By Lana Reynolds, SSC President

This fall will mark 95 years of service to this region for Seminole State College. That milestone invites us to look back, but more importantly, it calls us to look forward with purpose.

Long before we were Seminole State College, and before Seminole Junior College became an independent institution, we began as an extension of Seminole High School. The College provided grades 13 and 14 for local students seeking access to higher education close to home.

In those early years, Superintendent John G. Mitchell urged parents to consider the value of Seminole Junior College with a simple but powerful promise: “Give us your cooperation today, and we will endeavor to repay you with a higher form of citizenship tomorrow.”

Nearly a century later, that promise still defines who we are. At SSC, we prepare students for transfer, careers and meaningful work through academic pathways, workforce training and early college opportunities. But our mission has never stopped at academic preparation. We also seek to shape citizens who serve, lead and contribute to their communities. That commitment is reflected in the way our students volunteer, support veterans, assist with community events and represent the College in civic programs across the state.

This year, that mission was strengthened in a remarkable way. SSC received a $17 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott through Yield Giving, the largest single donation in the College’s history. It was an extraordinary vote of confidence in our students, our employees and the communities we serve. We are already putting that gift to work for local families.

Beginning this fall, eligible high school juniors and seniors in SSC’s five-county service area will be able to attend SSC at no cost through the state concurrent student tuition waiver and an automatic SSC scholarship covering books and fees. For students attending school in Seminole, Pottawatomie, Hughes, Okfuskee and Lincoln counties, this means earning college credit without the financial burden that too often keeps students from starting. It is an immediate investment in our region.

We are committed to stewarding this gift carefully, with a focus on reducing barriers and strengthening student success. That commitment is visible in our health sciences training, community courses, esports and student success initiatives. Hundreds of students also earned honor roll recognition during the past year. Our nursing simulation lab and clinical partnerships are also strengthening hands-on preparation for high-demand careers.

Our community connections continue to grow as well. The Clinic expanded access to health care for SSC students. SSC also entered an agreement with Rose State College and Redlands Community College to share professional library services. A project with the City of Seminole and Seminole Public Schools is designed to improve pedestrian access between the College, Seminole High School and the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

SSC student-athletes and employees also volunteered with A League of Their Own, which provides athletes with physical or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to play softball. On the field, women’s soccer advanced to its seventh consecutive national tournament, while softball and baseball each captured district titles and advanced to the JUCO World Series. For baseball, it was the program’s first World Series appearance since 2009.

Together, these developments tell the story of a College moving forward while remaining rooted in its original purpose. As we welcome students back for the fall semester, we are not simply honoring where we have been. We are preparing, with purpose and resolve, for where SSC will go next. We remain committed to preparing educated, engaged citizens for tomorrow.