Weatherford, OK – The 20th Annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Athletic Auction & Benefit Dinner held Saturday, August 8, was also the stage for a special recognition.

Mr. Rouben Tourian of Weatherford, a 1996 & 2013 SWOSU alumnus, was presented with one of the university’s highest honors, the SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit by SWOSU President Dr. Joel Kendall.

SWOSU President the late Dr. John Hays, a 1969 SWOSU graduate and 2011 Distinguished Alumnus, 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.

Tourian has deep ties to SWOSU. His father, Moushegh “Moush” Tourian, is a 1973 & 1974 SWOSU alumnus and a longtime member of the SWOSU Athletic Association Board of Directors. His aunt, Aghavni “Agho” Armoudian is a member of SWOSU’s emeriti community as was his late uncle, Garabed “Garo” Armoudian.

Tourian has a long and distinguished track record of service to his alma mater. He has held full-time roles at the institution including serving as SWOSU Assistant Athletic Director of External Operations and SWOSU Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement for Special Projects. Tourian was the driving force behind the very first SWOSU Athletic Auction & Benefit Dinner and has remained involved with the event each year for two decades. Since its inception the Auction has provided over $2.5 million in support to SWOSU’s student-athletes and their programs.

A successful entrepreneur and businessman, Tourian has owned a variety of enterprises including RKT Promotions, Midwest Therapeutics, and legendary Weatherford dining establishment Benchwarmer Browns. Tourian is a sought-after business development and sales professional who has worked for private sector firms including Dillingham Insurance, Flex Chem, and Advanced 4 Solutions. He continues to provide contract development and engagement services to the SWOSU Foundation, Inc.

Tourian resides in Weatherford with his daughter, Ava Tourian.

Tourian’s appointment to the SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit is Kendall’s first such conferral since being named the university’s 19th President.

“I am delighted to name an outstanding SWOSU Bulldog, Mr. Rouben Tourian, as the newest member of the SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit,” said Kendall. “We are truly grateful to Rouben for his years of service and his central role in building up the SWOSU Athletic Auction & Benefit Dinner into the special annual gathering that it has become.

The SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit is headed by the SWOSU President and stewarded by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. An independent, institutionally related charitable entity headquartered on the SWOSU Campus in the historic Burton House, the Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy, award scholarships and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. For more information, please contact the SWOSU Office of Institutional Advancement at 580-774-3267 or visit www.SWOSUFoundation.com.

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