of a university’s greatness can be found in the achievements of its alumni and alumnae. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is nationally known to develop leaders in many fields of endeavor. A vast number of the University’s alumni have gained unique distinction through success in their professions, service to the University, and contribution to their communities. The University along with the Alumni Association established the Distinguished Alumni Award program to honor outstanding former students and to celebrate their achievements.
Purpose & Philosophy
The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni program is to recognize the University’s alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the University.
The Distinguished Alumni Award does more than honor its recipients. It also further illustrates the great value of the academic programs and student involvement at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and increases the pride all former students, students, staff and faculty have for the University. The award program recognizes those men and women who demonstrate the power of the SWOSU experience to the people of Oklahoma, the nation, and the world.
Criteria for Selection
Former students are nominated to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. Recipients may be accomplished in the following three distinct areas:
- Career Distinction: The recipient is recognized as outstanding or exceptional within his or her career, field or industry, with endeavors that form a record of accomplishment impressive to the citizens of Oklahoma and the nation. This distinction is reflective of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s core values – Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect and Selfless Service.
- Service to Society: The recipient exhibits integrity and a demonstrated commitment to service through an interest in bettering the lives of others through volunteer efforts.
- Service and Support to Southwestern Oklahoma State University: The recipient’s deeds and actions reflect the importance of his or her educational training, pride in alma mater and loyalty to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, as demonstrated through their interest in and support of the University and its programs.
Eligible Nominees
Eligible nominees must be a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Former students employed by the University, Alumni Association, or the Southwestern Oklahoma State Foundation are not eligible during their term of employment. Former students may be nominated posthumously.
These awards are given for outstanding achievement and no compromises diminishing the significance of the awards will be made.
Method of Nomination
Nominations may be made for a Distinguished Alumni Award by any of the following individuals or groups:
- Any member of The Alumni Association or its affiliate organizations, i.e. the Athletic Booster Club or Class
- Any member of the University administration, faculty or staff
- Any member of an affiliate or support organization of the University
- Any Southwestern Oklahoma State University former student
- Any friend of Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Nominations will be accepted using the following guidelines:
- The Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee will provide an Award Nomination Form.
- In addition to the Award Nomination Form, nominators are encouraged to provide supporting
items that further distinguish the nominee. Such items include, but are not limited
to:
- Current biography or curriculum vitae for the individual
- Up to three letters of support from non-family members that specifically address the criteria
- Newspaper and magazine articles
- Personal stories
- Award or certificates of achievement
- Other items of interest
- One nomination per individual will be considered.
- Nomination forms will be held for each individual for a period of three years. If an individual is not selected for the award, his or her Award Nomination Form may be updated and renewed by the original or other appropriate nominator for consideration in any subsequent years of the three year period.
- No limitation will be placed on the total number of nominations accepted for consideration.
- The name of the nominator will not be disclosed.
Announcement & Recognition
The Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee will announce annual recipients through various methods and honor each recipient with the appropriate recognition. The SWOSU website will list all past winners and a short biography of each.
| Year Inducted | Recipient | Class Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Verna Foust | 1985 & 1992 |
| 2022 | Dianne K. Hunter | 1986 & 1990 |
| 2022 | Andre Marshall | 2005 |
| 2022 | Steve Price | 1983 |
| 2022 | Joel Sappenfield | 1989 |
| 2021 | Evangeline Vann Greer Andrews | 1960 |
| 2021 | Earl A. Greene, Jr. | 1973 |
| 2020 | Debbie Blackburn | 1973 |
| 2020 | Gary Gackstatter | 1981 |
| 2020 | Harvey Minton | 1964 |
| 2020 | Harold Wright | 1971 |
| 2020 | Edward Beck | 1959 & 1974 |
| 2019 | Cark Hook | 1967 |
| 2019 | Ginamarie Ligon | 2000 |
| 2019 | Kelli Litsch | 1985 & 1986 |
| 2019 | Jim Litsch | 1956 & 1972 |
| 2019 | Tom Weichel | 1964 |
| 2019 | James Utterback | 1978 & 1979 |
| 2018 | Wendy Borlabi | 1994 |
| 2018 | C.B. Graft | 1963 |
| 2018 | Chris McKeever | 1991 |
| 2018 | Paul Moore | 1978 |
| 2018 | Jane Sims | 1971 |
| 2017 | Jack Bonny | 1962 and 1966 |
| 2017 | Lori Baker-Boyd | 1997 |
| 2017 | Lori (Wallace) Harper | 1993 |
| 2017 | Joey Martin | 1988 and 1991 |
| 2017 | Patrick Riley Griffin | 1962 and 1968 |
| 2016 | Terry Schmidt | 1984 |
| 2016 | Thomas Leck | 1974 |
| 2015 | Albert Gray | 1974 |
| 2015 | Jay Cannon | 1966 |
| 2014 | William Howell | 1975 |
| 2014 | Herbert M. Fix | 1956 |
| 2013 | Brad Berrong | 1975 |
| 2013 | Dwayne Allen Schmidt | 1979 |
| 2012 | Mike Aneshansley | 1969 |
| 2012 | Russell Rother | 1986 |
| 2011 | John Hays | 1969 |
| 2011 | LaWayne Jones | 1955 |
| 2010 | Bob Blackburn | 1973 |
| 2010 | Lowell M. Irby | 1955 |
| 2009 | Suzie Brewster | 1965 |
| 2009 | David L. Tautfest | 1955 |
| 2008 | Brice W. Harris | 1970 |
| 2008 | Walter E. Lamar | 1977 |
| 2007 | Gary L. Lumpkin | 1968 |
| 2006 | John W. Aaron | 1964 |
| 2006 | Benny J. Hill | 1957 |
| 2005 | Doug Keazler | 1979 |
| 2004 | Ron Graves | 1966 |
| 2003 | Joe Anna Hibler | 1962 |
| 2003 | Al Harris | 1931 |
| 2002 | Garry McKee | 1969 |
| 2002 | Alvin Alcorn | 1942 |
| 2001 | Bob Mills | 1969 |
| 2001 | Paul Conner | 1963 |
| 2000 | David Sparks | 1966 |
| 2000 | Kay Sparks | 1966 |
| 2000 | Everett Dobson | 1981 |
| 1999 | Don Weeks | 1978 |
| 1999 | Jim Mogg | 1971 |
| 1999 | Carolyn Sights Buckenmaier | 1962 |
| 1998 | Gary Russi | 1969 |
| 1998 | James Rhymer M.D. | 1951 |
| 1997 | Richard Morris | 1963 |
| 1997 | Henrietta Mann | 1954 |
| 1997 | Keith Dodson | 1961 |
| 1996 | Lorena G. Males | 1935 |
| 1996 | James Males | 1962 |
| 1995 | Jesus Ben Lucero | 1961 |
| 1995 | James Ferguson | 1969 |
| 1994 | David Seigler | 1961 |
| 1994 | Jerry W. Grizzle | 1976 |
| 1993 | William Robert Romig | 1948 |
| 1993 | Charles E. Capshew | 1968 |
| 1993 | James Bates | 1962 |
| 1992 | Nelson M. Sims | 1971 |
| 1992 | Arch B. Alexander | 1946 |
| 1991 | Norma (Holly) Foreman Glasgow | 1947 |
| 1991 | William (Bill) Bernhardt | 1948 |
| 1990 | Ron Scott | 1957 |
| 1990 | Bill Brewster | 1965 |
| 1989 | Bryan Potter | 1957 |
| 1989 | Darrell Bose | 1970 |
| 1988 | J. Stan Powers | 1957 |
| 1988 | Frank Polk | 1941 |
| 1987 | Anita Burgtorf Pauwels | 1973 |
| 1987 | Ron Anderson | 1969 |
| 1986 | Bob Magness | 1949 |
| 1986 | Betsy Magness | 1946 |
| 1986 | Yvonne Kauger | 1959 |
| 1985 | Rollin D. Reimer | 1961 |
| 1985 | Grace Burcham | 1937 |
| 1984 | Louis Morris | 1935 |
| 1984 | Richard (Dick) Moore | 1941 |
| 1984 | Gladys (Jarvis) Janzen | 1930 |
| 1984 | Rudie Janzen | 1930 |
| 1983 | Margaret Renz Replogle | 1933 |
| 1983 | M.A. Diel | 1936 |
| 1983 | Frances Averitt Curb | 1932 |
| 1982 | W.T. Malone | 1950 |
| 1982 | Ed Berrong Sr. | 1938 |
| 1981 | Millie Thomas | 1930 |
| 1981 | Joe Schwemin | 1948 |
| 1981 | Harry Mabry | 1916 |
| 1980 | Richard Shelby | 1970 |
| 1980 | Dawson "Tack" Nail | 1950 |
| 1979 | Jerry Hodge | 1965 |
| 1979 | A.J. Alexander | 1947 |
| 1978 | James Dawson | 1955 |
| 1978 | Carl Bogdahn | 1950 |
| 1977 | John Murphy | 1964 |
| 1977 | E.H. "Hack" McDonald | 1933 |
| 1976 | James Witherspoon | 1936 |
| 1976 | Glen English Jr. | 1964 |