SSC Delegation Attends Higher Ed Day

Josh Hutton

A large delegation of campus and community leaders representing Seminole State College attended Higher Education Day at the Capitol in Oklahoma City Thursday, Feb. 8. The event, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), is held annually to demonstrate the value and importance of higher education in the state.

To begin the day, 21 SSC President’s Leadership Class students visited the offices of several legislators and spoke with them.

Pictured left to right are: Larry Smith, Lana Reynolds, Doug Humphreys, Kim Hyden, Robyn Ready, Dr. Bill Knowles, Melanie Rinehart, Dr. Donna Hardin, Jim Hardin, Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Harrel Kenedy, Karel Brewster, and Andy Tucker.
SSC community supporters joined students for Higher Ed Day activities at the Capitol. Pictured left to right are: Larry Smith, Lana Reynolds, Doug Humphreys, Kim Hyden, Robyn Ready, Dr. Bill Knowles, Melanie Rinehart, Dr. Donna Hardin, Jim Hardin, Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Harrel Kenedy, Karel Brewster, and Andy Tucker.

At lunch, SSC President Lana Reynolds introduced elected officials who represent communities in the College’s service area. State Senator Grant Green and Representatives Kevin Wallace, Dell Kerbs, Danny Sterling and Danny Williams spoke to the SSC delegation about their support of higher education and their outlook on the legislative session. Students also heard from OSRHE Chair Jack Sherry and the Administrative Director of the Courts Jari Askins.

Pictured are Several legislators and dignitaries who attended Seminole State College’s luncheon at the Capitol Thursday, including: (seated left to right) Rep. Dell Kerbs of Shawnee and Rep. Danny Williams of Seminole; (standing) State Regent Jack Sherry of Holdenville, Rep. Kevin Wallace of Wellston and Rep. Danny Sterling of Tecumseh.
Several legislators and dignitaries attended Seminole State College’s luncheon at the Capitol Thursday, including: (seated left to right) Rep. Dell Kerbs of Shawnee and Rep. Danny Williams of Seminole; (standing) State Regent Jack Sherry of Holdenville, Rep. Kevin Wallace of Wellston and Rep. Danny Sterling of Tecumseh.

In the afternoon, students and personnel from higher education institutions across the state gathered to listen to Governor Kevin Stitt, Speaker of the House Charles McCall, Sen. Adam Pugh, Rep. Mark McBride, State Regents Chair Sherry and Chancellor Allison Garrett.

Members of the SSC President’s Leadership Class and the Trojan baseball team present Oklahoma State Senator Darcy Jech with an SSC goodie basket at the Capitol. Sen. Jech is a member of the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame and played baseball for the Trojans during his time at the college. Pictured (left to right): Cooper Hamilton of Tahlequah, Daylan Saxon of Seminole, Logan Hill of Edmond, Sen. Jech, Royce Florenzano of McAlester and Cole Girard of Oklahoma City.
Members of the SSC President’s Leadership Class and the Trojan baseball team present Oklahoma State Senator Darcy Jech with an SSC goodie basket at the Capitol. Sen. Jech is a member of the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame and played baseball for the Trojans during his time at the college. Pictured (left to right): Cooper Hamilton of Tahlequah, Daylan Saxon of Seminole, Logan Hill of Edmond, Sen. Jech, Royce Florenzano of McAlester and Cole Girard of Oklahoma City.

“Students, faculty and staff from Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities came together at our State Capitol to highlight the value of a college degree,” Garrett said. “Over half of the top 100 occupations identified as critical for our state require an associate degree or higher, including the top 29 highest paying jobs. Investing in higher education drives economic opportunity for individual Oklahomans and strengthens the workforce pipeline for our vibrant business community.”