October 31, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 13

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026 • 9 The Elk City News SWOSU Professor Howard Kurtz Named President of Regional Criminal Justice Association Dr. Howard A. Kurtz, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been named president of the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice (SWACJ). His one-year term began in 2026 after approximately 20 years of involvement with the association. He was elected to its board three years before becoming president. SWACJ brings together criminal justice educators, professionals and students from Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The organization is affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and holds an annual conference for research presentations, professional development and student competitions. SWOSU students regularly participate and earned first place in the Dr. Howard A. Kurtz academic competition and third place in the forensic competition in 2025. Kurtz hopes to increase participation among Oklahoma students and faculty during his presidency. His responsibilities include selecting a conference theme and helping plan the 2027 annual meeting at the Hard Rock in Tulsa. The conference gives students opportu- nities to present their work beyond campus, meet researchers, and learn about scholarship at other universities. “Universities are at their best when they support scholarship and create opportunities for students and faculty to share their work,” Kurtz said. “Service to organizations such as SWACJ is one way we can strengthen those opportunities and encourage the next generation of criminal justice scholars.” Kurtz also serves as editor of SWACJ’s academic journal, the Qualitative Journal of Criminal Justice and Criminology, a position he has held for the past year and a half. He worked with SWOSU’s digital librarian to bring the journal to Digital Commons, the university’s online repository for research and scholarly work. According to Kurtz, the journal CBA has recorded more than 60,000 downloads across more than 120 countries since being added to the platform. Kurtz is a Bernhardt Scholar at SWOSU and previously served for many years as chair of the Oklahoma State Criminal Justice Research Consortium. Through SWACJ, SWOSU students have opportunities to use the research, analysis and communication skills they develop in their social sciences courses. Presenting research and participating in competitions give them experience explaining their work and responding to questions beyond the classroom. For more information about SWOSU’s social sciences programs, visit swosu.edu/social-sciences. Information about the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice is available at swacj.com. Presbyterian Health Foundation investment in Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center reaches $1 million Additional $500,000 grant supports expanded pediatric care ahead of December opening and encourages community giving OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 22, 2026 — Presbyterian Health Foundation has awarded an additional $500,000 Mission Impact grant to the Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center, bringing its total investment in the project to $1 million. The center is scheduled to open in December 2026, expanding access to specialized behavioral healthcare for children across Oklahoma. Approved by the foundation’s board in September, the grant builds on its initial $500,000 gift in 2023. The additional investment will help narrow the remaining fundraising gap, and the foundation is encouraging others to support the campaign. The six-story, 172,775-squarefoot center will be Oklahoma’s first comprehensive pediatric behavioral health facility integrated with a children’s hospital. It will add 72 inpatient beds for short-term stabilization and longer-term treatment, with space in every patient room for a parent to stay with their child. “Children and families across Oklahoma need greater access to specialized behavioral healthcare,” said Jonathan W. Curtright, MBA, MHA, president and CEO of OU Health, the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system. “Presbyterian Health Foundation’s continued investment is helping us meet that need and demonstrates the difference philanthropic partners can make in the care available to Oklahoma children.” The foundation views its role as part of a larger community commitment. “We wanted to build on our earlier investment to help bring this important campaign closer to completion,” said Rick McCune, president of Presbyterian Health Foundation. “Children’s behavioral health is a shared responsibility, and this center represents an opportunity to strengthen care for families throughout Oklahoma. We hope our commitment encourages others to join us in supporting its future.” Services will include intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, offering treatment options for children who need more support than routine outpatient appointments provide. A specialized neurodevelopmental unit, recreation and outdoor spaces, and family resources will support care tailored to children’s needs. “For a child with complex medical and behavioral health needs, access to integrated specialty care is essential,” said Rasim Somer Diler, MD, MBA, DFAACAP, clinical service chief of psychiatry and behavioral health at OU Health and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. “This state-of-the-art center will bring that care together in an environment designed for children, with families involved throughout treatment. Presbyterian Health Foundation is helping make that care available to more Oklahoma families.” In recognition of its contributions, the center’s main lobby waiting area will bear Presbyterian Health Foundation’s name. Development of the center has been supported by the Oklahoma Legislature, University Hospitals Authority and Trust, and philanthropic partners. The campaign continues to accept donations to help fund programs, family resources and expanded pediatric behavioral health services across the state. To learn more about the Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center or to make a donation, visit Giving.OUHealth.com/BHC CANUTE CBA Students Shine at WOCDA Honor Choir Corn Bible Academy was well represented at the Western Oklahoma Choral Directors Association (WOCDA) Honor Choir Concert on Monday, October 26, in Elk City. These students auditioned and were selected to participate in the honor choirs alongside talented singers from across western Oklahoma. We are so proud of their hard work and this wonderful accomplishment. Students pictured: Carter Evetts, Ethan Cooke, Parker Vandever, Lillian Miller, Annelise Bull, Rory Patrick, Layla Holman, Eva Graham, Jada Blatnick, Paizley House, and Megan McQuinn. Not pictured: Adelyn Womack and Magdalena Evert. Special congratulations to Annelise Bull, who received a medal in recognition of being selected for the WOCDA High School Honor Choir all three years. Congratulations to all of these talented CBA musicians. Canute had FCCLA students attend the District Leadership Conference in Cache. JH and Elem XC runners wrapped their season up last Thursday in Chickasha at the JH All Stars Meet CBA hosted a fundraising gala Canute brought home two medals: Mikinna Carnes 28th out of 139, Toby Porter 26th out of 106, Our other finishers were: Isaac Gutierrez, Cord Pickard, Rece Ridling, Kamryn Ridling, Layne Pickard We proudly support the students, staff and administration Canute had some seniors compete at OSU’s Math Day. Thank you for representing Canute Public Schools so well and thank you to Ms. Whinery for taking them! Mega Breeze & Mini Breeze Call For Pricing! Parts Available! at Canute Schools ~ Great Plains Bank ~ First National Bank 580-225-6554 One of the largest metal 918 N. Van Buren suppliers between Elk City, OK 73644 OKC and Amarillo www.janningwelding.com Have a photo to share? Send to [email protected] with a description! CBA hosted a fundraising gala earlier this month and the following students were recognized for their roles: Hannah Mitchell, Elise Graham (not pictured), Deacon Graham, and James Rother submitted artwork for the custom thank you cards. Deacon and James’s artwork was also featured at the gala! Rosie Gomez, Brynlee Redcay, Jada Blatnick, Carter Evetts, and Ellie Schmidt (not pictured) were given accolades by our caterer for their outstanding work in serving guests! All the honorees received a free meal courtesy of Lucille’s Roadhouse!