Ariel Blackwood, an eighth grader and GEAR UP participant at Okemah Middle School, has found her passion with robotics. Blackwood and her sister Rose along with 145 middle school age students had the opportunity to attend the Seminole State College GEAR UP summer camp in May 2019 that emphasized learning experiences in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) and included building and assembling roller coasters, robots, and drones. Continue reading “Okemah Eighth Grader Discovers a Passion for Robotics at GEAR UP Camp”→
Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services recently sponsored “First to Finish,” a yearly event that features a speaker, or a panel of speakers, who discuss being the first in their family to complete college. Continue reading “SSC Features “First to Finish” Student Kristen Dougan”→
The Seminole State College Board of Regents approved the appointment of Dr. Linda Goeller to the position of Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at a special meeting on Nov. 12.
Dr. Goeller is in her 11th
year at the College, where she has served as a Division Chair in the past and
most recently as a Professor of Mathematics and Coordinator of Institutional
Effectiveness.
Dr. Linda Goeller
Dr. Goeller earned her doctorate in
Professional Studies/Mathematics Education from Oklahoma State University, her
master’s in Mathematics Education from Northeastern State University, and her
bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University.
She has served on a number of Faculty
Senate and Mathematics Division committees. She also has served as the co-chair
of the Oklahoma State Regents Higher Education Mathematics Task Force.
Last April, Dr. Goeller was selected
to receive the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award at the 2019 American
Association of Community Colleges annual convention in Orlando, Florida. The
award is given nationally to individuals who demonstrate a passion for
classroom learning, show a willingness to support students both inside and
outside of the classroom, and go above and beyond what is required to ensure
the academic success of their students.
She is also active in the community
of Seminole. She is a graduate of Leadership Seminole, a member of the Seminole
Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer with the Seminole Humane Society, and
currently serves as President of the Seminole Rotary Club. She and her husband
Mark are active members of the Immanuel Baptist Church.
“We are very fortunate to have
someone of Dr. Goeller’s caliber willing to step into this role at such a
critical time. I believe she will bring expertise, excitement and integrity to
this office,” President Lana Reynolds said.
The previous Vice President for
Academic Affairs Dr. Larry Guerrero notified the College of his intention to
resign his position due to personal reasons in early November.
Board
members in attendance were Curtis Morgan, Ryan Franklin, Kim Hyden, Paige
Sherry and Marci Donaho. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will take
place on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Concert pianist Peter Simon will entertain area residents at a free public concert at Seminole State College on Monday evening, November 18. The “Classy Piano Favorites” program will begin at 7 p.m. in the Utterback Ballroom of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on campus. Continue reading “International Concert Pianist Peter Simon to Perform at SSC”→
Members of Seminole State College’s President’s Leadership Class volunteered at the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City on Nov. 7. The students prepared packages of food that will be distributed to participating schools around the state. The bags contained approximately 10 different foods designed to provide nutrition and calories for chronically hungry children over the weekend. During their two hour shift, the group prepared 4,045 meals that will help feed hungry kids. Continue reading “SSC Students Volunteer at Regional Food Bank”→
The
Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on
campus for the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex on Nov. 7 at the
Utterback Ballroom located within the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. More than 250
people were in attendance at the event.
The first phase of the complex will include a Trojan baseball stadium and field, training facility, lighting, artificial turf, area landscaping, site dirt preparation, restrooms, snack bar, press box, parking, and a youth multi-use field that can be used for baseball, softball or soccer. Continue reading “Groundbreaking for New SSC Sports Complex Draws Large Crowd”→
Former
Seminole State College Trojan Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons was honored Nov. 2
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with induction into the College Baseball Hall of
Fame.
Simmons
was recognized, alongside Mike Martin, former head coach at Florida State
University and five former college players. Players included University of
Texas’ Dave Chalk, Florida A&M’s Andre Dawson, Southern California’s Wally
Hood, Cal State Fullerton’s Mark Kotsay and Ferrum College of Virgina’s Billy
Wagner. Dennis Poppe, former NCAA Director of Championships, rounded out the
2019 Hall of Fame class from the new contributors section.
A portrait of Coach Lloyd Simmons was unveiled during a reception prior to the “Night of Champions” gala, where he was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The
“Night of Champions Gala” ceremony, held at the Raising Cain River Center Ballroom
overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, was telecast live on
Cox Sports.
Simmons
is the winningest coach in junior college baseball history with 1,804 wins. He
led his teams to an unprecedented 13 trips to the NJCAA World Series, where
they returned home as runners-up four times. His teams won 16 NJCAA Region II
titles and 13 NJCAA District championships.
He
coached 41 NJCAA All-Americans, and more than 200 of his players signed
professional baseball contracts, with 43 of those playing in the major leagues.
Simmons was named Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year eight
times during his career and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1997.
“It’s
a great honor to be here and to be recognized with all the other great guys
that are here to get this reward,” Simmons said. “I’m really just thankful for
all my players in the past that worked hard and were able to get me this
honor.”
During
an on-stage interview during the induction ceremony, Simmons commented on the
support he and his program received over the years from Seminole State College
and the community of Seminole.
Seminole
State College President Lana Reynolds said Simmons’ induction in the College
Baseball Hall of Fame focused the national spotlight on his career and the
institution.
A number of Coach Simmons’ former players, fans and supporters travelled to Baton Rouge from across the country to help celebrate his induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
“Coach
Simmons built a powerhouse baseball program at Seminole that is known
throughout the country. This award
brings national attention to his legendary accomplishments – and in doing so,
brings such positive attention to Seminole. We are very proud of him and
congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition,” she said.
Saturday’s
ceremony began with a “Walk of Legends” that included former College Baseball
Hall of Famers. Coaches and several members of the 2019 Little League World
Series Champions from River Ridge, Louisiana, were also introduced and
interviewed.
Several special national baseball awards were also presented during the evening. Erik Bakich from the University of Michigan was named the “Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year.” Adley Rutschman of Oregon State, was presented the Dick Howser Trophy as “National Player of the Year.” The “John Olerud Two-way Player of the Year” award went to Aaron Schunk of the University of Georgia. Mississippi State University’s Ethan Small was named “National Pitcher of the Year” and Grae Kessinger from the University of Mississippi was the “2019 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year.”
A “National Collegiate Umpire Award” was presented to Jon Bible.
