BYRON KOEHN, President
Alva, OK

Byron Koehn, class of 1980, majored in geography and minored in psychology and sociology. He is a member of the Rowdy Rangers, Grid Iron Club and has served on the Alva Golf and Country Club Board of Directors since 2008.

Byron's hobbies include most anything outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and golfing.

Byron and his wife, Karen (Bishop), were married in 1982 and reside in Alva. He works for Merrifield Office Supply in Alva.

TISHA SHIPLEY, Vice President
Alva, OK

Tisha Shipley, a 2003 graduate, is an instructor of education at Northwestern. She is working on her doctorate and spends her free time shopping, reading and spending time with her family.

Tisha's favorite part about attending Northwestern was meeting friends who she still keeps in touch with.

"When you attend Northwestern, you are always a person that stands out in a crowd," Tisha said.

JUDY WOLGAMOTT, Recording Secretary
Hardtner, KS

Judy Wolgamott of Hardtner, Kansas, graduated from Northwestern with a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education in 1967. She received her master's degree of education in 1974. During her teaching tenure, she taught in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Fort Supply, Fargo, Woodward, and Mustang, Oklahoma. She also taught extension classes for Northwestern while living in Woodward. Judy retired from teaching in 1997. Currently, Judy lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and is employed with The American Education Corporation, an educational software company in Oklahoma City.

Fond memories of caring faculty and friends at Northwestern have always been an inspiration to Judy, and she hopes to continue this connection by serving on the alumni board. Go Rangers!

LIZABETH RICHEY
Alumni Director and Secretary/Treasurer
Alva, OK

Lizabeth Richey has served as Alumni Director since 2004. She began her career with the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association in 1991.

Raised in Elk City, Oklahoma, Lizabeth began her college experience at Oklahoma Baptist University and completed her bachelor’s in business administration at Northwestern in 1996. She earned a master’s degree, also from Northwestern, in 2000.

Lizabeth is active in the Alva community singing in her church choir and the community choir. She is a past director of the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma.

KAREN PAYNE
Ponca City, OK

Karen (Hoeltzel) Payne came to Northwestern from Carrier, OK and currently resides in Ponca City. She graduated in 1973 and retired from teaching. Karen keeps busy with crafts and gardening.

Karen’s favorite memory is how “at home” she always felt on campus and notes that the feeling is still the same today.

Northwestern is important to Karen because “I obtained three degrees there. Moreover, Northwestern is important to northwest Oklahoma. The memories I made there will always be a part of my life and who I am.”

COURTNEY HARZMAN
Alva, OK

Courtney (Roe) Harzman, an Alva native, graduated from Northwestern in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education and a minor in Sociology. While attending college she was a member of the Lady Rangers basketball team.

Courtney is the recreational director at the Alva Recreation Complex (ARC). In addition to organizing sports for kids, she enjoys participating in adult sports offered at the ARC. Spending time with and coaching her daughter Ali are two of her favorite things to do. Courtney carries Ranger pride everywhere she goes, Ride Rangers Ride.

MIKE MARTIN
Alva, OK

Mike Martin is from the class of 1980 and majored in Agri-Business. He is a second-generation area farmer. Mike’s family is one of Northwestern’s legacy families. His mother and her siblings all attended Northwestern and his sons have followed in his footsteps.

Mike is a member of the Rowdy Rangers, a group of men who cook for the entire student body each spring at Assessment Day, as well as once each season for the varsity athletic teams. Mike and his wife Tena enjoy country living just outside of Alva.

RICH CANTILLON
Blackwell, OK

Rich Cantillon, a 1981 Graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, is the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce president.  Prior to joining the Ponca City Chamber in 2004, he owned and operated a photography studio, worked for Kay Electric Cooperative and the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce.

Rich has also attended the University of Oklahoma and completed his Chamber Institute Management Certificate at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Rich serves on the Ponca City Arts Council, Oklahoma Travel Industry Board and is past president of the Ponca City Rotary Club and the state organization of Chamber Executives. 

Rich met his wife Pam while attending Northwestern, and they have three children, two of which are currently attending Northwestern.  In his free time, Rich enjoys working with his church youth group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and watching his children’s various school activities.

DARLA TERRY, Alumni Nursing Representative
Enid, OK

Darla Terry, class of 1996, majored in Nursing. She is also a member of Northwestern’s Nursing Alumni Association. Darla enjoys being a liaison between the University, the Alumni Association and the Nursing Alumni Association.

Darla’s hobbies are genealogy and reading. Her favorite part of Northwestern is how helpful and encouraging the instructors are. Northwestern provided a sense of family for Darla as a student and played a big part of her life story.

Darla and her husband Mike make their home in Enid and she works at Northern Oklahoma Resource Center in Enid (NORCE).

DENNIS WILSON, Greater Enid Alumni Representative
Enid, OK

Dennis Wilson, of Enid, graduated from Northwestern in 1971.  He is a state certified general real estate appraiser and enjoys fishing and traveling.

Dennis remembers fun, crazy times at Northwestern and the friendships he made while a student.  Northwestern was part of the foundation of who he is now.

During his college days, Dennis lettered in football and his wife Vicki can be seen wearing his letter sweater to alumni events.  He was also the first man to hold the Cinderfella title.

KANDEE ALMGREN, Alumni Band Representative
Alva, OK

Kandee Almgren, a 1995 Northwestern graduate from Alva, is a secondary English teacher and librarian. Her hobbies include reading, attending her students' events and working with the Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter on campus.

Kandee was in the band during her time at Northwestern, and she still remains friends with many former band members. Scholarships allowed Kandee to receive an outstanding education at Northwestern, a place she still feels at home.

KAREN STEPHENSON, Greater Woodward Alumni Representative
Woodward, OK

Originally from Mutual, Karen (Borden) Stephenson graduated from Northwestern in 1978 with a major in business education and a minor in vocal music. She now works as a compliance officer at The Stock Exchange Bank in Woodward and the organist at the First United Methodist Church in Woodward.

Karen enjoys reading, singing in the church choir and participating in community theatre and musicals. She currently serves as treasurer for the Northwestern Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors.

Her favorite memory of Northwestern is making lifelong friendships and feeling like part of a family.

RYAN HINTERGARDT, Alumni Baseball Representative
Alva, OK

Ryan Hintergardt, originally from Ponca City, graduated from Northwestern in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.  He also received Northwestern degrees in business administration, 2000, and e-commerce, 2002.  During college, Ryan played third base and was a pitcher for the Ranger baseball team from 1996 to 1999 before joining the staff at Northwestern in 2003 as sports information director.

Ryan enjoys sports of all kinds, lake activities, working out, playing the bass guitar and listening to music.  He also founded the Ranger Dugout Club, the Ranger Dugout Club Golf Tournament and the Ranger Dugout Club Scholarship Endowment.

Ryan said the friendships made and the education earned at Northwestern will last a lifetime and have made a significant impact on his life.

TROY SMITH
Alva, OK

DAVID TAYLOR, Alumni Men's Basketball Representative
Tulsa, OK

CHESNEI THOMAS
Alva, OK