Double Play - two statues, two families, two stories

The McDaniels: what it means to be a Ranger

In November of last year, Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s most treasured symbol found a home on Northwestern’s campus. The bucking horse and rider sits on the lawn of the Jesse Dunn building and has become the focal point of the Alva campus and the community.

Alumnus and former president Tom McDaniel, and his wife Brenda, generously donated the funds for the creation of the bronze statue of the horse and rider. Ken Fergeson, president and owner of the NBC Bank, underwrote the horse and rider statue. The statue stands approximately 10 feet high and sits on a four foot base that recognizes the contributions of the McDaniels.

Photo: Many loyal supporters were on the Alva campus for the unveiling ceremony on November 13, 2007. They included: (L-R) Judge Dean Linder, Harold Holden, Regent Richard Ryerson, Dr. Tom McDaniel, Brenda McDaniel, Dr. Janet Cunningham, Regent Ann Holloway, and Johnece Ryerson.

The horse and rider statue, sculpted by noted western artist Harold Holden, was fittingly named The Ranger.

Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, Tom and Brenda McDaniel, Harold Holden and others spoke at the dedication of The Ranger. More than 300 people gathered on the front lawn of Jesse Dunn to witness the historic unveiling. A red and black drape covered the statue and red and black balloons were released as students and honored guests revealed the statue to the public.

“We are so pleased that Tom and Brenda McDaniel stepped forward and supported The Ranger project,” Cunningham said. “They understand what Northwestern means to Alva and all of northwest Oklahoma and once again have graciously given back to the University.”

Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Northwestern in 1960 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1963, af- ter which he was in private law practice in Alva until 1981.

In 1981, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma appointed him as administrative director of state courts. He joined Kerr-McGee in 1984, ultimately becoming vice chairman of the company and a member of its board of directors.

From 2000-2001, Tom served Northwestern as president. He is one of two alumni to serve the university as president; the other is serving in her third year as president of Northwestern. Since 2001, Tom has been the president at Oklahoma City University.

Tom and Brenda were married in 1959. Brenda attended Northwestern from 1957 to 1960 before completing her degree at the University of Oklahoma. She also served as the alumni director at Northwestern during the 1970s, earning her Master of Education degree from the University in 1976. They have three grown sons, Lance, Randy and Mark and three grandchildren.

Lizabeth Richey is the current Alumni Director at Northwestern and was very excited to have The Ranger on campus. She holds the McDaniels and their generosity in high regard.

Through their endless commitment and dedication to Northwestern, the McDaniel’s gift has created an enduring symbol of Ranger pride that shows what being a Ranger is all about. Tom and Brenda have been loyal supporters of Northwestern through the years and continue to financially support the Northwestern Foundation and its programs.

“

The Ranger statue embodies what it means to be a Ranger – the grit and determination that defined Northwestern in 1897 and continues today,” Richey said. “Tom and Brenda McDaniel’s gift epitomizes Ranger spirit and the success of generations of Northwestern’s students.”

Hamm family donates gift to Enid campus

A bronze hand stuck out of the top of the red and black drape that covered the symbol of Northwestern. Everyone listened as Dr. Cheryl Evans, dean of the NorthwesternEnid campus, and Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, talked about the importance of the horse and rider to Northwestern. And everyone listened as Bert Mackie talked about his good friends Harold and Sue Ann Hamm. Still, everyone listened as a shy Harold Holden told them about the true character of a western ranger. Then everyone watched as the red and black drape revealed The Ranger.

The Ranger sits on a plot of grass east of the Northwestern-Enid campus at 2929 E. Randolph, south of the university sign.

When she took over as president in 2006, Dr. Cunningham was focused on building university pride among Northwestern employees, students, alumni and friends.

University leaders discussed creating a prominent visual symbol of Northwestern, the horse and rider. This highly identifiable image would be a permanent fixture promoting a common identity on all three campuses. It would also create an environment with a collegiate atmosphere that instills pride in the institution, the campus, and the three communities Northwestern serves.

During these discussions, The Ranger project was born and the first statue was placed on the Alva campus by Tom and Brenda McDaniel. Harold and Sue Ann Hamm generously donated the funds for the Enid statue and Ken Fergeson, president and owner of the NBC Bank, underwrote The Ranger project.

Dr. Evans was thrilled to finally get The Ranger on campus and had gracious words for Harold and Sue Ann.

“The Hamms are so supportive of higher education and we are very appreciative of their generous gift of the incredible horse and rider statue,” Evans said. “The Enid community can now identify Northwestern with The Ranger.”

Northwestern Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Allen “Skeeter” Bird, was honored by the gift from the Hamms.

“They have helped us create a piece of art on our campus that is both an icon to our alums and an inspiration to our students,” Bird said.

Hamm is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Continental Resources, Inc., one of the largest privately owned oil and gas exploration and production companies in the country. He simultaneously serves as chairman of the Hiland Partners, GP (HPGP) and Hiland Partners, MLP (HLND), publicly-owned mid-size natural gas processing and gathering companies.

He also serves as chairman of the board of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA), the nation’s largest and most influential statewide oil and gas association. Within that organization, he has been president of the Wildcatters Club of Oklahoma since 1989.

Hamm also is a leading advocate of higher education in northwest Oklahoma. He played a pivotal role in bringing Northwestern to Enid, providing increased access to public higher education to students in the area. In 1996, he received the first honorary master’s degree ever bestowed at Northwestern and continues to award scholarships to deserving graduates of Ringwood High School who attend Northern Oklahoma College and Northwestern. Northwestern’s business program has recognized Hamm by naming an endowed chair in his honor.

Hamm is a member of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce board of directors and was named by the Chamber as Business Person of the Year in 1992 and 2005.

In the community, he was the campaign chair of the $2.5 million project to renovate the Enid YMCA and served on that board for many years. For 20 years, he has funded scholarships through the Marcia Guthrie Scholarship Fund administered by the AME Church in Oklahoma City.

Everyone watched as the hand became the reason they gathered. The 10 foot tall, bronze horse and rider statue had become…The Ranger.

Photo: The weather was again spectacular for the Enid statue unveiling February 11, 2008. On hand were: (L-R) Regent Mark Stansberry, Nancy Stansberry, Dr. Janet Cunningham, Harold Holden, Edna Mae Holden, Harold Hamm, Sue Ann Hamm, Ken Fergeson, Dr. Cheryl Evans, and Bert Mackie.