Category Faculty & Staff

In this photo, SSC Professor of History Marta Osby (left) presents Melissa Overfield, Chief of Voluntary Services, with holiday cards for veterans at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

SSC Spreads Holiday Cheer to Veterans

Josh Hutton

Beginning on Veterans Day, students, faculty, staff and administrators at Seminole State College launched the 2025 Veteran Appreciation Holiday Cheer Project, an annual initiative to share gratitude with veterans across Oklahoma.

From Nov. 11 through Dec. 2, members of the campus community signed holiday cards with messages of thanks, encouragement and cheer.

A total of 250 cards were delivered to the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City and distributed to inpatients receiving care. Melissa Overfield, Chief of Voluntary Services, also distributed cards to VA satellite clinics statewide so veterans outside the metro area would feel remembered during the holidays. She thanked everyone involved for helping bring a moment of joy to hundreds of Oklahoma veterans.

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SSC Celebrates Tina Savage at Retirement Reception

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Tina Savage (center) speaks to guests during her retirement reception Dec. 12 in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union at Seminole State College.

Tina Savage (center) speaks to guests during her retirement reception Dec. 12 in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union at Seminole State College. Savage joined SSC in 2000 and as the Talent Search-West Advisor spent years guiding Pottawatomie County high school students toward postsecondary education. She holds an Associate of Science from Seminole State College, a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern State University, and a Master of Science from East Central University. She and her husband, Kevin, reside in Maud.

Pictured, from left, are Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at SSC; Lana Reynolds, SSC President; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President of Finance, Grants and Enrollment at SSC; Dr. Jenna Geohagan of The Clinic; Anne Nicole Flinn, Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations at The Clinic; Charlie Vest, Executive Vice President of Finance and Operation at The Clinic; and LaDawna Fry, Executive Director of Patient Experience at The Clinic.

The Clinic, Seminole State College partner on student health

Josh Hutton

The Clinic has partnered with Seminole State College to provide comprehensive health care for its students.

Beginning with the Spring 2026 semester, SSC students may visit The Clinic at 2249 Boren Boulevard, which is located under the same roof as The Pharmacy and only blocks away from the campus. There are approximately 1,500 students enrolled at the school.

“We are grateful for this new partnership with The Clinic and what it will mean for our campus community,” said SSC President Lana Reynolds. “By making affordable preventive and primary care easier to access, we are removing barriers and investing in the overall success of our students and the faculty and staff who serve them.”

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SSC Provides Christmas Gifts to Local Children

Josh Hutton
Posing for a group photo with gifts gathered for 25 children in need through the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, are (left to right): Language Arts and Social Sciences Office Manager Twila Kappele, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittmann, and Lead Custodian Christie McKee.

Seminole State College employees and students recently participated in the Angel Tree program, providing gifts to 25 children in need through the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The SSC community purchased clothing and toys, carrying on a tradition of giving the college began in 1997. Pictured (left to right): Language Arts and Social Sciences Office Manager Twila Kappele, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittmann, and Lead Custodian Christie McKee.

In this photo, Recruitment Specialist and the Staff Member of the Month Maddy Potter (right) and Faculty Member of the Month, Assistant Professor of Life Science Leigh Ann Wilson (left) pose for a photo.

Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Dec. 11. Assistant Professor of Life Science Leigh Ann Wilson was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Recruitment Specialist Maddy Potter was named Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognizes SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Honorees are nominated from across campus and selected by College administrators.

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SSC Retirement Reception Celebrates Dr. Ricky Streight

Josh Hutton
Dr. Streight address attendees at retirement reception.

Dr. Ricky Streight visits with attendees during a retirement reception in his honor Dec. 3 in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union on the Seminole State College campus. Streight has dedicated 18 years of service to SSC over two tenures, beginning in 1986 as an instructor before moving into administration, then returning in 2021 as a full-time professor teaching the calculus series, differential equations and developing computer science courses. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, four master’s degrees in strategic studies, computer science, data analysis and mathematics, and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Oklahoma; he and his wife, Sherri, reside in Shawnee.

This is a group photo, pictured from left, Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Business and Entrepreneurs Club sponsor Brad Schatzel, Kara Doan of Frisco, Texas; Savannah Averitt of Seminole; Ava Freeze of Prague; Jentrie Gibson of Chandler; and Katie Simpson of Columbus, Kansas, gather at East Central University’s Stonecipher School of Business in Ada following the Tiger Tank and Tiger Trak business competitions Nov. 12.

SSC Business Students Win at ECU Competition

Josh Hutton

Five business students from Seminole State College traveled to the Stonecipher School of Business at East Central University in Ada on Nov. 12 to compete in a series of business-focused events. The team returned with a collection of awards and cash prizes ranging from $25 to $250.

The day began with the Tiger Tank business pitch competition, modeled after the television show “Shark Tank.” Three SSC students presented their entrepreneurial ideas to a panel of judges. Katie Simpson of Columbus, Kansas, earned second runner-up for her pitch, Next Level Athletics, a sports training complex aimed at developing young athletes. Savannah Averitt of Seminole and Ava Freeze of Prague took first place in the underclassmen division with their concept, Savalon, a full-service family salon with a welcoming, community-centered focus.

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In this photo, an ariel view is shown of a crowd lining the road as the women’s soccer team departs campus.

SSC Rallies for Women’s Soccer Team Before National Tournament

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill thanks the students, faculty, staff and community supporters in attendance at the event.

Seminole State College hosted a send-off on Nov. 14 for the women’s soccer team ahead of their appearance at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Tournament in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union. Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill thanks the students, faculty, staff and community supporters in attendance at the event. SSC President Lana Reyolds, Board of Regents Chair Marci Donaho, SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell and Student Government Association President Adisen Williamson also spoke at the event, wishing the team well on their competition.

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SSC Representatives Attend Oklahoma Academy Town Hall

Josh Hutton
In this photo, SSC sophomore Ethan Rich (left) of Prague poses with former Trojan baseball player and SSC Alumni Hall of Famer Chris Schroeder, Director of the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, during the Oklahoma Academy Town Hall.
SSC sophomore Ethan Rich (left) of Prague poses with former Trojan baseball player and SSC Alumni Hall of Famer Chris Schroeder, Director of the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, during the Oklahoma Academy Town Hall. Schroeder served as a panelist during the event.
In this photo, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSC sophomore Ethan Rich of Prague and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell pose for a group photo.
Pictured at the 2025 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall in Tulsa, Oct. 26–29: SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSC sophomore Ethan Rich of Prague and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell.

Seminole State College sophomore Ethan Rich, of Prague, was selected as one of only ten students from colleges and universities across Oklahoma to participate in the 2025 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall, held Oct. 26–29 at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Also representing SSC were President Lana Reynolds and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell.

This year’s Town Hall theme, “Forging Our Future Beyond ARPA,” focused on how Oklahoma can build on American Rescue Plan Act investments to strengthen communities and drive long-term resilience. Over four days, participants collaborated with civic leaders, policymakers and community advocates to develop actionable public policy recommendations.

Founded in 1967 as a nonpartisan forum to advance sound public policy, the Oklahoma Academy adopted its Town Hall model in 2001 to convene diverse voices and convert ideas into consensus recommendations. The organization will compile and publish findings from this year’s discussions following the event.

“Ethan represented SSC incredibly well,” President Reynolds said. “We’re proud to see our students engaged in meaningful conversations about Oklahoma’s future.”