50 years ago, April 29, 1974Five faculty members from Northern Oklahoma College have been named Outstanding Educators of America for 1974.Selected for the honors were: John Merryman, Gilbert Smith, John Kurchera, Nevona Kegans and Martha Rodrigues.Nominated earlier this year by administrators of Northern, they were chosen for this honor for “their exceptional academic accomplishments and civic contributions.Each year those chosen as “Outstanding Educators” are featured in a national awards volume.Guidelines for selection include talents in the classroom, contributions to research, administrative abilities, civic service and professional recognition.Mrs. Rodrigues in the business department has been at Northern since 1965. Active in educational units, she is treasurer of Oklahoma Association of Community and Junior Colleges.At Northern, she is advisor to Phi Beta Lambda, a business oriented group.Mrs. Nevona Kegans is an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs as well as a physical education instructor.Mrs. Kegans who holds a degree from Central State University came to Northern in 1963.John Kuchera, chosen for the 1974 honor, serves as Chairman of the Science and Engineering Division at Northern.Active not only in civic affairs where he is a member of Tonkawa’s school board, he was nominated in 1973 for the Two-Year College Chemistry Teacher Award. He joined the Northern faculty in 1968.Gilbert Smith who holds degrees from Panhandle State and Oklahoma University is a science instructor at Northern. He has been at Northern since 1969.John Merryman, who also came to Northern in 1969, is a mathematics instructor. Merryman is vice-chairman of Northern’s Faculty Association. He holds degrees from Northeastern State College and the University of Atlanta.Unruh Wins Vault Title at Caldwell Relays Saturday John Unruh, Tonkawa high school junior, won the pole vault event Saturday at the Border Queen Relays, Caldwell, Kansas with a vault of 12 feet, 5 ½ inches. Gregg Davis, Buc junior was fourth in the mile run.Unruh’s vault was his best of the season. A year ago he vaulted 12 feet six inches in the state meet.The pair will compete in the regional track meet Saturday at Cushing. In addition, coach Bruce Shropshire said Charley Wright, freshman will compete in the 440 yard run at Cushing.25 years ago, April 29, 1999Tonkawa’s Sonic damaged by fire; efforts to re-open begin The Sonic Drive-In of Tonkawa sustained substantial damage after a fire erupted from a faulty flex hose gas line Sunday morning, April 25.The accident occurred before the drive-in was open and no one was ...
