Southwestern Oklahoma State University
02/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/13/2026 11:21
Dr. Tugba Sevin Named Finalist for 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence
Dr. Tugba Sevin, Professor of Italian and Spanish at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been named a finalist for the 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in the Regional University/Community College Teaching category, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to public educators in Oklahoma.
Selected through a rigorous statewide review process, Sevin was recognized for her innovative teaching, sustained commitment to student success, and transformative leadership in higher education. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence leaders noted that the margin between the recipient and finalist was exceptionally close, underscoring the distinction of Sevin's accomplishments among the state's top educators.
Sevin joined SWOSU in 2014 and established the World Languages program. She has since developed and implemented 10 online and face-to-face courses in Italian and Spanish, expanding access to language education and modernizing curriculum delivery. She serves as the World Languages Coordinator, sponsors the World Languages and Cultures Association and HALO, and leads the university's chapters of Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Honor Society and Gamma Kappa Alpha National Italian Honor Society. She also coordinates the language lab to support immersive learning and academic assistance for students.
Sevin is currently serving as Co-Chair of the 38th Annual Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Honor Society Convention, which will be held at SWOSU on March 5-7. This event marks the first time a national honor society convention has been hosted at the university.
Her work has received statewide recognition in recent years. In 2025, Sevin received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award in teaching from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, becoming the first SWOSU faculty member to earn the honor. In 2024, she was selected as a DaVinci Fellow for her innovative contributions to teaching and learning, also a first for the university.
The Oklahoma Medal for Excellence honors educators whose passion, creativity, and leadership have a measurable impact on student learning. "Being named a finalist is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the impact of your work as an educator," said Elizabeth Inbody, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Finalists represent the very top tier of educators across the state and are honored at the annual Academic Awards Celebration at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Through her dedication to global education, mentorship, and program development, Sevin continues to strengthen opportunities for students and elevate world language education at SWOSU and across Oklahoma.
To learn more about the World Languages program at SWOSU, visit https://www.swosu.edu/undergraduate/language-literature/world-languages.php.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes! SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on February 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 13, 2026 at 17:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]