SSC Educational Foundation’s Annual Spring Banquet Draws Large Crowd

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its 29th Annual Spring Banquet on Thursday, April 25 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on campus. More than 400 people were in attendance.

The event serves as a major fundraiser for the foundation. This year’s event raised over $45,000, which will go directly to student scholarships.

Pictured posing for a photo are Former SSC students Anthony Bowie (center left) and Doug Ogle (center right) who were inducted into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame. Vice President of Commercial Lending at First National Bank of NWA Kyle Kerwin (left) and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development for OSU Athletics Larry Reece (right) presented the awards.
Former SSC students Anthony Bowie (center left) and Doug Ogle (center right) were inducted into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame. Vice President of Commercial Lending at First National Bank of NWA Kyle Kerwin (left) and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development for OSU Athletics Larry Reece (right) presented the awards.

Accomplishments by alumni, employees and students were recognized at the event. Former students Anthony Bowie and Doug Ogle were inducted into the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame. Recipients are selected for their achievements while attending the College, as well as the contributions they have made in their professional careers. Bowie was a standout basketball player at SSC and went on to have a career in the NBA. Following his professional basketball run, he went on to become an educator. Ogle was the manager for the men’s basketball team and the President of the Baptist Student Union during his time at SSC. He is now the Superintendent of Perkins-Tyron Public Schools.

Kyle Kerwin, Vice President of Commercial Lending at First National Bank of NWA in Rogers, Arkansas introduced Bowie. Larry Reece, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development for OSU Athletics and the “arena voice” of the OSU Cowboys, introduced Ogle.

Pictured posing for a photo are Former SSC Athletic Director Dr. Thurman Edwards (right) who received the Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented by Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs Dr. Brad Walck (left).
Former SSC Athletic Director Dr. Thurman Edwards (right) received the Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented by Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs Dr. Brad Walck (left).

Dr. Thurman Edwards received the Distinguished Service Award. Edwards worked at SSC for 28 years. He held various roles, including Golf Coach, Division Chair and Athletic Director. Edwards’ award was presented by Dr. Brad Walk, SSC Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs.

Pictured on stage during an interview portion of the evenings event are (left to right): SSC President Lana Reynolds, Dalton Fowble of Chandler, Tori Annanders of Macomb, Baylie Luschen of Chandler, Olivia Stevenson of Seminole and Brett Griffith of Rocky.
Each of the five academic divisions named one Outstanding Student of the Year. During the banquet, honorees sat down with SSC Lana Reynolds to discuss their time at the College. Pictured (left to right): Reynolds, Dalton Fowble of Chandler, Tori Annanders of
Macomb, Baylie Luschen of Chandler, Olivia Stevenson of Seminole and Brett Griffith of Rocky.

Campus organizational leaders were also recognized at the banquet, including Faculty Senate President Dr. Ricky Streight, Professional Staff President Tina Savage, Classified Staff President Tisha Simon and Student Government Association President Benjamin Parker.

Each division on campus has selected an outstanding student to be recognized at the event: Dalton Fowble of Chandler, Business and Education; Tori Annanders of Macomb, Health Sciences; Baylie Luschen of Chandler, Language Arts and Humanities; Olivia Stevenson of Seminole, Social Sciences; and Brett Griffith of Rocky, STEM.

Posing for a photo on stage are SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham (right) as they congratulate Medical Laboratory Technician Professor Malinda Browning (center) on her 35 years of service and her upcoming retirement.
SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham (right) congratulate Medical Laboratory Technician Professor Malinda Browning (center) on her 35 years of service and her upcoming retirement.

Two employees were recognized for reaching milestone years of employment with the College. Talent Search Advisor Damaris Haney was recognized for her 25 years at SSC. Custodian Mark Spencer was recognized for his 20 years of service.

Two employees were recognized for their upcoming retirement: IT Technician David Cobb and Medical Laboratory Technician Professor Malinda Browning. Browning also reached the milestone of 35 years of employment at SSC.

The College’s Educational Foundation was established in 1972 to “supply aid for charitable, benevolent educational, scientific and literary purposes.” For more information on the foundation, visit sscok.edu/foundation.