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Pictured, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris (left) and Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman (right) pose for a photo in front of gifts to be delivered.

SSC Provides Christmas Gifts to Local Children

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College employees recently provided gifts to 23 children participating in the Angel Tree programs sponsored by the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The Angel Tree program connects donors with children in need. SSC employees purchased clothing and toys and donated the items.

“I am honored to work with such a great group of people that help sponsor these Angels every year,” Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman said.

Providing gifts to children in the Angel Tree program has been an annual tradition at SSC since 1997.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce recognized Coordinator of Distance Education Laura Votaw (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of STEM and Accreditation Coordinator Dr. Deanna Miles (right) as the Faculty Member of the Month at their forum on Dec. 14.

Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Dec. 14. Assistant Professor of STEM and Accreditation Coordinator Dr. Deanna Miles was honored as Faculty Member of the Month and Coordinator of Distance Education Laura Votaw as Staff Member of the Month.

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SSC Educational Foundation Hosts Holiday Fundraiser

Josh Hutton
Pictured, attendees of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation's annual Holiday Reception fundraising event enjoy food and conversation.

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its annual Holiday Reception fundraising event on Dec. 11 at the Crossing Hearts Ranch in Tecumseh. Over 100 people were in attendance and the event raised more than $27,000 for scholarships and capital projects at the College.

Pictured (left to right) President of SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee Angi Mohr, SSC President Lana Reynolds and President and CEO of the Avedis Foundation Dr. Kathy Laster pose for a photo at the event. Both Mohr and Laster also serve on the SSC Educational Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Pictured (left to right) President of SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee Angi Mohr, SSC President Lana Reynolds and President and CEO of the Avedis Foundation Dr. Kathy Laster pose for a photo at the event. Both Mohr and Laster also serve on the SSC Educational Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Former Oklahoma State Senators Harry Coates (left) and Charlie Laster (right) greet current State Senator Grant Green (center) at the Holiday Reception on Dec. 11.

Former Oklahoma State Senators Harry Coates (left) and Charlie Laster (right) greet current State Senator Grant Green (center) at the Holiday Reception on Dec. 11.

Melissa Overfield (left), the Center for Development & Civic Engagement at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, accepts holiday greeting cards signed by the SSC campus community by Professor of History Mart Osby (right).

SSC Delivers Holiday Cards to Veterans

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College students, faculty, staff and administrators recently came together to deliver holiday cards to veterans as part of their annual Operation Veteran Appreciation and Holiday Cheer project.

From Nov. 10-27, the campus community was asked to sign cards with thoughtful notes of thanks, appreciation and cheer for veterans during the holiday season. Two hundred cards were delivered to the VA Medical Center in OKC to hand out to veterans.

Melissa Overfield, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement Chief, was so thankful for the outpouring of support.

In addition, cards were delivered to Carl Odom, Commander of the Seminole American Legion Post # 204. Odom was touched by the gesture of strangers showing how much they appreciate veterans.

Professor of History Marta Osby who initiated the project in 2015, continues to oversee the effort.

“I am continually amazed by the support and thoughts expressed in our holiday cards for our veterans. In the busyness of the holiday season, so many of our veterans get overlooked. I want to

personally thank each person who contributed. We are forever in the debt of these true heroes, our veterans.”

Fall Pinning Ceremony Marks Milestone for SSC Students

Josh Hutton
Nursing students expected to meet degree requirements this semester are pictured holding candles during this year's pinning ceremony.

Seminole State College held a pinning ceremony at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on Dec. 7 for 15 nursing students expected to meet degree requirements this semester. The pinning ceremony also included candle lighting, signifying the transition from student to one of service. Since the nursing program began in 1972, nearly 1,100 nurses have launched their careers at SSC.

Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor of Nursing Shelby Parsons, Nursing Program Office Manager Julie Mathews, Former Nursing Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Nursing Professor Ann Benson, Jami Hammond, Connor Martin, Assistant Professor of Nursing Damaila Lester, Assistant Professor of Nursing Miranda Stewart and Assistant Professor of Nursing Jessica Shelburne. Middle Row: Cheyanne Lee, Rebecca Smith, Shelly Teape, Kerra Pack, Presleigh Casteel, Serrenity Rezentes and Jada Hill. Front Row: Tina Buckmaster, Abigail Gilliam, Tara Gaines-Manship, Hayley Dale, Tosha Johnson, Casey Visnieski and Stephanie Newburn.

Nursing graduates and nursing faculty and staff pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor of Nursing Shelby Parsons, Nursing Program Office Manager Julie Mathews, Former Nursing Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Nursing Professor Ann Benson, Jami Hammond, Connor Martin, Assistant Professor of Nursing Damaila Lester, Assistant Professor of Nursing Miranda Stewart and Assistant Professor of Nursing Jessica Shelburne. Middle Row: Cheyanne Lee, Rebecca Smith, Shelly Teape, Kerra Pack, Presleigh Casteel, Serrenity Rezentes and Jada Hill. Front Row: Tina Buckmaster, Abigail Gilliam, Tara Gaines-Manship, Hayley Dale, Tosha Johnson, Casey Visnieski and Stephanie Newburn.

Presleigh Casteel (right) poses with her daughter Isabel (left) prior to the pinning ceremony. Casteel was the recipient of this semester’s Spirit of Nursing Award. The award is given to a student demonstrates academic excellence and embodies the values of SSC’s nursing program.

Presleigh Casteel (right) poses with her daughter Isabel (left) prior to the pinning ceremony. Casteel was the recipient of this semester’s Spirit of Nursing Award. The award is given to a student demonstrates academic excellence and embodies the values of SSC’s nursing program.

Pictured, students walk out of Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center on the Seminole State College Campus.

Spring Semester Begins Soon at SSC, Enrollment Remains Open

Josh Hutton

Enrollment is open for the spring semester for current and prospective students at Seminole State College.

Spring courses are set to begin Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Students and area residents can take advantage of open enrollment now through Friday, Jan. 12.

For help with enrollment, students may visit advisors in person inside the Walkingstick Student Services Center or call (405) 382-9230. Current students may enroll with their academic advisor.

Continue reading “Spring Semester Begins Soon at SSC, Enrollment Remains Open” →

Young Enterprising Women Forum Held at SSC

Josh Hutton
Pictured (left to right): Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geolagan of the Seminole Clinic, Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and CEO of South Central Industries Tina Hanna served as panelists at the mentoring forum for high school girls interested in STEM and entrepreneurial careers.

The Enterprising Women Foundation, the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women and Seminole State College hosted a mentoring forum for high school girls interested in STEM and entrepreneurial careers on Dec. 5 at the college’s Kelly Haney Center. The Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum featured sessions on financial literacy, business panels with women in leadership roles, a luncheon and one-on-one mentoring. Pictured (left to right): Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geolagan of the Seminole Clinic, Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and CEO of South Central Industries Tina Hanna served as panelists at the event.

Pictured, High school girls from Earlsboro, Holdenville, Macomb, Meeker, Prague, Seminole, The Academy of Seminole, Shawnee and Stroud attended the event to learn more about job opportunities in STEM, guidance one entrepreneurship and information on financial literacy.

High school girls from Earlsboro, Holdenville, Macomb, Meeker, Prague, Seminole, The Academy of Seminole, Shawnee and Stroud attended the event to learn more about job opportunities in STEM, guidance one entrepreneurship and information on financial literacy.

FireLake Golf Donates Utility Vehicle to SSC Program

Josh Hutton
Pictured (left to right): SSC men and women’s golfers Brett Griffith, Chase Conner, Ryan Carlisle, Paola Gutierrez, Andrianna O’Daniel, Williamson, Chesser, Brice Wolf, Carson Newton and Alexander Landon.
Pictured (left to right): SSC men and women’s golfers Brett Griffith, Chase Conner, Ryan Carlisle, Paola Gutierrez, Andrianna O’Daniel, Williamson, Chesser, Brice Wolf, Carson Newton and Alexander Landon.

FireLake Golf Course recently donated a Kubota RV 900 utility vehicle to the Seminole State College golf program. The vehicle will be used to pick up balls on the driving range for the men’s and women’s golf teams. “We want to thank FireLake Golf Director Chris Chesser for this generous donation. This vehicle will be a great asset to our teams,” SSC Golf Head Coach Ronnie Williamson said. FireLake Golf Course is an enterprise of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a sovereign tribal nation located just outside of Shawnee.

SSC Named Certified Healthy Campus

Josh Hutton
Pictured, Community Drug Overdose Prevention Coordinator Zane Winters (left) presents the Certified Healthy Campus award to SSC Wellness Committee Chair Mechell Downey (right) on Dec. 1.

Seminole State College has been recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a Certified Healthy Campus. Community Drug Overdose Prevention Coordinator Zane Winters (left) presented the award to SSC Wellness Committee Chair Mechell Downey (right) on Dec. 1.

Certified Healthy Campus was created in 2011 to recognize both public and private post-secondary campuses and career technology centers that promote health and wellness for their faculty, staff, students, and even visitors. Promotion of health and wellness can be done in a variety of ways including passing policies that encourage healthy lifestyles and making facilities available for physical activities.