SWOSU Welcomes 15 Students to President’s Leadership Class XXI

The Penny News 1526

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the 21st class of its President’s Leadership Class (PLC), a selective four-semester program for students with strong leadership potential. Fifteen students, including 13 high school seniors and two transfer students, have been selected for the 2026-27 academic year.

The incoming freshman members of PLC Class XXI are:

  • Bayleigh Benjamin, Madison (Kansas) High School

  • Hayden Brink, Bethany High School

  • Erick Do, Moore High School

  • Dasia Givens, Weatherford High School

  • Owen Lavigne, Weatherford High School

  • Baily Lawellin, Mooreland High School

  • Tyler Roberts, Verden High School

  • Braylie Schmidt, Weatherford High School

  • Caleb Schultz, Kremlin-Hillsdale High School

  • Jackson Smith, Weatherford High School

  • Noah Wald, Weatherford High School

  • Annabelle Webber, Southwest Covenant High School

  • Ruby Wright, Weatherford High School

Each freshman PLC member receives a $1,000 scholarship during each of their first two years at SWOSU and a room scholarship for the first year. Members also enroll in a leadership course developed specifically for PLC students. Following their second year in the program, students participate in a university-sponsored trip to Washington, D.C.

SWOSU has also selected two transfer students for PLC Class XXI. Cody Bowland of Frederick will transfer from Western Oklahoma State College, and Kailey Rich of Prague will transfer from Northern Oklahoma College.

Transfer PLC members receive a $1,000 scholarship during each of their two years in the program and participate in select PLC programming. They also participate in the university-sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., after completing their second year.

The President’s Leadership Class provides four semesters of leadership development centered on the responsible application of leadership within organizations and communities. PLC members work on team projects, participate in community service and attend seminars featuring guest speakers. Students also contribute to campus activities, recruitment programs and alumni events.

More information about the President’s Leadership Class is available at https://www.swosu.edu/presidents-leadership-class/index.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.

Copyright 2026 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.


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