Category Community

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 March 14. Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Truitt Eubank was honored as Faculty Member of the Month and Bookstore E-Commerce Specialist Lesley Ward as Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

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SSC TRIO Programs Attend Wicked Musical

Josh Hutton
Pictured is a group of Seminole State College TRIO program students from Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services, as they pose for a group photo outside of the OKC Civic Center where they experienced the musical “Wicked.”

During the month of March, all three Seminole State College TRIO programs – Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services – took groups of students to the OKC Civic Center to experience the musical “Wicked.” The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. The SSS and STEM SSS Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $294,725 and $261,888 annually. Upward Bound I, II, Math & Science I, and Math & Science II are 100% federally funded for $414,579, $309,505, $309,505, and $309,505 annually. More information about the programs can be found at sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs.

SSC Public Relations Team Reads to Kindergarten Class

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Communications Coordinator Josh Hutton (left) and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell (right) read “The Bad Seed” by Jory John to Danielle Morgan’s kindergarten class at the Prague Early Childhood Center on March 11. Bringing readers into classrooms is part of a national effort to raise awareness about the importance, value and fun of reading. Such reading programs are designed to motivate kids to read and celebrate the diversity in communities and across the country.

Pictured (left to right): SSC Rural Business and Resources Director Danny Morgan, SSC Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle, Tourism Council Member Marci Donaho, CEO of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Amy Britt. Chancellor for Higher Education Allison Garrett, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Regent Ann Holloway, OSRHE Chair Jack Sherry, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon and Tourism Council Member Mitch Enos.

SSC and Tourism Council Foundation Partnership Honored

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College and the Seminole Tourism Council were among colleges, organizations and businesses honored during a Business Partnership Excellence Awards Luncheon held March 7 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

For the past 25 years, the Seminole Tourism Council has supported projects aimed at attracting visitors to Seminole and boosting the local economy. This includes funding more than 100 events, programs, building projects and marketing activities. Over the last decade, the Council has directed funds to support the creation, development, operation and improvements for SSC’s Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. This $12 million facility has been a catalyst for other economic development – including helping stimulate the building of a new housing addition, a hotel, two restaurants and a family fun center.

Initially, the Council matched college funds to support a position designed to help plan the complex and recruit tournaments and events. On subsequent occasions, the Council funded specific projects at the field, such as enhancing the soccer field, fencing the property, purchasing sod for walkway areas and purchasing materials for additional parking lots.

“We are so honored to have our partnership with the Seminole Tourism Council recognized through this awards program. They have been an integral part to the success of the sports complex,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

SSC nursing students pose for a group photo joined by local and state agencies after participating in a disaster response training.

SSC Nursing Partners with Local Agencies for Disaster Training Event

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College nursing students got a hands-on experience in disaster response on Feb. 28 at the softball field parking lot on campus. Nursing students worked alongside local agencies to respond to a simulated school bus wreck.

The scenario was designed to test the students’ ability to assess the situation and work alongside other first responders to triage and treat patients. The students acted as nurses, while volunteers played the roles of injured bus passengers.

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Pictured, Seminole State College Educational Foundation Trustee and Vision Bank President and CEO Steve Bagwell (left) recently donated several prints of artwork by Kelly Haney and other items to SSC. SSC Talent Search Advisor Damaris Haney (center), the daughter of Kelly Haney, and President Lana Reynolds (right) accepted the donation on behalf of the College.

Bagwell and Horne Families Make Donation to SSC

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Educational Foundation Trustee and Vision Bank President and CEO Steve Bagwell (left) recently donated several prints of artwork by Kelly Haney and other items to SSC. SSC Talent Search Advisor Damaris Haney (center), the daughter of Kelly Haney, and President Lana Reynolds (right) accepted the donation on behalf of the College. The items donated were part of the late Bill Horne’s private collection. In addition to Haney’s work, the donated items included prints from artist George Montgomery, famous for his depiction of the American West, and a headdress that was gifted to Horne by Haney in the 1970s. Horne, Bagwell’s father-in-law, was a member of the Vision Bank Board of Directors and an honorary Chief of the Methodist Indian Mission of Oklahoma. Haney served as a State Representative, a State Senator and Chair of the Appropriations committee – as well as in tribal government. The Enoch Kelly Haney Center on SSC’s campus carries his name as a tribute to his efforts to bring funding to the College. The donated works of art will be displayed in the Haney Center alongside many other pieces by the artist.

Picture, SSC Educational Foundation Vice Chair Mark Schell (left) and Chair Lance Wortham (center) accept the David L. Boren Community Achievement Award presented by Seminole Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rodney Sutterfield (right) at the chamber’s annual banquet on Feb. 6.

SSC Educational Foundation Honored with Community Award

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation received the David L. Boren Community Achievement Award at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce’s recent annual banquet in recognition of the economic impact their Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex had on the community of Seminole during 2023. The award was presented on Feb. 6 at the Utterback Ballroom on the College’s campus.

The award is bestowed upon individuals or organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service and engagement. The award also honored the Foundation’s longstanding efforts to raise funds for scholarships and campus capital projects and its operation of the SSC Rural Business and Resources Center, which provides economic development to communities throughout the College’s service area.

Trustees are pictured with the award (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Roy Sisco, Lance Wortham, Chris Moore, Billy Norton and Mark Schell.
Several members of the Board of Trustees of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation were present at the Seminole Chamber banquet to share in the honor given to their organization
for its positive impact on the community. Trustees pictured (left to right) are: Jim Hardin, Roy Sisco, Lance Wortham, Chris Moore, Billy Norton and Mark Schell.
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SSC Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen delivers a presentation at SSC.

Life and Legacy of Eisenhower to Be Discussed at SSC Event

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College will host its annual Presidents’ Day event on Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Utterback Ballroom, located just inside the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. This year’s event will feature a presentation by Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen titled “Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldier and Statesman.” The event is free and open to the public.

“Few stories of the ‘American Dream’ can compare to that of Dwight David Eisenhower,” Christiansen said. “He was born to humble circumstances, but he would eventually graduate from the United States Military Academy, rise to the five-star rank of General of the Army, command Allied forces in the largest amphibious assault in human history during the Second World War, lead one of the country’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning and be elected President of the United States in a landslide—twice.”

Christiansen has worked at SSC for 15 years. In addition to being a Professor of Government, he serves as Vice Chair of the Social Sciences division. He also is the coordinator of the College’s Constitution Day program, a faculty sponsor of the SSC Shooting Sports Club and volunteers as a judge at The Academy of Seminole’s annual History Fair each spring.

For more information about the event, visit sscok.edu or contact Christiansen at j.christiansen@sscok.edu.

SSC Leadership Students Volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club in Wewoka

Josh Hutton
The Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class poses for a group photo during their trip to the Boys and Girls Club of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

The Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class spent time learning from the leaders at the Boys and Girls Club of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Students went through a typical afternoon at the Club to prepare to volunteer with children who attend on a weekly basis.

Pictured, Charity Hair, Seminole, and Holden Bradford, Oklahoma City, face off in an enthusiastic rock, paper, scissors battle royale while their teams cheer them on waiting for their turn.

Charity Hair, Seminole, and Holden Bradford, Oklahoma City, face off in an enthusiastic rock, paper, scissors battle royale while their teams cheer them on waiting for their turn.