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In this photo, Seminole State College Office Manager Alisha Riojas, left, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Brenda Prochaska pose for a photo after they were recognized during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Oct. 8. Riojas was named Staff Member of the Month, and Prochaska was named Faculty Member of the Month.

Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Thursday, Oct. 8. Office Manager of the Language Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences Divisions Alisha Riojas was honored as Staff Member of the Month, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Brenda Prochaska was named Faculty Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognizes SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Honorees are nominated from across campus and selected by college administrators.

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1951 High School Portrait of Oliver Davis Johns

From Seminole Airwaves to a Rhodes Scholarship

Josh Hutton

Before Oliver Davis Johns became a Rhodes Scholar, he was a teenage radio engineer saving money to get to MIT.

He recalled getting up at 5 a.m., driving to Wewoka and putting the local station on the air. His work also included announcing and hosting an afternoon music program.

“We had something in the afternoon called Postcard Parade where people would send in postcards requesting songs and we would play them and read the postcard,” Johns said.

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SSC Welcomes Retirees Back to Campus

Josh Hutton
Pictured seated (left to right) are: Dr. Richard Wood, Tom Stephens, Tracy Jacomo, Dr. Donna Hardin, Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Gloria Wheeler, Jonna Bunyan and Fred Bunyan. Standing (left to right) are: Dr. Jim Cook, Rusty Beene, Larry Vickers, Dr. Noble Jobe, Mary Ann Hill, Dr. Jim Utterback, Annette Troglin Barnes, Dr. Linda Goeller, Janet Waddell, Brenda Hudson, Debbie Robertson, Susan Walker, Debbie Hammond, Malinda Browning, Julie Hix, Patricia Cokeley, Marie Dawson, Kelly Chastain, Susan Shumaker, Kelly Kirk, Perthena Latchaw, Ted Hurt, Cynthia Yerby and David Cobb.

Retired employees from Seminole State College gathered for a luncheon on Oct. 5. The theme of the event was the College’s 95th anniversary. SSC President Lana Reynolds provided retirees with an update on campus activities and accomplishments from the past year, while Director of Communications Josh Hutton presented on the early history of the College.

Pictured seated (left to right) are: Dr. Richard Wood, Tom Stephens, Tracy Jacomo, Dr. Donna Hardin, Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Gloria Wheeler, Jonna Bunyan and Fred Bunyan. Standing (left to right) are: Dr. Jim Cook, Rusty Beene, Larry Vickers, Dr. Noble Jobe, Mary Ann Hill, Dr. Jim Utterback, Annette Troglin Barnes, Dr. Linda Goeller, Janet Waddell, Brenda Hudson, Debbie Robertson, Susan Walker, Debbie Hammond, Malinda Browning, Julie Hix, Patricia Cokeley, Marie Dawson, Kelly Chastain, Susan Shumaker, Kelly Kirk, Perthena Latchaw, Ted Hurt, Cynthia Yerby and David Cobb.

SSC to Host Fall Baseball State Tournament

Josh Hutton
This photo shows an ariel view of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.
Seminole State College’s Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex will host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the 2026 OSSAA Class B Fall Baseball State Tournament Oct. 8-9. Four quarterfinal games will be played Thursday, followed by two semifinal games Friday.

Seminole State College will host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the 2026 Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Class B Fall Baseball State Tournament Oct. 8-9 at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

Quarterfinal games will begin Thursday, Oct. 8, with Fort Cobb-Broxton facing Vici at 11 a.m., followed by Moss against Dover at 1:30 p.m., Calumet against Leedey at 4 p.m. and Drummond against Tupelo at 6:30 p.m.

The semifinal round will be played Friday, Oct. 9, with games scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The two semifinal winners will advance to the Class B state championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

In this photo, Seminole State College employees recognized at the 59th annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference pose for a photo. Pictured following the awards presentation, from left, are Professional Staff Member of the Year Erin Medley, Faculty Member of the Year Dr. Steve Bolin, Support Staff Member of the Year Carmen Wright and SSC President Lana Reynolds.

SSC Employees Recognized at Statewide Conference

Josh Hutton

Three Seminole State College employees were honored at the 59th annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference on Oct. 2 at Tulsa Community College’s Northeast Campus. During the event, History Professor and Student Success Coordinator Dr. Steve Bolin was named SSC Faculty Member of the Year; Human Resources Specialist Erin Medley was named Professional Staff Member of the Year; and Custodian Carmen Wright was named Support Staff Member of the Year.

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In this photo, Seminole State College and the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute representatives pose for a group photo. Seated, from left, are SSC President Lana Reynolds and Dr. Teri Reed, Director of the OU Polytechnic Institute. Standing, from left, are SSC Health Sciences Division Chair Emily Carpenter; Dr. Randa Shehab, OU Senior Associate Dean of Engineering; SSC IT Director/CISO Marc Hunter; SSC Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs; SSC Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart; SSC Faculty Senate President Lynette Atchley; Dr. John Hassell, OU Associate Professor; Dr. Chenggang Wang, OU Assistant Professor; SSC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles; SSC STEM Division Chair Wendy Slusher-Rich; SSC Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alicia Bailey; Dr. Johnnie-Margaret McConnell, OU Director of Transfer Student Success; and Danielle Dunn, OU Associate Vice President of Marketing.

SSC, OU Polytechnic Institute Sign Cybersecurity Transfer Agreement

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College and the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute have established a new articulation agreement designed to provide SSC computer science students with a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.

Representatives from the two institutions signed the agreement Sept. 28. Under the partnership, students completing SSC’s Associate in Science in Computer Science with a Cybersecurity Emphasis can transfer their SSC coursework into the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program at the OU Polytechnic Institute.

The transfer map outlines a 123-credit-hour path to the bachelor’s degree, consisting of 63 credit hours at SSC followed by 60 credit hours through the OU Polytechnic Institute. The bachelor’s completion portion of the cybersecurity program is currently offered at the OU-Tulsa campus.

“This agreement gives our students a clear destination from the moment they begin the program at SSC,” SSC STEM Division Chair Wendy Rich said. “They can build a strong foundation in computer science and cybersecurity here while knowing the work they complete will continue to move them toward a bachelor’s degree. That kind of clarity is extremely valuable for students planning their education and their careers.”

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graphic showing Bill Wantland, Harland B. Mitchell, and Tommy Kelton after winning the 1952 national debate championship.

A National Championship and a Lifelong Friendship

Josh Hutton

Bill Wantland, now 92, was still a high school senior when Tommy Kelton asked him to become his debate partner at Seminole Junior College. Together, they won a national championship in 1952.

Their victory in Pueblo, Colorado, remains one of only two national titles in the history of the institution now known as Seminole State College. The Belles won the other in women’s basketball in 1976.

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Leadership Students Go Behind the Scenes at Oklahoma Aquarium

Josh Hutton
In this photo, members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class pose for a group photo outside of the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.

Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class students visit the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks on Sept. 24. During the aquarium’s “Unfiltered: Behind the Scenes Tour,” students learned about animal care, aquarium operations and career opportunities before exploring the facility.

In this photo, SSC President’s Leadership Class students get a behind-the-scenes look at the Oklahoma Aquarium’s bull shark exhibit.

SSC President’s Leadership Class students get a behind-the-scenes look at the Oklahoma Aquarium’s bull shark exhibit. The tour gave students an up-close look at the processes and facilities used to care for the aquarium’s animals.

Work Ready Shawnee Manager Shares Career Tips at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Lynde Gleason, Work Ready Shawnee program manager, speaks to students Sept. 23 in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium

Lynde Gleason, Work Ready Shawnee program manager, speaks to students Sept. 23 in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium during a Seminole State College Career Center presentation focused on résumés, cover letters, job interviews and career preparation. Gleason has worked for Oklahoma City nonprofit The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) for eight years and has served as Work Ready Shawnee program manager for three years. The event was coordinated by SSC Coordinator of Library Services Laura Suthers.