DECEMBER 2018 SEASON OF PARTNERSHIP 1 AGGIES hunting, fishing, archery shooting, and all of the outdoor sports that the Wildlife Department and a lot of youth, /CAMPUS UPDATE/ that are out here today support,” stated Groendyke. He continued by quoting his father, an alumni of Panhandle GROUNDBREAKING AND State, “there are a lot of things that are impractical, but nothing is impossible; if BANQUET PROMISE you make your mind up, you’re going to get it done.” BIG FUTURE Attendees of the groundbreaking got Released by Panhandle State Campus Communications to see the range plans and the render of the future Groendyke building before the ground was turned from a line-up of individuals who have supported this November 29, 2018 held a special firearms, but also to bring the community project from the beginning. From the State milestone for Oklahoma Panhandle together. The new range will be a tool Regents, to the County Commissioner, to State University. Oklahoma A&M State to change the narrative about guns the Panhandle Foundation President, to Regents, Department of Wildlife Officials, coupled with universities and combat the Department of Wildlife officials, to staff, faculty, and students gathered the negative things that are associated Panhandle State administrators. All stood for the groundbreaking ceremony at with guns. Through example, Panhandle side-by-side to open a new chapter in the future site of the Panhandle State State will be able to practice what safe Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Shooting Sports Facility and Range. and responsible gun ownership is truly history. The Shooting Sports Facility will be about. When the dust settled from the utilized by Panhandle State and the Panhandle State President Dr. Tim groundbreaking, attendees headed to community as well. Local FFA and 4H clubs will have access to the property in order to practice for competitions, “This shooting facility is going to change the and also host some of their own events. The Department of Wildlife will be able landscape across the entire panhandle region; it’s to take advantage of the one and only facility in the region to educate the public going to make this area a destination for not just about safe gun use, responsible hunting students, but for visitors for many years to come.” practices, and more. The new facility has already attracted many new students to — Calvin Anthony, Chairman Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents Panhandle State and is anticipated to be Faltyn commented, “this range is going Guymon for the annual Shooting Sports a big draw for even more future students. to teach people that this part of our banquet. Between the auction and raffle, “This shooting facility is going to heritage is not something we need to be those who attended contributed over change the landscape across the entire afraid of or ashamed of. It’s something to $10,000 to support the Shooting Sports panhandle region; it’s going to make this be proud of and it can make us all better Club. Without the community and state- area a destination for not just students, if we use it right.” wide support, Panhandle State would not but for visitors for many years to come,” The groundbreaking ceremony began have been able to introduce the project of Calvin Anthony, Chairman of Oklahoma with gratitude for the personnel when the Shooting Sports Facility. A&M Board of Regents, remarked. are making the shooting range possible. Freshman and Vice President of the The introduction of a shooting It was followed with the announcement Shooting Sports Club Dillon Roesch sports facility naturally comes with that the facility will be titled the “John commented on the day, “I am extremely the introduction of a shooting sports Groendyke Wildlife Center” after the excited to be able to utilize the Shooting team. Panhandle State is proud to plan generous contribution from Chairman Sports facility as a student. I am also on hiring a shooting sports coach in the for the Oklahoma Department of very excited for the opportunities it will spring of 2019 that will head archery, Wildlife John Groendyke completed the create for the community and OPSU. This rifle, shotgun, and pistol teams as a part fundraising for the new building. is something our club has been working of Aggie athletics. “It will do great things for Oklahoma towards, and looking forward to, for a A common goal across the Panhandle Panhandle State University and it will very long time and it seems like we can State campus is to not only educate about do a lot of great things to support the finally see it all coming together.” 2 PANHANDLE STATE / VOLUME 3 - NUMBER 3/ CONTENTS Panhandle Magazine — December 2018 4 — CHILI COOK-OFF 8 — PROGRAMMING TEAM PROVES SUCCESSFUL AT REGIONALS 12 — CHAMBER SINGERS TRAVEL FOR A CAUSE 16— SOCCER TOURNAMENT INAUGURATES ANCHOR D STADIUM FOR UPCOMING NAIA GAMES 12 4 16 On the cover: November 3, 2018 a special day in the history of Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Aggie Athletics, as a dedication celebration was held for the new Anchor D Stadium. /ADMINISTRATION/ Dr. Tim Faltyn — President Dr. Julie Dinger — Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Benny Dain — Vice President of Fiscal Affairs Dr. Ryan Blanton — Vice President of Outreach /PANHANDLE MAGAZINE/ Meghan Gates —Campus Communications Director P.O. Box 430 Goodwell, OK 73939 Justine Gaskamp — Sports Information Director Tel: 580-349-2611 / Toll Free: 1-800-664-OPSU /CONTRIBUTORS/ Fax: 580-349-2302 Alyssa Fox — Melody Ethley — Kashly Schweer /PHOTOGRAPHERS/ Rylee Higgins — Lisa Johnson — Sam Ortiz 3 AGGIES / CAMPUS/ CHILI COOK-OFF Fall 2018 4 PANHANDLE STATE 5 AGGIES PANHANDLE STATE / STAFF/ / STUDENT/ MEGHAN GATES MELODY ETHLEY A scholarship to play volleyball may have been the original Quite possibly one of the friendliest and most driven draw to Panhandle State for Castle Rock, Colo. native and Psychology students on campus, Melody Ethley has certainly left a mark major Meghan Gates, but the community and sense of family is the on campus during her time as an Aggie and her future looks equally very thing that brought her back to serve as a staff member. as bright! A senior from Arlington, Texas, Ethley found her way to Meghan is currently the Director of Campus Communications, Goodwell with the opportunity to attend on a volleyball scholarship a position she accepted in August of 2018 after working as an being the key reason. Admissions Counselor in the High School and Community Relations She said, “The coach and the team were very welcoming when I Office for one year and a year prior to that as an Administrative came on my visit.” Assistant in the Counseling Office. In her current role, she primarily It seems to have been the perfect fit for Melody! She is extremely focuses on advertising and marketing as well as communications active on campus and is a member of the Volleyball team, Phi among the campus and community. Gates is a member of the Staff Beta Lambda (PBL), and Association of Information Technology Association as well. Professionals (AITP). She was named the 2018 Winter Homecoming In regards to her goals within the position for the future she Queen and is currently serving as the Volleyball Team Captain, PBL commented, “I’m all about stream-lining processes. Because so many things across campus have to go through this office and we President, and AITP Secretary. Melody is also a writer for the student always have so many projects going on at once, I want to be able to newspaper, The Collegian. better serve the university by making things as uncomplicated and She has had numerous honors as a student including being named simple as possible.” to the Dean’s Honor, Chi Alpha Sigma Inductee, 2018 Honorable Vice President of Outreach Dr. Ryan Blanton commented, “Meghan Mention at the US Information Technology Collegiate Conference, has been an excellent addition to our team. In a position where no and 2018 USITCC Regional 3rd Place in Systems Analysis & Design. two days are the exact same and deadlines are tight, she rose to the Her favorite thing about Panhandle State is the people. “I have met challenge from the beginning. Her skill set and vision lend perfectly some truly genuine people here on campus, and in the community. to our goals for the future.” I also love that there is opportunity for growth for every student Her favorite thing about Panhandle State is definitely the people. here.” “There is an overwhelming number of employees that have been As far as plans following graduation this spring, Melody has a here for years and years and care so much about this place. I have couple of different options in mind. She is interested in continuing such admiration for their dedication and love for Panhandle State. her education in Information Technology and pursuing a master’s Those people truly make the school what it is.” degree plan that will allow her to become Microsoft certified. Melody She added, “I am passionate about working at the university would like to attend Gonzaga University or Eastern Washington because of the students. College was a really difficult time for me, University. Other future plans include gaining an internship at but it was also the time where I realized my relationship with God her hometown in the field of Cybersecurity or Human Computer and grew to serve Jesus. I know that many students share the same Interaction (HCI). struggles I faced and I want to be able to help in any way I can.” Panhandle State Instructor Kim Tuttle commented, “As Melody’s Aside from work, Meghan loves to spend time with her husband academic advisor, it has been a pleasure to see her blossom at and best friend, Cody.