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Pictured is Interim Head Coach of the Trojans Men's Basketball team, Austin Bogle.

SSC Announces Men’s Basketball Coaching Change

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Men’s Basketball Coach Lucas Hunter announced this week that he will be departing the college to join his fiancée, who has recently completed medical school and is beginning a four-year residency in North Carolina. Hunter has also accepted a coaching position close to where his fiancée is currently residing.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that SSC provided me to be the Head Basketball Coach of such a storied program,” Hunter said. “I took pleasure in getting to work in a community where the success of the local junior college athletics programs mattered, and their support matched that.”

Hunter took the reins as Head Coach in July of 2023. He was pivotal in recruiting and rebuilding the basketball team. Prior to joining SSC, he served as an Assistant Coach at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah for three years.

“We hate to see Coach Hunter leave,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said. “In his short time with us, he has begun building a strong, respected program and has been extremely active in the Seminole community. We wish him nothing but the best in his career and much happiness in his personal life.”

Effective immediately, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Austin Bogle has been appointed as the Interim Head Coach of the Trojans. Bogle brings six years of experience at the collegiate coaching level. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Most recently, he served as a Graduate Assistant and Director of Operations at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Coach at Northeastern State University.

“We are fortunate to have Coach Bogle here, available and willing to step up to help the college as we quickly enter the semester and the upcoming basketball season,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said.

In this photo, an Army National Guard recruiter speaks with an SSC student during a career and transfer fair held on the Seminole State College campus.

SSC Extends Textbook Waivers for National Guard Members

Josh Hutton

For the second year in a row, members of the Oklahoma National Guard will have the cost of their tuition, fees and textbooks covered when attending Seminole State College. Beginning with the fall semester, which starts Aug. 19, SSC is extending textbook waivers to add to the benefits members of the National Guard receive through the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

“In gratitude for their service, we’re continuing to offer textbook waivers to students eligible for EAP. Our goal is to alleviate the financial burden of acquiring course materials for National Guard members,” SSC Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart said.

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In this photo, Seminole State College GEAR UP students (pictured left to right) Korbyn Finch of Maud, Hailey Mack of Varnum and Raygan Lee of Wetumka pose for a photo after visiting the United State Capitol Building during their trip to Washington D.C. for the Youth Leadership Summit.

SSC GEAR UP Students Attend Leadership Summit in D.C.

Josh Hutton

Three Seminole State College GEAR UP students were selected alongside other students from across the United States to attend and participate in the 2024 Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) during the annual National GEAR UP conference July 21-24, in Washington D.C.

YLS’ theme this year was “Diplomacy Beyond Borders: Inspire, Connect, Transform.” The students learned how to be an efficient leader and have healthy leadership skills. The students were able to network with a diverse group of young adults and discuss the unique obstacles they had overcome to get where they are today.

The SSC GEAR UP participants included Korbyn Finch from Maud, Raygan Lee from Wetumka, and Hailey Mack from Varnum.

The three GEAR UP students and the GEAR UP staff also enjoyed an educational preconference. The places visited included Boston and Salem, Massachusetts, Newport, Rhode Island and New York City. Participants attended Wicked on Broadway, walked the Salem Witch Trial Trails and the Freedom Trail in Boston. They also visited several national monuments and toured Brown University, Harvard University and New York University.

In this photo, Local students exit the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center on the Seminole State College campus during a High School Visit Day at SSC on Nov. 8, 2023.

Concurrent Enrollment at SSC Helps Students Earn College Credit While Keeping Costs Down

Josh Hutton

There is still time for high school juniors and seniors to enroll in concurrent classes at Seminole State College before the fall semester begins on Aug. 19, with late enrollment open until Aug. 23. Concurrent enrollment helps students earn college credit hours before their high school graduation.

According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 15,382 students participated in concurrent enrollment across the state last fall. Nearly 77% of those students completed coursework at a community college.

“Concurrent enrollment at Seminole State College offers numerous benefits for high school students,” Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey said. “From cost savings to a smoother transition into college life, SSC provides a supportive environment for students to begin their higher education journey.”

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In this photo, Ryan Franklin alongside other members of the SSC Board of Regents pose for a photo at the grand opening of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex on Oct. 20, 2022. Pictured (left to right): Franklin, Kim Hyden, Robyn Ready, Marci Donaho, Curtis Morgan and Bryan Cain.

From Seminole to Sydney: Gold Medalist Recounts Olympic Journey

Josh Hutton

As the 2024 Olympics in Paris continue through Aug. 11, viewers around the world tune in as the best athletes in the world compete in a wide range of sports. From rhythmic gymnastics to Greco-Roman wrestling, from fencing to equestrian dressage, it would be easy to assume the most popular sports suited for the summer months are all represented.

“One sport is painfully missing,” Seminole State College Regent Ryan Franklin said. “America’s pastime. Baseball.”

For Franklin, the omission is personal. After graduating from Spiro High School in 1991, Franklin attended what was then Seminole Junior College, where, as a pitcher, he went 20-0 across two seasons. He was then signed by the Seattle Mariners. He spent the next few years building a reputation as a reliable closing pitcher in the minor leagues, eventually leading to an opportunity to try out for the United States’ 2000 Olympic baseball team.

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In this photo, pictured left to right, Director of Communications Josh Hutton, Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell pose for a photo with the two awards they received at the 2024 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association annual conference in Tulsa.

SSC PR Team Wins Awards at State Conference

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Public Relations team was honored with two awards at the annual Oklahoma College Public Relations Association conference, held from July 14-16 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa.

Director of Communications Josh Hutton and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell took home an award in the Special Publications category for their work on SSC’s 2023 Annual Report. Nickell shot and edited photos and Hutton wrote the copy and designed the publication.

“The Annual Report highlights campus events, student life, academic programs, the institution’s finances and the achievements of our students, faculty and staff. It’s always a major undertaking, but after it has been compiled, it’s always amazing to see what our campus community can accomplish in the span of a year,” Hutton said.

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In this photo, SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell welcomes athletes across all sports to campus in the fall of 2023.

SSC Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Honors

Josh Hutton

Fifty-eight student-athletes and six athletic teams at Seminole State College have been recognized for their academic achievements this year by the National Junior College Athletic Association. The NJCAA Academic All-American Student Athlete Awards are divided into the three groups based on grade point average – First Team requires a 4.0 GPA, Second Team requires a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, and Third Team requires a GPA between 3.60 and 3.79.

“Our students’ dedication to excellence both in the classroom and on the field exemplifies the core values of Seminole State College. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and perseverance,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said.

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In this photo Newly appointed Regent Teresa Burnett (right) is sworn in for a seven-year term on the SSC Board of Regents by her husband, Brad Burnett (left), at the meeting on July 18.

New Regent Sworn in at SSC Board Meeting

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Board of Regents swore in a new member, selected officers and approved a policy revision at their meeting on July 18.

The meeting commenced with the formal swearing-in of new Regent Teresa Burnett. The oath of office was administered by her husband, Brad Burnett, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Oklahoma Baptist University and former Associate Vice President of Student Financial Services at the University of Oklahoma.

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In this photo, SSC agriculture alumni and Oklahoma State University graduate student McKenzie Sheldon takes participants bird watching as part of the Outdoor session.

SSC Summer Camps Create Memorable Experiences for Kids

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College’s Kids on Campus summer camps attracted dozens of students who participated in a wide range of sessions. This year’s camps ran from June 24-27 and July 8-11. Over the two weeks, kids participated in 82 individual sessions with themes such as Fun Fitness, Outdoor, Art, Clay, Lego and STEM.