Jeff Medders to speak at NOC commencement May 2
Cattle rancher and television producer Jeff Medders will address candidates for graduation at Northern Oklahoma College 2026 commencement exercises Saturday, May 2.
NOC Tonkawa and NOC Stillwater candidates will march into Foster-Piper Fieldhouse on the Tonkawa campus at 9:30 a.m. on May 2.
That same day NOC Enid candidates will enter Briggs Auditorium on the Enid campus at 2:30 p.m.
Pinning ceremonies for graduates from the NOC nursing program will take place at 7 p.m. on May 1, in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center in Tonkawa.
“The NOC family is looking forward to celebrating this significant academic milestone for our students,” said NOC President Diana Morris. “We’re also excited for our students to hear from Distinguished Alumnus Jeff Medders who in addition to being incredibly entertaining is an excellent representation of Northern Oklahoma College values.”
Medders, a 2023 NOC Distinguished Alumni, grew up on a ranch in southeastern Oklahoma, where his passion for the western lifestyle and storytelling took root early. By his junior year of high school, he had already set his course—to become a sportscaster—and he has pursued that goal with unwavering focus ever since.
Originally planning to attend Oklahoma State University, Medders instead chose Northern Oklahoma College as a start to his college career after recognizing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through its student-run radio station. That decision proved pivotal, launching a career that began with local sportscasting roles in Midland-Odessa, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In 1988, Medders’ career took a defining turn when he began freelancing for the then-fledgling Winner Communications. Over the next 15 years, he became a familiar face across major networks, hosting programming for ESPN, ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, Animal Planet, and more.
In 1991, Medders became the face of ProRodeo—a role he has carried for more than three decades. His connection to the sport deepened in 2012 when his company, Geronimo Productions, took on a major role in producing television coverage for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Another pivotal chapter came in 2020, when Rural Media Group acquired the PRCA’s television rights. As President and General Manager of The Cowboy Channel, Medders helped transform the visibility of ProRodeo, expanding its reach to more than 70 million homes during a year defined by the challenges of COVID-19.
Today, Medders remains one of the premier television hosts in the western sports world, known for his versatility and authenticity—particularly in programming that centers around the horse and the western way of life. He is currently producing 10 Nights in Vegas, a series he created with Taylor Sheridan.
Medders’ contributions to the industry have earned him induction into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Fame, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma State University Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. He is also recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Northern Oklahoma College.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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