Photo Caption: Groundbreaking for the Jerry & Margaret Hodge Center for Pharmacy & Rural Health at SWOSU in Weatherford, Oklahoma (campus corner of Davis and Caddo).

The groundbreaking for the Jerry & Margaret Hodge Center for Pharmacy and Rural Health (Hodge Center) was held on June 17th, 2022, making it a historic day for the SWOSU College of Pharmacy and SWOSU College of Pharmacy Rural Health Center.

The ceremony was held at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Henrietta Mann Hall with remarks from SWOSU President Dr. Diana “Diane” Lovell. She was joined by Jerry and Margaret Hodge and members of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents as well as elected officials and local dignitaries.

The Oklahoma State Legislature has approved $10 million in pandemic relief funds to assist Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with establishing a new rural healthcare center on the Weatherford campus. SWOSU will combine the $10 million in ARPA funding with $5 million in private support already received from SWOSU alumnus Jerry Hodge and his wife, Margaret, of Amarillo (TX). The Hodges’ contribution, which was announced in 2021, represents the largest charitable gift in SWOSU history. An additional $7 million in support will be provided via the Yes! Weatherford economic development sales tax extension initiative, which was approved by Weatherford voters in 2020.

The Hodge Center project will enable SWOSU’s healthcare programs in nursing and allied health to substantially increase capacity and will significantly enhance the university’s pharmacy doctoral program. The building will also expand the community health services of the SWOSU Center for Rural Health. The center will allow for more strategic partnerships with other higher education institutions that could lead to SWOSU students having access to a physician’s assistant program and the possibility of a dual degrees program through the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.
The Hodge Center will be located on the campus corner at the intersection of Davis and Caddo streets.
SWOSU pharmacy program was established in 1939 and has over 6,000 graduates. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. It offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree as well as a PharmD/MBA dual degree.

Posted: June 17, 2022

Photo Caption: Honorees attending the recognition ceremony were: (front row from left) Greg Towe, Roger Davenport, Bob Lenhart, Mike Hale, Stan Heckrodt, Larry Trook, Tom Jones, Sharon Berkenbile, Mary Salinas, Janis McAllister, Mary Neparko, W.A. Ralls and Al Garrett (back row from left) Hal Wiese, Mike Peavler, Tom Davis, James Dooley, Bruce Woods, Reinhard McKinney, Wade Ralston, Curtis Schenk, Rick Allen, Paul Durham, Billy Harkins, Truett Guthrie, Bud Parrett, Bill Cotten, Mike Liner, Kyle Kendall and Mike Hanes.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s College of Pharmacy honored its 50-year pharmacy graduates at the 2021 Pharmacy Alumni Recognition Ceremony held on the Weatherford campus in conjunction with SWOSU’s Homecoming (October, 30th). Note: Since the Ceremony was not held in 2020, the 1970 class was invited to attend the 2021 event.

Honorees from the Classes of 1970 and 1971 attending the recognition ceremony were: Rick Allen, Dallas, TX; Sharon Berkenbile, Broken Arrow, OK; Bill Cotten, Fort Worth, TX; Roger Davenport, Pampa, TX; Tom Davis, Edmond, OK; James Dooley, Wolfforth, TX; Paul Durham, Lubbock, TX; Al Garrett, Springtown, TX; Truett Guthrie, Hobart, OK; Mike Hale, Kalama, WA; Mike Hanes, Guthrie, OK; Billy Harkins, Crane, TX; Stan Heckrodt, Prosper, TX; Tom Jones, Tucson, AZ; Kyle Kendall, Stanton, TX; Bob Lenhart, Edmond, OK; Mike Liner, Lubbock, TX; Janis McAllister, Woodward, OK; Reinhard McKinney, Lamesa, TX; Mary Neparko, Santa Fe, NM; Bud Parrett, Belton, TX; Mike Peavler, Waxahachie, TX; W.A. Ralls, Idabel, OK; Wade Ralston, Woodward, OK; Mary Salinas, Kennedale, TX; Curtis Schenk, Watonga, OK; Greg Towe, Bonham, TX; Larry Trook, Bixby, OK; Hal Wiese, Quitman, TX; and Bruce Woods, Russellville, AR.

Patti Harper, alumni and development director for the SWOSU College of Pharmacy, welcomed all the alumni and friends to the program. SWOSU President Diana Lovell, SWOSU College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. David Ralph and Associate Dean Dr. Les Ramos all spoke to the group. Gifts from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy were presented to each honoree.

Following the event, the College of Pharmacy held an Open House on the Third Floor of the Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacy Building.

SWOSU pharmacy program was established in 1939 and has over 6,000 graduates. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. It offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree as well as a PharmD/MBA dual degree.

Posted: January 3, 2022