All-Black Towns of Oklahoma Exhibit Opens at SSC

Seminole State College is hosting the Thirteen All-Black Towns of Oklahoma traveling exhibit in the lobby of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center throughout the month of June.

The exhibit, curated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, explores the history of All-Black towns that are still incorporated today. The towns highlighted in the exhibit are Boley, Brooksville, Clearview, Grayson, Langston, Lima, Red Bird, Rentiesville, Taft, Tatums, Tullahassee, Summit and Vernon.

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, around 50 All-Black towns were established in Oklahoma. These towns were founded by African American settlers who pooled their resources to purchase land and create self-sustaining communities.

The founders of these towns aimed to create spaces where African Americans could live free from racial discrimination, establish businesses, own property and govern themselves. These towns became hubs for entrepreneurship, education and culture.

The exhibit is sponsored by the SSC Educational Foundation and is being held in commemoration of the Juneteenth holiday. Seminole State College’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Longtime SSC Baseball Coach Honored at Field Dedication

Pictured (left to right) are Sen. Jech, SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham, Simmons, SSC President Lana Reynolds and SSC Board of Regents Chair Kim Hyden posing for a photo during the Lloyd Simmons Field dedication on May 3 at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

Seminole State College hosted the Lloyd Simmons Field dedication on May 3 at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. Former Trojan baseball Head Coach Lloyd Simmons was presented with a plaque and customized baseball bat to commemorate the special occasion. Simmons also received a Citation of Recognition from the State of Oklahoma in honor of the field dedication by State Senator and Trojan Alumni Darcy Jech. Pictured (left to right) are Sen. Jech, SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham, Simmons, SSC President Lana Reynolds and SSC Board of Regents Chair Kim Hyden.

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SSC to Host Lloyd Simmons Field Dedication Ceremony

Seminole State College will host the dedication ceremony of Lloyd Simmons Field on May 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. Admission to the field dedication and the subsequent Trojan baseball game at 6:00 p.m. will be free for all attendees.

Beginning in October of 2023, Trojan baseball alumni spearheaded efforts to commemorate Simmons by raising funds to name SSC’s home field in his honor. Simmons, whose coaching tenure spanned from 1976 to 2001 and 2012-2016, won 1,804 games. He led 13 teams to the NJCAA College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado, and 43 of his former players made it to Major League Baseball.

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SSC Educational Foundation’s Annual Spring Banquet Draws Large Crowd

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.

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SSC Educational Foundation to Host Annual Spring Banquet

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation will host its 29th Annual Spring Banquet on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on campus. The event recognizes accomplishments by alumni, employees and students.

Former students Anthony Bowie and Doug Ogle will be 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. Nominations for inductees are accepted each year from faculty, staff, SSC Educational Foundation trustees and the public.

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Bagwell and Horne Families Make Donation to SSC

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.

SSC Educational Foundation Honored with Community Award

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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Avedis Foundation Awards Grant to Enhance Adaptive Field

The Avedis Foundation has awarded a $70,000 grant to the SSC Educational Foundation to add a shade structure and update handicap-accessible seating to the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex’s adaptive field.

The field, named the Avedis Adaptive Field, which opened in 2022, is designed for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. It is the home of A League of Their Own, a co-ed softball league for young people with disabilities. The field is also utilized for t-ball games in the summer months.

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SSC Educational Foundation Hosts Holiday Fundraiser

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.

SSC Educational Foundation Hosts Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Pictured is an ariel view of cars and golf carts lined up and ready to hit the course during the Seminole State College Educational Foundation's 27th Annual Golf Tournament at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course.

The Seminole State College Educational Foundation hosted its 27th Annual Golf Tournament at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course in Seminole Sept. 29. This year’s event raised nearly $30,000 for student scholarships and campus capital projects. A total of 94 players, comprising 24 corporate teams, took to the links to show their support for the College.

Pictured, SSC Rural Business and Resources Director Danny Morgan and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham look on as Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon tees off.

SSC Rural Business and Resources Director Danny Morgan and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham look on as Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon tees off.

Pictured (left to right) SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Jim Hardin, SSC Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles and Foundation Trustee Doug Humphreys prepare hot dogs and brats for participants at the event.

Pictured (left to right) SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Jim Hardin, SSC Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles and Foundation Trustee Doug Humphreys prepare hot dogs and brats for participants at the event.