February 21, 2026 Issue, Page 10 of 12

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10• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 NEWS The Elk City News SWOSU Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni Southwestern Oklahoma seven Bull of the Year awards, She administered the National who have owned and operated dent of the Oklahoma Pharma- is Club. He served as treasurer State University (SWOSU) has and seven Bareback Horse of the Historic Preservation Act pro- their land for at least 100 years. cists Association from 1984 to of the Federated Church for 40 announced its 2026 Distin- Year awards—the most ever be- grams for the State of Oklahoma Heisch is an inductee of the 1985. He also sits on the Board years and served for 20 years guished Alumni Hall of Fame stowed on a single rodeo com- and achieved numerous accom- Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of of Directors of the Southwest- as Chaiman of the Board of Di- honorees. pany. Beutler’s company is the plishments with lasting benefits Fame, a Kirkpatrick Medal re- ern Pharmacy Alumni Foun- rectors of the Prairie West Golf Known as “SWOSU’s high- first stock contracting company for the citizens of the state. Un- cipient, recipient of the 2016 dation, Incorporated. Lassiter’s Course in Weatherford. In 2007, est honor,” the Distinguished to ever win all three Top Buck- der these federal programs car- U. S. Secretary of the Interior’s generous support provides two Magill served as chair of the In- Alumni Hall of Fame was es- ing Stock of the Year awards in ried out in partnership with the Award for her lifetime of work annual scholarships for SWOSU dependent Insurance Agents of tablished in 1976 by SWOSU to a single year (2022). Beutler has National Park Service, Heisch to preserve the nation’s heritage, COP students. He is a designat- Oklahoma Board of Directors. recognize outstanding former been named Chute Boss of the and her staff recorded tens of and many other honors. Heisch ed preceptor for SWOSU COP He is a SWOSU Presidential students and to celebrate their National Finals Rodeo, Chair- thousands of archeological and grew up at Reydon, Oklahoma student experiential education Order of Merit laureate and an achievements. There are cur- man of the PRCA Board of Di- historic properties statewide, in Roger Mills County. She and rotations in community phar- Emeritus Trustee of the SWO- rently 128 SWOSU graduates rectors, and is an inductee in achieved listing in the National her siblings own their family macy and compounding phar- SU Foundation, Incorporated who have been inducted into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Register of Historic Places for farm northwest of Reydon. The macy practice. Shirley, Lassiter’s where he served as Board Sec- the Hall of Fame. Fame, the PRCA Hall of Fame, over 1,200 locations during her farm includes the original quar- beloved wife of 58 years, passed retary, Finance Chair, Property The 2026 inductees include: the Bull Riding Hall of Fame of tenure, assisted local govern- ter section acquired by her great away in 2024. Shirley was a life- Chair, and sat on the Investment Bennie Beutler, Class of 1970 the Beutler Rodeo Company, ments to strengthen local histor- grandfather in 1906. time educator who retired as Committee. Magill and his wife, Melvena Heisch, Class of and the National Rodeo Hall ic preservation programs, and John Lassiter is a native of principal of Moore High School. Terry, are parents of three and 1974 of Fame. Beutler is an inductee provided technical assistance to Seminole, Oklahoma. Lassiter is Lassiter and Shirley’s daughter, grandparents of seven. The John Lassiter, Class of 1963 into the SWOSU Athletic Hall property owners and the gen- a 1963 graduate of the SWOSU Shonda Lassiter, ’98, carries on Magills are generous Found- Bruce Magill, Class of 1970 of Fame and a longtime, gener- eral public. She developed and College of Pharmacy (SWOSU Lassiter’s legacy as a co-owner er-level donors to the SWOSU Bennie Beutler leads the ous benefactor of the SWOSU presented the annual statewide COP). He served in the U.S. with her father of Lassiter Drug Bulldog Angels Fund for SWO- Beutler & Son Rodeo Company, Rodeo program. preservation conference from Army during the Vietnam War in Del City, Oklahoma. Lassiter SU students in crisis. a legacy enterprise with deep Melvena Heisch joined the 1989 until her retirement. Also, from 1967 to 1969. Lassiter later founded Lassiter Drug in 1970. The 2026 SWOSU Distin- roots in the Beutler Brothers staff of the State Historic Pres- she worked to secure passage of served the people of Oklahoma Lassiter is a proud grandfather guished Alumni honorees Rodeo Company started in 1929 ervation Office, a division of the Oklahoma rehabilitation tax as a member of the Oklahoma to Shonda’s son, Ty. will be recognized during the by his grandfather, Elra Beutler. the Oklahoma Historical So- credit which facilitates rehabili- House of Representatives from Bruce Magill is the found- SWOSU Convocation activi- Today, Beutler & Son is one of ciety, in 1976 after completing tation of historic buildings, such 1986 to 1990. Lassiter has con- er of Magill Insurance & Real ties planned for May 8-9 on the the most successful and respect- her Masters Degree in History as the majestic Skirvin Hotel at tributed extensively to the phar- Estate in Weatherford. He has Weatherford campus. ed stock contracting firms in at Oklahoma State University. Park and Broadway Avenues macy profession and his alma served in numerous capaci- For more information, please the professional rodeo industry. She became the Deputy State in Oklahoma City. Heisch also mater, serving three terms on ties with the Weatherford Area visit www.swosu.edu or call the Beutler and his company have Historic Preservation Officer in designed the Oklahoma Cen- the Oklahoma State Board of Economic Development Foun- SWOSU Office of Institutional been recognized with seven 1979 and served in the position tennial Farm and Ranch Pro- Pharmacy, totaling 15 years of dation, Weatherford Industrial Advancement at 580-774-3267. Saddle Bronc of the Year awards, until her retirement in 2017. gram which recognizes families service, and serving as Presi- Trust, and Weatherford Kiwan- ELK CITY Elk City Elementary learns math in Mrs. Meadows class. Addams Family has a terrific run. Middle School kids are caught being KIND. We want to wish you a great season! 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