2023 Northwestern Outstanding Graduates Announced
March 27, 2023
Five Northwestern alumni have been selected as the 2023 Outstanding Graduates - Dr. Madison Campbell, Kevin Evans, Donnie Rader, Jim Richey and Nicole Steuart. The Outstanding Graduates will be recognized at the Spring Alumni Banquet April 29.
Five Northwestern Oklahoma State University alumni have been selected as the 2023 Outstanding Graduates - Dr. Madison Campbell, Kevin Evans, Donnie Rader, Jim Richey and Nicole Steuart.
The Outstanding Graduates will be recognized at the Spring Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 29. The banquet begins at 6 p.m. and will be held in Percefull Fieldhouse. Reservations may be made by calling (580) 327-8593 or online at https://ournorthwestern.org/get-involved/events-programs/spring-alumni-reunion. Deadline for reservations is Friday, March 31.
Dr. Madison Campbell, Ranger Recognition Category
Alva, Oklahoma, 2015; Biology
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2022, Madison Campbell has returned to Alva as the new owner/dentist of Hometown Dentist of Alva. Campbell worked as a dental assistant at Larry G. Smith, D.D.S. from 2013-18 before assuming the practice in 2022.
“Graduating dental school was one of my greatest accomplishments,” Campbell said. “Now I can do what I love, every day, in a town I love.”
Receiving the Brasseler/Shillingburg Award for Excellence in Restorative Dentistry and the Next Gen Under 30 Award are the results of Campbell’s strong work ethic developed through years of commitment to tasks set before her.
Campbell has been involved in many community service projects and organizations, including the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy, the University of Oklahoma’s Annual Kid’s Day, the University of Oklahoma’s Veteran’s Day, the Oklahoma Association of Women Dentists and the American Dental Association.
Campbell lives in Alva with her husband, Jeremiah (2015) and their daughter, Ivy.
Kevin Evans, Humanitarian Category
Woodward, Oklahoma, 1982; Speech
Kevin Evans has impacted the lives of thousands of young people as the Executive Director of Western Plains Youth & Family Services in Woodward for 28 years. The non-profit, with 60 employees, serves children from one day old to 17 years in seven counties at no cost to families. The organization has seen dramatic, positive growth under Evans’ leadership.
Serving the community is key for Evans. He is a member of the finance committee of the Potts Family Foundation, sits on the Non-Profit Advisory Council established by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, is active in the Woodward Chamber of Commerce and is an avid speaker for local groups.
The Visions Award from the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits and the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma Rural Health Leader of the Year are two notable achievements of this Northwestern graduate who continues giving back to countless Oklahoma families.
Evans lives with his wife, Traci, in Woodward.
Donnie Rader, Education Category
Mustang, Oklahoma, 1966; Mathematics
Teacher, coach, administrator, adviser, friend, father and grandfather aptly describe Donnie Rader and the many roles he has played during his lifetime. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Northwestern led to a master’s degree from Ohio State University and ultimately to a superintendent certificate from Oklahoma State University.
Rader’s vast educational leadership journey took him to Garber in 1966, Shattuck in 1971, Freedom in 1983, Vici in 1990 and Alva in 2003, where he retired as superintendent in 2010.
Rader’s accomplishments include selection by his peers to receive the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators Lifetime Achievement Award. He was District B-2 Football Coach of the Year in 1975-76, Ellis County Teacher of the Year in 1976 and 1979, served terms as president of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators and also served on the boards for the Organization of Rural OK Schools and the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration.
Navigating the ups and downs of school finance for 27 years is certainly no easy task, but this career educator/mathematician took it all in stride and made it add up to success.
Donnie and his wife, Audry, enjoy living in Mustang.
Jim Richey, Arts Category
Alva, Oklahoma, 1968; Mathematics
Described as a “roll up his sleeves” advocate for the arts in Alva, Jim Richey is an active member of the Alva Mural Society and assisted with the “Castle on the Hill” painting on the Alva Chamber of Commerce building.
He has served as chairman of the Runnymede Restoration Committee since 1998 and is a member of both the Alva Public Art Committee and the Alva City Planning Commission.
Richey earned a mathematics degree in 1968, leading to his career as Senior Consultant, Information Technology at Conoco Inc. in Ponca City and Houston. While at Conoco, Richey did commercial illustrations, graphic design and photography.
A master woodworker, Richey is the author and illustrator of seven woodworking books and enjoyed a 36-year career as illustrator and column editor for “Fine Woodworking Magazine.”
Richey has earned photography “best of show” awards at Tulsa Mayfest, Wichita Riverfest, Oklahoma City Paseo and Hubbard Museum of the West. His work has been exhibited at the ConocoPhillips Headquarters in Houston and the Oklahoma State Capital and can be viewed at www.jimrichey.com/portfolios.
He and his wife, Melba (1966) live in Alva.
Nicole Steuart, Business/Professional Category
Enid, Oklahoma, 2004; Health & P.E.
In 2008, Nicole Steuart opened Nicole’s Gymnastics Academy in Springfield, Colo. A short time later, her longstanding mentor asked Steuart to take the reigns as the new owner/operator of Stalcup Gymnastics in Enid in 2009. Steuart rebranded it in 2013.
Moving to a more prominent location in Enid allowed Steuart to take on additional students and launch a competitive team program. She grew the business exponentially and now employs more than
20 people. With a drive to stay on the cutting edge, equipment upgrades and purchases of competition-level apparatuses have been made. Her facility holds recreational and competitive gymnastics classes, birthday parties, cheer clinics and family reunions.
The principles Steuart developed while coaching in multiple gyms and locations throughout her life have served her well. Staying focused on those principles today keeps her successful. With a passion for teaching and coaching, Steuart continues to impact America’s youth and model young people into great athletes and exceptional leaders in their school communities.
Steuart and her husband, Adam (2007) live in Enid.
For more information on the nomination process or to nominate a Northwestern graduate, please visit: https://ournorthwestern.org/get-involved/events-programs/spring-alumni-reunion.
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