A large delegation of campus and community leaders representing Seminole State College attended “Higher Education Day” at the Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 13. The event, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is held annually to demonstrate grassroots support for Higher Education funding.
A late afternoon session was held in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Speakers included Gov. Mary Fallin; Sen. Roger Thompson; Rep. Jadine Nollan; State Regents Chair Ronald H. White, M.D.; State Regent Gen. Toney Stricklin; State Regent Jeffrey W. Hickman; Chancellor Glen D. Johnson; and President Jerry Steward, Oklahoma City Community College.
Four students also spoke at the event. Nikoma Early, Western Oklahoma State College; Erica Stephens, Oklahoma State University; Kalen Russell, University of Central Oklahoma; and Yaseen Shurbaj, University of Oklahoma, shared how they have benefitted from higher education and how attending one of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities has positively impacted their lives.
SSC Student Government President Miles Piersall (center) and SSC concurrent student Brandon Jones (right), delivered Valentine’s Day candy to State Representative Leslie Osborn (left) and thanked her for supporting Higher Education.
Prior to the afternoon program, community and campus leaders representing Seminole State College were guests at a luncheon held at the Oklahoma University Faculty House. Those present included State Senators Jason Smalley, Ron Sharp, Roger Thompson and Darcy Jech. State Representatives in attendance were Leslie Osborn, Dell Kerbs, and Kevin Wallace. Following introductions by SSC President Lana Reynolds, the elected officials spoke to the SSC delegation about their support of higher education and their outlook on the new legislative session.
Community supporters in attendance included: Dan Boren, SSC Foundation Trustee;Karel Brewster, Brewster Associates; Bryan Cain, SSC Regent; Randy Gilbert, Owner Gilbert Trucking; Suzanne Gilbert, SSC Foundation Trustee; Jim Hardin, SSC Foundation Trustee; John Hargrave, SSC Foundation Trustee; Leonard Harjo, SSC Foundation Trustee; Kim Hyden, SSC Regent; Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, SSC Vice President Emeritus; Harrel Kennedy, Retired Higher Ed. Administrator; Kelly Kirk, Retired SSC Professor; Judy Kirk, Retired Bank Executive; Chris Moore, Bancfirst President; Jeramy Rich, SSC Foundation Trustee Mark Schell, SSC Foundation Trustee; and David Wilson, SSC Foundation Trustee.
Current SSC Trojan baseball player K.C. Bryan presented Former 1977 NJCAA All-American Trojan baseball player and current State Senator Darcy Jech with a SSC Baseball cap at the Higher Ed Day luncheon at the OU Faculty House on Tuesday.
SSC students in attendance were: Gavin Aldridge, Earlsboro; K.C. Bryan, New Lima; Adam Choate, Seminole; Will Cotner, Seminole; Kaylie Davidson, Seminole; Hunter Dugan, Tecumseh; Daryian Fancher, Harrah; Triniti House, Moss; Zachary Ilbery, Checotah; Destanie Jacoway, Tecumseh; Cassidy Johnson, Bristow; Macyn Kinkade, Shawnee; D.J. Lee, Holdenville; Bo LeFlore, Shawnee; Meghan Mickle, Midwest City; Breana Murphy, Choctaw; Wyatt Norton, Earlsboro; Sidney Osborn, Seminole; Miles Piersall, Seminole; Kristopher Scott, Seminole; Ernest Sego, Tecumseh; Miranda Shupe, Chandler; Cami Sosbee, Okemah; and Gage Wright, Stroud, Gracie Adams, Seminole, Brandon Jones, Seminole.
President’s Leadership Class, Student Government President and concurrent students pose for a group photo in front of the State Capitol following the Higher Education Day program on Tuesday afternoon.
College representatives present were: Lana Reynolds, President; Tom Mills, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Student Affairs; Holly Newell, Sponsored Programs Compliance Officer; Larry Smith, Director of Rural Business & Resources Center; Kristin Dunn, Director of Community Relations; Melanie Rinehart, Director of Financial Assistance; Steven Little, Coordinator Media Relations; and Autumn Wiles, Coordinator Foundation Advancement.