Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently hosted a luncheon featuring Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Chancellor Sean Burrage and Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert.

The luncheon was held at SWOSU’s Pioneer Event Center at Weatherford and was generously sponsored by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. SWOSU Food Services served the meal.

Over 100 community leaders, public officials, and SWOSU alumni and friends joined members of both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature for the gathering—legislators present included:

Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert

Speaker Pro Tempore-elect Anthony Moore

Representative Stacy Adams

Representative Nick Archer

Representative Mike Dobrinski

Representative Toni Hasenback

Representative Dick Lowe

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Chuck Hall

Senator Darcy Jech

Regents from OSRHE as well as the A&M, Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO), and Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) Boards of Regents were present along with the presidents of SWOSU, Cameron University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), Northern Oklahoma College, Panhandle State University, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Redlands Community College, and WOSC.

Following remarks from Speaker-elect Hilbert, Chancellor Burrage discussed the 2025 OSRHE Legislative Agenda and workforce development strategy and legislators provided commentary and context. The event marked Burrage’s first public address delivered as Chancellor.

During the program, SWOSU President Dr. Diana R. Lovell inducted SWOSU alumni Anthony Sammons and Will Robinson into the SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit.

SWOSU President the late Dr. John Hays established the Order in 2004—it is the highest honor in the personal gift of SWOSU's chief executive. Induction into the Order is reserved for individuals who have shown outstanding achievement on the state, national or international level, in the arts, sciences, business, industry, the professions, sports, social service or public service. This recognition represents recognition of significant distinction that a member of the SWOSU family has attained.

Sammons, a 1997 SWOSU graduate, serves as Director of Fiscal Staff for the Oklahoma Senate. Robinson, a 2015 SWOSU graduate, serves as Deputy Director of Fiscal Staff for the Oklahoma Senate. Both were lauded by the legislative leaders present for their dedication, talent, and commitment to public service.

“Anthony Sammons and Will Robinson do all Oklahomans a great service in the Oklahoma Senate, and and here at their alma mater we celebrate them for representing their fellow Bulldogs with integrity, professionalism, and class,” said Lovell.

Following adjournment of the luncheon, Hilbert and Burrage toured the construction site of the Jerry & Margaret Hodge Center for Pharmacy & Rural Health before departing the SWOSU campus.

For more information, please visit www.SWOSU.edu or contact the SWOSU Office of the President at president@swosu.edu.