The Penny News Online

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.

Weatherford Animal Control Officers are investigating a possible animal cruelty case after multiple cats were found sick or dead in the city, with evidence one may have consumed antifreeze.

A Weatherford woman is facing a felony after a short police pursuit on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court.

The SWOSU Office of Public Relations and Marketing has won three honors in the 21st Annual Davey Awards.

SWOSU continues to expand opportunities for its students through its ongoing partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City and the Institute for Mexicans Abroad.

The SWOSU annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15.

An 18-year-old Minnesota man was arrested after a reported purse snatching in Weatherford and a high-speed chase that cut through west Clinton.

An 18-year-old charged in connection with the death of SWOSU freshman Logan Musil told investigators the student died after an accidental fall during a drug-fueled fight, according to a federal search warrant.

Nominations to the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at SWOSU are now being accepted.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says an 18-year-old Southwestern Oklahoma State University student reported missing last week has been found deceased, and another 18-year-old has been arrested.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is now assisting Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Police in the search for a missing student.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Campus Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Logan Musil, an 18-year-old SWOSU student who has been missing since September 12, 2025.

SWOSU has announced the latest generous gift to the Murdock Family Scholarship Fund.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce that Lucille’s Restaurant, Bar, & Hotel will serve as the official Welcome Back Party Sponsor, and Qdoba is the official Homecoming Brunch & Tailgate Sponsor, for SWOSU Homecoming 2025.

Dr. Renan Bosque, Professor in the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at SWOSU is part of an international research team whose work has been published in Science.