SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Awarded Heritage Preservation Grant

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has awarded the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.

"The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, under the leadership of Executive Director Garrett King, does phenomenal work in helping raise additional funds to meet the needs of students, which in turn benefits our surrounding communities and our entire region in a variety of positive ways," said Rep. Anthony Moore, Clinton. "This grant will provide extra resources to complete a project that I believe will be important to students, alumni, and university supporters for decades to come. I'm grateful to the staff at the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program for deeming this project worthy of support. It will mean a lot to our SWOSU family."

The SWOSU Foundation, Inc. has been awarded $19,730 to advance its preservation efforts within the university's athletic collections. Specifically, the grant will facilitate the digitization of 92 seven-inch film reels, preserving historic athletic moments. Upon digitization, this content will be available through the SWOSU Digital Commons, ensuring broad accessibility. Additionally, the funds will support labeling, organization, and archival measures for the film reels, enhancing their preservation and usability.

"Phase two of our digitization efforts in the General Thomas P. Stafford Archives will focus on converting approximately 100 seven-inch film reels from the SWOSU Athletics collections," said Jason Dupree, director of the Al Harris Library. "These historic films of university athletic competitions have not been viewed by the public, and it's our goal to make these films accessible to SWOSU coaching staff, student-athletes, alumni, and other interested parties."

The OHS will distribute over $520,000 in grant funds, with projects ranging from collections care and strategic planning to exhibit development and educational programming.

The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program, an initiative by the OHS, aims to encourage the collection, preservation, and sharing of Oklahoma history at the grassroots level across the state. Open to tribal and municipal governments and not-for-profit historical organizations registered in Oklahoma, this grants program offers funding for projects focused on collections, exhibits, and programming. The OHS, founded in 1893, maintains museums, historic sites, and affiliates across the state, chronicling Oklahoma's rich history through research archives, exhibits, educational programs, and publications.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Since 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly stood on the hilltop in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Offering over 100 affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon, SWOSU provides a diverse range of academic opportunities with high-quality education to its students. The university boasts a vibrant community of nearly 5,000 scholars and over 200 dedicated faculty and staff. With strong academic programs and a commitment to excellence, SWOSU continues to be a top choice for students seeking a quality education.