SSC Educational Foundation’s Annual Spring Banquet Draws More Than 450 Guests |

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its 31st Annual Spring Recognition Banquet on Thursday, April 30, in the Utterback Ballroom of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. More than 450 guests attended the event, which serves as a major fundraiser and recognition ceremony honoring alumni, employees and students. The event raised nearly $60,000.

In this photo, Seminole State College Alumni Hall of Fame inductees Victoria Brooks (left) and Carole Carter (right) pose with their awards. — *_{Seminole State College inducted Victoria Brooks (left) and Carole Carter (right) into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame at the event.}*

This year, Victoria Brooks and Carole Carter were inducted into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to longtime SSC Medical Laboratory Technology Program Director Perthena Latchaw.

In this photo, Distinguished Service Award honoree Perthena Latchaw visits with former Seminole State College President Dr. Jim Cook prior to the Spring Recognition Banquet. — _{Distinguished Service Award honoree Perthena Latchaw visits with former Seminole State College President Dr. Jim Cook prior to the Spring Recognition Banquet. Latchaw, retired Director of the SSC Medical Laboratory Technology Program, was honored for her 30 years of service to the College.}

Latchaw devoted 30 years of service to Seminole State College, serving from 1982 to 2012 as Director of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. During her tenure, she led the program’s accreditation efforts, taught coursework and maintained clinical affiliate partnerships that helped prepare generations of students for careers in laboratory science. She also made an impact through professional leadership and global outreach, including work as a consultant with the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Brooks, a Seminole State College alumna, attended SSC from 2010 to 2012 and earned an Associate of Applied Science with a healthcare focus. She currently serves as a Surgical Physician Assistant in the Congenital Heart Surgery Division at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital – OU Health, where she is part of a specialized team providing care for infants, children and adults with complex structural heart disease.

Carter attended then Seminole Junior College from 1974 to 1976 and was a member of the 1976 national championship women’s basketball team. She went on to build a career in education, coaching and service that spanned more than four decades. Carter served as a teacher, counselor and coach at schools across Oklahoma and was inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.

In this photo, pictured (standing, left to right) former Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Brad Walck, former Trojan Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons, former counselor Cynthia Yerby, former Athletic Director Dr. Thurman Edwards; and (seated left to right) former 1976 Belles Basketball player and 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Carole Carter, former Belles Coach Dixie Woodall and current Belles Coach Rita Story-Schell. — _{Among the guests celebrating SSC at the Spring Recognition Banquet were (standing, left to right) former Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Brad Walck, former Trojan Baseball Coach Lloyd Simmons, former counselor Cynthia Yerby, former Athletic Director Dr. Thurman Edwards; and (seated left to right) former 1976 Belles Basketball player and 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Carole Carter, former Belles Coach Dixie Woodall and current Belles Coach Rita Story-Schell.}

In this photo, five Outstanding Students recognized by Seminole State College pose for a photo. Pictured left to right are: Savannah Averitt, Business and Education; Lilly Jones, Health Sciences; Braden Young, Language Arts and Humanities; Gavin Williams, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and Christian Herlehy, Social Sciences. — _{SSC recognized five Outstanding Students during the Spring Recognition Banquet. Pictured left to right are: Savannah Averitt, Business and Education; Lilly Jones, Health Sciences; Braden Young, Language Arts and Humanities; Gavin Williams, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and Christian Herlehy, Social Sciences.}

Five students were recognized as Outstanding Students of the Year by their academic divisions: Savannah Averitt of Norman, Business and Education Division; Lilly Jones of Prague, Health Sciences Division; Braden Young of Holdenville, Language Arts and Humanities Division; Gavin Williams of Edmond, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Division; and Christian Herlehy of Shawnee, Social Sciences Division.

In this photo, Seminole State campus organizational leaders pose for photos with their awards. Pictured left to right are: Paul Juhasz, Faculty Senate President; Alicia Ryan, Professional Staff Council Chair; Tisha Simon, Classified Staff Association President; and Asia Johnson, Student Government Association President. — _{SSC recognized campus organizational leaders during the event. Pictured left to right are: Paul Juhasz, Faculty Senate President; Alicia Ryan, Professional Staff Council Chair; Tisha Simon, Classified Staff Association President; and Asia Johnson, Student Government Association President.}

Campus organizational leaders were also recognized, including Faculty Senate President Paul Juhasz, Professional Staff Council Chair Alicia Ryan, Classified Staff Association President Tisha Simon and Student Government Association President Asia Johnson.

In this photo are employees recognized for their milestones of service. Pictured left to right are: Mechell Downey, Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations, 25 years; Teresa Norman, IT Technician, 25 years; Kelli McBride, Assistant Professor of English and Language Arts and Humanities Division Chair, 20 years; and Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, 20 years. — _{SSC recognized employees for milestone years of service during the banquet. Pictured left to right are: Mechell Downey, Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations, 25 years; Teresa Norman, IT Technician, 25 years; Kelli McBride, Assistant Professor of English and Language Arts and Humanities Division Chair, 20 years; and Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, 20 years.}

Employees honored for milestone service included Mechell Downey, Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations, 25 years; Teresa Norman, IT Technician, 25 years; Dr.

Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, 20 years; and Kelli McBride, Assistant Professor of English and Language Arts and Humanities Division Chair, 20 years.

Retirees recognized at the event included Julie Hix, Comptroller; Tina Savage, Talent Search Advisor; and Dr. Ricky Streight, Associate Professor of STEM.

In this photo, SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (right) present SSC Board of Regents Chair Marci Donaho (center) with a gift during the banquet. Donaho, the longest-serving regent in the history of the College, will complete her term June 30 after 21 years of service. — _{SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (right) present SSC Board of Regents Chair Marci Donaho (center) with a gift during the banquet. Donaho, the longest-serving regent in the history of the College, will complete her term June 30 after 21 years of service.}

The SSC Educational Foundation, established in 1972, supports scholarships, faculty initiatives and campus development. For more information or to make a contribution, visit sscok.edu/foundation.