September 29, 2023
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) had the honor of welcoming Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen from the Kingdom of Denmark on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The Ambassador’s visit to SWOSU was part of a multi-day series of gatherings organized by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Danish Trade Council in North America focusing on clean and renewable energy.
Ambassador Sørensen currently serves as the Ambassador of Denmark to The United States at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington D.C. Prior to this role, he held positions such as State Secretary for Foreign Policy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Political Director in the Foreign Ministry, and Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan. Ambassador Sørensen began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark in 1997, holding various diplomatic roles worldwide. He holds a Master of Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and is a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog.
The Ambassador’s visit commenced with a luncheon held in the Pioneer Event Center’s Skyview Suite. Attendees included SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell, Provost Dr. Joel Kendall, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations & Marketing Dr. Boone Clemmons, and International Student Services Coordinator Ms. Mihaela Roxana Ifrim. Additionally, the luncheon would not have been possible without the work of teams led by Mr. Bryce Wood, PCEC Director, and Ms. Radonna Sawatzky, Food Services Director.
Following the luncheon, Ambassador Sørensen was guided on a tour of the state-of-the-art General Thomas P. Stafford Archives at the Al Harris Library. Here, he engaged with students from SWOSU’s President Leadership Class, Student Government Association, and SWOSU International Student Association. He also met one of SWOSU’s three Danish students, Mr. Anders Strand. This component of his visit was made possible by Dr. Adam Johnson, Vice President for Student Services; Mr. Jason Dupree, MLIS, Director of Libraries and Assistant Professor; Mr. Philip Fitzsimmons, MLIS, University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, and Assistant Professor.
Continuing the tour, the Ambassador visited the SWOSU Department of Engineering Technology, which has played a significant role in the university’s increase in STEM graduates over the last decade. He interacted with students and faculty and discussed Denmark’s clean and renewable energy sector, as well as how SWOSU students might contemplate pursuing career opportunities in these sectors. Mr. Brett Chase, Chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, facilitated this segment of the visit.
“SWOSU would like to express gratitude for the opportunity to host Ambassador Sørensen and the delegation from Denmark. This visit strengthens the bonds between our educational institution and the global community: it was truly a historic day for SWOSU” said Dr. Lovell.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
SWOSU Biology Students Present Research at Oklahoma Academy of Science Meeting
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Twenty-two students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences presented their research at the 2025 Annual Technical Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science, held
Field Study Trip Gives SWOSU Students Insight into Oklahoma Prairie Ecology
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) visited the Four Canyon Preserve for a full day of field observations and ecological study. The visit provided hands-on experience with Oklahoma’s native mixed-grass
Candidate Filing Begins For Board Of Education
Roger Mills Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, December 1st for 9 Roger Mills County school districts. Those who wish to file for a Board of Education
SWOSU Foundation Names New Board Leaders
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees held its Fall 2025 session recently on Thursday and Friday, November 6 and 7, in
Mayor’s Toy Drive Sign Ups Begin
Elk City, OK – Elk City families needing a little extra help this holiday season can begin signing up for the annual Mayor’s Toy Drive starting November 24. Registration will run through December 5 at Elk City
Santa’s Christmas Heroes
About KECO 96.5FM is spotlighting locals who do selfless good. Winners receive a $250 prize from a KECO sponsor. We announce on air and share photos on the KECO Facebook page. How it works Pick a nominee,
OHP Troopers Praised As Heroes After Saving Man On I-40
Custer County, OK – Oklahoma Highway Patrol is crediting the quick actions of Trooper Eric Burchett with saving a man’s life after a violent incident along Interstate 40 near Clinton on the morning of November 16. According
Wheeler Man Hurt After Rear-End Crash On I 40 In Custer County
Custer County, OK – A Wheeler, Texas man was injured Saturday afternoon in a two vehicle collision on Interstate 40 in Custer County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers reported the crash at 3:49 p.m. on
Nicholas & Judy Rains Make Major Gift to SWOSU
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (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
Four sue AirGas, Holiday Inn after toxic gas leak at Weatherford hotel
Weatherford, OK – 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,
Troopers work busy Saturday on western Oklahoma highways
Elk City, OK – Western Oklahoma highways were busy for state troopers Saturday, with three separate crashes in Washita, Blaine, and Dewey counties sending multiple people to the hospital, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The first
Archer: Oklahoma’s ‘next frontier’ taking shape at Air & Space Port
Elk City, OK – State Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, says Oklahoma is starting to turn talk about space into real-world jobs and investment, and western Oklahoma is right in the middle of it. During a recent
Wanted Elk City man captured after standoff in Shamrock
Shamrock, Texas – A man wanted out of Elk City was arrested Wednesday in Shamrock, Texas after deputies found him hiding underneath a house and used a K-9 to take him into custody, according to law enforcement.
Hays sentenced to life in prison for 2024 murder of Elk City man
Sayre, OK – A Beckham County man convicted in the 2024 shooting death of Colter Jake Vaught has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Clayton Samson Hays, 38, of Carter, received the
Marquis Memorial Gift Made to SWOSU Bulldog Angels Fund
Weatherford, OK – The family of the late Dr. Sara Nell (Bergstrom) Marquis, ’76 & ’03, has made a major charitable gift to the Bulldog Angels Fund at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). The contribution was made
Oklahoma City man arrested after struggle with law enforcement at Sayre truck stop
Sayre, OK – An Oklahoma City man is facing multiple felony charges after an alleged struggle with law enforcement at the Flying J truck stop off Interstate 40 in Sayre on Tuesday, according to a probable cause
Study Co-Authored by New SWOSU Biology Faculty Member Published in New Phytologist
Weatherford, OK – A recent study co-authored by Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Assistant Professor Dr. Liedson Carneiro has been published in New Phytologist, one of the world’s leading journals in plant science. The paper is titled
Sales Tax Surges Across Western Oklahoma in Latest Distribution
Oklahoma City, OK – Sales tax collections are in for the November 10, 2025 distribution, reflecting local transactions from September 16–30 and estimated sales from October 1–15. The report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows most area
Laverne’s Bentley crowned Miss SWOSU 2026
Weatherford, OK – 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. Bentley, of Laverne, is
Update: Weatherford man charged in fatal shooting of friend
Weatherford, OK – 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. Jonathan David “Zombie” Bridges, 24, of Weatherford,
Three Charged With Meth Trafficking After Custer County Traffic Stop
Custer County, OK – A Studio City, California woman has been charged in Custer County with trafficking methamphetamine after a November traffic stop, according to newly filed court documents. Prosecutors allege that Kristen Lea Chenoweth, 37, along
Update on Weatherford Ammonia Leak
Weatherford, OK – Weatherford officials released new details following the major anhydrous ammonia leak that occurred late Wednesday night behind the Holiday Inn Express. The leak was reported around 9:58 p.m., prompting a large multi-agency emergency response.
SWOSU Names Magill to Presidential Order of Merit
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly presented Bruce Magill, ’70, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit. The award was presented by SWOSU’s Acting President, Dr. Janet Cunningham, during the recent Fall
SWOSU Names Birdsong to Presidential Order of Merit
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly presented Carl Birdsong, ’83, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit. The award was presented by SWOSU’s Acting President, Dr. Janet Cunningham, during SWOSU’s Homecoming football
SWOSU Alumni Association & Washita DAR Honor Hibler, Kauger
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (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
