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.
Drummond Highlights Rural Roots, Public Safety Record in Governor Bid at Elk City Event
Elk City, OK – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond brought his campaign for governor to western Oklahoma Friday night, speaking at the Elk City Golf and Country Club. Addressing a local crowd, Drummond leaned on his rural
Homeland Stores Announces Changes Impacting Elk City, Clinton Locations
Oklahoma City, OK – Homeland Stores has announced a series of changes across Oklahoma, including closures and consolidations, as part of an effort to strengthen the company and refocus on its core operations. In western Oklahoma, the
Illegal Alien Semi-Truck Driver Charged after Traffic Stop Uncovers over 20 Pounds of Methamphetamine
Oklahoma City, OK – JOSE CARLOS MORALES-GUTIERREZ, 31, a Mexican national who is in the country illegally, has been charged with possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Robert
Wildfire Near Butler Prompts Evacuations, Multi-Agency Response
Butler, OK – A fast-moving wildfire north of Foss Lake near Butler kept firefighters and emergency crews busy Wednesday afternoon, prompting evacuations and drawing a large multi-agency response. According to local officials, the fire was first reported
Rising Medicaid Costs Take Center Stage in Oklahoma Budget Talks
Oklahoma City, OK — Rising Medicaid costs are becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Oklahoma lawmakers as they work to finalize the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Senator Brent Howard of Altus, who represents
Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws in Roger Mills County
Cheyenne, OK – With the April 7th 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
Fire Weather Watch Issued as Dangerous Conditions Persist, Jumping Juniper Fire Remains Active
Western Oklahoma – A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening across much of western Oklahoma, including Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Caddo, Greer, Kiowa, Jackson, and Harmon counties, as dangerous
Texas Statewide Emergency Alert Test Scheduled April 2
Del Valle, TX – Emergency management officials across Texas will participate in a coordinated statewide emergency alert system test Thursday, April 2, 2026, as part of a preparedness exercise led by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Elk City man charged after 110 mph pursuit
Clinton, OK — A 64-year-old Elk City man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit exceeding 110 mph through Custer and Washita counties. Jimmy Lee Davis, also known as
Edelen Named New Superintendent at Western Technology Center
Burns Flat, OK – Western Technology Center has announced Jay Edelen as its next superintendent, set to begin July 1, 2026. Edelen will become the seventh superintendent in the organization’s history, which dates back to 1970 and
Beckham County Conducts DUI “Wet Lab” Training for Officers
Sayre, OK — Local law enforcement officers recently took part in a specialized DUI training exercise designed to sharpen their ability to detect impaired drivers in the field. According to Derek Manning, the training, known as a
Candidate Filing Begins April 1 in Custer County
Clinton, OK – Statewide election activity officially begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, when the candidate filing period opens, according to the Secretary of the Custer County Election Board. Candidates for state offices must file
Archer-Backed Bill to Repurpose Abandoned Wells Advances to Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma City, OK – A proposal focused on turning thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells across Oklahoma into usable energy assets is moving to the State Senate after gaining strong support in the House. House Bill
The KECO Open 2026 – 4-Man Scramble is Coming!
Golfers, get ready! The 29th Annual KECO Open is set for June 27, 2026, at Elk City Golf & Country Club. This 4-man scramble is your chance to compete, win prizes, and have a blast on the
New Spring Admission Option Expands SWOSU Nursing Program
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will soon be able to admit more nursing students each year after adding a spring admission option to its Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for the
SWOSU Educator Named 2026 DaVinci Fellow for Teaching Initiative
Weatherford, OK – Robyn Randol, instructor in the Department of Education and Director of the Registered Apprenticeship Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been selected as a 2026 DaVinci Fellow through the DaVinci Institute’s DaVinci
Cotton Boll Motel Sign Lights Up Route 66 Once Again in Canute
Canute, OK — A piece of Route 66 history came back to life Saturday night as a large crowd gathered in Canute to witness the relighting of the historic Cotton Boll Motel sign. The neon sign, dark
Jumping Juniper Fire Prompts Evacuations in Dewey County, Conditions Remain Critical Across Western Oklahoma
Camargo, OK — Dangerous fire conditions across western Oklahoma led to multiple wildfire responses Sunday, including a major blaze in Dewey County known as the Jumping Juniper Fire. According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, roughly
Early Voting Begins April 2nd in Beckham County
Sayre, OK – Early voting begins Thursday, April 2nd for voters in Beckham County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their
SWOSU Palooza Presented by Qdoba Returns March 27
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host SWOSU Palooza presented by Qdoba on Friday, March 27, 2026, in the Pioneer Events Center on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford. Doors will open at 7 p.m.,
OBN Serves Search Warrant at Beckham County Marijuana Business for Illegal Cultivation
Sayre, OK – OBN’s Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) served a Search Warrant at YE Oriental Green 8866 in Sayre, Oklahoma as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal marijuana cultivation. “The investigation showed this business has been
OBN, Beckham County Deputies Seize 7,500 Marijuana Plants in Illegal Grow Operation
Beckham County, OK — A large illegal marijuana grow operation north of Interstate 40 between Elk City and Sayre was shut down last week following a joint effort between the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Beckham
Great Plains Regional Medical Center Honored for Excellent Patient Outcome
Elk City, OK – Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) has received a Performance Leadership Award from The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Elk City hospital received the award for excellence in patient outcomes for 2025.
Saving Millions
Elk City, OK — Fiscal discipline has allowed the City of Elk City to pay off nearly $20 million in outstanding debt since the end of the 2020 fiscal year. Doing this has saved almost $3 million
Rapid DNA Testing Helps Lead to Arrest in Beckham County Storage Break-In Investigation
Elk City, OK – An arrest has been made in connection to a recent storage facility break-in in Beckham County, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. The case, which was first reported last week, involved multiple break-ins at
