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SSC President’s Leadership Class Tours Greenwood District

Josh Hutton
Cepado Wilkins, Jr. (left), of Shawnee, and Sydney Winchester (right), of Prague, sit in a barbershop re-creation and listen to holographic actors describe life in Greenwood before violence broke out.
Members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class toured Tulsa’s Greenwood District on March 24. During the tour, the group learned about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the deadliest act of racial violence in U.S. history. PLC students visited the Greenwood Rising Black Wall St. History Center. The center utilizes immersive storytelling techniques with holographic effects, environmental media and projection mapping. Pictured: Cepado Wilkins, Jr. (left), of Shawnee, and Sydney Winchester (right), of Prague, sit in a barbershop re-creation and listen to holographic actors describe life in Greenwood before violence broke out.
Members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class pose for a photo in front of the 30-ft Black Wall St. mural located in Tulsa’s Greenwood District.
The PLC students also toured John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park. The park was constructed following the 2001 Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Lastly, students visited the 30-ft Black Wall St. mural created by Kansas City artist Donald “Scribe” Ross. The mural was painted in 2018 and depicts the districts rise and destruction. It is located on N. Greenwood Ave., adjacent to the Greenwood Cultural Center.
February’s students of the month are (pictured left to right): Mohamad Al Ali of Wewoka – STEM, Elizabeth Thomlinson of Shawnee – Social Sciences, Reyna Alvarado of Shawnee – Language Arts and Humanities, Anna Beth Fehrle of Mustang – Business and Education and Alexa Newton of Seminole – Health Sciences.

February Students of the Month Recognized at SSC

Josh Hutton

Five outstanding Seminole State College students were recently honored for the month of February. Each academic division selected one student to recognize based on work ethic, academic standing and campus involvement. The students were awarded a certificate from the Academic Affairs Office, a gift certificate to use at the Student Union Grill and a special parking pass allowing them access to park in any spot on campus for a month. Continue reading “February Students of the Month Recognized at SSC” →

Hailey Wallace delivers her Higher Education Day Speech at the State Capitol on Feb. 15.

SSC Student Delivers Address at Higher Education Day

Josh Hutton

EDITOR’s NOTE: Seminole State College freshman Hailey Wallace, of Wellston, was one of four students representing colleges and universities across the state selected to speak at the 2022 Higher Education Day at the Capitol on Feb. 15. Wallace’s father, House Appropriations Chair Kevin Wallace, introduced her during the program held in the Oklahoma House of Representatives Chambers. Her speech is printed below:

Continue reading “SSC Student Delivers Address at Higher Education Day” →

SSC Educational Foundation Trustees Tour Sports Complex

Josh Hutton
Several Trustees of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation toured the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex following their quarterly Board meeting on Feb. 16. The Trustees toured indoor facilities and the Trojan baseball field. Pictured in Center Field (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Lance Wortham, Jeramy Rich, Doug Humphreys, Sue Snodgrass, Steve Degraffenreid, Suzanne Gilbert, Darren Frederick, David Wilson, Billy Norton, Rhonda McKee, John Hargrave, Haley Coates and Mark Schell.
Several Trustees of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation toured the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex following their quarterly Board meeting on Feb. 16. The Trustees toured indoor facilities and the Trojan baseball field. Pictured in Center Field (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Lance Wortham, Jeramy Rich, Doug Humphreys, Sue Snodgrass, Steve Degraffenreid, Suzanne Gilbert, Darren Frederick, David Wilson, Billy Norton, Rhonda McKee, John Hargrave, Haley Coates and Mark Schell.
SSC President Emeritus Dr. Jim Utterback, who is overseeing the project, visits with Trustees during the tour. Construction continues on the complex, which includes a college baseball field, four youth baseball/softball fields, the Avedis Adaptive Field for persons with special needs and a soccer field. The SSC Educational Foundation is the owner and operator of the facility.
SSC President Emeritus Dr. Jim Utterback, who is overseeing the project, visits with Trustees during the tour. Construction continues on the complex, which includes a college baseball field, four youth baseball/softball fields, the Avedis Adaptive Field for persons with special needs and a soccer field. The SSC Educational Foundation is the owner and operator of the facility.
Pictured (left to right): SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham, SSC President Lana Reynolds and SSC President Emeritus Dr. Jim Utterback pose with a check for $25,000 to the SSC Educational Foundation from SSC President Lana Reynolds.

Reynolds Makes Donation to Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds recently fulfilled her pledge of $25,000 to the SSC Educational Foundation to assist with the construction of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

The Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex is under construction just west of SSC on Highway 9. The seven-field complex will serve as home to the Seminole State College Trojan baseball and soccer teams. The facility also includes an adaptive field for people with special needs.

“I am excited about what this project means to our college and community. This complex will provide sports fields for hosting tournaments for teams of all ages and abilities throughout the region and state. I believe it will make a great home for our SSC teams, it will be a great recruitment tool for future players, and it will provide a tremendous economic boost to the area,” President Reynolds said.

Pictured is an aerial view of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex under construction. The aerial shows three new baseball fields, a new soccer field and the Avedis Adaptive Field.
Fundraising efforts are still underway as the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex draws closer to completion.

For more information on the Brian Crawford Memorial Complex or to make a donation, visit sscok.edu/BCMSC or contact SSC Educational Foundation Advancement Coordinator Kimberli Owen at (405)-382-9506.

Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles (first row, third from left) poses alongside other members of the Arbuckle Panel at the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall on mental wellness.

SSC Professor Attends Oklahoma Academy Town Hall on Mental Wellness

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles recently attended the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall. This year’s event was held at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa from Nov. 7-10.

The Oklahoma Academy is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established to provide citizens with the opportunity to discuss public policy and make recommendations. The organization was founded by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon in 1967. The organization adopted its Town Hall process in 2001. Since its adoption, the process has led to the passing of 77 pieces of legislation.

Pictured is Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles, who participated in the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall from Nov. 7-10 at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa.
Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles participated in the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall from Nov. 7-10 at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa

This year’s theme was “A Path for a Healthier Oklahoma: Addressing Mental Health and Improving Mental Wellness

SSC President Lana Reynolds nominated Knowles to attend the Town Hall and join a discussion group. Knowles has worked at the College for 12 years. Beyond teaching psychology, she also coordinates the SSC Help Center, a place on campus for students to find support when facing mental health issues.

Knowles served on a panel group during the event. There, along with other attendees, she made recommendations on mental health public policies based on extensive research and questions posed by the event’s organizers.

The Oklahoma Academy will release its official recommendations in January, prior to the legislative session.