SSC and Tourism Council Foundation Partnership Honored

Seminole State College and the Seminole Tourism Council were among colleges, organizations and businesses honored during a Business Partnership Excellence Awards Luncheon held March 7 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

For the past 25 years, the Seminole Tourism Council has supported projects aimed at attracting visitors to Seminole and boosting the local economy. This includes funding more than 100 events, programs, building projects and marketing activities. Over the last decade, the Council has directed funds to support the creation, development, operation and improvements for SSC’s Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. This $12 million facility has been a catalyst for other economic development – including helping stimulate the building of a new housing addition, a hotel, two restaurants and a family fun center.

Initially, the Council matched college funds to support a position designed to help plan the complex and recruit tournaments and events. On subsequent occasions, the Council funded specific projects at the field, such as enhancing the soccer field, fencing the property, purchasing sod for walkway areas and purchasing materials for additional parking lots.

“We are so honored to have our partnership with the Seminole Tourism Council recognized through this awards program. They have been an integral part to the success of the sports complex,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

SSC Nursing Partners with Local Agencies for Disaster Training Event

Seminole State College nursing students got a hands-on experience in disaster response on Feb. 28 at the softball field parking lot on campus. Nursing students worked alongside local agencies to respond to a simulated school bus wreck.

The scenario was designed to test the students’ ability to assess the situation and work alongside other first responders to triage and treat patients. The students acted as nurses, while volunteers played the roles of injured bus passengers.

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SSC Receives Community Health Grant from SSM Health

Pictured (left to right): SSM Health Senior Community Health Specialist Jose Rojas, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee President Angi Mohr and Psychology Professor and Help Center Coordinator Christal Knowles hold up a check representing the recently received community health grant from SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee.

Seminole State College recently received a community health grant from SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee in the amount of $10,000. The grant will be used to continue offering free mental health counseling to students through the College’s Help Center. Pictured (left to right): SSM Health Senior Community Health Specialist Jose Rojas, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee President Angi Mohr and Psychology Professor and Help Center Coordinator Christal Knowles.

SSC Talent Search Attends TRIO Day at Capitol

Pictured (left to right): Seminole High School sophomore Gabriella Factor, SSC Student Support Services student Mark Factor, SSC TRIO Accounting Clerk Yahnah Factor, McLoud High School senior Alyssa Sudduth, Talent Search Advisor Tina Savage, McLoud High School senior Madalynn Taylor, Minority Floor Leader Andy Fugate and Talent Search Advisor Rachelle Jones.

Participants and staff with the SSC Talent Search/FOCUS Program attended TRIO Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Feb. 28. Attendees from throughout the state filled the House of Representatives Chambers and overflow rooms to raise awareness about the importance of educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation students. Pictured (left to right): Seminole High School sophomore Gabriella Factor, SSC Student Support Services student Mark Factor, SSC TRIO Accounting Clerk Yahnah Factor, McLoud High School senior Alyssa Sudduth, Talent Search Advisor Tina Savage, McLoud High School senior Madalynn Taylor, Minority Floor Leader Andy Fugate and Talent Search Advisor Rachelle Jones. TRIO programs are a set of federal outreach and student services programs designed to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The TRIO programs at SSC are Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Talent Search. For more information about the grant programs, visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs

SSC Professors Present at Popular Culture Conference

Four Seminole State College language arts and humanities professors presented at the 2024 Southwest Popular and American Culture Association (SWPACA) Conference during the week of Feb. 21-24 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A panel consisting of Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, Associate Professor of English Andrew Davis and Associate Professor English Yasminda Choate presented on pedagogical approaches to teaching writing composition through the lens of popular culture, titled “Aerosmith to Zombies: Using Pop Culture to Engage Students in First-Year Writing.” Juhasz also read two short stories, “All American and “Where the Wild Things Were,” from his most recent collection, “As If Place Matters.” Associate Professor of English Jessica Isaacs read poetry from her manuscript “Mother Makes Potions.”

The four professors teach English Composition, Creative Writing, Film and Literature courses at SSC.

The mission of the SWPACA is to promote an innovative and nontraditional academic movement in humanities and social sciences celebrating America’s cultural heritages. The annual conference provides an outlet for scholars, writers, and others interested in popular/American culture to share ideas in a professional atmosphere and increase awareness and improve public perceptions of America’s cultural traditions and diverse populations.

Bagwell and Horne Families Make Donation to SSC

Seminole State College Educational Foundation Trustee and Vision Bank President and CEO Steve Bagwell (left) recently donated several prints of artwork by Kelly Haney and other items to SSC. SSC Talent Search Advisor Damaris Haney (center), the daughter of Kelly Haney, and President Lana Reynolds (right) accepted the donation on behalf of the College. The items donated were part of the late Bill Horne’s private collection. In addition to Haney’s work, the donated items included prints from artist George Montgomery, famous for his depiction of the American West, and a headdress that was gifted to Horne by Haney in the 1970s. Horne, Bagwell’s father-in-law, was a member of the Vision Bank Board of Directors and an honorary Chief of the Methodist Indian Mission of Oklahoma. Haney served as a State Representative, a State Senator and Chair of the Appropriations committee – as well as in tribal government. The Enoch Kelly Haney Center on SSC’s campus carries his name as a tribute to his efforts to bring funding to the College. The donated works of art will be displayed in the Haney Center alongside many other pieces by the artist.

SSC Physical Therapist Assistant Program to Host Meet and Greet

Seminole State College will host a meet and greet event for students interested in enrolling in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program on Feb. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center campus in Shawnee.

At the meet and greet, prospective students will have the opportunity to meet faculty and graduates, explore the field of physical therapy, learn about job opportunities, received in-depth information on the program’s degree plan and learn about how to pay for the program.

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SSC Professor Delivers Presidents’ Day Presentation

Pictured, Seminole State College Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen speaks to students, faculty, staff and community members at an event honoring Presidents’ Day at the College on February 16 in the Utterback Ballroom.

Seminole State College Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen speaks to students, faculty, staff and community members at an event honoring Presidents’ Day at the College on February 16 in the Utterback Ballroom. This year’s presentation was titled “Dwight D. Eisenhower: Solider and Statesman,” and focused on the 34th president’s early life, military service during the Second World War and his time in the Oval Office.

SSC Board of Regents Ratifies Name of Trojan Baseball Field

The Seminole State College Board of Regents approved a resolution to support the current law regarding firearm restrictions on college campuses and ratified the naming of the Trojan home baseball field at their meeting on Feb. 15.

During her report to the Board, President Lana Reynolds discussed campus events, personnel changes, progress on the Wellness Center Construction project and legislative activities.

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SSC Educational Foundation Honored with Community Award

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation received the David L. Boren Community Achievement Award at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce’s recent annual banquet in recognition of the economic impact their Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex had on the community of Seminole during 2023. The award was presented on Feb. 6 at the Utterback Ballroom on the College’s campus.

The award is bestowed upon individuals or organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service and engagement. The award also honored the Foundation’s longstanding efforts to raise funds for scholarships and campus capital projects and its operation of the SSC Rural Business and Resources Center, which provides economic development to communities throughout the College’s service area.

Trustees are pictured with the award (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Roy Sisco, Lance Wortham, Chris Moore, Billy Norton and Mark Schell.
Several members of the Board of Trustees of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation were present at the Seminole Chamber banquet to share in the honor given to their organization
for its positive impact on the community. Trustees pictured (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Roy Sisco, Lance Wortham, Chris Moore, Billy Norton and Mark Schell.
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