Seminole State College President’s
Leadership Class students met with Jane Jayroe Gamble, a third generation
Oklahoman and a former Miss America. Gamble was the featured speaker
during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce monthly forum on April 11. Gamble held
a career in broadcast journalism for 17 years as a prime time news anchor in
Oklahoma City and Dallas Fort Worth. She is also the author of several
inspirational books – her most recent titled Practice: Unleashing the Power
of Faith. Gamble visited with the students and described her journey
to becoming Miss America as a girl from a small Oklahoma town. She encouraged
them to not give up on their dreams and that almost anything is obtainable if
you are willing to put forth effort and hard work.
Two Seminole State College
employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly
Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on April 11. Assistant Professor
of Criminal Justice Sam Rivera was honored as “Faculty Member of the
Month” and Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support
Services Janna Manlapig was honored as “Professional Staff Member of the
Month.”
The Seminole Chamber of
Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Blue Ribbon Realty,
recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are
nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive
the honor.
Sam Rivera
Rivera completed his
bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management at Union Institute and University.
He received his master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of
Oklahoma.
While living in California, Rivera
served the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before retiring.
Following his time in Sacramento, Rivera took on the role of SSC Chief of
Police from 2015 to 2017. Since that time, Rivera has held the position of
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.
He is involved with a number
of campus organizations and committees. He is a member of the Assessment
Learning Committee, the Chair of the Professional Development Committee and an
advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Rivera and his wife
Stephanie reside in Wewoka. They have four adult children: Samantha Kale of
Foresthill, California; Andrew Rivera of Auburn, California; Ryan Rivera of
Killeen, Texas; and Reagan Rivera of Shawnee.
Janna Manlapig
Manlapig received her
bachelor’s degree in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master’s
degree in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of
Oklahoma.
In her role as Director of
Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services she administrates
grants and plays a key role in helping students with their academic pursuits.
She is involved with the
Student Success Council and Professional Staff Council. She also sits on
advisory boards for nursing and MLT. She is an active member of the Emmanuel
Episcopal Church in Shawnee, where she participates on the meal service team,
plays in the hand bell choir and plays percussion for the youth service on Wednesday
evenings.
She and her fiancée Holly
reside in Shawnee. Manlapig has two children, Mitchell and Kamryn.
The Seminole State College Educational Foundation will host its 25th Annual Spring Banquet on Thursday, April 25, at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on campus. The event recognizes accomplishments by alumni, employees and students. Continue reading “SSC Educational Foundation to Host Annual Spring Banquet”→
Students
from 26 area schools competed in Seminole State College’s 47th annual
Interscholastic Meet on March 28.
Individual entries were separated into two divisions. Division I was composed of students from schools classified as 3A, 4A and 5A. Students from 2A and A class schools competed in Division II. Continue reading “SSC Interscholastic Meet Winners Announced”→
“You get in the truck. You hear the sirens. Cars are getting out of the way,” Randi Bray said, describing one of the first times she responded to a call for the Wetumka Fire Department. “It’s a kind of scary that forces you to focus, to be aware, and try your hardest to help those in need.” Continue reading “SSC Student Adds Firefighter and Published Poet to her Résumé”→
Four Seminole State College students were recognized for their academic achievements at the All Oklahoma USA Academic Team and Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges President’s Tuition Waiver Student Recognition Ceremony on March 26. Continue reading “SSC Students Recognized at OACC Ceremony”→
Seminole
State College Professor of English Jessica Isaacs (left) and STEM Student
Suport Services Adviser Kristen Bean presented at the Prague High School Career
Fair March 27. Bean provided information to students about careers in Higher
Education, as well as different programs at SSC. Isaacs spoke about being a
college professor and the different programs and events within the Language
Arts and Humanities Division at the College.
Seminole
State College hosted its third speech and debate tournament of the academic
year on March 15 and 16. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association’s
Southeast Regional was the largest tournament this season, bringing in 16
schools and 293 students and coaches.
The action began 9:00 a.m. Friday and continued with debate rounds through 8:00 p.m. The events continued most of the day Saturday with speeches and acting events until the awards assembly, where performers filled the Jeff Johnston Auditorium to await the results.
John Bolander (right), SSC Assistant Professor of Speech, coordinated the tournament and helped with the Extemporaneous Speech topic draw with Riverfield coach David Wright (left).
Fifty Seminole State College students were inducted into the Alpha Theta Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges at the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center on March 13. Continue reading “SSC Honor Society Inducts New Members”→
