Simmons to Be Honored at NJCAA Legacy Awards

March 13, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, former Seminole State College Head Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons speaks to the crowd during the 2024 Trojan Baseball First Pitch Banquet. — Former Seminole State College Head Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons will be honored at the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards on June 17 in Charlotte North Carolina. (File Photo from the 2024 Trojan Baseball First Pitch Banquet.)

Former Seminole State College Trojans Head Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons will be recognized at the National Junior College Athletic Association Coaches Legacy Awards. The event, which celebrates the winningest coaches in NJCAA history, will take place on June 17 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Simmons led the Trojans from 1975 to 2001 and again from 2012 to 2016. Over the course of his career, he amassed 1,804 wins, cementing his status as one of the most successful coaches in NJCAA history.

Under his leadership, SSC made 13 appearances at the NJCAA World Series, finishing as the national runner-up on four occasions. His teams also secured 16 NJCAA Region II titles and 13 NJCAA District championships.

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Presidents’ Assistants Gather at SSC to Share Insights

March 12, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, posing as a group are Presidents’ assistants from colleges across the state. Pictured (left to right): Michelle Nutter, Rose State College; Denise Bay, Northern Oklahoma College; Kinzi Hull, Redlands Community College; Courtney Payne, Carl Albert State College; Candace Raney, Eastern Oklahoma State College; Derotha Rivenbark, Connors State College; Mechell Downey, Seminole State College; and Tisha Simon, Seminole State College.

Presidents’ assistants from colleges across the state gathered at Seminole State College on March 7 for a networking session in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Board Room. The event, hosted by SSC, featured discussions on scheduling tools, AI advancements for assistants, open meetings and records, campus morale initiatives and future meeting topics. SSC President Lana Reynolds welcomed attendees, and participants enjoyed a lunch courtesy of the College. Pictured (left to right): Michelle Nutter, Rose State College; Denise Bay, Northern Oklahoma College; Kinzi Hull, Redlands Community College; Courtney Payne, Carl Albert State College; Candace Raney, Eastern Oklahoma State College; Derotha Rivenbark, Connors State College; Mechell Downey, Seminole State College; and Tisha Simon, Seminole State College.

SSC Joins Read Across America to Encourage Young Readers

March 10, 2025Josh Hutton

In this picture, SSC Assistant Volleyball Coach Bobbi Leitha and Softball Head Coach Amber Flores pose for a photo with Mrs. Marley’s class following their reading on March 6.

From March 3-7, Seminole State College employees and students shared their love of reading with Mrs. Donna Marley’s second-grade class at Wilson Elementary School in Seminole during Read Across America Week. The nationwide initiative encourages children to explore literature, fostering empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Pictured: SSC Assistant Volleyball Coach Bobbi Leitha and Softball Head Coach Amber Flores pose for a photo with Mrs. Marley’s class following their reading on March 6.

SSC President Lana Reynolds reads “If I Ran a Zoo” by Dr. Seuss to Mrs. Marley’s second-grade class on March 7.

Local Business Leaders and SSC Faculty Collaborate on Workforce Readiness

March 3, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Faculty members from Seminole State College’s Business and Education division meet with local business leaders during a Business Advisory Meeting. Pictured (left to right): SSC Business and Education Division Chair Tammy Kasterke, Assistant Professor Brad Schatzel, Edward Jones Financial Advisor Mitch Enos, Seminole Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Britt, Assistant Professor Stephen Brooks, Business and Education Division Office Manager Tabatha Lusk, SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Director Danny Morgan, SSC Business and Industry Coordinator Talina Lee, Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon and South Central Industries CEO Tina Hanna.

Faculty members from Seminole State College’s Business and Education division met with local business leaders during a Business Advisory Meeting held on campus on Feb. 27. The discussion focused on how SSC can better support local businesses, essential skills students need to develop, internship opportunities and adapting to the evolving workforce landscape. Pictured (left to right): SSC Business and Education Division Chair Tammy Kasterke, Assistant Professor Brad Schatzel, Edward Jones Financial Advisor Mitch Enos, Seminole Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Britt, Assistant Professor Stephen Brooks, Business and Education Division Office Manager Tabatha Lusk, SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Director Danny Morgan, SSC Business and Industry Coordinator Talina Lee, Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon and South Central Industries CEO Tina Hanna.

SSC Board of Regents Approves Cross-Country Program and Tenure for Ag Professor

February 24, 2025Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Board of Regents awarded tenure to Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich (center) at their meeting on Feb. 24. Also pictured are SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and Board of Regents Chair Curtis Morgan (right).

The Seminole State College Board of Regents convened to discuss the awarding of tenure to a faculty member, the establishment of a new cross-country program, and a revised lease-purchase agreement for the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex on Feb. 24. The meeting date was rescheduled from Feb. 20 due to inclement weather.

The meeting began with a report from SSC President Lana Reynolds, who provided updates on campus activities, legislative developments and athletic programs.

With the first action item, the Board considered and approved the awarding of tenure to Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Slusher-Rich. President Reynolds presented the tenure recommendation, highlighting Professor Rich’s contributions to student success and her leadership on campus.

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Pushcart Prize Nominee Paul Juhasz on Storytelling’s Power to Heal

December 20, 2024Josh Hutton

In this photo, Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz poses with his published works. The author was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize for his flash memoir “Row.” — *Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz poses with his published works. The author was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize for his flash memoir “Row.”*

For Paul Juhasz, storytelling has always been more than words on a page—it’s been a means of survival. Born in Connecticut and shaped by experiences across seven states, Juhasz now writes and teaches in Oklahoma, a place where stories are as much a part of the landscape as the red earth. As an Assistant Professor of English at Seminole State College, he’s passing on power of storytelling to his students.

That storytelling prowess has earned him significant recognition. This year marks the second consecutive time Juhasz has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, one of the highest honors in independent publishing. Established in 1976, the Pushcart Prize celebrates the best poetry, short fiction and essays published by small presses.

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SSC Hosts Retirement Reception for Employee

December 18, 2024Josh Hutton

In this photo, IT Technician David Cobb poses with his retirement reception cake.

Seminole State College hosted a retirement reception for IT Technician David Cobb in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union on Dec. 13. Cobb worked for SSC for six years. Prior to working for the College, he served as the IT Director for Seminole Public Schools for 11 years and an instructor at Tecumseh High School for 13 years. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Land Management at the University of Oklahoma. Following his retirement, he plans to seek out the best barbeque and Mexican food he can find, attend more OU games and travel. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 43 years. They have two children, Matthew and Lara, and five grandchildren.

In this photo, Cobb talks about his time working at SSC and thanks the crowd of family, friends and colleagues for attending the reception. — *Cobb talks about his time working and SSC and thanks the crowd of family, friends and colleagues for attending the reception.*

SSC Spreads Holiday Cheer to Veterans

December 17, 2024Josh Hutton

In this photo, Se’Naqua Hildreth (left), the Voluntary Service Assistant with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the VA Medical Center, accepts holiday greeting cards signed by the SSC campus community from Professor of History Marta Osby (right). — Se’Naqua Hildreth (left), the Voluntary Service Assistant with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the VA Medical Center, accepts holiday greeting cards signed by the SSC campus community from Professor of History Marta Osby (right).

Seminole State College students, faculty, staff and administrators once again made the 2024 Veteran Appreciation “Holiday Cheer” project a success, continuing a nearly decade-long tradition of honoring veterans during the holiday season.

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Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

December 12, 2024December 13, 2024Josh Hutton

In this photo Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) pose for a photo after being recognized. — The Seminole Chamber of Commerce recognized Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) as the Faculty Member of the Month at their Forum on Dec. 12.

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Dec. 12. Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd was named Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

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SSC Provides Christmas Gifts to Local Children

December 6, 2024Josh Hutton

In this photo, pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro, pose for a photo with gifts for 25 children in need. These gifts were donated by SSC employees through the Angel Tree program.

Seminole State College employees and students recently participated in the Angel Tree program, providing gifts to 25 children in need through the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The SSC community purchased clothing and toys, carrying on a tradition of giving the college began in 1997. Pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro.