Reichenberger endows third and fourth chairs in theatre at Northwestern

October 2, 2018

Donovan Reichenberger

Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association Release

Donovan Reichenberger, a Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduate and retired history faculty member, continues his dedication and passion for the fine arts by establishing the Donovan Reichenberger Endowed Chairs III and IV in theatre.

These new endowed chairs, combined with Endowed Chairs I and II (established in 2012 and 2016, respectively), will allow Northwestern to create a faculty position within the theatre program.

“The Northwestern theatre department provides so many cultural enrichment opportunities to our community,”Reichenberger said. “Dorothy and I attended these events throughout my time with Northwestern.

“This program has been a prosperous one-person department for many years; but, I would like to see it grow. My goal for this investment is to allow Kimberly Weast some assistance shaping our students’ collegiate experience in theatre.”

Born in Mt. Hope, Kansas, Reichenberger graduated from Sharon High School (Kansas) and later married his wife, Dorothy, in 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy for 18 years before attending Northwestern State College — now called Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in social science. In 1967, Reichenberger earned a master’s degree from Wichita State University. That same year, he joined Northwestern’s history department. During his tenure, Reichenberger completed additional graduate studies at the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma before retiring from Northwestern after 25 years of service.

Reichenberger has served as a Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association trustee since 1993 and continues to support Northwestern and its students. In 1992, Reichenberger and his wife established an award that is presented to deserving history majors and minors. In 1996, they provided for an endowed chair in history through the creation of a charitable remainder trust. Since then, Reichenberger has established three scholarships in theatre, history and vocal at Northwestern and now four chairs in theatre.

“Donovan Reichenberger’s support for Northwestern, including his love of the work of our Department of Fine Arts, has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, president of Northwestern. “We are indebted to his generosity and forever grateful for always standing in support of our students. Even beyond his distinguished career in the classroom, history will recognize him as an important figure in the history of Northwestern.”

For more information on the Donovan Reichenberger Endowed Chairs III and IV in theatre, or about investing in Northwestern students, call Skeeter Bird, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association CEO, at (580) 327-8599 or email him at aebird@nwosu.edu.

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