Randy Beulter

Randy L. Beutler (pictured left) was raised on a ranch near Elk City. He is a rancher, educator, and former legislator. Beutler holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a juris doctorate degree. Randy taught history and government at Weatherford High School where he was named "Teacher of the Year" in both 1987 and 1990.

In 1992 Beutler was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from Elk City and served until 2000. During his tenure in the legislature, he rose to the position of Majority Whip. In 2003 Beutler was selected by Governor Brad Henry as his legislative liaison to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

In 2010 Beutler was selected as the 17th president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). During his tenure as president, the university completed the largest building project in its history with a new event center and started the process of building a new pharmacy/rural health center on campus. Beutler also continued to teach a history class each year at the university during his presidency. He retired from SWOSU in 2021.

Ranching and western heritage are very strong in the Beutler family. Randy’s great-grandfather, John N. Beutler, established a ranch in Oklahoma Territory in 1892. Beutler continues that western tradition as co-owner of a ranching partnership, Beutler-Redd Ranches. An avid historian, Beutler has published several articles related to Oklahoma and western history.

In 2015 he was inducted into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame and in 2022 was named a Distinguished Alumnus of SWOSU. Beutler is currently a member of the Stafford Air & Space Museum Board, the Oklahoma Historical Society Board, and the Oklahoma State Fair Board.

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