A L U M N I D I R E C T O R LETTER

Welcome to the 2019-2020 issue of roundUP, which once again celebrates the journeys of our alumni and the ever-growing legacy of Northwestern. We have always considered, without saying it, that each issue is dedicated to every single alum. This year, however, we have taken a different approach and stepped out of our “routine.” In February we said our “see you laters” to Allison (Cunningham) Zimmerman, ‘09. At the age of 33 her life on earth ended, but the beautiful spirit and the optimistic essence of Allison left an imprint on our hearts. This remarkable woman of grace remains a blessing and her story continues. I first met Allison as a colleague when I began working at the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association office in December 2013. Allison shared with all of us a calming presence that included perseverance, loyalty to the mission, concern for others and natural class. Her contributions were noteworthy, and she was a joy to work with. She left our group to move full-time into the mass communications classroom as an instructor in August 2014. Allison’s passion for helping her students succeed went far beyond the classroom and video labs. In one-on-one conversations, she dispensed advice, encouragement and – as I have heard from several of her students – the “push” students needed to believe in themselves and to raise their ambitions to new levels. Allison made a difference. It was noted in her obituary that Allison’s greatest joy was dancing with her children – Brooklyn and Zane – in the kitchen of their home. This was not surprising to me. Her strength to press on, set aside life’s obstacles and appreciate her blessings with unfettered happiness is undeniable. As I wrote earlier, Allison’s story continues. It is within the hearts and souls of her many students who will take Allison’s lessons, her kindness and her encouragement with them to share with another generation. Her story continues in her children and her family who experienced her enormous capacity to love. And her story lives in all of us who knew her and loved her; knowing Allison made all of us better people. Allison’s zest for life fills me with hope. I hope that every educator – here at Northwestern and across the globe, even those with “tough-as-nails” reputations – will have Allison’s determination to do all they can to help their students be successful. I hope that all of us, like Allison, can share kindness. And like Allison, I hope that every single one of us will enthusiastically, without reservation, dance…with our children, our family and our friends. Kick off the shoes, throw on the laughter, and dance. Feel blessed. Share joy. Make a difference. Allison, this one is for you.

D i r e c t o r , A l u m n i R e l a t i o n s Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association

Life has taken a different direction since my last letter representing the Northwestern Alumni Board. What has not changed is our ability to come together as Rangers and help one another through tough times. At Northwestern Oklahoma State University, we take care of each other and our community. Through the lowest lows and COVID-19, we have a unified presence of leadership in a storm of an unknown future. Leadership is the cornerstone of successful transition from pandemic to prosperity. As we learn who we are at our core through adversity, we also see glimpses of who we will be when this uncertain time is over. History is being written all around us. When it is in print for the future generations of Rangers, they will know we endured, we stood strong, and we were leaders. I dedicate my welcome to all the leaders making the tough decisions on shifting sand. You are our future; thank you for your service.

Ride, Rangers, Ride.

President Northwestern Alumni Board

Allison with her children, Brooklyn and Zane.

Given the cancellation of Spring Alumni Reunion 2020 due to the Pandemic, the Northwestern Alumni Board voted in its June meeting to recognize the Outstanding Graduates – originally named for distinction in 2020 – at the Northwestern Spring Alumni Reunion 2021, scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2021. Please mark your calendars now and plan on celebrating these individuals and their outstanding achievements with us next spring.

Alexandria Carmon was cast in her first professional performance in 2016, performing the role of Mercedes in the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. She has since performed various roles in productions with several opera venues. Carmon is currently pursuing two master’s degrees in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Performance. Her passion for the arts goes beyond the stage as a performer and the classroom as a student. As a teacher and a vocal scientist, Carmon instills a firm basis of technique in her voice and piano students. She teaches all styles ranging from musical theatre to contemporary commercial music. In another role as the Education Outreach Coordinator for Painted Sky Opera, Oklahoma City, Carmon serves to establish an appreciation of the arts in school-aged children by bringing live opera into the Oklahoma City metro schools.

Rich Cantillon serves as a major player in promoting not only Ponca City, Okla., but also the State of Oklahoma. As the President and CEO of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce since 2004, Cantillon’s passion for his home state has been recognized with several awards of distinction, including the Executive Leadership Award – State Chamber of Oklahoma (2000) and the Oklahoma Chamber Executive of the Year (2008). Cantillon’s enthusiasm for service and leadership has benefitted a number of organizations. He has served on the board of the University of Oklahoma Center for Chamber of Excellence, as well as an instructor. Cantillon also serves as an instructor for the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives. He is currently a member of the U.S. Chamber Institute Board.

Tommi (Earnheart) Leach is grateful for Northwestern’s influence in her career as an educator. Her career accomplishments have been many, but her greatest reward from a career as an educator is seeing the success of her students. “I have seen my former students become successful in all walks of life… and think ‘Wow, I taught them how to read!’ It is so amazing.” Leach recently retired as the Academic Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech Education. Her support for and participation in excellence in education have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including OKACTE Guidance Division McCharen Award (2018) and the Women in CareerTech Leadership, Making a Difference Award (2018).

Between 2001 and 2006, Patricia Mitchell served as a court advocate for the YMCA of Enid, (Okla.), assisting more than 1,500 victims of domestic violence. During part of this time and beyond, Mitchell also served in more than 10 organizations handling the issues of domestic violence and sexual abuse. In 2010, she became the Executive Director for the 4RKids Foundation in Enid. The 4RKids Foundation provides multiple job opportunities and services to individuals with disabilities. To better serve her community and non-profit organizations, Mitchell continued her education through Northwestern, online, while working full time. Mitchell’s community involvement covers several organizations, including Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Social Work Advisory Board and the Women in Business Advisory Board of Enid. Her most recent accomplishments include Leadership Greater Enid (2013), Vance AFB Honorary Commander (2015) and Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year (2019).

Dr. Clay Reed, a third-generation graduate of Northwestern, credits the university and the Northwestern community for giving him the opportunities to follow his dream. “My favorite memory of Northwestern are the close connections I made with the professors and the other students.” After graduation, he was selected in the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine program. Dr. Reed is convinced that the exceptional education received at Northwestern helped him excel in medical school. He graduated as the number one ranked medical student from a class of almost 200 students. With these credentials, Dr. Reed obtained a residency physician position with the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. In July 2020, he began his Hematology Oncology Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute within the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.

His constant smile, the energetic “welcome” and his unmistakable pride for the Ranger Nation are some of the traits of this year’s Ranger Spirit honoree. Greg Bowman brings enthusiasm to every Northwestern event he attends. For years, he has carried the torch of tradition for the Rowdy Rangers in supporting Northwestern students, alumni, and the Northwestern community by providing great food and loud encouragement. Bowman leads the preparation of the smoked meat and side dishes for Northwestern’s Ranger Lunch on the Square, served after the annual Homecoming Parade. In the spring, he and his wife, Sarah, help feed baseball fans by preparing the “special recipe” hot dogs for the annual Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie event in Enid, Okla. Bowman also served on the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association Board as a trustee and the Northwestern Alumni Board as a member and president.

TOP: Megan Brown, Colton Budy, Julia Buckingham and Aleysa Franz. MIDDLE: Alondra Galindo, Chanel Martin, Aaron Pierce and Katelyn Pierce. BOTTOM: Jacqueline Ruhl, Alysson Stewart, Joni Welch and Tiffany Willson.

T.C. Carter Award – Alondra Galindo, Morgan Morris, Katelyn Pierce and Isabella Reyes DeSERVING Ranger Award – Ethan Sacket John F. Kennedy Award – Tiffany Willson Joe Dollins Merit Award – Riley Wakefield John Ted Meier Student Teaching Award – Trenton Harmon Newman Civic Fellows Award – Landry Gaddy Sabin and Pearl Percefull Scholarship Award – Mary Catherine Berntsen and Caitlyn Marie Shortnacy John Sheffield Teacher of the Year Award – Mistie Kline, Lecturer of Psychology, Psychology Department

Classes to be honored: 1950, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1995, 1996, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016

Honored Guests: Outstanding Graduates 2021 Outstanding Seniors 2020 and 2021