SWOSU Honors Distinguished Faculty with 2023 Emeritus Awards

December 8, 2023

SWOSU Press Release

The SWOSU Alumni Association Emeritus Award, established in 2015 by the Alumni Association Board of Directors, recently recognized former SWOSU faculty who have played a pivotal role in the lives of students and alumni.

The 2023 Emeriti Honors & Reception was held on Nov. 28 in the Skyview Suite of the Pioneer Cellular Event Center on the Weatherford campus.

This year, the Alumni Board of Directors selected three distinguished individuals for the honor: Dr. David Ralph, Dr. Cynthia Foust, and Dr. W. Edward Rolison.

Dr. David Ralph joined SWOSU in 1975 as an instructor in Pharmacy Administration and Director of Continuing Education. Over his 47 years of service to SWOSU, he held key roles, including Assistant Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs for the SWOSU College of Pharmacy (1985–2000), Associate Dean of the college (2000–2016), and later as the Dean in 2016. Ralph is the first SWOSU Pharmacy graduate to attain the position of dean for the College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Cynthia Foust, Vice President Emeritus and Associate Professor of Nursing until 2014, began her journey at SWOSU as adjunct faculty in 1977, when the School of Nursing opened its doors. Foust later moved to full-time status in 1979 and transitioned to administration in 2004. Her service extended beyond her role in nursing to various committees, boards, and leadership positions: Student Government Association co-faculty sponsor until her retirement, Student Nursing Association co-chair during her tenure as nursing faculty, accreditation committee co-chair in 2010, SWOSU strategic planning co-chair, Weatherford Rotary Club President, and Regional Hospital Board Vice-President and Trustee. She served on the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for five years and as President in 2005. She also graduated from Leadership Oklahoma Class XXI and is a lifetime member. Her 35 years of service to SWOSU have left a lasting impact on the university community.

Dr. W. Edward Rolison, Professor Emeritus and former Head of the Department of the Social Sciences at SWOSU, he taught political science and history during his thirty-five years of service at the university. His recent publication, “On Democracy: Essays on Principles Fundamental to American Government and the 2020 Presidential Election,” demonstrates his ongoing commitment to academia.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions, SWOSU proudly acknowledges these exceptional individuals for their lasting impact on the community.

Previous SWOSU Alumni Association Emeritus Award honorees include the following:

– 2022: Patsy Parker, Steve Pray, Earl Raleigh, Pete Huerta (posthumous).

– 2021: Randy Beutler and James South.

– 2020: Melody Ashenfelter, Charles Chapman, Kelli Litsch, Les Levy, and Ken Rose (posthumous).

– 2019: Radwan Al-Jarrah, Vicki Gilliland, Charles “Skip” Klingman, and Terry Segress.

– 2018: Stuart Burchett, Les Crall, John Hays, and Blake Sonobe.