The Penny News Online

The Regional University System of Oklahoma and SWOSU today announced the appointment of Dr. Joel Kendall as Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective January 12.

Enrollment is now open for the Spring 2026 term of the SWOSU Music Academy, a program that connects young musicians with quality instruction and performance opportunities.

Plans are moving forward for a new Amazon delivery facility in Weatherford, a development local leaders say will strengthen the area’s economy and create new employment opportunities.

The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents today announced that Dr. Diana Lovell has submitted her resignation as President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective December 31, 2025.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Dec. 8 meeting opened with statewide recognition for a major western Oklahoma project, as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s District 5 received one of the industry’s highest honors for bridge construction.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings on the anhydrous ammonia leak that struck Weatherford on the night of November 12, an incident that injured dozens, forced large evacuations, and has already prompted a civil lawsuit against AirGas and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

SWOSU has announced the upcoming 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Event Center.

The Weatherford School Board unanimously approved placing a proposal for a new Weatherford High School campus before district voters on February 10, 2026 during a special meeting Tuesday morning.

Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja, Department Chair and Bernhardt Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has received the Recognition Award from the American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAiPS).

The Reach Higher degree-finishing program at SWOSU awarded scholarships to fourteen SWOSU students completing degrees through the program.

SWOSU has announced a major charitable contribution.

The SWOSU Foundation, Incorporated has announced the accession of four SWOSU graduates to the organization's governing Board of Trustees.

A Cordell woman is facing multiple felony drug trafficking charges after a large quantity of fentanyl and methamphetamine was allegedly found during a traffic stop in Weatherford on November 23.

Students from SWOSU visited the Four Canyon Preserve for a full day of field observations and ecological study.

The Board of Trustees of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees held its Fall 2025 session recently on Thursday and Friday, November 6 and 7, in Weatherford.

SWOSU is excited to announce the receipt of a major charitable contribution from Nicholas Rains, ‘02, and his wife, Judy, endowing the Nicholas & Judy Rains Computer Science Scholarship to provide ongoing financial assistance to SWOSU students studying in the Computer Science Department.

Four people have filed a civil lawsuit against AirGas and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Weatherford after a massive anhydrous ammonia leak sent 34 victims to hospitals, including two in critical condition, and triggered wide evacuations across the city.

The family of the late Dr. Sara Nell (Bergstrom) Marquis, ’76 & ’03, has made a major charitable gift to the Bulldog Angels Fund at SWOSU.

A recent study co-authored by SWOSU Assistant Professor Dr. Liedson Carneiro has been published in New Phytologist, one of the world’s leading journals in plant science.

The spotlight belonged to freshman Selah Bentley on Saturday night as she was crowned Miss SWOSU 2026 in the annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant at the SWOSU Fine Arts Center.

A Weatherford man has now been charged with manslaughter after investigators say he fatally shot a friend while handling a handgun at a Weatherford home last week.

Weatherford officials released new details following the major anhydrous ammonia leak that occurred late Wednesday night behind the Holiday Inn Express.

SWOSU has proudly presented Bruce Magill, '70, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

SWOSU has proudly presented Carl Birdsong, '83, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

The SWOSU Alumni Association and the Washita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) partnered this Fall to honor two outstanding SWOSU graduates with the DAR's prestigious Women in American History Award.

SWOSU proudly recognized longtime benefactor and SWOSU Alumni Association Past President Mike Wilkes, '75, with the prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

A 24-year-old Weatherford man is in custody after a fatal shooting at a home on Texas Avenue Thursday morning.

Shelter in place orders were lifted Thursday morning in Weatherford after an overnight anhydrous ammonia leak from a tanker truck sent a toxic cloud across parts of the city, forcing evacuations of homes, nursing facilities and businesses.

The SWOSU Computer Club and SWOSU Esports hosted their annual Extra Life lock-in fundraiser, raising $1,000 to support the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

Candidates for the Board of Education in Arapaho-Butler, Clinton, Thomas-Fay-Custer and Weatherford Schools Custer County school districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a.m. Monday, December 1 2025.