April 12, 2023
SWOSU Foundation Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from Brad and Jeanine Berrong of Weatherford, Oklahoma.
The Berrongs’ donation benefits the SWOSU Piano program within the SWOSU Department of Music and was made in conjunction with the recently announced SWOSU Piano Campaign which aims to assist the university in purchasing new pianos.
“We are deeply grateful to our alumni and longtime benefactors, Brad and Jeanine Berrong, for this latest generous investment in SWOSU,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana “Diane” Lovell. “Brad and Jeanine’s gift will help us to acquire new instruments for our SWOSU Piano students which will make a huge difference in learning quality and will also enhance SWOSU’s community outreach efforts.”
Brad Berrong is a 1975 SWOSU graduate and a 2013 SWOSU Distinguished Alumnus. Jeanine Miller Berrong graduated from SWOSU with her Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1976 and was a SWOSU music graduate assistant until she finished her Master of Education (with music emphasis) degree in 1978. She taught part-time in the SWOSU Music Department for a short time until she and Brad started their family. In 2013, she received the Governor’s Arts in Education Award.
“While working on my Masters,” Jeanine says, “I was fortunate and honored to study piano with the late Dr. James Breckenridge. I know this campaign would bring a big smile to Dr. Breckenridge’s face, and I just want to encourage my fellow SWOSU music graduates to donate to this worthy endeavor which will benefit not only piano students but all future music students.”
Brad and Jeanine are the proud parents of Jeff and Michael, and the proud grandparents of Jeff and Jill’s son, Jack.
The Berrongs have served and led numerous organizations including the Weatherford Arts Council, the Weatherford Public Schools Foundation, the Weatherford Rotary Club, the Weatherford Regional Hospital Board, the WRH Foundation Board, the Great Plains Family YMCA, the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, and Chapter FG of P.E.O. They are longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Weatherford. The Berrongs have worked in their family business, Berrong Insurance, for half a century.
“SWOSU’s Music Department and Piano program enrich Western Oklahoma’s cultural life immensely,” said the Berrongs. “We are proud to support the arts and we encourage others to join us in this very worthy cause.”
The SWOSU Piano Campaign aims to raise enough funds to purchase three new Steinway concert pianos as well as eleven new practice pianos.
The SWOSU Department of Music is a quality program offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate disciplines including instrumental music, vocal music, and music therapy. Students from around the globe come to SWOSU specifically to study music.
To learn more or to make a charitable contribution towards the SWOSU Piano Campaign, visit www.SWOSUPianos.com or contact Taylor Adler, at taylor.adler@swosu.edu, or 580-774-6331.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Robbery Suspect Allegedly Used BB Gun – Charged
April 24, 2024 A Clinton man with a history of burglary charges has been charged in Custer County District Court after being accused of robbing a Clinton convenience store with a BB gun that looked like a
Accident Disrupts Power in Elk City
April 23, 2024 Power was disrupted Monday afternoon for about 6 hours for PSO customers on the north side of Elk City after power line poles with multiple transformers were pulled down by a city trash truck.
Pedestrian Death on I-40 Under Investigation
April 22, 2024 Authorities are investigating a fatal accident on Interstate 40 that involved a semi and the death of a pedestrian.
Fatal Accident Near Mangum
April 22, 2024 A single vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in Greer County has left one person dead and another in critical condition.
BKSO App Helps Locate Missing Juvenile
April 22, 2024 The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office App is getting credit for helping locate a missing juvenile from Elk City last week.
Relay for Life Fundraiser to be Hosted at SWOSU on April 26
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is hosting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the world’s largest fundraising event dedicated to helping communities in their fight against cancer, on Friday, April 26 from 6 p.m. to 11
Rep. Archer Talks House’s Proposed Budget
April 19, 2024 The Oklahoma House of Representatives rolled out their initial budget numbers earlier this week, which is a $12.6 billion appropriation to state agencies, programs and infrastructure.
High Speed Pursuit Ends in Beckham Co.
April 19, 2024 Multiple agencies from Oklahoma and Texas were led on a high speed pursuit Thursday that saw a Houston man arrested.
“All Clear” Given After Apparent Fake Bomb Threat at Elk City Middle School
April 17, 2024 Tense moments Wednesday afternoon after a bomb threat to the Elk City Middle School was made.
Elk City Man Injured in Dewey Co. Crash
April 17, 2024 An Elk City man was hospitalized Tuesday night after being involved in a one vehicle accident in Dewey County.
K9 Alerts Authorities to Fentanyl and Cocaine During Texas Traffic Stop
April 17, 2024 A man was arrested earlier this month in Shamrock, Texas after being discovered with fentanyl and cocaine.
SWOSU’s Dr. Tugba Sevin Named 2024 DaVinci Fellow for Language Initiative
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
SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Awarded Heritage Preservation Grant
April 17, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has awarded the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
Ellis Co. Man Dies in Monday Night Crash
April 16, 2024 A Gage man passed away Monday night after being involved in a two vehicle accident near Laverne in Harper County.
Man Accused of Vandalizing Home – Hitting Woman
April 16, 2024 A Sayre man was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly vandalized a home and punched a woman.
Adopt a Dispatcher
April 16, 2024 Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning reminds the public that there’s an easy way to show your appreciation to Beckham County dispatchers with this week being National Telecommunications and Communicators Week.
Storied Structure Helps Occupants Create Better Future
April 15, 2024 By Landry Brewer An old Elk City building has a new purpose.
Local Authorities Staying Sharp During Severe Weather Season
April 15, 2024 With spring storm season in full effect in western Oklahoma, one local sheriff’s office is staying sharp when they’re needed to accurately spot, track, and report when severe weather enters the area.
SWOSU Launches Pharm.D./MSHIM Dual-Degree Program
April 15, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to introduce the Pharm.D./Master of Science in Health Information Management (MSHIM) dual-degree program, which combines the Doctor of Pharmacy and master’s degree in health
February Sales Tax: I-40 Trio Up
April 15, 2024 The latest sales tax numbers have been released and western Oklahoma’s largest communities saw gains in collections when compared to the same time a year ago.
ECPS Partnering with Leadership Group
April 12, 2024 Elk City Public Schools has been selected to take part in a leadership program that, according to Superintendent Mike Sparks, will create more opportunities for the school district to build on success and continue
Excavation at New Fire Station Site Unearths Church Building Remnants
April 12, 2024 By Landry Brewer Dirt is being moved at the historic location for Elk City’s new fire station, and workers recently uncovered some of that site’s history.
Omar J. & Katie Rogers Scholarship Fund Established at SWOSU
April 12, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon has announced the establishment of the Omar J. & Katie Rogers Scholarship Fund.
Clinton Man Accused of Trying to Run Down Golfers
April 11, 2024 A bizarre story out of Custer County where a man was arrested after allegedly attempting to run over people while driving a vehicle near Riverside Golf Course in Clinton.
“Boots and Badges” Blood Drive Friday in Elk City
April 11, 2024 A special blood drive honoring a fallen firefighter is taking place tomorrow at the Elk City Fire Department.