Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) proudly announces its alumna, 2017 & 2019 graduate Rhetta Cypert of Walla Walla (WA), as the 2024 North Family Endowed Lecturer in Parks & Recreation Management. The lecture will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5, in the North Family Building at Crowder Lake University Park, south of Weatherford.
Cypert, a trailblazer in natural resource management, brings a wealth of experience and insight to share at this year’s lecture. As the Agricultural Field Program Manager for the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Cypert oversees agricultural lease management of approximately 1 million acres of public land in Southeast Washington. Her journey, deeply rooted in her years at SWOSU, is inspiring and motivating. Her insights into the importance of parks, recreation, and natural resource management will leave a lasting impact.
During her presentation, Cypert will delve into various facets of her work, including her role in supporting Washington school trusts and safeguarding natural resources for current and future generations. Attendees can expect to gain valuable perspectives on working within a state agency, the significance of agriculture, forestry, and wildfire management in natural resource preservation, and insights into the diverse responsibilities within agencies like the DNR. Additionally, Cypert will share her experiences of living and working in the Western United States.
The North Family Endowed Lecture in Parks & Recreation Management is a testament to the commitment of longtime SWOSU benefactor and 1980 alumnus Mike North of Oklahoma City and his wife, Marilyn Flinchum. Thanks to their unwavering generosity, the lecture series continues to significantly enrich the academic and professional experiences of SWOSU students and the wider community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for parks, recreation, and natural resource management.
Following the lecture, the 2024 Friends of Crowder Lake Members-only cocktail hour & dinner will take place at Crowder Lake, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity to network and engage further. Catered by Blue Mountain Smoke, this event is reserved for the SWOSU Friends of Crowder Lake organization members. Individuals interested in attending the cocktail hour and dinner are encouraged to join the Friends of Crowder Lake and enjoy the numerous benefits of membership.
To reserve your spot at the lecture or for inquiries about membership in the Friends of Crowder Lake organization, RSVP to Taylor Adler at taylor.adler@swosu. edu or visit friendsofswosucrowderlake. com Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to gain valuable insights from a distinguished SWOSU alumna and industry leader. Join us for an enlightening evening at the 2024 North Family Endowed in Lecture Parks & Recreation Management.
The Friends of Crowder Lake organization and the North Family Endowment are administered by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. An institutionally-related charitable entity, the Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy, award scholarships, and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU.
