State of University Address Highlights Records & Champions

Goodwell, Okla.— Dr. Faltyn’s multiple rodeo championship buckles were the originators of a room full of belly laughs from staff and faculty at the State of the University Address on Wednesday, August 8th. The topics that were covered ranged from highlights to investments to academic plans, but not a word was muttered about budget cuts…except to note the fact that there would be no discussion about budget cuts for Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

The Anchor D Bank sponsored breakfast was well received amongst university members in precedence of Dr. Faltyn’s address. After eating, the University President took to highlighting history-making accomplishments of the 2017-2018 academic year. He started with celebrating the facts that Panhandle State welcomed its largest freshman class in the fall of 2017 and closed the school year graduating the most degrees awarded in campus history in the spring. Panhandle State is also on track to beat that record again this coming fall.

“We can all thank athletics for their impressive roster numbers, as well as the staff and faculty for their close attention to recruiting and retention efforts,” Dr. Faltyn said as he stressed the importance of a team win in regards to enrollment numbers.

Robert Etbauer, Shelbie Weeder, and Sue Etbauer were honored for their back to back national rodeo championship feat with trophy buckles and applause. After the room was quiet again, Dr. Faltyn decided to lighten the mood even more, displaying not one, but three championship buckles around his waist, in reference to his excitement last year about the buckle he was honored with for the 2017 National Champion Rodeo team.

Continuing in the “breaking records” category, Dr. Faltyn also emphasized that Oklahoma Panhandle State University is the first college in Oklahoma to become a Hispanic Serving Institution and gave kudos to Teri Mora for all of her hard work in that accomplishment. Looking back on the school, year President Faltyn noted that “there are too many accomplishments to count. If I included all of them, we would be here all day”.

Dr. Faltyn emphasized numerous investments including dorm renovations, sports facilities improvements, shooting sports range, expanded programs, and new competitive teams. He also brought hope and assurance about the future of Panhandle State’s MBA program, emphasizing that the proposal for the addition of the program is now in the hands of a committee that is wise and supportive of Panhandle State. The speech soon morphed into recognizing the numerous ways Panhandle State has been able to save money this year through energy savings programs, grant development, and creating a printer solution program.

Faltyn highlighted not only the importance of having solid academic, strategic, and master plans, but also the importance of the university as a whole coming together and being a part of those plans. He stated that every single staff and faculty member is relevant and holds a place in the plans, encouraging university employees to get involved in understanding and implementing the plans.