April 3, 2023
SWOSU Foundation Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon has announced a generous charitable gift from the late Linville Lee “Lin” Murdock.
Murdock was known as “Sissy” to her family and childhood friends. She was born August 13, 1942, in Hondo, Texas. She moved to Hammon, Oklahoma with her family in 1943 and graduated from there in 1960. While a student at Hammon she was an outstanding basketball player and piano player among other notable achievements. She graduated from SWOSU in 1964 and later obtained her Master’s degree. She taught for two years in the Clovis, New Mexico public school system and one year at Oklahoma Panhandle State University before returning to her alma mater where she would serve for over three decades as an instructor in the SWOSU Kinesiology (formerly Physical Education) Department. She taught many classes and touched the lives of a great number of students. She coached volleyball and tennis, served as sponsor of the Physical Education Major and Minors Club, served with the Brownie Playdays, and served on the Faculty Senate. She was a member of a number of professional associations and Alliances and was president of the Lamba Chapter of the international women teacher’s organization (Delta Kappa Gamma).
Murdock died on April 22, 2022. She thoughtfully made provision for SWOSU in her estate planning, and the university is honored to announce that her generosity will allow for two major philanthropic developments:
– Firstly, the Lloyd & Nora Murdock Scholarship Fund (an endowment which provides scholarships to graduates of Hammon Public Schools, this fund was established by Murdock and her siblings in 2006 in honor of their parents) will increase in valuation eightfold; and,
– Secondly, the Linville L. Murdock Scholarship Fund will be established to provide ongoing scholarships support to the SWOSU Department of Kinesiology (formerly Physical Education).
The Murdock gift sets a record as the largest single gift ever made to SWOSU Kinesiology.
“Lin Murdock’s name is written in gold here on the SWOSU Hilltop,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana R. “Diane” Lovell. “So many members of our community of alumni, emeriti, and friends fondly remember her involvement in their lives. We are deeply honored that Lin Murdock chose to remember SWOSU through her estate planning. Her beneficence will offer invaluable support to our students for generations to come.”
In recognition of Murdock’s bequest, she will be posthumously inducted into SWOSU’s planned giving society, SWOSU Tomorrows.
SWOSU is happy to assist alumni and friends of the institution who would like to discuss estate planning options or to notify the university that SWOSU has been included in a finalized estate plan. Donors to SWOSU who choose to record their planned gifts to SWOSU will be named as part of the SWOSU Tomorrows planned giving society and recognized according to their wishes and preferences, joining a special place of honor amongst the university’s many benefactors. Former SWOSU presidents Dr. Joe Anna Hibler and the late Dr. John Hays served as the founding honorary co-chairs of the SWOSU Tomorrows effort under the guidance of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees.
The SWOSU Tomorrows planned giving society is coordinated 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 information on how to make a planned gift to SWOSU or to let SWOSU know that a provision has been made for the university in your estate planning, please contact the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. by telephone at 580-774-3267; by e-mail to Executive Director Garrett King at garrett.king@swosu.edu; or visit www.SWOSUTomorrows.com.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Three Defendants Sentenced Following Plea Hearings in Childress County District Court
Childress County, TX – On Thursday, December 11, 26 pleas were entered in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. The cases were prosecuted by District Attorney Luke Inman and Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle. Judge
Moore Says Budget Hearings Will Shape Final Weeks of January at the Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK — Oklahoma House Speaker Pro-Tem Anthony Moore says the next three weeks at the State Capitol will be critical in shaping budget decisions and policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Moore, who represents
John Cook Sworn In as New Elk City Police Chief
Elk City, OK – Following the retirement of longtime Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, the City of Elk City has officially named John Cook as its new Police Chief. Cook was sworn in on Dec. 31
Beckham County Sees Calm Holiday Season, Fewer Serious Incidents Reported
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County law enforcement saw a relatively calm holiday season this year, with fewer serious incidents than in years past, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said the county avoided weather
Reckless Driver Arrested After Interstate Pursuit in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – A reckless driving incident on Interstate 40 ended with an arrest after a brief pursuit and canine deployment Tuesday in Beckham County, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. The incident began near
City of Erick Awarded Nearly $40,000 to Boost Wildfire Response
Washington D.C. – The City of Erick is receiving new federal funding to strengthen its local wildfire response capabilities. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced more than $5 million in nationwide funding through its Slip on
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Friday, January 16th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the February 10th Merritt School District Special Election, Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary
PSO Requests Rate Hike That Could Raise Electric Bills 15%
Tulsa, OK – Public Service Company of Oklahoma has gone public with a new rate hike request filed with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that could increase customer electric bills by about 15% if approved. The request follows
ODOT Updates Clinton I-40 Interchange Project, Approves Engineering Contracts and Bridge Improvements
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Transportation Commission met Monday morning, receiving updates on major highway projects and approving several engineering contracts and bridge improvements across the state. Oklahoma Transportation Commission members heard from Oklahoma Department of
Forecasters Warn Western Oklahoma Could Face Early, Widespread Wildfire Threat in 2026
Western Oklahoma – Western Oklahoma could be facing another dangerous wildfire season as early as January, with forecasters warning conditions may be worse and more widespread than last year. Predictors with the National Interagency Fire Center say
Man accused of orchestrating forged check scheme from Beckham County Jail
Sayre, OK – A Sayre man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he organized a forged check scheme from inside the Beckham County Jail, allegedly directing others to obtain and use stolen checks to secure
Ball and Weatherly Pin SWOSU Graduates
Weatherford, OK – A former Elk City teacher and a long-time Elk City businessman and civic leader recognized new alumni at the recent Southwestern Oklahoma State University fall graduation ceremony in Weatherford. Sue Ball, Basil Weatherly, and
Kiowa Road Wildfire Burns More Than 300 Acres, No Structures Lost
Roger Mills County, OK – A wildfire burning near Kiowa Road in Roger Mills County scorched more than 300 acres of pasture land Tuesday afternoon before crews were able to bring it largely under control. According to
2025 Marked by Tragedy, Change, and Community Milestones Across Western Oklahoma
Western Oklahoma – From winter through late fall, 2025 delivered major headlines across western Oklahoma, including fatal crashes, a high-profile murder trial, a large-scale hazmat emergency, and significant changes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, alongside Route 66
North Carolina woman charged after drug stop on I-40 near Clinton
Custer County, OK – A North Carolina woman is facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Custer County. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court,
Texas Panhandle Cities Unite Against Energy Company Over Historic Smokehouse Creek Fire
Texas Panhandle – Nearly a year after the Smokehouse Creek Fire scorched more than a million acres across the Texas Panhandle and into Western Oklahoma, the cities of Wheeler and Canadian, Texas are among eleven Panhandle communities
Sayre Water Service Restored After Christmas Day Main Break, Boil Advisory Pending Test Results
Sayre, OK – City officials in Sayre say water service has been fully restored following a major 12 inch transmission line break early Christmas morning, with testing now underway to lift the city’s precautionary boil water advisory.
One injured in early morning crash on I-40 in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – One person was injured in a single vehicle collision early Sunday morning in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash happened at about 3:22 a.m. on December 28 on westbound
Sayre Issues Boil Water Advisory After Christmas Day Water Main Break
Sayre, OK — Sayre city officials have issued a precautionary boil water advisory after a 12-inch transmission main broke on Christmas Day, cutting service for parts of the community and raising concerns about water safety. The City
Dr. Joel Kendall Named Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK — The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) today announced the appointment of Dr. Joel Kendall as Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective January 12, 2026. Dr.
Oklahoma’s Recognized Political Parties Keep Primaries Closed
Oklahoma City, OK – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that no political party filed a notice to allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2026-2027 election years. Since no
Clinton woman arrested following Walmart theft and fraud investigation
Elk City, OK – An Elk City Police investigation into reported theft and fraud at Walmart has led to the arrest of a Clinton woman on multiple felony charges. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in
Weapons Found During Child Abuse Investigation in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County Sheriff’s Office deputies recovered multiple firearms while serving a search warrant connected to an ongoing child abuse investigation in Beckham County, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning said detectives were
Stolen Vehicle Quickly Recovered in Erick
Erick, OK – A stolen vehicle reported in Erick was recovered within hours thanks to quick work by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office. According to Derek Manning, the vehicle and an attached trailer were reported stolen by
Investigation Uncovers Fraud Scheme Involving Jail Inmate
Sayre, OK – An investigation by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office uncovered an attempted fraud scheme involving an inmate inside the Beckham County Jail, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said the case was uncovered through the
