Seminole State College will host its annual Trick or Treat Trail event on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in Henderson Park on campus. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., students and employees will set up stations along the walking trail around the north pond and hand out candy. The event is free, open to the public and children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Trick or Treat Trail is coordinated by the college’s Campus Activities office and organized by Director of Residential Life and Student Activities Melinda Sims. For more information, contact Sims at m.sims@sscok.edu.
Chad Cargill speaks to area high school students about strategies for taking the ACT test at Seminole State College on Oct. 21.
Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS and Upward Bound programs hosted an ACT prep workshop on Oct. 21, with 87 local high school students in attendance.
The event’s featured speaker was Chad Cargill. Cargill took the ACT a total of 18 times in high school, raising his score from a 19 to a 32. He has presented his workshops for more than 20 years and speaks with over 10,000 students each year.
Attendees received an ACT test prep workbook and enjoyed pizza following the presentation.
Talent Search and Upward Bound are college preparatory programs that are funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The overall goal is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of higher education.
The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. For more information about the Talent Search Program, contact 405-382-9709.
The Upward Bound projects are 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound I is funded for $414,579, Upward Bound II for $309,505, Math and Science I for $309,505, and Math and Science II for $309,505. For more information about the program, contact 405-382-9710.
Incoming SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell (left) and SSC President Lana Reynolds (right) thank outgoing Chair Lance Wortham for his service.
The Seminole State College Educational Foundation welcomed three new trustees during their meeting on Oct. 9. Adam Baker, Vice President of First United Bank of Seminole, Kim Hyden, President of Gary A. Crain, Inc. and Carla Tollett, Director of Communications and Member Engagement at Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, were appointed to the Foundation Board.
During the meeting, the trustees addressed several agenda items. The Foundation accepted the 2023 Annual Audit conducted by Hinkle & Company, with comments provided by Auditor Matt Bauman and Audit Committee Chair Mark Schell. Hinkle & Company found no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. They issued an unqualified – or clean – audit.
Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Oct. 10. Assistant Professor of Math Cullen Birney was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Custodian Carmen Wright was named 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.
Seminole State College hosted its third annual Tribal Fest on Oct. 9 at the Cook Commons on SSC’s campus. Hundreds of attendees browsed the tribal resource fair, which featured more than 30 vendors. Attendees also enjoyed art demonstrations, traditional dance performances and Native American cuisine. The event was sponsored by several federal grant programs on SSC’s campus, including the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and Student Support Services STEM.
Three Seminole State College employees were honored at the 57th annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference held on Oct. 4 at Tulsa Community College. During the event, STEM Division Chair Emily Carpenter was named SSC Faculty Member of the Year, Talent Search-West Advisor Tina Savage was named Professional Staff Member of the Year and Maintenance Technician Dwayne Castle was named Classified Staff Member of the Year.
At their September 5 meeting, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved Seminole State College’s request to establish the Seminole State College Early College High School program. The new initiative will be launched in partnership with Seminole Public Schools, Shawnee Public Schools and The Academy of Seminole (TAOS).
The Early College program is set to begin in the Spring 2025 semester with an initial five-year approval period, concluding at the end of the Spring 2030 term. Freshmen students from Seminole High School, Shawnee High School and TAOS will be the first to enroll in the program.
Seventy SSC Talent Search/FOCUS students, staff, and volunteers enjoyed dinner together and attended the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “MJ” at the Oklahoma City Civic Center on Oct. 5. The musical tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and career, focusing primarily on his preparations for the 1992 Dangerous world tour. The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. For more information about the Talent Search Program, please visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs/talent-search or call 405-382-9709.
Three utility vehicles were recently donated for use at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex by two SSC Educational Foundation Trustees. (Pictured) Trustee and Owner of Sullivan-Dollar Insurance David Wilson (right) and his wife Cindy Wilson donated two golf carts. The golf carts will be used to shuttle guests with mobility limitations across the seven-field complex.
SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Jim Hardin and his wife retired SSC English Instructor Dr. Donna Hardin donated a John Deere Gator utility vehicle. The vehicle will be utilized to move equipment around the complex.
Seminole State College hosted a College Transfer Fair on Oct. 2. Students were able to speak with representatives from East Central University, Northeastern State University, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Southern Nazarene University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Grand Canyon University, Oklahoma City University and the U.S. Air Force.
