Oklahoma House Speaker Designee Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) along with state Reps. Dell Kerbs (R-Shawnee), John George (R-Edmond) and Kenton Patzkowsky (R-Guymon) visit Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma. Following a morning reception with members of OPSU’s award-winning rodeo team and members of the award-winning livestock judging program, the May 3 tour, led by OPSU President Dr. Julie Dinger, allowed lawmakers to explore the campus and see the extent of deferred maintenance the facility has endured over the years. OPSU Dean of Agriculture Tracy Kincannon led the tour through the student-ran Firestone Meat Lab, where students learn proper animal processing procedures.
Another highlight of the tour was the Panhandle State Farm, which is undergoing renovations. Concluding the tour was OPSU’s new highly coveted shooting range where, after a demonstration from OPSU’s national ranking shooting team, lawmakers each shot clay pigeons and learned how the college is redefining education in No Man’s Land. OPSU is a land grant university that was established in 1909. Current enrollment is approximately 1,200 students.