April 18, 2023
By Landry Brewer
How Jerry Dunn wound up teaching at SWOSU in Weatherford is a good story.
The 1992 Canute High School graduate thought that after college he’d eventually return to western Oklahoma to live and work on the farm near his tight-knit family. He was right, though not in the way he’d planned.
LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
Dunn became a college student at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1993. He spent the year before, however, acclimating to higher education by commuting about 25 miles west.
“To ease that transition, I spent my first year of college at SWOSU in Sayre, then transferred to OSU,” Dunn said.
The hardest part of adjusting to college was learning the study skills that he hadn’t developed in high school.
The hardest part of adjusting to OSU was its size and the size of his classes. “Some of them were massive, with more than 100 students,” Dunn said. His entire graduating class at Canute had about 25.
FAMILY MATTERS
He benefitted by having family nearby. “My cousins Cory and Christie Spieker were finishing up college at OSU, and I moved a trailer house into the trailer park down the street from them,” he said. The Spiekers being close helped Dunn adjust to living away from home.
More help came from more family. Dunn was roommates with cousins Wes and Quenton Elliott, which also helped immensely.
By the time he’d left Stillwater, Dunn had earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Economics.
He graduated from high school intending to get a degree in Farm and Ranch Management from OSU, then go home to work on the family farm. But as he advanced in that program, he considered other options.
“I began to realize just how difficult farming life can be and started looking for other avenues,” Dunn said.
BECOMING DR. DUNN
That’s why he went into the OSU master’s program and eventually decided to pursue a doctorate at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
K-State offered a Ph.D. in Economics with an emphasis in Ag Economics. Dunn said that the program fit his mindset, and Manhattan was a lot like Stillwater, also a good fit.
He hadn’t considered working in a classroom, though, until he got the chance to teach an Ag Finance class while he was at K-State. “That opened my eyes to the possibility of being an educator,” Dunn said.
As he finished his doctoral dissertation—a book that Ph.D. students write to complete their degree—in the fall of 2001, he began looking for a job. Dunn had interviewed at some small agricultural colleges and universities, more interested in teaching than researching.
GOIN’ HOME
Then, he took a shot in the dark.
“On a whim, I emailed my resume to the SWOSU College of Business concerning a Management position that was advertised,” Dunn said.
He didn’t hear back as the weeks passed, so he continued the job search. Then, one day he got a call from Dr. Ralph May, Dean of the SWOSU College of Business.
An Economics professor was retiring, and May thought that as a Canute native, Dunn would be a good fit among SWOSU’s students, many of whom come from small western Oklahoma schools.
He interviewed, was offered the job, and began teaching undergraduate and graduate Economics and Statistics courses at Weatherford in August 2002 and has ever since.
Then, in 2019, SWOSU implemented a Business in Agriculture degree program, and Dunn has been intimately involved. “Given my background, I have been extremely excited and very active in its development,” he said.
He teaches two courses in the program, advises most of the majors, and is a co-sponsor of the SWOSU Collegiate Oklahoma Farm Bureau chapter.
The best part of Dunn’s job is helping students learn and succeed, particularly when they’ve struggled. He especially enjoys witnessing “the light bulb moment” when students suddenly understand a concept.
The most challenging part of his career was early as he transitioned from researcher to educator. “I had a steep learning curve when first stepping into the classroom, and the learning continues as strategies and techniques evolve in education,” Dunn said.
Dunn and his wife live just northeast of Love’s on the east side of Elk City on farmland that’s been in the family more than 100 years. He farms with his parents, Wendell and Shellean Dunn.
“I’m very fortunate to have that opportunity,” Dunn said.
A veteran educator, he’s been on campus more than two decades, is serving under his third SWOSU president, and still loves it. “I’ve cherished every year that I’ve been here,” Dunn said.
The 45-minute commute from Elk City to Weatherford to teach is a small price to pay for realizing the goal that Jerry Dunn had as a Canute High School graduate of returning home and working in agriculture.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Moore-Led Bill Limiting Climate Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Industry Advances
Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma Legislature is moving closer to approving a measure aimed at shielding oil and gas companies from climate-related lawsuits. House Bill 1439, authored by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, and Sen. Julie Daniels,
Books Are OPEN for the 2026 KECO Open – Register Now!
BOOKS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN! The 29th Annual KECO Open is set for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Elk City Golf & Country Club – and now’s your chance to lock in your spot! Whether you’re swinging for
Election Day Reminders and Tips
Cheyenne, OK – Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7th, for the Reydon School District Board of Education General Election. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice offers these important
Archer Pushes for Federal Funds, Energy Research Hub Advances
Elk City, OK — State Rep. Nick Archer says he is continuing efforts to bring federal investment back to Oklahoma, focusing on energy research and advanced computing as key opportunities for the region. Speaking recently, Archer emphasized
Overnight RV Fire Spreads to Elk City Home, No Injuries Reported
Elk City, OK – The busy week continues for local firefighters as crews responded to an overnight house fire in Elk City early Wednesday morning. According to reports, firefighters were dispatched to the 600 block of West
Severe Storm Threat Returns as Elk City Crews Recover from Busy Day of Fires and Emergencies
Elk City, OK — Residents in the Elk City area are being urged to stay weather aware today as conditions set up for another round of potentially severe storms. According to local officials, the area faces a
SWODA Awarded $2.6 Million to Expand Rural Health Access and Transportation
Burns Flat, OK – The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority has been awarded $2.6 million to expand access to wellness services for rural residents. The funding comes through the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program, which focuses on
Joint Beckham, Wheeler County Effort Leads to Safe Recovery of Woman
Wheeler County, TX — A coordinated effort between the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office and the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office led to the safe location of a woman Sunday after concerns for her wellbeing were reported. According to
Elk City Firefighters Stay Busy with Fires, EMS Calls Over the Weekend
Elk City, OK — It was a busy weekend for the Elk City Fire Department, as crews responded to multiple fires and a high volume of emergency calls across the area. Firefighters first responded Friday night to
Custer County Under Burn Ban as Fire Conditions Worsen
Arapaho, OK — Custer County Commissioners enacted a countywide burn ban Monday morning amid dangerous fire conditions across western Oklahoma. The ban will remain in effect for the next 14 days. Under its terms, only limited activities
Top Oklahoma Schools Recognized at SWOSU SWIM 2026
Weatherford, OK — The annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Interscholastic Meet (SWIM), one of the longest-running academic competitions in Oklahoma, was held March 26, 2026, on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford. The first SWIM contest was
Custer City Man Charged in Series of Grass Fires
Custer County, OK — A Custer City man has been charged with multiple felony counts after authorities say he set a series of grass fires across two western Oklahoma counties over several weeks. Skyler Dean Terrell, 31,
Drummond Highlights Rural Roots, Public Safety Record in Governor Bid at Elk City Event
Elk City, OK – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond brought his campaign for governor to western Oklahoma Friday night, speaking at the Elk City Golf and Country Club. Addressing a local crowd, Drummond leaned on his rural
Homeland Stores Announces Changes Impacting Elk City, Clinton Locations
Oklahoma City, OK – Homeland Stores has announced a series of changes across Oklahoma, including closures and consolidations, as part of an effort to strengthen the company and refocus on its core operations. In western Oklahoma, the
Illegal Alien Semi-Truck Driver Charged after Traffic Stop Uncovers over 20 Pounds of Methamphetamine
Oklahoma City, OK – JOSE CARLOS MORALES-GUTIERREZ, 31, a Mexican national who is in the country illegally, has been charged with possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Robert
Wildfire Near Butler Prompts Evacuations, Multi-Agency Response
Butler, OK – A fast-moving wildfire north of Foss Lake near Butler kept firefighters and emergency crews busy Wednesday afternoon, prompting evacuations and drawing a large multi-agency response. According to local officials, the fire was first reported
Rising Medicaid Costs Take Center Stage in Oklahoma Budget Talks
Oklahoma City, OK — Rising Medicaid costs are becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Oklahoma lawmakers as they work to finalize the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Senator Brent Howard of Altus, who represents
Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws in Roger Mills County
Cheyenne, OK – With the April 7th Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election
Fire Weather Watch Issued as Dangerous Conditions Persist, Jumping Juniper Fire Remains Active
Western Oklahoma – A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening across much of western Oklahoma, including Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Caddo, Greer, Kiowa, Jackson, and Harmon counties, as dangerous
Texas Statewide Emergency Alert Test Scheduled April 2
Del Valle, TX – Emergency management officials across Texas will participate in a coordinated statewide emergency alert system test Thursday, April 2, 2026, as part of a preparedness exercise led by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Elk City man charged after 110 mph pursuit
Clinton, OK — A 64-year-old Elk City man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit exceeding 110 mph through Custer and Washita counties. Jimmy Lee Davis, also known as
Edelen Named New Superintendent at Western Technology Center
Burns Flat, OK – Western Technology Center has announced Jay Edelen as its next superintendent, set to begin July 1, 2026. Edelen will become the seventh superintendent in the organization’s history, which dates back to 1970 and
Beckham County Conducts DUI “Wet Lab” Training for Officers
Sayre, OK — Local law enforcement officers recently took part in a specialized DUI training exercise designed to sharpen their ability to detect impaired drivers in the field. According to Derek Manning, the training, known as a
Candidate Filing Begins April 1 in Custer County
Clinton, OK – Statewide election activity officially begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, when the candidate filing period opens, according to the Secretary of the Custer County Election Board. Candidates for state offices must file
Archer-Backed Bill to Repurpose Abandoned Wells Advances to Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma City, OK – A proposal focused on turning thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells across Oklahoma into usable energy assets is moving to the State Senate after gaining strong support in the House. House Bill
