Category Educational Foundation

SSC Educational Foundation’s Annual Spring Banquet Draws Large Crowd

Josh Hutton
Pictured, Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (right) present the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Brad Walck during the SSC Educational Foundation’s 30th Annual Spring Recognition Banquet on May 1. Walck was honored for his 22 years of service at SSC, where he held several roles including Vice President for Student Affairs and Head Women’s Basketball Coach.
Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (right) present the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Brad Walck during the SSC Educational Foundation’s 30th Annual Spring Recognition Banquet on May 1. Walck was honored for his 22 years of service at SSC, where he held several roles including Vice President for Student Affairs and Head Women’s Basketball Coach.

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its 30th Annual Spring Recognition Banquet on Thursday, May 1 in the Utterback Ballroom of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. A crowd of 450 guests filled the venue, and the event raised just over $60,000—making it the most successful banquet in the event’s history.

The banquet serves as a major fundraiser and recognition event, honoring alumni, employees and students. This year, Phil Johnson and Karen Romine were inducted into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to longtime SSC administrator Dr. Brad Walck.

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SSC Participates in Southeast Oklahoma Legislative Briefing

Josh Hutton
Posing for a group photo, Seminole State College employees, Regents, Foundation Trustees, local community supporters, legislators and students show their support at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Region Legislative Briefing at Pete’s Place in Krebs on Dec. 3.
Seminole State College employees, Regents, Foundation Trustees, local community supporters, legislators and students show their support at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Region Legislative Briefing at Pete’s Place in Krebs on Dec. 3.

Seminole State College participated in the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Oklahoma Legislative Briefing on Dec. 3 at Pete’s Place in Krebs. SSC was joined by delegations from other higher education institutions and state legislators for the event.

The program featured Sean Burrage, the new Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, who officially assumed his role as the system’s 10th Chancellor on Dec. 2. Chancellor Burrage outlined the State Regents’ 2025 legislative agenda, emphasizing initiatives aimed at advancing education and workforce training for adult learners.

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SSC Educational Foundation Appoints Three New Trustees

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Incoming SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (left) and SSC President Lana Reynolds (right) thank outgoing Chair Lance Wortham for his service.
Incoming SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (left) and SSC President Lana Reynolds (right) thank outgoing Chair Lance Wortham for his service.

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation welcomed three new trustees during their meeting on Oct. 9. Adam Baker, Vice President of First United Bank of Seminole, Kim Hyden, President of Gary A. Crain, Inc. and Carla Tollett, Director of Communications and Member Engagement at Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, were appointed to the Foundation Board.

During the meeting, the trustees addressed several agenda items. The Foundation accepted the 2023 Annual Audit conducted by Hinkle & Company, with comments provided by Auditor Matt Bauman and Audit Committee Chair Mark Schell. Hinkle & Company found no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. They issued an unqualified – or clean – audit.

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SSC Educational Foundation Trustees Donate Utility Vehicles to Sports Complex

Josh Hutton
In this photo Trustee and Owner of Sullivan-Dollar Insurance David Wilson (right) and his wife Cindy Wilson pose with the two golf carts they donated.

Three utility vehicles were recently donated for use at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex by two SSC Educational Foundation Trustees. (Pictured) Trustee and Owner of Sullivan-Dollar Insurance David Wilson (right) and his wife Cindy Wilson donated two golf carts. The golf carts will be used to shuttle guests with mobility limitations across the seven-field complex.

Pictured, SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Jim Hardin (right) and his wife retired SSC English Instructor Dr. Donna Hardin (left) pose with the John Deere Gator utility vehicle they donated.

SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Jim Hardin and his wife retired SSC English Instructor Dr. Donna Hardin donated a John Deere Gator utility vehicle. The vehicle will be utilized to move equipment around the complex.

SSC Educational Foundation Hosts Golf Tournament

Josh Hutton
Pictured is an ariel view of golfers getting ready for the Seminole State College Educational Foundation's 28th Annual Golf Tournament at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course.

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its 28th Annual Golf Tournament at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course in Seminole on Sept. 13. This year’s event raised nearly $38,000 for student scholarships and campus capital projects. A total of 116 players, comprising 29 teams, took to the links to show their support for the College.

In this photo, Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon tees off during the Foundation’s golf fundraiser.

Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon tees off during the Foundation’s golf fundraiser.

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State Farm Donates Printers to SSC

Josh Hutton
In this picture, left to right, State Farm Agent and SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Darren Frederick, SSC Chief Information Security Officer and IT Director Marc Hunter and SSC IT Technician Michael Murray pose for a photo.

State Farm Insurance of Seminole recently donated four multi-purpose printers to Seminole State College, enhancing the campus’s technological resources for students and faculty. Pictured (left to right): State Farm Agent and SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Darren Frederick, SSC Chief Information Security Officer and IT Director Marc Hunter and SSC IT Technician Michael Murray.

In this photo, Ryan Franklin alongside other members of the SSC Board of Regents pose for a photo at the grand opening of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex on Oct. 20, 2022. Pictured (left to right): Franklin, Kim Hyden, Robyn Ready, Marci Donaho, Curtis Morgan and Bryan Cain.

From Seminole to Sydney: Gold Medalist Recounts Olympic Journey

Josh Hutton

As the 2024 Olympics in Paris continue through Aug. 11, viewers around the world tune in as the best athletes in the world compete in a wide range of sports. From rhythmic gymnastics to Greco-Roman wrestling, from fencing to equestrian dressage, it would be easy to assume the most popular sports suited for the summer months are all represented.

“One sport is painfully missing,” Seminole State College Regent Ryan Franklin said. “America’s pastime. Baseball.”

For Franklin, the omission is personal. After graduating from Spiro High School in 1991, Franklin attended what was then Seminole Junior College, where, as a pitcher, he went 20-0 across two seasons. He was then signed by the Seattle Mariners. He spent the next few years building a reputation as a reliable closing pitcher in the minor leagues, eventually leading to an opportunity to try out for the United States’ 2000 Olympic baseball team.

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In this photo, attendees observe the panels of the Thirteen All-Black Towns of Oklahoma traveling exhibit in the lobby of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

All-Black Towns of Oklahoma Exhibit Opens at SSC

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College is hosting the Thirteen All-Black Towns of Oklahoma traveling exhibit in the lobby of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center throughout the month of June.

The exhibit, curated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, explores the history of All-Black towns that are still incorporated today. The towns highlighted in the exhibit are Boley, Brooksville, Clearview, Grayson, Langston, Lima, Red Bird, Rentiesville, Taft, Tatums, Tullahassee, Summit and Vernon.

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, around 50 All-Black towns were established in Oklahoma. These towns were founded by African American settlers who pooled their resources to purchase land and create self-sustaining communities.

The founders of these towns aimed to create spaces where African Americans could live free from racial discrimination, establish businesses, own property and govern themselves. These towns became hubs for entrepreneurship, education and culture.

The exhibit is sponsored by the SSC Educational Foundation and is being held in commemoration of the Juneteenth holiday. Seminole State College’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Longtime SSC Baseball Coach Honored at Field Dedication

Josh Hutton
Pictured (left to right) are Sen. Jech, SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham, Simmons, SSC President Lana Reynolds and SSC Board of Regents Chair Kim Hyden posing for a photo during the Lloyd Simmons Field dedication on May 3 at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

Seminole State College hosted the Lloyd Simmons Field dedication on May 3 at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. Former Trojan baseball Head Coach Lloyd Simmons was presented with a plaque and customized baseball bat to commemorate the special occasion. Simmons also received a Citation of Recognition from the State of Oklahoma in honor of the field dedication by State Senator and Trojan Alumni Darcy Jech. Pictured (left to right) are Sen. Jech, SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham, Simmons, SSC President Lana Reynolds and SSC Board of Regents Chair Kim Hyden.

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