P A N H A N D L E S T A T E ASSOCIATION OF ALUMNI & FRIENDS PO BOX 430 * GOODWELL, OK 73939-0430

Website: alumni.opsu.edu

facebook.com/opsu.alumni

or call 580-349-1390

or email

opsu.alumni@opsu.edu or opsu.alumni.secretary@opsu.edu

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

GOODWELL OK 73939

PERMIT 1

Panhandle State Association of Alumni & Friends

Homecoming September 22, 2018

________________________________________________________________

Alumni Meet-up / Registration: McKee Library

Tail-Gating: Anchor D Stadium Area ________________________________________________________________

Alumni Honored Family 2018 Stedje Family

2018 - ALUMNI FALL NEWS -

9:00 - Alumni Registration & Meet-up - McKee Library

10:00 - Honored Family Reception - Stedje - Univ. House

11:00 - Parade / Tailgating

11:45 - Honored Family Tree

12:00 - Alumni / Seaboard BBQ

2:00 - Game - OPSU vs Wayland Baptist Univ.

An interesting story with roots in Norway spanning two continents, two countries, and three states, the Stedje Family is native to the Oslo Community located 15 miles southeast of Goodwell, Okla. This large Norwegian family has 28 members spanning four generations who attended Panhandle State University. Fifteen Bachelors Degrees were earned from Panhandle State from 1939 to 2014. The Stedjes who attended include six farmers/ranchers, nine teachers, counselors, bankers, a technician, a musician, and salesmen.

Jens Larson Stedje moved to America in 1869. After spending some time in Wisconsin and Iowa Jens Michael purchased land in 1916 in Hansford County, Texas. In 1922, the family made the move to the Oslo Community The unexpected death of Jens Michael left his wife, Clara, alone to care for the five children and to manage their farm. Clara Stedje instilled in her children the importance of education, hard work, honesty, and love. The five children remained connected to the Oslo Lutheran Church and Community. Their descendants continue to be active in the area.

Marie, Clifford, and Anna Marie Stedje (wife of Gordon Stedje) are in the first generation of Panhandle State attendees, with Anna Marie who graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and taught in Gruver, Texas.

Clifford Stedje attended Panhandle A&M in 1939 & 1940 and became a machinist at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. He served in the US Army Air Corp working on B-17 and C47 aircrafts. After WWII, he started farming and ranching with brothers James and Gordon in the Oslo community.

Mike, Judy, Dennis, Kathy, Lynn, Jan, and Steve Stedje, Diane Stedje Battles, Marilyn Stedje Doege and Barbara Stedje Wise all attended between 1966-1975.

Mike graduated from Panhandle in 1969 with a BS in Business and Lynn graduated in 1972 with a BS in Agronomy. Mike and Lynn formed Stedje Brothers and farmed and ranched for 46 years.

Mike’s wife, Judy, graduated from Panhandle State with a BS in Psychology. She earned her master’s degree and now works as a Licensed

Professional Counselor in Guymon, Okla. Mike and Judy’s grandson, Heath Gammon (son of their daughter Tamra Stedje Gammon), attended classes at Panhandle State. Lynn’s wife, Jan, graduated from Panhandle with a BS in Speech and Home Economics. Also in the second

generation of Panhandle State graduates are Dennis and Kathy Stedje. Dennis graduated with a BA in History in 1971. He farmed in Oslo until his death in 2000. Dennis’s wife, Kathy, graduated in 1978 with a BA in Elementary Education. She was a beloved teacher in Morse, Texas until her death in 1997. Their legacy at Panhandle State continues with the Kathy and Dennis Stedje Memorial Scholarship which is open to students participating in the Livestock Judging program. Their 2 children, Shelley Stedje Singleton and Scott Stedje, also attended Panhandle State.

Of the 16 third generation Stedjes and spouses who remained in the Oslo/Gruver areas, 14 of them attended classes at Panhandle State and eight of them earned degrees between 1995-2004.

Mike’s son, Brent Stedje, and his wife Julie Rouser Stedje graduated in 1995. Brent graduated with a BS in Animal Science. Julie attended Panhandle State and is an LVN in Spearman, Texas. Brent and his brother Tim farm/ranch as Stedje Livestock.

Lee Stedje is the son of Lynn. He graduated in 2000 with a BS in Agronomy and Industrial Technology. He was part of Stedje Livestock until 2012 when he began work with DCP and then Tri-County Electric as technician in the service department. Lee’s wife, Becky, graduated in 2000 with a BS in Animal Science/Education.

Krista Stedje Davis graduated in 2002 with a BS in Biology Education. Her husband, Buster Davis was on the rodeo team at Panhandle in 1978-1979. Buster is the Senior Vice President at Gruver State Bank. Jill Stedje Watson graduated in 1997 with a BS in Mathematics.

There are several Stedje family currently at Gruver ISD. Erica Salmans Stedje, married to Scott Stedje, graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and teaches fourth grade. Julie Latta

2018 - Honored Family Stedje Family

Panhandle State President

Alumni and Friends- I know I speak for all of campus when I say that we’re looking forward to another great year after

recording record-high enrollment and graduating numbers as well as celebrating national championships from our rodeo team, PBL, and AITP. Thank you for your support as we carry on the tradition of excellence, striving to impact our students’ lives and change the trajectory of their futures.

With the fall semester just getting

started, numerous opportunities for our students are being displayed through the things they are learning on campus and representing what, I believe, is the best university in our region.

It’s encouraging to go back and review all of the improvements we have made as we continue to pursue our tradition of excellence, but it’s even more moving to look to the future and the great things that are yet to come. As we walked across the stage at our 2018 commencement, we awarded the most degrees in school history, and we are anticipating another record-breaking

year for the 2018-2019 school year. We became the first Hispanic

Serving Institution in Oklahoma this year, and are looking forward to not only being able to serve our Hispanic student population even better, but also being able to give future Hispanic students an avenue that will fit their needs and a welcoming community.

Expansions, renovations, and updates continue for our university and we would love for you to come out to take a look at the high energy around campus. It’s a great year to be an Aggie! Dr. Tim Faltyn, President

Panhandle Alumni President

Alumni- A new year has started with lots of

excitement and great things happening at Panhandle State! The new alumni database is installed and we will be asking you to update your information so we can keep you informed about Panhandle happenings. Send us address updates, success stories and pictures to share via email: opsu.alumni@opsu.edu.

New Alumni Shirts are ready for you to wear with pride! We have both long and short sleeves as well as

large sizes! Order at alumni.opsu.edu I hope you will join us at the

Alumni Meet-up in Amarillo on Sept. 8 at the Downtown Courtyard followed by a tailgate and football game with WTAMU.

Homecoming is early this year – Sept. 22. Plan to join us at McKee Library for registration, University House for the Honored Family Reception for the Stedje family, parade, BBQ, and the ballgame. Follow us at www.Facebook.com/opsu.alumni to keep up with what is happening on campus. We are looking forward to seeing you this fall!

Diane Murphey

Stedje, married to Tim Stedje, took classes at Panhandle State that allowed her to fulfill prerequisites to become the district’s speech-language pathologist. Jill Stedje Watson is a Calculus teacher and Krista Stedje Davis teaches Chemistry and Physics at Gruver High School.

The Stedje Family also has an artistic side. Sisters Brianne and Lauree Beth Stedje Marshall attended classes at Panhandle State. Lauree Beth graduated with a BA in Music and a minor in History. Lauree Beth and her husband live in Oklahoma City. After earning her master’s degree, Brianne returned to Guymon as a counselor at Panhandle Counseling and Health.

Panhandle State has been an integral part in the education of the Stedje Family and has assisted them in becoming a successful family who contribute greatly to their community through their faith, values, service, and vocations.

2018 Homecoming Schedule

9:00 - Alumni Registration & Meet-up - McKee Library

10:00 - Honored Family Reception Stedje - Univ. House

11:00 - Parade / Tailgating

11:45 - Honored Family Tree

12:00 - Alumni / Seaboard BBQ

2:00 - Game - OPSU vs Wayland Baptist Univ.

- Half-time - Honored Family Recognition Stedje Family

AVAILABLE NOW

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73939-0430

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Recent Obituaries of Alumni & Friends

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Panhandle State Career Services

Once an Aggie, always an Aggie! We are eager

to provide you with support and keep you connected! We invite you to take advantage of the Aggie Job

Board (www.collegecentral.com/opsu/) whether you are looking for a job or your current employer is interested in searching Aggie resumes and posting positions. The online Aggie Job Board also provides additional resources such as resume building, career preparation and podcasts.

Majors Fair: We welcome you to join us at our

inaugural Majors Fair on October 10th to share your story. Often the best advice comes from listening and connecting with those who have personal experience. Speak with current students about the major you pursued and your career field. Contact our Academic Resource Center for additional information.

We would like to hear from you! What would you

like to see from your Panhandle State Career Services? Send your ideas to Sarah Green - sjgreen@opsu.edu.