Awards & Recognition

Brice W. Harris

Distinguished Alumni

The tradition of SWOSU’s Distinguished Alumni began in 1976 with Congressman Glen English and James Witherspoon and has been continued every year since. Our Distinguished Alumni Award is given to nominees who’ve achieved greatness in their disciplines, careers, and lives. Each recipient has exemplified what it means to be a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Recipients are asked to give the convocation speech at SWOSU’s graduation ceremonies each year. Any SWOSU Alumni can be nominated using the Nomination Form provided below.

2008 Recipients

Brice W. Harris and Walter E. Lamar are being inducted into Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Walter E. Lamar

Harris is Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District in Sacramento, CA, while Lamar is president and CEO of Lamar Associates, which is a Washington, D.C., based professional services firm offering consulting services in law enforcement and security.

Both Harris and Lamar will be honored at the May 10 SWOSU Convocation on the Weatherford campus and will be the featured speakers. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Milam Stadium on the SWOSU campus. [read more...]

*Complete Recipient List*

*Nomination Form*

Athletic Hall of Fame

SWOSU has been very fortunate to have such talented student athletes and coaches. The Athletic Hall of Fame was introduced in 1963 to commemorate these fine individuals and their achievements.

2007 Recipients

• Tom Bergman
• Valerie Fariss
• Travis Flippin
• Louis Mendoza
• Jimmy Peck

*Complete Recipient List*

President's Award of Merit

Recipients of the President’s Award of Merritt are recognized by SWOSU’s President for their achievements and contributions that make life better for those they serve. President John Hays introduced the award in 2004. This award is not necessarily given each year.

2006 Recipients

*Complete Recipient List*

Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award

Dr. Bill and Theta Juan Bernhardt have established a fund that will make possible special recognition of faculty who have exhibited exceptional achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service. All full-time faculty, who have completed a minimum of one academic year at Southwestern, may be nominated.  All nominations should be submitted to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Foundation and Alumni, Adm-201.

2008 Recipient

Bernhardt family members and SWOSU President John Hays (left) congratulate
Dr. Mary Aspedon (middle) for winning the Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award at SWOSU. Bernhardt family members are (second from left) Dr. William and Theta Juan Bernhardt and Valerie Bernhardt Lorenz.

I have chosen for my epitaph a single word: “Teacher.”  At my age, it is not too soon to give the subject of epitaphs serious consideration and this single word best sums up my life. [read more...]

*Complete Recipient List*

President's Service Award

The President’s Service Award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve and advance the SWOSU Alumni Association. The President of the Association chooses these stand-out individuals and recognizes them at Homecoming each year.

2007 Recipients

• Kandi Nagel
• E. Vann Greer "Peewee" Andrews
• Rita Hays
  

*Complete Recipient List*

50 Year Medallions

Homecoming attendants celebrating 50 years removed from Southwestern each receive an anniversary medallion. These individuals are invited to the 50 year reunion and awards reception prior to the Homecoming Football game.

 Also given at Homecoming are the coveted “O” blankets for the alumni that has traveled the furthest, the eldest alumni, and the alumni present with the most children who’ve graduated from SWOSU.

• Complete 50 Year Medallion List
• Alumni Luncheon Blanket Winners List