Attorney and former Oklahoma City police officer Irven Box spoke to Assistant Professor of Social Sciences Paul B. Smith’s American Government class at Seminole State College on Sept. 29. Box, whose nearly six-decade career spans civil rights, civil liberties and criminal law, along with TV legal analysis during the O.J. Simpson trials and coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing case, tied his experiences to the class’s study of the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments.
Seminole State College Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen addresses a packed audience during the College’s annual Constitution Day event on Sept. 17 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall. Christiansen’s presentation, titled “The Story of the Bill of Rights,” explored the historical roots, drafting and enduring impact of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Seminole State College recently hosted 22 business office professionals from 14 public colleges, universities, and agencies across the State for a “Networking Beyond the Budget” workshop and luncheon. The event was held at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Those in attendance included (pictured left to right): Nick Hathaway, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Mark McMullen, Tulsa Community College; Melanie Rinehart, Seminole State College; Zachary Dumas, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Andrew Boes, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Damita Kennedy, University of Central Oklahoma; Cheryl Moudy, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; Nicole McPhetridge, University of Oklahoma; Jon Fields, Redlands Community College; Anita Simpson, Northern Oklahoma College; Audra Biggs, Northern Oklahoma College; Julie Hix, Seminole State College; Michael Allgood, Rogers State University; David Pecha, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; Bobby Fisher, Rose State College; Ashley Bishop, Tulsa Community College; Kent Lashley, Rose State College; Lori Boyd, Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Mark Bisson, Southeastern Oklahoma State University; Brittney Whitsell, East Central University; Chandra Miller, East Central University; and Ryan McCulloch, Tulsa Community College.
Seminole State College is enrolling now for its second eight-week session. Classes begin Oct. 13, and run through Dec. 13. Enrollment remains open through Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Continue reading “SSC Opens Enrollment for Second Eight-Week Classes”
Seminole State College will commemorate Constitution Day with a special presentation by Social Sciences Division Chair and Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. in the Haney Center Lecture Hall. Entitled “The Story of the Bill of Rights,” the talk will explore the historical roots of civil liberties, the drafting and ratification of the first ten amendments and their evolving application over the past 200 years. Complimentary pocket-sized U.S. Constitutions will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. Pictured: Christiansen speaks at last year’s Constitution Day event.
Seminole State College has hired Paul B. Smith, J.D. and Dr. Brenda Prochaska as Assistant Professors in the College’s Social Sciences Division. Smith, a former District Attorney for Oklahoma’s 22nd Judicial District, will help the College prepare to launch an Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies in August 2026.
Smith served as District Attorney for District 22 — which includes Seminole, Hughes and Pontotoc counties — from January 2017 to January 2023. He previously held leadership roles in the office, including First Assistant District Attorney and Chief Prosecutor beginning in 2011, and Assistant District Attorney from 1990 to 2011.
During his tenure, Smith prosecuted major felony cases across the district, including a 2017 “no-body” child-abuse murder case — a homicide pursued without the victim’s remains — that drew state and national attention. He also led or participated in appellate and policy work related to jurisdictional changes following McGirt v. Oklahoma. He was admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, authorizing him to file briefs and appear before the court.
Continue reading “SSC Expands Social Sciences Division, Aims to Launch Paralegal Program”
Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class visited Riversport in Oklahoma City on Sept. 4 to learn about the Boathouse District and participate in team-building exercises. Pictured: students take part in the Dragon Boat Challenge on the Oklahoma River, working together to steer.
PLC students test their rhythm and endurance in Riversport’s Boathouse Experience, an indoor rowing simulator.
State Sen. Mark Mann (D-District 46), who represents Del City and parts of Oklahoma City, speaks with students before dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Sen. Mann shared updates on 2028 Olympic events planned for OKC, including rowing and softball, and discussed tourism’s statewide impact. He then concluded his talk with details about student-focused legislation and ways to get involved in local and state government.
Seminole State College’s men’s golf team won the Southwestern Christian Invitational, and the women finished second, at Earlywine Golf Course in Oklahoma City on Sept. 2-3.
The men were eight shots off the lead and in third place with 18 holes to play before posting their best round of the tournament to secure first. Bryson Parker led the charge with a 2-under 70 in the final round and finished second individually at 2-over par for three rounds.
The women placed second behind a closing-day surge that featured three rounds in the 70s: a 77 from Katelyn Rigsby, a 78 from Chelsea Powell and a 79 from Peyton Black. Black finished sixth individually.
Seminole State was the only two-year college in a field of 10 teams.
“I was very proud of how our men and women competed. We’ll build on this and look forward to a good season,” Head Coach Ronnie Williamson said.
Seminole State College has selected 26 freshmen students for Class XIX of the President’s Leadership Class.
The leadership students, along with their parents, attended a reception held at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Tuesday, August 26.
SSC President Lana Reynolds opened the evening with a warm welcome to students and their families. Members of the college’s Administrative Council then shared insights about their departments and how they contribute to student success. Speakers included Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President for Finance, Grants & Enrollment; Jessica Isaacs, Dean of Instruction; and Marc Hunter, Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer.
Continue reading “SSC Announces New President’s Leadership Class”