
April 17, 2024
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that Dr. Tugba Sevin, Associate Professor in the SWOSU College of Arts and Sciences has recently been named the 2024 DaVinci Fellow by the DaVinci Institute. The DaVinci Fellowship Award recognizes higher education faculty whose creative projects reflect a higher degree of innovation and creativity. The DaVinci Award Ceremony was held on March 29 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, where Sevin was presented with a DaVinci Vitruvian Man medallion and a cash award of $1,000 to help support her project.
The DaVinci Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing arts, sciences, humanities, and education in Oklahoma, strives to promote a statewide renaissance in creativity through lectures, workshops, professional development, research, and advocacy.
Sevin’s collaborative research and professional development project, “Expanding Horizons: World Languages Certificate Initiative,” demonstrates her commitment to addressing the language education gap prevalent in Oklahoma. Currently, high school students in the state are not required to take foreign languages to graduate. Instead, they can opt for two years of computer science/computer technology. With many Oklahoma high schools lacking foreign language programs, many students reach university with limited foreign language exposure or none at all. Moreover, as language courses are not a requirement for most university majors, students may graduate college or enter the workforce without ever taking a foreign language course. Sevin’s initiative is to address this language deficiency predicament by introducing a World Language Certificate Program at SWOSU, designed to demonstrate students’ proficiency in two or more foreign languages.
Sevin, recently promoted to Professor, began her career at SWOSU in 2014 and currently teaches Italian and Spanish courses in the Department of Language and Literature. She also serves as World Languages Coordinator and faculty sponsor of the World Languages and Cultures Association, as well as in the SWOSU chapters of the Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Languages Honor Society and Gamma Kappa Alpha Italian Honor Society.
For more information about the DaVinci Institution, visit www.davinciok.org. To learn more about the World Languages minor at SWOSU, visit https://www.swosu.edu/undergraduate/language-literature/world-languages.php.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Student Research Highlighted at SWOSU College of Pharmacy Symposium
Weatherford, OK — The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy hosted its first Winter Research Symposium on Jan. 21 in Weatherford. The event brought together student pharmacists and faculty to share current research and discuss
SWOSU Names 2025-26 Johnny & Judy Beech Scholars
Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has named John Elam of Shattuck, Courtney Riley of Piedmont, Madeline Rahon of Placentia (CA), and Lilyan Rangel of Merritt as the Johnny & Judy Beech Scholars for Academic
SWOSU Awards 430+ Degrees Following Fall 2025 Semester
Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) awarded 434 degrees to 401 graduates following the Fall 2025 semester. The commencement ceremony took place in December at the Pioneer Event Center on the Weatherford campus and included
School Board and City Elections Set for May in Texas
Wheeler County, TX – Voters in Wheeler County, Texas will head to the polls in May for several school board and municipal races. School Board Elections Wheeler County school districts are preparing for board elections as part
Beckham County Sheriff’s Office Expands Training Efforts Across Department
Sayre, OK — The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office continues to invest in training for deputies and investigators, according to Sheriff Derek Manning, who outlined several recent and upcoming programs designed to strengthen skills and protect constitutional rights.
Elk City Man Charged After Alleged Knife Threat at Local Motel
Elk City, OK — An Elk City man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he threatened his brother with a knife and damaged property during a disturbance at a local motel. According to a
Clinton Men Charged After Early Morning Vehicle Break-Ins in Weatherford
Weatherford, OK — Two Clinton men are facing charges following a series of vehicle break-ins reported early February 14 at a Weatherford apartment complex. According to probable cause affidavits filed in Custer County District Court, Weatherford police
SWOSU Professor Dr. Tugba Sevin Named Finalist for 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence
Weatherford, OK — Dr. Tugba Sevin, Professor of Italian and Spanish at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been named a finalist for the 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in the Regional University/Community College Teaching category, one
Elk City Firefighters Contain Residential Blaze on South Oliver
Elk City, OK — Elk City firefighters responded Tuesday evening to a reported residential structure fire in the 900 block of South Oliver. Engine 3 and Engine 1 arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the home.
Truck Driver Arrested on I-40 After Driving 10 MPH, Weekend Rollover Leaves One Injured in Beckham
Beckham County, OK — A truck driver was arrested on Interstate 40 in Beckham County after deputies responded to reports of a vehicle traveling just 10 miles per hour in the left lane. According to Beckham County
One Dead in I-40 Crash Near Mile Marker 8; Eastbound Lanes Closed for More Than Five Hours
Beckham County, OK – Both eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 at mile marker 8 in Beckham County were closed for more than five hours Monday following a fatal collision, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash
California Man Charged With Marijuana Trafficking After I-40 Traffic Stop
Custer County, OK – A California man is facing a felony drug trafficking charge after authorities say nearly 100 pounds of marijuana were discovered during a traffic stop in Custer County. According to a probable cause affidavit
SWOSU Named 2026 Best Online College Program in Oklahoma by Research.com
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has been recognized for its Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration as the 2026 Best Online Colleges Program in Oklahoma by Research.com, a national higher education research and
Elk City School Reunion Set for July 31 and August 1 at Convention Center
Elk City, OK – Elk City alumni are encouraged to mark their calendars now for a summer tradition that brings generations together. The Tri-Annual Elk City School Reunion is set for Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August
Elk City, Weatherford Post Strong Gains in February Sales Tax Distribution
Oklahoma City, OK – Sales tax collections distributed on February 9 by the Oklahoma Tax Commission show steady growth across much of western Oklahoma, with Elk City and Weatherford posting notable gains. The February distribution primarily reflects
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Friday, March 13th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the April 7th Reydon Board of Education General Election, Roger Mills County Election Board
Weatherford Man Charged After Meth Allegedly Found During Traffic Stop, At Jail
Weatherford, OK — A Weatherford man has been charged after police said they found methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop and later discovered suspected meth hidden in his sock at the Weatherford Municipal Jail.
SWOSU Biology Students Study Oklahoma Biodiversity at Quartz Mountain State Park
Weatherford, OK – Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biological and Biomedical Sciences spent Feb. 7–8 at Quartz Mountain State Park for a field experience tied to their Biology of Plants
National Survey Shows High Student Satisfaction at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Students at Southwestern Oklahoma State University reported strong satisfaction with their overall college experience, according to results from the 2025 Student Satisfaction Inventory. The survey gathers student feedback on what matters most to them
Hollis Woman Charged with First Degree Manslaughter After Fatal U.S. 62 Pedestrian Crash
Hollis, OK – A Hollis woman has been charged after authorities say she struck and killed a pedestrian on U.S. Highway 62 on Saturday, Feb. 14. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 80 year old Sara Romo
Multi-State Murder Investigation Leads Dive Teams to Clinton Lake
Washita County, OK – A large law enforcement presence from multiple states gathered at Clinton Lake on Friday as part of a joint effort to search the lake for possible evidence in a murder case. Officials confirmed
SWOSU Announces 2025-2026 World Languages Scholars
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has selected the SWOSU World Languages Scholars for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. These scholarships benefit students studying in the Department of Language & Literature who have designated World Languages
Pedestrian Killed in US-62 Collision Near Hollis
Hollis, OK — A 54-year-old Hollis woman was killed Saturday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. Highway 62, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The collision occurred at approximately 4:08 p.m. on February 14,
Elk City Police Department Announces 2nd Annual Citizens Police Academy Starting April 2
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department has announced its 2nd Annual Citizens Police Academy, set to begin April 2, 2026. The 10 week program will meet each Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.
Two Arrested in Identity Theft Investigation Tied to Elk City Business
Edmond, OK – Two men were arrested Monday in connection with an identity theft investigation involving an Elk City business. According to a press release from the Elk City Police Department, officers with the Criminal Investigations Division




