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.
Canute Awarded Nearly $700K in Route 66 Revitalization Grant
Oklahoma City, OK – The Town of Canute has been awarded $695,000 through the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, state officials confirmed Thursday morning during the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission’s second quarter meeting. The funding will
Severe Storm Threat Rises for Western Oklahoma Thursday Evening
Norman, OK – Western Oklahoma residents should prepare for another round of potentially severe storms Thursday evening, with the latest forecast showing an increased threat for large hail and isolated tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service
Chicago Man Arrested in Elk City Rental Car Scam, Faces Multiple Charges
Elk City, OK — A 35-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois, has been arrested in Elk City after allegedly using a fake identity to claim a stolen rental vehicle. He now faces a series of felony charges. According
Local Librarian is Tennis Titan
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – Joni (Jordan) McConnell is the most successful Elk City High School tennis player of all time. McConnell’s parents, both teachers, played tennis and put her on the courts with them
SBA Offers Disaster Loans for Businesses in Collingsworth, Wheeler, Beckham, Ellis & Roger Mills Counties
Sacramento, CA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in parts of Texas and Oklahoma affected by extreme heat and winds
OSDH “Healthy” Awards Announced
Lawton, Okla. – The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has announced the 2024 Certified Healthy Oklahoma awardees, recognizing outstanding efforts in promoting health and wellness throughout the state. Among the honorees, schools and organizations from Beckham,
Severe Weather Possible in Western Oklahoma
Western Oklahoma – Western Oklahoma residents—especially those in Beckham, Custer, Roger Mills, and Washita counties—should stay weather-aware through the rest of this week. The Storm Prediction Center continues to highlight the region with ongoing risks for severe
High-Speed Internet Expansion Coming to Western Oklahoma, Including Custer, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties
Lone Wolf, OK — The Oklahoma Broadband Office is set to officially launch a series of broadband expansion projects that will bring high-speed internet to 14 counties, with a special focus on underserved areas in western Oklahoma
SWOSU Engineering Physics Banquet with Alumni Speaker Scheduled for April 26
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Chemistry and Physics will host its annual Engineering Physics Spring Banquet on Saturday, April 26, at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in
Student Research from SWOSU Featured at Research Day at the Capitol
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Undergraduate researchers from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences were recently selected to present their findings at the 30th annual Research Day at the Capitol,
Clinton Couple Charged with Burglary and Assault in Stabbing Incident
Clinton, OK – A Clinton pair is facing serious charges following a violent home invasion that left one victim hospitalized. Fifty-four-year-old William Lee Pedro III and twenty-one-year-old Lanie Marie Stratton were formally charged in Custer County District
Elk City Police Investigating Sayre Man for Internet-Related Child Crimes
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department is conducting an investigation at the request of the District Attorney’s Office involving Mickey Ezell Jr. of Sayre, Oklahoma. Ezell was arrested Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, at
Dobson Fiber Is Title Sponsor of SWOSU’s 2025 Everett Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Longtime Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) benefactor Dobson Fiber will serve as the Official Title Sponsor of the 2025 Everett Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic. The Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic began in
SWOSU North Family Lecture Kicks Off 2025 Crowder Lake Season
SWOSU Press Release Crowder Lake University Park at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) kicked off the 2025 season on April 4 with the annual North Family Lecture and Friends of Crowder Lake Dinner. The event was held
SWOSU Rover Dawgs Compete at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge
SWOSU Press Release The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Rover Dawgs recently competed at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), held April 11-12 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The event brought
Free Dumping Weekend at Shamrock City Landfill – May 2 & 3
Shamrock, TX – The City of Shamrock will offer free dumping at the City Landfill during the first weekend in May. Residents may bring household items and debris for disposal at no charge on Friday, May 2
Clinton Superintendent Tyler Bridges Announces Departure for Stillwater Post
Clinton, OK — After nearly five years leading Clinton Public Schools, Superintendent Tyler Bridges is moving on. The Stillwater Board of Education voted during a special April 15 meeting to hire Bridges as the next Superintendent of
Fatal Crash Claims Life of Arapaho Woman in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A fatal single-vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at approximately 9:32 a.m. on OK-47 and N 2310 Road, about seven miles west of Thomas, Oklahoma, in Custer County. According to the
SWOSU’S LPN to BSN Program Ranked 2nd in Oklahoma
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)’s LPN to BSN program has been ranked 2nd in the state for 2025 by PracticalNursing.org. PracticalNursing.org evaluates programs across the country that offer pathways for licensed
SWOSU Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. Known as “SWOSU’s highest honor,” the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by
Elk City Announces Free Spring Cleanup Week at Municipal Landfill
Elk City, OK – Elk City residents can take advantage of free dumping at the Elk City Municipal Landfill from Monday, April 28 through Saturday, May 3, 2025, as part of the city’s annual spring cleanup effort.
Dayna Hardaway Named Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has announced the appointment of Dayna Hardaway as the institution’s next Assistant Vice President for Human Resources. Hardaway will officially begin her role on April 21, 2025, and will
Burns Flat Man Arrested on Felony Firearm Charges in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Burns Flat man, Jerry Lee Wright, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm despite being a convicted felon, according to documents filed in Beckham County District Court. Wright, 44,
Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot for May 13th Election Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the May 13th Special County Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today. Absentee ballots are available
Elk City Man Arrested After High-Speed Police Chase
Elk City, OK — A high-speed police chase through Elk City ended in an arrest just after 2 a.m. Sunday, April 8, 2025, after a suspect refused to stop for officers and endangered multiple drivers along the
