October 15, 2024
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from longtime SWOSU benefactors George and Karla Cohlmia of Edmond.
The gift will build on previous philanthropic investments made by the Cohlmia Family to SWOSU with a focus on enhancing the university’s efforts in the important space of Life Skills education.
According to UNICEF, Life Skills are defined broadly as “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, collaborate and empathize with others, and cope with and manage their lives in a healthy and productive manner.”
The gift from the Cohlmia Family will be used by SWOSU faculty and staff to develop both near- and long-term programming and offerings for SWOSU students that will expose them to the skills, practices, and concepts that employers, industry, and businesses are increasingly demanding from college graduates across disciplines and degree levels.
“We are so grateful to the George and Karla Cohlmia Family for their confidence in SWOSU’s ability to meaningfully provide students with the training and insight needed in the workforce of today,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana R. Lovell. “This latest investment from these generous alumni and friends will help SWOSU take an exciting new step towards providing our graduates with an expanded set of tools and skills as they enter into critical occupations and roles in both the private and public sectors.”
George and Karla have two adult children, Adam (and his wife Alexandra) and Kasey, and four grandchildren with another on the way. The Cohlmias have deep roots and are active members of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Oklahoma City.
George is a 1974 alumnus of SWOSU where he studied Chemistry, was a member of Phi Delta Theta, chaired the Activities Council and was named Outstanding Senior Male. He is recently retired as an investment adviser with Full Sail Capital. Prior to joining Full Sail, George was fully licensed and registered as a managing director for Waypoint Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. His tenure at Wells Fargo and previous firms was marked with numerous accomplishments and firm accolades including being named as a Premier Advisor for over 20 years and serving as a member of the Director’s Council of Wells Fargo Advisors. George was also named as one of Oklahoma Magazine’s Top Financial Advisors in 2008 and has served in the investment management and advisory industry since 1983. George has remained involved in his community throughout his career. He has previously served in a host of roles including president of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, President of Edmond Public Schools Board of Education, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Port Authority of the Greater Oklahoma City Area, president of Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, and Board of Trustees for St. Elijah Orthodox Christian Church. He is a Past Chairman and Emeritus Trustee of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees, where he also served as Chairman of the Investment Committee.
Karla is a lifetime member of St. Elijah Church, being a great-granddaughter of the church’s first priest. She has especially enjoyed singing in the choir for many years and serving on numerous other St. Elijah philanthropic committees. Karla is a graduate of John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City and earned her undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma (OU). After leaving OU, Karla was employed with Continental Plastics Manufacturing, now known as Carlisle Companies. Soon after the birth of their first child, she decided to stay home and devote time as a civic volunteer, primarily with the Junior League of Oklahoma City. In addition to over a decade of service to the Junior League, Karla was a steadfast volunteer with Edmond Public Schools, and they continue their support of both organizations.
The Cohlmias are enthusiastic patrons of The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, The Education & Employment Ministry (TEEM), Allied Arts, and The Children’s Relief Fund. In addition to St. Elijah, their focus areas include food, clothing, shelter, arts, education and families.
The Cohlmia Family’s philanthropic investment in SWOSU is stewarded by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. The Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. For more information, please contact the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. at 580-774-3267 or visit www.SWOSUFoundation.com.
Copyright 2024 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Motorhome Fire Near Canute Extinguished with Help from Elk City Firefighters
Canute, OK — Firefighters from Canute and Elk City worked together Friday morning to extinguish a motorhome fire along the eastbound on-ramp at the 47-mile marker in Canute. According to Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka, his
Elk City police arrest two in illegal tattooing, firearms case
Elk City, OK — Elk City police executed a search warrant Thursday, Oct. 30, at a residence inside the city limits and arrested two people in an investigation into unlicensed tattooing that allegedly involved minors, the department
Washita County Sheriff seeks donations for fallen officers monument
Cordell, OK — The Washita County Sheriff’s Office is raising funds for a monument to honor county officers who died in the line of duty. The proposed memorial would stand in front of the Washita County Justice
Elk City schools launch 30-day Read Aloud Challenge
Elk City, OK – Elk City Elementary and Intermediate Schools are inviting families to join a simple habit with a big payoff. Superintendent Mike Sparks says the district will roll out a 30-day Read Aloud Challenge that
United Fund keeps Elk City giving, aims for $100k this year
Elk City, OK – Elk City Area United Fund has raised local dollars for local needs for nearly 80 years. The all-volunteer board collects community donations and distributes the money to seven nonprofits serving Beckham County. “Every
Lankford blames Democrats for month-long shutdown, calls it “the craziest season”
Elk City, OK — U.S. Sen. James Lankford said the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is the result of a Democratic decision to force a standoff, calling it “the craziest season” during an interview
Archer, Moore help steer two new Oklahoma laws taking effect Nov. 1
Oklahoma City, OK — Two statewide measures with local fingerprints take effect Saturday, with Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City and Rep. Anthony Moore of Clinton helping carry the bills in the House. Sales tax break now
Longtime Director of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton Retires After 30 Years
Clinton, OK — Pat Smith, the longtime director of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, is retiring after 30 years of leading the museum. Smith has lived in Custer County for her entire life. She started
Elk City’s Lincoln Teen Center Closing
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s non-profit hangout for teenagers will permanently close its doors Friday. Chuck Hargrove, President of LTC, inc., made the announcement today on Facebook. “It saddens me to post this! The Lincoln Teen
Halloween safety reminders from Beckham County Sheriff and Texas DPS
Elk City, OK — With trick-or-treaters out Friday night, Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning is reminding families to think traffic first. “Kids get excited and run to the next house. They aren’t watching cars,” Manning said. “Make
Public input sought for upgrades at North Fork Environmental Education Center
Sayre, OK – The North Fork of Red River Conservation District is preparing a grant application to improve the North Fork Environmental Education Center and is asking the community to weigh in. Residents can complete a short
Affidavit: Oklahoma City woman charged in Clinton truck case
Clinton, OK — Ashley Dawn Beal, 40, has been charged in Custer County District Court after a white 2012 Ford pickup reported stolen in Clinton was stopped by police early Oct. 19, according to a probable cause
Weatherford woman charged after short pursuit, police say
Weatherford, OK – A Weatherford woman is facing a felony after a short police pursuit on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court. Prosecutors charged Janel Frances Harper, 33,
Deputies seize 68 guns, arrest Elk City man after video shows shots fired near pickup, affidavit says
October 27, 2025 Elk City, OK – An Elk City man faces four charges after deputies reviewed home-security video that allegedly showed him chambering a handgun and firing twice near a pickup as it left his driveway,
Sheriff: Attempted break-in reported at former grow site south of Sayre
Sayre, OK — Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says deputies are investigating an attempted break-in at a former marijuana grow site south of Sayre, where a resident still lives on the property. Manning said the call came
SBA sets Nov. 25 deadline for drought aid in Beckham County, Wheeler and Collingsworth
Elk City, OK — The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofits in Beckham County in Oklahoma and Wheeler and Collingsworth counties in Texas to apply by Nov. 25 for low interest Economic
Detective’s persistence leads to recovery of stolen property in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Beckham County Sheriff’s Office detective recovered stolen property tied to an older theft and burglary from the Sayre area, after tracking leads to a home in Elk City. Sheriff Derek Manning credited
Elk City man loses control on wet I-40
Elk City, OK – 27-year-old Elk City man was injured Saturday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound at mile marker 38 in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said Brandin R.
Help, Inc. Food Pantry — Thank You, Donors!
“Help Needs Help” Big gratitude to the community partners lifting up local families. Please share this to keep the momentum going—neighbors helping neighbors.
Public Relations and Marketing Team at SWOSU Earns Three Davey Awards
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Office of Public Relations and Marketing has won three honors in the 21st Annual Davey Awards, an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding work by in-house teams, small
Partnership with Mexican Consulate Brings IME Becas Scholarships to SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) continues to expand opportunities for its students through its ongoing partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City and the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME). Representatives from the
Helping the Community: Help, Inc. Food Pantry
No one should go hungry in Elk City. If you or someone you know needs a hand—or if you’re able to lend one—here’s how to connect …
Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant Set for November 15
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the SWOSU Fine Arts Center. The event will begin at 7 p.m., bringing together seventeen
SWOSU Researchers Study Rattlesnake Predator Interactions at Wichita Mountains
Comanche County, OK – Researchers from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently conducted fieldwork at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, retrieving camera traps and snake replicas that had been deployed earlier this summer. The project is jointly
ECPD executes search warrant in child sexual abuse material case; one arrested
Elk City, OK — Elk City Police served a search warrant Tuesday at a home on West 2nd Street as part of a child sexual abuse material investigation that began with a CyberTipline report from the National
