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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SSC Talent Search Students Cheer on the Thunder

Pictured are members of the SSC Talent Search/FOCUS Program as they attended the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings game on Feb. 11.

The SSC Talent Search/FOCUS Program attended the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings game on Feb. 11. Forty-four staff and students representing 10 different area high schools were able to enjoy the 127-113 Thunder win from the catered Sonic Patio suite. For more information about the Talent Search Program, please visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs/talent-search or call 405-382-9709.

Pictured left to right are Seminole High School student Nehemiah Harge and SSC student Mahaylia Harge as they cheer on the Thunder on Feb. 11.
Seminole High School student Nehemiah Harge and SSC student Mahaylia Harge cheer on the Thunder on Feb. 11.

SSC Nursing Grads Achieve Perfect Pass Rate

December 2023 graduates of the Seminole State College nursing program recently achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

The NCLEX is an exam used to determine if recently graduated nursing students are safe to practice. Nurses are required to pass the NCLEX to earn licensure and legally practice nursing. In 2022, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing reported that the average pass rate of the NCLEX in the state was 78.67 percent, while the national average was 79.93 percent.

“We are so proud of the hard work and determination of these students,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said. “Our nursing faculty equip our graduates with the knowledge, skills and values they need to provide high-quality care to their patients.”

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