SWOSU Department of Business

10/02/2026

Jordan Selman
From studying Entrepreneurship at SWOSU to eventually returning to the classroom as a university professor, this week’s throwback features a familiar Bulldog face, Ms. Selman! Her journey is a great reminder that you don’t always have to know exactly where your career is headed to find where you’re meant to be.

“I majored in Entrepreneurship as an undergraduate. At the time, my plan was pretty simple: graduate, enter the workforce, and see where the opportunities took me. I definitely did not have my entire career path mapped out.

If I could give my undergraduate self one piece of advice, it would be to join a club, attend campus events, meet new people, and branch out more. Some of the best parts of the college experience happen outside the classroom.

For current Bulldogs, my advice is to get involved and make connections. Get to know the other students in your classes, build relationships with your faculty, ask questions, and engage in what is happening around you. Those relationships and experiences can make a bigger difference than you realize.

Never in a million years would my younger self have predicted that I would end up teaching at the university level! I enjoy being around students, getting to know them, and watching them grow in confidence as they prepare for their careers. My career path has taken me in directions I never expected, and I’m grateful that it did.”

And we can’t forget the throwback photo itself! From the old-school digital camera days to the memories made at SWOSU, some things may change, but being a Bulldog never goes out of style.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give your undergraduate self? Let us know down below! 👇

10/01/2026

From studying abroad in Austria and the Czech Republic to taking on leadership roles across campus, Mollie Mefferd has made the most of her time at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

A December 2026 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management, Mollie has been named to the President’s & Dean’s Honor Roll every semester and was recognized as the Outstanding Student in Human Resource Management in Spring 2026. She also served as President of the Global Leadership Initiative and Treasurer of Zeta Phi, was initiated into Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, and gained valuable professional experience through an internship with Northwest Crane and Logistics.

We asked Mollie what she enjoyed most about her time at SWOSU and in the Department of Business:

“Gaining valuable friendships to last a lifetime.”

Mollie’s SWOSU experience has also challenged her to grow both personally and professionally. She shared that her favorite part of the Department of Business is
“being challenged every day but always being able to gain help from my amazing professors.”

Today, Mollie is working as a Human Resource / Safety Administrator at Totran Transportation Services. After graduation, she plans to continue gaining experience in human resources as she builds her career.

Congratulations, Mollie! We’re proud to celebrate all you’ve accomplished at SWOSU, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next! GO DAWGS! 🐾💙

09/30/2026

From cheering on the Hilltop to building a career in accounting, Kaitlyn Wilson’s SWOSU journey gave her the experiences, relationships, and confidence to thrive long after graduation.

Kaitlyn earned her Bachelor of Accounting in 2022, followed by her MBA in 2023. During her time at SWOSU, she was involved across campus as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Delta Mu Delta, New Student Orientation, and the Student Government Association (SGA). She also spent countless hours cheering at campus and athletic events, serving as co-captain during her final two seasons.

Within SGA, Kaitlyn served two years as a representative, one year overseeing special projects and coordinating events like drive-ins and bingo nights, and her final semester as Vice President. She also worked in the Registrar’s Office, helping students with enrollment and transcript requests.

Two of her favorite SWOSU memories were receiving the Outstanding Accounting Student Award in 2022 and watching both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams capture GAC Championships in the same year. Experiencing those moments alongside her best friends made them even more special!

After graduation, Kaitlyn began her career with Love’s Travel Stops as an Income Tax Accountant. While working full-time, she completed her MBA, helped recruit for the company’s internship program, and began building her professional career. After two and a half years in Income Tax, she transitioned to Store Payables, where she now works as an Inventory Staff Accountant II, gaining experience in automation, inventory accounting, and managerial accounting.

Outside of work, Kaitlyn serves on the Dobson CBT Business Professionals Advisory Board and the Redbud Classic Board, staying connected to business and community development.

What did she enjoy most about SWOSU?

"The people! There truly is no place like the Hilltop. The support, encouragement, and sense of community I experienced at SWOSU is incredible."

Her advice for current Bulldogs?

"Dive in! The more you invest in your college experience, the more you will gain from it."

The leadership opportunities, mentorship, and professional experiences Kaitlyn gained at SWOSU helped give her the confidence and foundation to succeed. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog! GO DAWGS! 🐾💙

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

Interested in investing? Come check out the SWOSU Investment Group!

The SWOSU Investment Group gives students an opportunity to learn more about investing, discuss the markets, and build practical financial knowledge alongside fellow students.

📍 Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
📌 STF 117
All are welcome!

The group is led by faculty adviser, Marc Leonard, with student officers Kayle Ivey, Dylan Hunt, and Cooper Patton.

Whether you’re already interested in investing or just curious about how it works, come join us!

09/25/2026

From starting out as a Music (vocal performance) major to a 22-year career as a programming engineer and eventually returning to school to earn a Ph.D., this week’s throwback is a reminder that you never really know where life will take you!

If I could give my undergraduate self some advice, I would tell myself you don't have to learn everything the hard way.

My advice for current students would be to learn as much as you can about as many things as possible. You never really know what changes will occur during your life, but we absolutely know they will. The one tool that has served me well through all eight of my lives was the ability to learn and find answers.

After music, I entered the job market in 1983 during the first Reagan Presidential term, at a time when there were very few jobs. I took a position that seemed completely outside anything I had expected. Before long, someone needed to learn how to program 5-axis machining centers. There were no schools for it, so I was sent to California several times with two others to learn from the software language developers. That unexpected opportunity turned into a 22-year career as a programming engineer!

At some point, my wife and I realized that since we had been lifelong learners at every stage, we might as well get some credit for it. That’s what led us both back to school later in life to complete our Ph.D.s.

My favorite class was history with a retired Brigadier General as the professor. It was 100% lectures and tests, but it felt like watching history unfold right in front of you. (And yes, the tests were really hard!)

And as for those old photos… my feathered hair and mustache were definitely the style for many of those early years! 😂

My favorite campus memory was actually returning to OSU with my wife, where we had first met as undergraduates, to complete our Ph.D.s. Looking back, I realized how much I had missed by thinking I was too cool to really enjoy being on campus, I had never been in the library or many other buildings before going back. What a waste of great and fun opportunities."

From music to machining to higher education, this story is proof that the path doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful. Sometimes, the best opportunities are the ones you never saw coming. 💙

09/24/2026

Addie Schmidt
From cheering on the sidelines to co-leading FCA, Addison Schmidt has made the absolute most of her time at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude in Spring 2026 with her bachelor's in business marketing, Addison was named the 2026 Dobson College of Business and Technology Outstanding Student in Marketing and maintained a place on the Dean’s Honor Roll throughout her undergraduate career. Her time on the Hilltop has been packed with leadership and involvement, including three years on the cheer team, President’s Leadership Class (PLC Class 18), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and active involvement at First Baptist Church of Weatherford.

Beyond campus life, Addison built valuable professional experience working at the SWOSU Wellness Center, the Beanery, the Burton House, and through an internship with Merryman Accounting Services. When asked about her time at SWOSU and in the Department of Business, Addison shared:

“I love SWOSU because it feels like home, everyone, faculty and staff included, wants to help you reach your goals. The Department of Business has helped me in ways far beyond just my education. It has helped me develop as a person and find the path I need to take. The professors truly recognize you and want to help; you just need to reach out, and sometimes they even reach out to you first. Truly a big family on the Hilltop.”

Addison’s SWOSU journey is far from over! She is continuing her education on the Hilltop to pursue her Master of Science in Managerial Leadership while serving as the Graduate Assistant for the Business Department, continuing her work with Merryman Accounting Services, and serving as Co-President of FCA alongside her great friend, Otto Hedén.

Congratulations, Addison! We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll continue to achieve on the Hilltop! GO DAWGS!🐾💙

09/23/2026

Tyler Freeburg From Thomas to Weatherford, and now in Clinton, Tyler Freeburg’s journey at SWOSU is a testament to the power of growth, connection, and hometown pride.

Tyler earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2020, where he was honored as the SWOSU Finance Student of the Year, before completing his MBA in 2021. Beyond his academic achievements, Tyler was actively involved on campus through Delta Mu Delta, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), intramural basketball, playing a key role in founding the SWOSU Student Investment Group, and currently serves on the Everett Dobson College of Business Advisory Board.

Looking back, some of Tyler’s favorite SWOSU memories come from the strong connections he built, networking with incredible students and faculty over five years, competing on the intramural basketball courts, and taking an unforgettable study abroad trip to Toronto with his wife. He credits the Everett Dobson College of Business & Technology for offering a truly personalized experience where professors knew him by name and invested directly in his success.

Today, Tyler serves as President and Board Member at Oklahoma Bank and Trust in Clinton, Oklahoma, a journey that began as a bank teller in 2020 and led to his recent graduation from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado Boulder. Active in his local community, he also proudly serves as a member of the Clinton Lions Club.

His top advice for current Bulldogs?

"Whether you are a freshman or a senior, never stop wanting to grow. I am still learning and expanding my education every single day. Find what you love, pursue it with passion, and keep growing in your work."

SWOSU gave Tyler the foundation to lead, serve, and thrive right here in Western Oklahoma. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog! GO DAWGS! 🐾💙

https://www.theclintondailynews.com/main-news/freeburg-promoted-president-oklahoma-bank-trust

09/21/2026

"The couches in Stafford are the comfiest." - Lake H.

It's MONDAY! Take a break between classes and chat with a friend on our comfy couches! Even try to cram in a study session on Floor Two!