July 25, 2023
By Landry Brewer
For SWOSU history professor Sunu Kodumthara, there’s no place like home to teach what she loves.
The Mustang native followed a childhood friend to SWOSU where both had a wonderful undergraduate experience.
Because she loved studying government and politics, Kodumthara began her collegiate career in Weatherford as a political science major. But as a history minor, she was fascinated by delving into the past to explain the present.
So, she became a double major and realized her future was in teaching the past.
She enjoyed her history studies so much, she decided to pursue graduate school and a professorial career teaching the subject.
Kodumthara left SWOSU with a B.A. in history and political science in 2001. Having considered her graduate options, she made the financially prudent decision to move to Stillwater.
“OSU offered me a graduate assistantship, so of course, I went where the money was,” she said.
When she completed her master’s degree in history and wanted to begin doctoral work, she made a similar decision and relocated to Norman. Kodumthara completed another graduate assistantship at OU, but she also had the opportunity to work with a preeminent Western history scholar there.
Kodumthara returned to her higher education home and joined the SWOSU faculty in January 2010.
The joy of the opportunity was, however, tempered by the circumstance that created it—the death of her SWOSU mentor, Dr. Roger Bromert.
Kodumthara finished writing her dissertation—a book that Ph.D. students write to complete the degree—while teaching full time at SWOSU and grieving the influential man whose faculty position she now occupied.
She powered through, however, completed the Ph.D., and became Dr. Kodumthara in 2011.
She’s happy at SWOSU. “When I imagined teaching at the collegiate level, this was the type of environment I had hoped for,” Kodumthara said.
Since she teaches a required U.S. History class, she gets to know all sorts of students pursuing all sorts of majors.
“Teaching them at the freshman level gives me the chance to get them at the very beginning of their collegiate career, introduce them to critical thinking, and reintroduce them to (hopefully) a fresh perspective of U.S. History,” Kodumthara said.
She also relishes working with colleagues, especially those in her department. Whether commiserating over common educational frustrations, talking about favorite tv shows, or just teasing each other, these professional relationships smooth the occasional rough patches and make teaching easier.
Though most history majors become educators themselves—which is a tremendous source of pride for Kodumthara and her fellow history professors—others go on to an interesting assortment of professions. Some become lawyers or librarians, others exhibit designers or insurance investigators.
In more than a decade on the SWOSU faculty, Kodumthara has learned the need to be flexible in the classroom to adjust for a variety of student backgrounds and abilities—where they’re coming from and their individual experiences.
“Do they know how to take notes? Were they ever required to read in their history classes? Those things matter,” she said.
Kodumthara loves history so much that she’d work in the discipline even if she wasn’t a professor. “I like being able to talk to people about why state and local history matters and how the thread of humanity connects us all,” she said.
Like when she and former SWOSU President Dr. Randy Beutler spoke to community members and students at the SWOSU campus in Sayre in 2013 about the Massacre at the Washita.
Whether she’s teaching freshmen in the required general education class or history majors in classes like 20th Century America, Women in American History, or History of Oklahoma, or she’s speaking to the public about local history, Kodumthara loves explaining the importance of the past in creating our present.
And she especially enjoys doing that for the university where this journey started.
Dr. Sunu Kodumthara discovered her love of history at SWOSU and found there’s no place like home to teach it.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
SWOSU Students Study Wildlife in Yellowstone
Weatherford, OK – Over Spring Break, students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) traveled to Yellowstone National Park’s northern range to take part in an immersive field experience during the Yellowstone Ecology course. Led by Dr. Renan
Measles Exposure Alert Issued for Weatherford Restaurant
Weatherford, OK — Health officials have issued a measles exposure alert for patrons of a restaurant located in the 1300 block of E. Main St. in Weatherford. Individuals who visited the restaurant on March 19 between 5:30
Sayre Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads to Drug, Child Neglect Charges
Sayre, OK — A routine traffic stop in Sayre led to multiple felony charges for 31-year-old Bradley Hoyt Parker after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper discovered drugs and juveniles in the vehicle. According to a probable cause
Altus AFB to host the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House and Air Show on April 12 and 13
Altus AFB Press Release Altus Air Force Base, OK – Altus Air Force Base is scheduled to host the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House and Air Show on April 12 and 13, 2025. This is a free,
Acclaimed Fantasy Author David R. Slayton to Keynote Annual Westview Festival
SWOSU Press Release The Annual Westview Festival proudly announces that urban and epic fantasy author David R. Slayton will be the keynote speaker for this year’s event. The keynote address will occur on Wednesday, April 16, 2025,
April 1 Election Results
Results will start to come in when polls close at 7 p.m. City of Elk City Elections: Mayor • Shannon McAbee • Micah Kilhoffer Commissioner, Ward 2 • Mike McFall • Rod Carver Commissioner, Ward 3 •
REMINDER: Today is Election Day in Oklahoma!
Polls are open NOW to 7:00 p.m. — make your voice heard! Elk City voters will help decide several key local races, including: Mayor Shannon McAbee Micah Kilhoffer Commissioner, Ward 2 Mike McFall Rod Carver Commissioner, Ward
Oklahoma Schools Win Sweepstakes at SWOSU SWIM 2025
Weatherford, OK – The annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Interscholastic Meet (SWIM), the longest-running academic competition in Oklahoma, was held on March 27, 2025, at SWOSU in Weatherford. Established in 1913, SWIM has provided generations of students
SWOSU Computer Club Hosts Annual Fundraising Lock-In
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Computer Club recently hosted its annual fundraising lock-in at the Pioneer Event Center, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for a night of gaming, collaboration, and community. The
SWOSU Biology Students Present Research at Oklahoma Research Day
Weatherford, OK – Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences showcased their research at Oklahoma Research Day, held this year at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. This annual event provides
Elk City Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Alleged Fentanyl Overdose Incident
Elk City, OK — An Elk City woman has been formally charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree following a near-fatal fentanyl overdose incident that occurred on February 24. According to court records, 47-year-old Cori Liane
Local Elections Set for April 1 Across Western Oklahoma
Voters across Oklahoma will head to the polls on Tuesday for a series of important local elections. These include Board of Education general elections, statutory municipal general elections, and special elections in various counties. Elk City Voters
Two Killed in Head-On Crash Near Custer City
Custer County, OK — Two people were killed Friday afternoon in a head-on collision just west of Custer City. The crash occurred around 3:56 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 33 and E 920 Road, about two
Election Day Reminders and Tips
Roger Mills Co. Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1st , for the Board of Education/Municipal General Elections. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary
Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws
Cheyenne, OK – With the April 1st Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election
Request An Emergency Ballot For The April 1 Election
Roger Mills Co. Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 17th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their
California Man Arrested Duirng Beckham County Traffic Stop
Elk City, OK — A California man is facing felony charges in Beckham County following a traffic stop that led to a significant drug bust on I-40. According to a probable cause affidavit, 31-year-old Anastacio Obregon-Izazaga of
Routine Traffic Stop in Sayre Leads to Felony Drug and Weapons Arrest
Sayre, OK — A routine traffic stop in Sayre led to the arrest of a man on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession of a sawed-off rifle, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Authorities say a blue Chevy Silverado
Weatherford Gears Up for April 2025 Recycling Events in Honor of Earth Day
Weatherford, OK — The Weatherford Environment Group (WEG) has announced a month-long slate of Earth Day recycling events happening throughout April 2025. Residents are encouraged to participate by bringing recyclable materials to the Weatherford Materials Processing Building,
SWOSU Announces Endowment Gift from Bryan & Erika Evans Family
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from Bryan and Erika Evans of Edmond. Bryan Evans is the Co-Founder of the Evans & Davis Law Firm, which
Man Claiming to Be Arapaho Police Chief Arrested During Weatherford Traffic Stop
A man claiming to be the newly hired police chief of Arapaho was arrested during a traffic stop in Weatherford on March 9. Weatherford police say 46-year-old Jah Malachi Banks of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was pulled over in
Final Sale of Champions at Jim Norick Arena Caps Off Historic 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo
Oklahoma City, OK — After 60 years of tradition, the Jim Norick Arena saw its final curtain call Friday night as the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo wrapped up with the iconic Sale of Champions. This year’s sale
Wildfire Update: 840 Road Fire and Camargo Fire
Western Oklahoma – After a week since their ignition, fire crews are still battling wildfires in western Oklahoma. 840 Road Fire The 840 Road Fire, spanning Roger Mills and Dewey Counties, has burned approximately 27,855 acres and
Canute Sisters Shine at Historic Final OYE in Jim Norick Arena
Oklahoma City, OK – The 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo marked the end of an era as the final Grand Champion Drive of the four market species took place in the historic Jim Norick Arena, closing out 60
Alva Woman Killed in Crash North of Foss
Custer County, OK – A two-vehicle crash claimed the life of an Alva woman Thursday night in Custer County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the wreck happened around 8:14 p.m. on March 20, about 3.5 miles north
