December 14, 2021
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon has announced the 2021-22 North Family Scholars.
The North Family Scholars receive invaluable financial assistance from the North Family Endowment at SWOSU. The North Family Endowment was established in 2021 by 1980 SWOSU alumnus Mike North of Oklahoma City to provide ongoing support to the SWOSU Department of Parks & Recreation Management (PRM).
The 2021-22 North Family Scholars include:
Ambrosio “Al” Aldrich, Weatherford, senior majoring in PRM with a minor in Wildland Fire Management
Armando Chavez, Weatherford, senior majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement with a minor in CLEET
Hunter Dodson, Sayre, junior majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement
Justin Dowe, Weatherford, senior majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement with a minor in CLEET/Biology
Brayden Farrow, Perkins, sophomore majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement with a minor in CLEET
Lauren Faurie, Wichita Falls (TX), junior majoring in PRM with a minor in Natural Resources Management
Lydia Gearhart, Weatherford, junior majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement
Ryan Kellar, Yukon, sophomore majoring in PRM
Fransisco Quezada, Elk City, sophomore majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement
John Roberts, Lawton, junior majoring in Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement with a minor in Wildland Firefighting
Paul Schmidt, Barnsdall, junior majoring in PRM with a minor in Wildland Fire Management
Alexandria Silvernail, Midwest City, senior majoring in PRM with a minor in EMS
Cody Spillman, Mustang, sophomore majoring in PRM with a minor in Biology
Jensen White, Hydro, junior majoring in PRM with a minor in Business Management.
“The 2021-22 North Family Scholars make up a prestigious inaugural cohort of SWOSU students who benefit from the visionary establishment of the North Family Endowment,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell. “We are truly grateful to our longtime benefactor and graduate, Mike North, for all that he and his wife, Marilyn Flinchum, continue to do for SWOSU’s students, faculty and programs.”
The North Family Endowment is so named to honor the rich heritage of the North Family at SWOSU — in addition to Mike North and his grandmother, the late Lucille North, his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Julie (Classes of 1979 and 1980 & 1994, respectively) and their daughters, Kayci (Classes of 2007 & 2008) and Ali (Class of 2008) are all proud SWOSU alumni. Additionally, North’s aunt, Margaret A. (North) Wrucha, is a 1965 & 1968 alumnae of SWOSU.
North was born in Tacoma (WA) and raised in Weatherford. Following graduation from Weatherford High School in 1973, he served his country in the United States Navy, being honorably discharged in July of 1977. He began his undergraduate work at SWOSU in 1977 where he studied accounting and economics.
North worked in public accounting for two and a half years before entering the real estate development and syndication business. He passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in 1983.
In 1986, North purchased a small childcare center and in the next 25 years developed and built the enterprise into 11 large childcare centers with the capacity to serve 1,750 children. In 2011, North sold the childcare business and began Okie Express Auto Wash, which has 11 locations in the Oklahoma City metro area.
Lucille North was born September 25, 1905, in Indian Territory. She grew up in Weatherford and attended Weatherford Public Schools. Lucille earned a degree in education from the then-Southwestern Normal School in 1927. While attending what became SWOSU, Lucille belonged to the “BullPups” — a cheer group — Tri-J Sorority and Forensia. After graduation, Lucille taught at Okeene and Corn before marrying Roy North in 1931. Lucille taught third grade in Weatherford’s East Elementary school until her retirement in 1971.
Lucille was very proud of Weatherford and SWOSU and participated in numerous volunteer organizations: Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels and many other causes which benefitted from her civic commitment. While a septuagenarian, Lucille drove other senior citizens to doctor appointments and grocery store visits. In 1990, at the age of 85, Lucille received the “Volunteer of the Year” award from the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce.
The North Family Endowment is stewarded by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc., which was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU.
Located on the Weatherford campus in the historic Burton House, the Foundation currently stewards nearly $36 million in assets for the benefit of SWOSU. For more information on the Foundation, call (580) 774-3267 or visit www.SWOSUFoundation.com.
Copyright 2021 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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