Bell presented service learning awards on behalf of the Service Learning/Civic Engagement committee. Those being honored include:
- Greatest Student Involvement Award: Dr. KeEra Byrd, assistant professor of nursing, and Heidi Ritchie, instructor of nursing, “Point of Dispense Training” — given to employees who had the greatest student involvement in a project. Students and faculty completed Point of Dispense Training, practiced scenarios, and gave flu shots. This event lasted four hours. Students and faculty also attended a Caring Across Culture Conference for four hours in the morning before Point of Dispense Training.
- Greatest Community Impact Award: Summer Foster, instructor of education, “Family Literacy Night/Little Explorers”– given to the faculty or staff whose project impacted their community through beautification, culture, sustainability or other areas that put a community’s needs first. Students visited Alva Public Library and provided theme-based literacy activities and a story for preschool-aged children and their parents. Students at Longfellow Elementary were provided family-friendly literacy activities that could engage parents and their children at home that coincided with a book they read.
- Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Karsten Longhurst, assistant professor of music, “Masterworks Concert” — given to an employee whose commitment to service sets a high standard in Service Learning while promoting the meaning of service learning and civic engagement. The NWOSU Concert Choir presented a Masterworks Concert featuring works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Gabriel Faure, and many other contemporary black male and female composers of note. Some of the music performed dealt with the mental health aspect of losing a loved one, losing the ability to hear, and learning about the composers of different cultures who didn’t have as many rights as some now enjoy.
- Most Inventive Project: Dr. Martie Young, “Teacher Appreciation Day”– given to a faculty or staff member who had a unique, creative project. Student Teachers substituted in all classrooms at Longfellow Elementary to allow teachers to join together with fellowship.
- Applaud Award: Northwestern women’s basketball, “Reading with the Lady Rangers” — given to a club/organization that shows the greatest overall effort, participation and hard work. The Lady Rangers visited numerous elementary schools including Washington Elementary in Alva, Medford Elementary, Pond Creek Elementary, Timberlake Elementary, Burlington Elementary, Cherokee Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary in Alva. The Lady Ranger basketball players are assigned a child for mentoring and positive interaction.
- Most Expressive Award: Social Workers Association of Tomorrow, “Primp for Prom”- given to a club/organization that had a unique project/event. Nearly 250 dresses were given away to students from 18 high schools in three states during the 9th annual Primp for Prom event held in March at the Woodward High School Practice Gym. This year more than 400 dresses and 100 pairs of shoes were donated to the Northwestern Department of Social Work that co-sponsors the event with Woodward High School. “Primp for Prom is an event that promotes human and community well-being and highlights the generous spirit of others,” said Dr. Kylene Rehder, department of social work chair and professor of social work. “This event is something that Woodward High School looks forward to helping with each year.”
- perSERVEring Ranger Award: Northwestern women’s track and field– given to an organization for its extraordinary service and serving in multiple community service projects throughout the year. The Lady Rangers track and field team volunteered for numerous community service projects including volunteering at the Thank-A-Thon, Homecoming Parade, Red Riot Rally, Campus Beautification, and visiting with residents at Beadles Nursing Home.
Dr. Roger Brown also presented Diversity Initiative recognitions to: Dr. Courtney Ballina, director for the Wisdom Family Foundation Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing; Angelia Case, academic projects assistant/media specialist; Valarie Case, assistant director of university relations; Yesenia Buckhaults, instructor of education; Lindsey Cherry, instructor of English;, professor of business; Shawna Gilbert, access services librarian and assistant professor of library science; Codi Harding, assistant professor of social work and director of field experience; Dr. Roxie James, chair of English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department and associate professor of English; Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager; Mistie Kline, lecturer of psychology; Dr. Matthew Lambert, assistant professor of English; Shannon Leaper, Library Services Director; Peyton Lucas, Library Services Assistant; Tosh Miller, TRIO-SSS director; Natalie Nichols, international student adviser; Dr. David Vaughan, assistant professor of English; Dr. Robert Vest, assistant professor of Spanish; Olivia Yandel, director of the J.R. Holder Wellness Center and Student Government Association co-sponsor; Beedy, Davidson, Foster and Gustafson.
Maier also presented Retention and Enrollment awards to: Dr. Leslie Collins, chair of Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing and associate professor of nursing; Sarah Fry, instructor of criminal justice/sociology; Shane Hansen, chair of the health and sports science department and instructor of health and sports science education; Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of the division of education and associate professor of education; Dana Roark, instructor of business; Dr. Piper Robida, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Dean Scarbrough, chair of the agriculture department and professor of agriculture; Dr. Taylor Randolph, chair of the psychology department and assistant professor of psychology; Brown, Gilbert, James, Jordan, Longhurst, Rehder and Riegel.
Tandy Keenan, director of sponsored programs, announced Northwestern received 22 grants, totaling over $2 million, 12 of which Northwestern employees applied for outside of normal job duties.
Several employees also were recognized during the ceremony for their service to the Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Professional Staff Council.