In this photo, Seminole City Attorney and Oklahoma Army National Guard Brigadier General Brad Carter (left) congratulates new Seminole State College Regent David Hooten (right) following the administration of the oath of office during the SSC Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 20. Hooten’s seven-year term began July 1, 2026, and concludes July 1, 2033.

Hooten Takes Oath of Office at SSC Board Meeting

August 20, 2026Josh Hutton

New Seminole State College Regent David Hooten took the oath of office during the SSC Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 20, officially beginning his service on the College’s governing board. Seminole City Attorney and Oklahoma Army National Guard Brigadier General Brad Carter administered the oath. Hooten was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt and confirmed by the Oklahoma State Senate Education Committee in April. His seven-year term began July 1 and expires July 1, 2033.

Hooten is the owner of Hooten Oil Co. and a 1979 graduate of Seminole High School. He earned a degree in business administration and accounting from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, in 1983 and is a Certified Lubrication Specialist through the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. He and his wife, Teri, have three children.

Following the oath of office, SSC President Lana Reynolds provided updates on personnel, the College’s new Paralegal Studies program, the demolition of the former Sarkeys dormitory, campus activities, enrollment and grant programs.

After the report, the Board elected officers for the coming year. Regent Curtis Morgan was elected chair, Regent Ryan Franklin was elected vice chair and Regent Robyn Ready was elected secretary.

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In this photo, From left, SSC students Fredricka Finnikin of Montego Bay, Jamaica; Losaline Makahununiu of Norman; and Malerie Hawk of Choctaw show off custom street signs they created Aug. 17. The activity was one of several events hosted by SSC Student Activities and Events during Welcome Week.

Welcome Week Kicks Off Fall Semester at SSC

August 20, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC students Imani Cudjoe of Edmond, left, and Nylia Reid of Sapulpa walk to class on Aug. 17 as Seminole State College welcomed students back to campus for the start of the fall semester.

SSC students Imani Cudjoe of Edmond, left, and Nylia Reid of Sapulpa walk to class on Aug. 17 as Seminole State College welcomed students back to campus for the start of the fall semester.

In this photo, Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Truitt Eubank, center, assists SSC students Alivia Wapskineh of McCloud, left, and Christian Herlehy of Shawnee during an Introduction to Environmental Science lab.

Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Truitt Eubank, center, assists SSC students Alivia Wapskineh of McCloud, left, and Christian Herlehy of Shawnee during an Introduction to Environmental Science lab.

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This Photo is a portrait of SSC President Lana Reynolds.

SSC Celebrates 95 Years and Looks Ahead

August 19, 2026August 19, 2026Josh Hutton

By Lana Reynolds, SSC President

This fall will mark 95 years of service to this region for Seminole State College. That milestone invites us to look back, but more importantly, it calls us to look forward with purpose.

Long before we were Seminole State College, and before Seminole Junior College became an independent institution, we began as an extension of Seminole High School. The College provided grades 13 and 14 for local students seeking access to higher education close to home.

In those early years, Superintendent John G. Mitchell urged parents to consider the value of Seminole Junior College with a simple but powerful promise: “Give us your cooperation today, and we will endeavor to repay you with a higher form of citizenship tomorrow.”

Nearly a century later, that promise still defines who we are. At SSC, we prepare students for transfer, careers and meaningful work through academic pathways, workforce training and early college opportunities. But our mission has never stopped at academic preparation. We also seek to shape citizens who serve, lead and contribute to their communities. That commitment is reflected in the way our students volunteer, support veterans, assist with community events and represent the College in civic programs across the state.

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This photo is a portrait of Daniel Clerke.

USA Esports Team Manager Daniel Clerke to Speak at SSC

August 19, 2026August 19, 2026Josh Hutton

Seminole State College will host Daniel Clerke, National Team Manager for USA Esports, for a presentation titled “Beyond the Game: Leadership, Competition and Careers in Esports” from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Clerke will take attendees behind the scenes of competitive esports, exploring the leadership, competition and career opportunities that have emerged as the industry has grown. He has spent 14 years building championship teams at the professional and collegiate levels. His teams have earned more than $11 million in prize winnings, captured world championships in Call of Duty and Smite and won 24 collegiate national championships.

Clerke currently serves as National Team Manager for USA Esports as the organization prepares to represent the United States at the Esports Nations Cup. In that role, he oversees operational aspects of the national team program, including the selection of game coaches and coordination of competitive rosters.

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SSC Delivers More than 700 Textbooks to Concurrent Students

August 19, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC GEAR UP Lead Coordinator Leah Martin (left) delivers textbooks to Wetumka High School Counselor Randi Bellinger.

SSC GEAR UP Lead Coordinator Leah Martin (left) delivers textbooks to Wetumka High School Counselor Randi Bellinger. As the fall semester began this week, Seminole State College delivered more than 700 textbooks to 420 concurrent students at 38 area high schools. The books were funded through the Scott Empowerment Fund, established following philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s $17 million unrestricted gift to the SSC Educational Foundation.

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SSC to Offer Math Refresher Course for Parents

August 17, 2026Josh Hutton

This photo is a portrait of Dr. Linda Goeller. — *_{Dr. Linda Goeller}*

Seminole State College will offer “Math 4 Parents,” a community course designed to help parents and grandparents build confidence when assisting children with math homework, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room 102 of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

The course will be led by SSC Vice President Emeritus Dr. Linda Goeller, a former mathematics professor at the College. The practical refresher will focus on math skills commonly encountered by students in fourth through sixth grades.

Topics will include addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, basic algebra and basic geometry. Participants will also have an opportunity to bring questions about concepts they may have encountered while helping children with homework.

The goal of the course is to give parents and grandparents a stronger understanding of foundational math concepts and greater confidence when working through assignments with students.

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SSC Extends Office Hours for Fall Semester Start

August 14, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, Academic Advisor Davis Kappele (right) helps SSC student Deanna Pack of Shawnee finalize her class schedule for the fall. — _{Seminole State College will offer extended office hours Aug. 15-21 to help students prepare for the fall semester. Admissions, Advising, Financial Assistance, the Testing Center and the SSC Bookstore will be available during extended hours. Fall classes begin Aug. 17. Pictured: Academic Advisor Davis Kappele (right) helps SSC student Deanna Pack of Shawnee finalize her class schedule for the fall.}

With fall classes beginning Aug. 17 and regular enrollment open through Aug. 21, Seminole State College will offer extended office hours to provide students and prospective students additional opportunities to complete enrollment and prepare for the semester.

To accommodate busy schedules, SSC will keep Admissions, Advising, Financial Assistance, the Testing Center and the SSC Bookstore open beyond regular business hours during the first week of classes.

Extended hours will be offered Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From Monday, Aug. 17, through Thursday, Aug. 20, offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 21, offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students enrolling for the fall semester can meet with an advisor to explore academic options, review degree plans, assess testing needs, select courses and complete their class schedules. SSC offers a range of in-person and online courses designed for students pursuing transfer degrees, career-focused programs or individual courses.

Many SSC degree programs are also available entirely online, providing additional flexibility for students balancing college with work and family responsibilities.

Students who need assistance with enrollment can contact the Advising Office at 405-382-9797 or advising@sscok.edu, or visit the Walkingstick Student Services Enrollment Center on the SSC campus.

For additional information about Seminole State College, available programs and fall course offerings, visit sscok.edu.

SSC Builds on 95 Years at Fall In-Service

August 14, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, Seminole State College’s full-time faculty and staff pose for a group photo wearing shirts commemorating the College’s 95th anniversary. — Seminole State College’s full-time faculty and staff gathered in Cook Commons on Aug. 13 during Fall 2026 In-Service. Employees wore shirts commemorating the College’s 95th anniversary and this year’s theme, “Brick by Brick: Building on 95 Years of Excellence.” In-Service activities were held Aug. 12-14.

In this photo, Members of SSC’s Administrative Council participate in a panel discussion. Pictured from left are President Lana Reynolds, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Finance, Enrollment and Grants Melanie Rinehart, Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs and Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer Marc Hunter.

Members of SSC’s Administrative Council participated in a panel discussion Aug. 12 in the Utterback Ballroom, addressing topics including enrollment, campus security, accreditation and the implementation of new technology across campus. Pictured from left are President Lana Reynolds, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Finance, Enrollment and Grants Melanie Rinehart, Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs and Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer Marc Hunter.

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In this photo, Former University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale delivers her keynote, “Time Well Spent,” during Seminole State College’s fall in-service on Aug. 12 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom.

Former OU Coach Sherri Coale Speaks at SSC Fall In-Service

August 13, 2026Josh Hutton

Former University of Oklahoma women’s basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale shared lessons from her career and reflections on living intentionally during Seminole State College’s fall in-service on Aug. 12.

Coale presented her keynote, “Time Well Spent,” to approximately 140 full-time SSC faculty and staff in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom.

Throughout the presentation, Coale drew from her experiences as a coach, educator and leader to discuss the importance of being intentional with time and recognizing the influence people can have on those around them. She encouraged employees to consider how they invest their time, build relationships and approach the opportunities they are given.

Her message complemented the purpose of SSC’s annual fall in-service, which brings employees together before the start of the academic year for professional development, institutional updates and preparation for the semester ahead.

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SSC Nursing Students Prepare for Fall Semester

August 11, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, Jennifer Hull, Elsevier digital sales representative, speaks to students during the Elsevier informational portion of the Seminole State College nursing orientation.

Seminole State College nursing students attend orientation Aug. 11 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center lecture hall. Jennifer Hull, Elsevier digital sales representative, speaks to students during the Elsevier informational portion of the program. The day also included a nursing student handbook review, student ID preparation, a question-and-answer session, SSM Health overview and an LPN skills checkoff. SSC’s fall semester begins Aug. 17, and enrollment remains open for students preparing to start classes.