January 12, 2022 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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8 Living January 12, 2022 SWOSU to Dedicate General Thomas P. Stafford Archives on January 23 Southwestern Oklahoma also now named for Stafford). Rhonda Baker, Mike Dobrin- State University (SWOSU) Today, the museum is a Smith- ski, and Anthony Moore, and with locations in Weatherford, sonian affiliate and preserves Oklahoma State Senators Sayre and Yukon has scheduled over 63,000 square feet of his- Brent Howard, Darcy Jech, the dedication of the General toric information and educa- and Jake Merrick, all of whom Thomas P. Stafford Archives tional resources. represent the SWOSU service for Sunday, January 23, at 2 “Stafford is a renowned area which stretches from the p.m. at the Al Harris Library Oklahoma Hall of Fame laure- Texas border in western Okla- on the Weatherford campus. ate who is the first NASA as- homa to the western suburbs The archives will utilize the tronaut to ever become a Gen- of Oklahoma City in Canadian latest in preservation technol- eral and was the first General County. ogy and techniques to house to fly in space,” said SWOSU Regent Connie Reilley, chair sensitive historical documents Libraries Director Jason Du- of the Regional University and papers and will highlight pree. “His work was essential System of Oklahoma Board of Stafford’s lifetime of achieve- to the development of stealth Regents, will address the par- ments. technology, and his longtime ticipants. “We are deeply honored that friendship with Soviet Cos- United States Senator Jim our longtime benefactor and monaut Alexei Leonov stands Inhofe (Oklahoma), who partner, General Thomas P. out as a beacon of cooperation serves as Ranking Member Stafford, has designated the Al amidst the tensions of the Cold of the Senate Committee on Harris Library here at SWOSU War. Our SWOSU students for Armed Services, and United as the repository for his papers generations to come will learn States Congressman Frank D. and historic documents,” said so much from General Staf- Lucas of Cheyenne (OK-3), SWOSU President Dr. Diana ford’s life, work and example.” who serves as Ranking Mem- Lovell. Stafford also established ber of the House Committee Lovell said the Stafford Ar- the Stafford Endowment at on Science & Technology, are chives are a splendid addition SWOSU in 1992 which was, also scheduled to speak. to SWOSU’s rich heritage in at the time, the largest single Former SWOSU Presidents aerospace and defense educa- gift ever made to the univer- Dr. Joe Anna Hibler and Dr. tion and accomplishment. sity. The endowment contin- Randy Beutler, along with “The General’s vision, gen- ues to provide a unique expe- Linda Hays, wife of the late erosity and involvement have riential learning program for former SWOSU President Dr. equipped us to build a facility SWOSU’s prestigious Stafford John Hays, will also be present that will serve as a world-class Scholars, over 165 of which along with longtime Weather- repository for researchers, his- have been designated to date. ford Mayor and SWOSU alum- torians and students to study The Stafford Scholars program nus Mike Brown. the incredible work and events represents a positive, valuable Seating space at the event to which the General has been ongoing collaboration between is extremely limited and due central over his many decades SWOSU and the Stafford Air & to ongoing public health con- of public and military service Space Museum. cerns, the event is invitation- and scientific and corporate General Stafford, who re- only. leadership,” Lovell said. ceived SWOSU’s first-ever For more information, A Weatherford native, Staf- honorary doctorate in 2015, please contact Kari Jones ford established the Stafford will make remarks at the dedi- in the SWOSU Office of In- Local photographer, Melanie Randle captured the sun set of western Oklahoma last week as Air & Space Museum in 1993 cation of the archives. stitutional Advancement at with two rooms near the He will be joined by Okla- 580-774-3267 or kari.jones@ she got her camera out to take some night photos.These were taken on 20th Street as the sun went Weatherford airport (which is homa State Representatives swosu.edu. down. UNLIMITED CELLULAR $ AS LOW AS 30/MO ONLY PAY FOR WHAT YOU NEED Call us today and choose your unlimited plan to mix, match, and save. VoLTE device and SIM card required for unlimited plans. Data only devices are excluded from unlimited plans. Other restrictions may apply. Service not available in all areas. $30 unlimited plan requires minimum of 3 lines on unlimited plans.