The Woodward News

Local News

October 9, 2012

Chamber members hear from education leaders

Brandi Thomas Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — The spotlight of the October chamber luncheon focused on the 3 levels of education in Woodward, recognizing Woodward Public Schools, High Plains Technology Center and NWOSU-Woodward.

The luncheon, which was held at the Pioneer Room in Woodward on Monday afternoon, featured some of the top higher education leaders from western Oklahoma.



DR. JANET CUNNINGHAM, PRESIDENT OF NWOSU

Dr. Cunningham noted that enrollment was up by 1.1 percent this fall with 2,299 students attending classes in Alva, Enid and Woodward. That number includes 425 new freshmen.

She also pointed out Northwestern's business program has achieved national accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, one of only 18 colleges and universities around the world to achieve initial accreditation from the group.

In addition, Cunningham said the school's nursing students continue to excel.

"The graduates of our nursing program have been at 100 percent on their licensing exams over the last 3 years," she said.

Cunningham said over the past few years about 10 percent of the freshmen enrolled have been valedictorians of their high schools.

"We are attracting many of the brightest students from across the state," she said.

One of NWOSU's biggest moves over the past year has been earning provisional status with NCAA Division II and being accepted in the Great American Conference, which includes schools in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

"This will allow us to renew rivalries with our sister schools," which includes Southwestern, Southeastern and East Central state universities, she said.  

Cunningham reminded everyone it is homecoming week at Northwestern and events include the Miss Cinderella contest on Friday night and the parade on Saturday.

"We will be wrapping up our homecoming festivities on Saturday with our game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University," she said.



REGIONAL UNIVERSITY REGENT MIKE MITCHEL

Mitchel, a regent with the Regional University Systems of Oklahoma, said rural universities in Oklahoma allow more students to get a quality education.

"Rural universities were created for people like me, to make education available to those in rural areas of the state," Mitchel, who also praised the local and state career tech programs, said.

He said that he has been asked by students at the smaller schools, what if I want to go to law or medical school?

"Getting into law or medical school is easier because you are not competing against 5,000 other students at the same school to get in, you only have to worry about 4 or 5 others," Mitchel said.



STATE REGENT JIMMY HARREL

Harrel, one of 9 members that make up the state board of regents, said it was a privilege for him to speak in Woodward on Monday.

"The people of Woodward seem to get it, they always seem to come together for everything and always serve their state and their community," Harrel said.

Harrel said  he has served on many boards across the state, but he is most passionate about education and agriculture, especially in Northwest Oklahoma.



THANK YOU TO LOCAL EDUCATORS

All of the educators in attendance were introduced in groups by Deena Fisher of NWOSU, Jeri Gadberry with High Plains Technology Center and Tim Merchant, superintendent of Woodward Public Schools.

Several area schools were also represented.

Also recognized were Julia Benbrook, the student citizen of the year; Woodward Teacher of the Year Lee Ann Stone, also a state finalist, and recently named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Elaine Hutchison, a math teacher at Fairview.

Text Only
Local News
  • More than just a car show

    This weekend's Woodward Car Show is not just a car show.
    That's because the event also includes a cruise in, burnout contest, poker run, poker walk, kids games, silent auction, and prize drawings.

    May 23, 2013

  • Additional ways to assist tornado victims

    Several organizations across Northwest Oklahoma continue to collect donations to send to assist the victims and survivors of the tornadic storms that ripped through central Oklahoma on Sunday and Monday.

    May 23, 2013

  • Tornado damage may hit $2 billion

    MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The tornado that struck an Oklahoma City suburb this week may have created $2 billion or more in damage as it tore through as many as 13,000 homes, multiple schools and a hospital, officials said Wednesday as they gave the first detailed account of the devastation.

    May 23, 2013

  • Ways to help tornado victims

    After donations of all kinds came flooding into Woodward a year ago following the April 15 tornado, it seems that local and area organizations are eager to pay it forward and show the same support to our fellow Oklahomans now suffering in Shawnee, Carney, Moore and south Oklahoma City.

    May 22, 2013

  • Area woman injured in wreck

    One-vehicle accident happened east of Mutual on Tuesday morning.

    May 22, 2013

  • Hospital hosting emergency preparedness meeting

    Various healthcare agencies across Northwest Oklahoma will meet in Woodward Thursday for a conference designed to help them advance their emergency preparedness efforts.

    May 22, 2013

  • EMS strike team.jpg Woodward County EMS helping with tornado response

    Woodward County EMS has joined in the response efforts to the devastation following the deadly EF-5 tornado in Central Oklahoma.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma

    MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.

    Gary Bird said he's "98 percent sure" there are no more survivors or bodies to recover under the rubble in Moore, a community of 56,000 people.

    May 21, 2013

  • Local church to hold prayer vigil for Moore tornado victims

    The First Christian Church in Woodward will be holding a prayer vigil tonight at 6 p.m. in support of the victims of the tornado that struck Moore on Monday.

    May 21, 2013

  • Donations being taken at armory today

    If you would like to send items to help the victims of Monday's tornado that ripped through Moore, donations are being accepted at the old armory building at Crystal Beach Park through 5 p.m. today.

    May 21, 2013