Seminole State College students Alyssa Black of Dale, Keeley Merriman of Wewoka and Charles Presley Jr. of Seminole were recognized at the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC) Recognition Ceremony held at the Oklahoma State Capitol this week.
SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) joined by Senator Jason Smalley (left-center), R-Stroud, and Representative Zack Taylor (right), R-Seminole, congratulate SSC student Keeley Merriman (right-center) for being honored at the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Recognition Ceremony this week.
Black and Merriman were honored as members of the All-Oklahoma Academic Team and Presley received an OACC President’s Tuition Waver Award.
Black is a physical science major at SSC. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society where she serves as the Vice President of Leadership. Merriman is a nursing student at the College and has plans to become a neonatal nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Student Nurses Association and serves as the current President of the Seminole State College Nursing Class of 2019.
SSC student Alyssa Black (center) is congratulated by Representative Dell Kerbs (left), R-Shawnee, and Senator Ron Sharp (right), R-Shawnee, for being honored at the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Recognition Ceremony this week.
Presley is a senior at Bowlegs High School and will be attending SSC this fall where he plans to study science and pursue a career as a firefighter. He is involved in FFA, National Beta and is a member of the Bowlegs Volunteer Fire Department.
Pictured with Presley is Oklahoma State Senator Jason Smalley (left), R-Stroud, and Representative Zack Taylor (right), R-Seminole.
The All-Oklahoma Academic Team program provides statewide recognition to outstanding two-year college students. To be eligible, students must be nominated by their college president to the All-USA Academic Team. Nominees must be eligible to graduate during the 2017-2018 academic year and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. Medallions and certificates were presented to each team member.
Oklahoma is one of 35 states participating in the State Academic Team Program. The State Academic Teams were introduced in 1994 as a way to provide scholastic recognition to community college students for their academic achievement, leadership and service, while promoting excellence at two-year colleges.
OACC President’s Tuition Waivers are awarded to graduating high school seniors or college students with a minimum 3.5 grade point average. Each year, Presidents of Oklahoma Community Colleges nominate deserving students for this award based on their outstanding academic achievement, record in the classroom and leadership ability.