At Oklahoma Panhandle State University, the Alumni Ambassador Hall of Fame is a tribute to individuals whose passion, dedication and legacy continue to shape the fabric of the university and its community.
This year’s honorees are Bill Newman and the late Mark Freeman.
Newman, a 1964 graduate of Perryton High School, initially rodeoed at South Plains before his friends, Dale Johnson and Bob Crill, persuaded him to transfer to Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College, now known as OPSU. It was there, under the mentorship of rodeo sponsor Lynn Gardner, that Newman found not only a competitive outlet but a family and a future. The real estate owner continues to support the rodeo program.
Freeman’s story is one of devotion—devotion to family, community and his beloved Panhandle. Born in Guymon, Oklahoma, and raised in Texhoma, Freeman’s deep roots in the region are a testament to his commitment to the people and land that shaped him. After graduating from high school in 1972, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at Oklahoma State University, returning home to the Panhandle to build his life and career.
In 1978, Freeman began his professional journey at Anchor D Bank (formerly First National Bank of Texhoma), where he would serve for more than four decades. As president of the bank, he played a pivotal role in securing Anchor D Bank’s naming rights for OPSU’s basketball arena and football stadium—marking a landmark partnership between the bank and the university.
Freeman also was well-known for his civic service to his community.
Freeman died on Nov. 19, 2024.
Julie Dinger, president of Oklahoma Panhandle State University, said, “Bill Newman and Mark Freeman exemplify the grit, resilience and strong sense of community that define the Oklahoma Panhandle. Bill’s steadfast dedication to supporting our rodeo program and nurturing rodeo athletes is truly inspiring. Mark’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the Panhandle community have left a profound and lasting legacy. I am so grateful that the Alumni Association has chosen to recognize these two outstanding men by inducting them into the Hall of Fame.”
This year’s induction will be hosted on the OPSU Campus on Jan. 18 in the Athletics Team Room starting at 5 p.m. with a reception and the ceremony starting at 6 p.m.
