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Be the

impact Change the life of a student like Kareesa by supporting scholarships.

By investing in the Eastern Oklahoma State College’s students, you shape the future.

“My scholarships at Eastern lifted the financial burden in my life and helped me to achieve my educational goals. It paved the way for me to not only reach for my dreams, but be a step closer to making them come true. Scholarships are enhancing the student experience here at Eastern and they truly make a difference for every student who receives them.”

Kareesa Kennedy, Spring 2016 Graduate Business Administration

Eastern Oklahoma State College

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To learn more, visit www.mountaineersforever.com/impact or call the Office of Institutional Advancement at 918.465.1759.

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8 Pathways to Success Eastern receives a $2.2 million grant to help students on their path to success.

The project will help transform the college’s system of supporting students’ academic success and add two new degree programs.

9 First in Oklahoma Becoming an innovative leader, Eastern offers the state’s first ranch management degree with an emphasis in stocker operations. The program begins this fall.

14 Hej fra Danmark Eastern students spent their spring break this year exploring the countries of Denmark and Germany as a part of the college’s first-ever study abroad program.

19 100% online degrees The college’s five new, 100-percent online degree programs will provide students with the flexibility to complete classes anytime, anywhere.

20 Expanding Aquaponics The success of Eastern’s first venture into aquaponics has resulted in the construction of a second greenhouse and the launch of a new Agri-Business Incubator

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facility in Wilburton.

Remembering a Visionary The Tourtellotte family honors their late father, former Eastern President E.E. Tourtellotte, by announcing a $1 million gift to create the largest endowed scholarship in Eastern’s history.

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Message from the President

“I thoroughly enjoy my job because of the interactions I have with our students and the opportunity to build life-long relationships. I love to see our students grow and develop during their time at Eastern and it reinforces to me why I chose this profession.”

Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith

Each year, I continue to be amazed at the quality of students we attract to Eastern Oklahoma State College. I thoroughly enjoy my job because of the interactions I have with our students and the opportunity to build life-long relationships. When I am having a bad day, I walk across campus and visit with the students and immediately feel better. I love to see our students grow and develop during their time at Eastern and it reinforces to me why I chose this profession.

Along the same vein, another reason I enjoy my job is the opportunities I have to meet new people, especially alumni and friends. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of getting to know Pete Tourtellotte and Betty Murphy. These are two of the five children born in the original president’s home during the time their father, E.E. Tourtellotte, was president at Eastern.

As a way to honor their father, Pete set up a $1 million endowed trust in the name of his siblings and mother. Pete may be one of the most generous individuals I have ever met and this generosity will benefit students at Eastern for many years to come.

It is good that we have generous individuals like Pete Tourtellotte as we currently do not have that same kind of support from the state of Oklahoma. It is sad to report that the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education was cut 15.9 percent for fiscal year 2017. Of this reduction, Eastern received $1.1 million in funding cuts. Add in

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the loss of revenue from the gross production tax due to low oil prices and the total loss to Eastern was $1.4 million. This has been devastating for our college. These cuts resulted in the loss of 14 employees, a loss of services in all areas, and a loss of one academic program. We have had to make cuts at Eastern annually for various reasons each of the past 10 years. During this 10-year period, we have eliminated 35 full-time positions. Since 2008, Eastern is down 24.7 percent in state funding. As a state, we must stop this trend if we expect to offer quality higher education opportunities in Oklahoma.

In spite of the state budget challenges, we continue to do great things at Eastern.

With the help of federal grants, we will begin two new academic programs in ranch management with an emphasis in stocker cattle operations and respiratory therapy.

The stocker management program will begin this fall and will be the only program of its kind in the state, and thought to be the only such program in the nation. We are also nearing completion of an additional 3,000-square-foot greenhouse that will serve as an aquaponics incubation center for individuals wanting to lease space and earn a certificate in this method of growing plants and vegetables. This will also be a one-of-a-kind program not only in Oklahoma, but from what we know the nation. We love to be unique and creative at Eastern and these are programs that illustrate this philosophy.

Lastly, we lost two Eastern icons this past year in former Eastern president Dr. J.N. Baker and former athletic director and men’s basketball coach Don McClanen.

During his tenure at Eastern, Don took the

first action to begin the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Both men were well respected by many, and definitely left their mark on the history of Eastern Oklahoma State College.

In March of this year, I entered into my 10th year as president at Eastern. It is such an honor to serve in this role and serve the students of southeastern Oklahoma.

The history of the college is truly amazing and the successes of our alumni are many.

When a student begins their college career at Eastern, it is a door that opens up into the rest of the world. It is a world that will provide great opportunities for life and we hope that all our students realize that their future starts here.

Top 5 Majors

General Studies

Total Student Head Count

4

45% Part-Time Students

Business Administration

Locations 55% Full-Time Students

Female Students

554

Credit Hours Per Location

6,518

Wilburton Campus

3,105

McAlester Campus

2,869

Idabel Teaching Site Antlers Teaching Site

Enrollment by Location

Psychology/Sociology Life Science

1,085

462

Nursing

Male Students

Eastern’s Affordability

Estimated College Costs for One Year

$10,643 Eastern Oklahoma State College

First Generation College Students

78% Countries Represented Australia Bahamas Brazil Canada Czech Republic Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Ghana

Haiti Indonesia Malaysia Mexico Netherlands Paraguay United Kingdom United States of America

$13,190 Regional College (NSU, ECU, etc.)

$18,365 Research University (OSU, OU) Data based on 30 hours during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Room and board estimates are based on a student living in a traditional residence hall with a roommate and a meal plan.

W M I A

Wilburton McAlester Idabel Antlers

41% 29% 24% 6%

All data based on fall 2015 semester.

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News Briefs Administrators selected to serve as advisors for national College Board

FCA founder Don McClanen Kareesa Kennedy of Buffalo Valley (far right) and Katie Thompson of Eufaula (center) were recently recognized for their academic success by OACC. Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith joined them at the presentation.

Remembering FCA founder Don McClanen Students receive scholarships for academic success

Quality matters for EOSC faculty

Three Eastern students were recognized this spring for their outstanding academic success at a special luncheon hosted by the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges at the State Capitol. Kareesa Kennedy, a recent EOSC mathematics and business administration graduate from Buffalo Valley, and Kelsey Chambers, a recent agriculture economics graduate from Tushka, were named to the All-Oklahoma Academic Team. Both students will receive $850 cash scholarships to attend Oklahoma State University. Katie Thompson, a physical science major from Eufaula, was honored with a $1,000 tuition waiver that will be applied towards her next year at Eastern. Dr. Stephen E. Smith accompanied Kennedy and Thompson to the event at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Office in Oklahoma City. Chambers was unable to attend.

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Quality Matters (QM) is a process and a tool to help institutions continuously improve online and blended learning course quality. Eastern’s online courses are evaluated each semester to ensure they meet QM standards, the national benchmark for online course design.

The QM program rubric uses a set of eight general standards and 43 specific standards to evaluate the courses.

Seven of Eastern’s faculty members have gone through the rigorous, peer-review process and now have their online courses recognized as QM certified. They include Amanda Smith, Pat Ratliff, Buddy Sandefur, Cathy Cogburn, Brenda Kenney, Sarah Klocke and Kathy Tackett (recently retired).

Instructional Designer Kellye Semeski said course design is critical to the quality control process as it affects the overall success of online learning programs. She said additional faculty are currently working toward QM certification.

Members of the Eastern community fondly remembered former basketball coach and athletic director Don McClanen who passed at the age of 91 on Feb. 16. He was best known as the founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 1954, McClanen sent 19 letters to various well-known athletes across America to share an idea of bringing athletes and coaches together in the service of Jesus Christ. The organization would later be known as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Eastern has recognized both McClanen and the organization’s roots in Wilburton. In 2008, former players and dignitaries gathered at Eastern for a ceremony to commemorate McClanen’s role in founding the FCA and unveil a bronze bust in his honor. McClanen and the FCA were also recognized with the Heritage Award during Eastern’s 2014 Homecoming events. The Heritage Award honors individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on Eastern’s history.

Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Janet Wansick were selected as advisors for The College Board, a national not-for-profit organization devoted to preparing students for and propelling them toward college success.

Smith was reappointed to a second term on the 13-member Community College Advisory Panel and Wansick was selected to serve as a member of the Community College Assessment Working Group.

Online scholarship application system launched Eastern launched a new online scholarship application this year to make it easier for students to apply for funds.

AwardSpring, an online scholarship management system, serves as a database for all of Eastern’s institutional and Development Foundation scholarships. The new system streamlines the application process for students, as well as for the reviewers. Students can apply for all scholarships with a single application and submit supporting materials such as transcripts and letters of recommendation electronically. Based on the demographic and educational information provided, students are now automatically matched with scholarships for which they are eligible.

consent of the senate. Other regents include Chair Teresa Jackson of Hartshorne, Vice Chair Brian Lott of McAlester, Dr. Monte McAlester of Wilburton, Denton McNutt of Stuart, Loise Washington of McAlester, and Carl D. Wooldridge of Wilburton.

New Eastern Regent Bobby Mouser Mykaela Jones and Zach Fowler (center) received the 2016 Larry Stone Awards, presented by Stone’s siblings Sherri Stone Frederick (far left) and Terry Stone (second from right) and Eastern alumnus and former teammate Dr. Henry Migliore (far right).

Mouser joins EOSC Board of Regents Bobby Mouser of Stigler was appointed last summer to serve a seven-year term as a member of the Eastern Board of Regents. Mouser is the city manager of Stigler and also serves as the general manager of the Stigler Municipal Improvement Authority, director of Economic Development and manager of the Stigler Regional Airport. He retired in 2015 from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma after 35 years of service in managerial roles in areas including commercial/industrial sales, customer service and marketing. After graduating from Eastern, Mouser earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

He is also a graduate of the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. Mouser said his connections to Eastern run deep. Not only are he and his wife, Vicki, Eastern alumni, but two of their three children also graduated from the college.

Mouser replaces Burl Williams of Stigler who completed his second seven-year term.

The membership of the Eastern Board of Regents is made up of seven people appointed by the governor with the advice and

Students receive Larry Stone Awards Former Eastern President J. N. Baker

Former President Baker Passes Former Eastern President Dr. J.N. Baker passed away at the age of 97 on May 15. Baker was appointed as the 10th president of Eastern Oklahoma A&M College in 1961. The campus underwent many changes during his eight years as president. Current campus buildings including the Fine Arts Building (later named Pratt Hall), the Goddard Rural Youth Activity Building, Sullivan Hall and Salmon Hall were constructed under his leadership. Baker Hall was named to honor President Baker’s tenure at Eastern. He was also a longtime soldier, enlisting in the 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma National Guard as a private, in high school, and retired as a Major General and Division Commander, after serving in the US Army in WW II and the Korean War. His decorations include the Silver Star and Bronze Star.

Since 1967, Eastern alumni and friends have honored a male and a female athlete who exemplify the same characteristics as the late Larry Stone.

A popular two-sport athlete at Eastern in the 1960s, Stone played football and basketball and was known for his unselfish attitude and commitment to his team. He became a Marine lieutenant and was killed in combat while on patrol in Vietnam.

Sophomores Zach Fowler and Mykaela Jones were recognized as this year’s recipients of the Larry Stone Award.

Fowler, of Asher, graduated May 6 with a general studies degree. A Mountaineer baseball player, Fowler was named MVP of the Region II Tournament after he and his teammates won the Championship. Fowler pitched 43 innings, throwing 48 strikeouts and only 17 bases on balls.

Jones, of Owasso, also graduated May 6 with a degree in life science. She was a member of Eastern’s historic, first-ever soccer team and started in 37 of 38 games during her career.

For the first time, a scholarship was also awarded to a de-

serving freshman for his or her second year at Eastern. Grady Coleman of Ft. Smith, Arkansas received the $1,000 scholarship. Each of the students epitomize the ideologies Stone stood for and lived by. Stone’s siblings Sherri Stone Frederick and Terry Stone, and former teammate Dr. Henry Migliore presented Eastern athletics’ most prestigious award to these deserving athletes at the annual awards event May 2.

Preparing for 2017 HLC Visit Eastern has been preparing for an accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission on Feb. 27-28, 2017.

HLC conducts comprehensive evaluations of colleges and universities to confirm that the institution continues to meet the criteria for accreditation, is pursuing institutional improvement and complies with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. In preparation of the visit, a committee of faculty, staff and administrators have been working on an assurance report that includes a comprehensive self-study, review of federal compliance areas and fulfillment of specific criteria.

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Helping students achieve Pathways to Success Each student’s path to a college degree is different. Students often have to face obstacles and overcome challenges while working toward their goal. But with the help of a new $2.2 million grant, Eastern has developed the Pathways to Success project to assist each student on his or her educational journey.

Last year, Eastern was awarded a Strengthening Institutions Program Grant through the U.S. Department of Education.

Project Director Debbie Walters said the program has two equally important components - transforming the college’s system of supporting students’ academic success and adding two new degree programs.

“The Pathways to Success project will have a tremendous impact at Eastern beginning this fall,” Walters said. “We are strengthening our efforts to help students develop their academic skills, implementing an early intervention system to reach at-risk students and launching one of the two new degree programs. It’s an exciting time at Eastern.”

Walters said Eastern has opened two Mountaineer Academics Centers this fall – one in Wilburton and one in McAlester.

In the centers, success coaches will be on hand to engage students in study sessions, personal tutoring and supplemental instruction as a support system for student academic success.

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Eastern faculty will work directly with the success coaches to identify students who are struggling and develop services linked to courses with traditionally high failure rates.

“Success coaches will utilize the Retention Alert System to take a proactive approach in offering intervention for students who may be at risk in their academic studies,” Walters said.

Seventy-eight percent of Eastern students are first generation college students and 80 percent of students overall enter unprepared for college-level work. With the odds stacked against them, high numbers of students fail developmental and entry-level courses each year.

“Our main priority is to help students persist through their coursework and reach their goal of earning a college degree,” Walters said. “These students face unique challenges and just need additional support services to develop their academic skills.

We’ll help them get there.”

The Mountaineer Academics Centers will also offer workshops that address study skills, learning strategies, time management, stress anxiety, note taking, and other topics.

The grant funds have also enabled Eastern to create the Mountaineer Hub, a casual space on the Wilburton campus for informal study, relaxation and free time.

“The Mountaineer Hub will provide an

engaging, relaxed atmosphere for students to work on homework and group projects, prepare for tests or simply socialize,” Walters said.

Student Development Coordinator Melissa Juarez will oversee the centers, supervise the success coaches and coordinate workshops and activities for students.

The second component of the Pathways to Success project is to develop two academic programs in fields that are in high demand across the region and offer area residents higher earnings than the current average. The first program, ranch management with an emphasis in stocker cattle, is already underway (see story on page 9).

The second degree program, respiratory therapy, is in the accreditation process and could be introduced by the fall of 2018.

According to the Oklahoma Occupational Outlook, respiratory therapy is among Oklahoma’s top 30 occupations for job growth, with the field projected to grow 31 percent between 2008 and 2018.

“Rural healthcare providers prefer to hire local candidates or those who understand rural communities, but they’re unable to recruit due to the limited qualified applications and the absence of any respiratory therapy programs in southeast Oklahoma,” Walters said. “We’re excited to provide our students the opportunity to pursue careers in this high-demand field.”

The first in Oklahoma There’s a growing demand for capable ranchers in the cattle industry. Thanks to a federal grant awarded in 2015, Eastern will be a state leader when the college introduces a stocker ranch management program this fall.

Eastern’s new stocker ranch management program is the first of its kind in the state of Oklahoma. Students who opt for this program will receive hands-on training in the stocker cattle industry by assisting in the care of cattle that roam the college’s 4,000 acre ranch. Students will graduate with an associate of applied science degree in ranch management.

“Eastern is the only college or university in the state that offers a ranch management degree with an emphasis in stocker operations,” said Agriculture Division Dean Eddie Woods. “This is an exciting opportunity for

students to learn about a growing industry with significant possibilities in Oklahoma.

We’re proud to offer a relevant, unique program at an affordable cost.”

According to Woods, students in the ranch management program will work closely with instructors and professional ranchers to learn how to operate a small business. Students will learn how to maintain the financial, operational, production and employment records and how to train and supervise their personnel.

Eastern has hired Stocker Cattle Specialist Earl Shero to lead this new program. He says stocker cattle are an affordable way to get started in the cattle and ranching business.

“Stocker operators take calves that are not big enough, old enough or healthy enough and we utilize forage and feed to

“Eastern is the only college or university in the state that offers a ranch management degree with an emphasis in stocker operations.”

turn these animals into feeder cattle that are ready for the feedlot,” Shero said. “Eastern’s program will be a point of entry and opportunity for success in the cattle industry.”

Shero said Eastern has assembled a team of leading innovators and producers in the stocker industry to help students, providing access to more than 15,000 head of stocker cattle for training and study on Eastern’s ranch.

“We are in the midst of a profound change in the livestock business and concerns about sustainability, antibiotic use, consolidation, profitability and animal welfare are causing us to reexamine our industry practices,” Shero said. “Eastern will be working with veterinarians, nutritionists, economists, bankers and outstanding ranchers to help our students develop new procedures to meet the challenges of raising livestock.”

Students would be wise to take advantage of this new opportunity. Workforce Oklahoma’s 2018 Occupational Outlook projects the state’s cattle industry growth to be triple the national rate with average annual earnings of nearly $58,000.

Eastern was able to create the ranch management program as the result of a $2.2 million Strengthening Institutions Program Grant through the U.S. Department of Education. The first phase of the Pathways to Success Project will enable Eastern to create two degree programs in high-demand fields in the region – ranch management and respiratory therapy. The respiratory therapy program is in the development process and will be introduced in the next two to three years.

Eastern’s Agriculture faculty are excited to lead this first-of-its-kind program for a new generation of cattle ranchers.

Above: EOSC Agriculture faculty include (left to right) Jade Jenkins, Carrie Lockhart, Earl Shero, Penny Raspotnik Jones, Crystal Shipman and Dean Eddie Woods.

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The Bu at the Hsiness Division cla omecomin g Chili ims "Taster's C Cook O ff. hoice"

This year’s annual Homecoming celebration was true to its theme: “A Snapshot in Time.” Current students made memories that will last a lifetime, and alumni and friends were invited to return to the campus they once called home to make new memories while honoring their past.

A community Chili Cook Off ushered in this year’s celebration. Winners were declared in each of the three divisions. The Latimer County Bar Association was named winner of Community Members and Organizations; the Math and Science Division

was named winner of Faculty Divisions and Staff Departments; and Phi Theta Kappa was named winner of Student Organizations.

After a week of fun student activities on campus, alumni and supporters gathered for the annual Homecoming Awards Dinner on Friday evening. The event honors individuals and organizations for their personal success, service or impact on the college’s history. This year’s event was truly a special occasion, as all award recipients were Eastern graduates.

Bill White, a 1966 Eastern graduate, was inducted as the 32nd member of the EOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame (see opposite).

Wilburton Mayor Stephen Brinlee, a two-time Eastern graduate, was named Outstanding Young Alumnus. In 2007, Brinlee was elected mayor at the age of 22.

He was the youngest mayor in Oklahoma at that time. Brinlee said people at Eastern and the Wilburton community helped prepare him for success in his career.

“I’m not one of those people, with the successes that I have had, that will tell you I was born in a log cabin I built myself,” Brinlee said. “There are a lot of people in

my profession that would have you believe that. Growing up in this community, I had great educators, mentors and inspirations for me to be all that I can be.”

Brinlee is an active member of the com-

Cand annual idate Tanne Home r Burr coming is at Parad the e.

he during t s t p u r e on games. ent secti The studming basketball Homeco

Homecoming Awards Banquet Honorees

Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith (far left) gathers with honorees including (left to right) Stephen Brinlee, Byron Bohanon, Bill White, and Stephanie and Tom Dunlap, representing the family of the late E.T. Dunlap.

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er es h s u ll twe s.

A is u lex camp A e r aye ecorat l p ll d tba vity to f o S eati cr

munity, serving as a board member for the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO), Oklahoma Conference of Mayors, Kiamichi RC&D, Wilburton Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Alumni Association, Wilburton High School Alumni Association and as a past chairman of the Latimer County Democratic Party.

Byron Bohanon of Tuskahoma was presented the Distinguished Former Faculty Award, which honors those who exhibited exemplary service in teaching at Eastern.

A 1959 Eastern graduate, Bohanon earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Before his tenure at Eastern, Bohanon taught high school mathematics at Marietta, Tuskahoma and Clayton. He also served as Clayton’s high school principal for three years. He began his Eastern career in 1969. Aside from being a mathematics professor, he also taught computer science programming and served as the chair of the Mathematics Department and the Faculty Council.

Bohanon became a full-time rancher after retiring in 1990. To this day, he remains an active contributor to his community.

He serves on multiple boards, including the Latimer County Excise Board and the County Equalization Board, and is an active member of a handful of associations, including the Latimer County Cattleman’s Association and the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association.

The Heritage Award honored the late E.T. Dunlap, whose family was present to accept the award on his behalf. The Heritage

2016 Homecomin Angel Bonilla g Queen and King, Sabrin . aS

alias and

Award recognizes an individual or organization that played a substantial role in shaping and molding the history of Eastern.

Dunlap served as president of Eastern from 1951-1961 and oversaw tremendous growth and prosperity on campus. Enrollment tripled during his leadership, and the campus grew and was modernized. He left Eastern after being appointed Chancellor of Higher Education by the Oklahoma State Regents in 1961 and served in that position for 20 years. Before his death in 1997, Dunlap was inducted into the Eastern Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State Hall of Fame.

Dunlap’s son, Tom, and granddaughter, Stephanie, accepted the award in honor of his legacy.

“This is truly a homecoming in that I had the pleasure of growing up on this campus, so it’s fun to come back here and relive so many memories that not only affected me, but my family in its entirety,” Tom Dunlap said. “Regardless of the fact that he had gone on to be the chancellor for a great number of years, Eastern was always in his heart. His roots are here. So its fun to think about while you have great success and you go on to do significant thinks in the community, the state and the nation, you have those roots. Eastern defined my Dad.” The Saturday Homecoming festivities kicked off with the annual Hilltopper’s Breakfast honoring EOSC retirees.

The annual Homecoming Parade included floats created by student organizations, the Purple Pride (Wilburton High School’s band), classic cars and more.

Following the parade, attendees enjoyed a whole hog roast, hamburgers and hotdogs during the Mountaineer Cookout.

The Eastern Expressions provided entertainment, while guests could get free wax hand molds and cartoon caricatures.

That afternoon, the Lady Mountaineers claimed a 93-53 victory over St. Gregory’s University and the Mountaineers defeated Ft. Scott Community College in a close 6863 contest.

The annual Homecoming coronation took place between the games. Angel Bonilla and Sabrina Salias were crowned the 2015 Homecoming King and Queen.

Bonilla is a general studies major from Idabel and Salias is a physical education major from Pasadena, Texas. Both represented Eastern’s Psychology and Social Sciences (PASS) Club.

EOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame

Bill White (left) is inducted into the EOSC Hall of Fame by board member John Redman.

Bill White, a 1966 graduate of Eastern, was inducted as the 32nd member of the EOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

White, of Oklahoma City, is retired from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission where he spent 31 years as a public utility complaint investigator, manager of technical services and agency liaison to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

During the event, White described his time at Eastern and told several stories about getting involved in various student organizations and activities on campus that enhanced his college experience.

“I came from a large Oklahoma City high school and I didn’t know a person on campus. I got involved in a lot of different things and in a short amount of time I felt like I knew the majority of the instructors and most of the students,” White said. “Wherever I go, I try to establish families. I’m part of the Eastern family.”

A Vietnam War veteran, White also served in the personnel, training and retention areas for the Oklahoma National Guard from 1980 to 2005. He received two national military awards for his service as a part of the disaster team for the Murrah Building bombing in 1995 and the security detail in the disaster area created by the tornado that tore through Moore in 1999.

To be chosen for the EOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame, individuals must exhibit extraordinary achievement and service at the local, state or national levels and have brought honor and distinction to themselves and the institution. Nomination forms may be downloaded from eosc.edu and are accepted throughout the year.

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Remembering

aVisionary

Tourtellotte family honors father with $1 million gift Edward Everett (E.E.) Tourtellotte has been described as a visionary. His forward thinking and transformational leadership style shaped Eastern Oklahoma State College into the institution it is today.

Although 80 years have passed since his death, the former president’s legacy continues to make an immeasurable impact on the college.

Pete Tourtellotte, Betty Tourtellotte Murphy and Jim Tourtellotte, three of the late president’s children, gathered with 19 additional family members from across the country on April 29 in Wilburton to announce a $1 million gift in honor of E.E. Tourtellotte. The gift will create the largest endowed scholarship in Eastern’s history and fund an endowed faculty chair in arts education.

“This historic gift will provide significant financial assistance to students and enable Eastern to continue its mission for generations to come, possibly reaching heights beyond where President Tourtellotte

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could have ever imagined,” said Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith. “This was a great day in the 107-year history of Eastern Oklahoma State College and we sincerely thank Pete and the entire Tourtellotte family for their generosity.”

Smith said the majority of the gift will be endowed for student scholarships. Endowed scholarships are long-term, perpetual funds that generate annual income, a portion of which is awarded each year to deserving students.

The remaining $250,000 will be matched by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Endowed Chair program to create a $500,000 endowed chair in arts education. An endowed chair, or endowed professorship, is a faculty position permanently paid for with the revenue from an endowment fund specifically set up for that purpose.

“With the state’s endowed chair program, this gift will result in a $1.25 million endowment for Eastern,” Smith said.

E.E. Tourtellotte was named the seventh president of the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy in March of 1924 at the age of 30. He took over leadership of the institution when it was still trying to recover from being closed due to World War I. E.E. Tourtellotte provided excellent leadership during this transition, addressing the

“He would be grateful that you are here and that you’re doing what you’re doing to make your own lives and the lives of others better.” challenges of funding and enrollment by leading an effort to rename the institution and move the college curriculum away from a miner training program to a state junior college. The college was renamed Eastern Oklahoma College in February 1927. During his 12-year tenure as president, Tourtellotte was instrumental in the growth of student enrollment, academic programs and campus facilities.

“President Tourtellotte raised the standards and gave new direction to the college and helped lay the foundation for what it has become in the 21st century,” Smith said. “In honor of his legacy and the generosity of the entire Tourtellotte family, the student center on Eastern’s campus will be dedicated as the E.E. Tourtellotte Student Center.”

In addition to the donation to Eastern, Pete Tourtellotte also commissioned a bronze bust of his father in the name of his mother, Beatrice Roll, and siblings Dorothy, Betty, Mary Ann, Richard and Jim. Five of the six Tourtellotte children were born in the original president’s home on Eastern’s campus during the tenure of their father.

President Tourtellotte was seriously injured in a car accident in 1933. Three years later, a heart condition and serious illness led to his death at the young age of 42.

Pete Tourtellotte said that if his father were here today, he would be grateful that people such as the Eastern Board of Regents and President Smith have continued with what his father hoped would be the

result of the college in the 21st century.

Describing his father at the event, Pete Tourtellotte said, “He was oriented toward the students, what they thought, what they wanted, and what he could do for them.

While I was only eight when he passed on, I wanted to continue with that kind of thought for others and dedication to their success because their success was his success. He would be grateful that you are here and that you’re doing what you’re doing to make your own lives and the lives of others better.

That’s my Dad.” That’s a visionary.

Far left: A portrait of E. E. Tourtellotte taken while president of the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy.

Lower left: Jim Tourtellotte (far left), Pete Tourtellotte and Betty Tourtellotte Murphy laugh during the event to honor their father.

Top: President E.E. Tourtellotte is pictured above with the first graduating class of Eastern Oklahoma College in 1928.

Below: Pete Tourtellotte, Betty Tourtellotte Murphy and Jim Tourtellotte (seated left to right in the center of the photo) gathered with 19 additional family members from across the country to announce a $1 million gift during a special event in Wilburton.

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Hej fra Danmark Eastern students spent their spring break this year exploring the countries of Denmark and Germany as a part of the college’s first ever study abroad program.

The trip was part of a global humanities course taught by Dr. Andrea Green, biology instructor and Honors director, and Kristen Turner, mass communication professor.

Eleven students participated in the class, including Brenna House, Maddie Kraft, Morgan Spradlin, Kareesa Kennedy, Amber

“It was the trip of a lifetime and I am so glad our students got to experience it.”

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Hello From Denmark

Fraizer, Kane Konsure, Robert Bedford, Jesse Claybrook, Logan Shimp, Garrett Rogers and Wyatt Stanford. Margaret Sorrell, dean of the Science and Mathematics Division, also made the trip.

“Knowing things about Denmark before going on this trip helped us to be more aware of our surroundings while wellrepresenting the State of Oklahoma and the United States of America,” Maddie Kraft said about the humanities class.“This helped us to appreciate all the things that were different about Denmark.”

The Eastern students and faculty joined a group of students from Murray State College to make the trip across the Atlantic.

Students arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 11. Students from Silkeborg Business College (SBC), who visited Eastern last year, met the group in Copenhagen. Led

by SBC instructors Ditte Kudsk and Lise Møller, the evening was filled with sightseeing at Christiansborg Palace, where the Danish legislature meets, and a canal tour

of Copenhagen.

The next day, students enjoyed more of the iconic atmosphere of Copenhagen, visiting the Round Tower, the Marble Church, Amalienborg Palace, and Rosenborg Castle.

Sunday, after visiting the National Gallery of Denmark, the group took a train to Silkeborg, where they stayed with host families.

“Staying with a host family while in Silkeborg made the trip very dynamic because we got to experience how Danish students like ourselves live day to day,” Brenna House said about living with a host family.

“We were able to experience home-cooked meals and family life, which would have been overlooked if we stayed in hotels or hostels.”

The first day in Silkeborg consisted of Eastern students giving presentations over their majors and areas of study to first-year global business students at SBC. They also went on small tours of Silkeborg and the surrounding area.

Next, students traveled by bus to the oldest city in Denmark, Ribe, for tours of the Viking Museum and the city. Ribe, established in the 8th Century AD, contains many buildings and homes dating back to the 1400s, and a cathedral built in 1134.

Traveling from Ribe, up the west coast of Denmark, the students visited the beach at Søndervig where Germans built bunkers for defense during World War II. The group traveled the next morning to Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark.

Here they visited the ARoS Art Museum and Den Gamle By, or the Old Town, a town made of buildings from all over Denmark, with some dating back to the 1600s. That evening, students from Silkeborg’s thirdyear global business class made Danish dishes for Eastern students to sample. As a gesture of appreciation and friendship, Eastern students presented SBC with an Oklahoma flag.

The next day, students began the sixhour bus tour to Berlin, Germany. On the way, students toured the remnants of the former East German border and Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Sachsenhausen, located in Oranienburg just outside Berlin, was used as a model for other concentration camps, such as Auschwitz in Poland.

After arriving Berlin, the following day was spent seeing sights in Berlin, including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, and the

famous Alexanderplatz of East Berlin.

On the final day of the trip, students were taken to see the Victory Column, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, and the Gendarmenmarkt Square, the location of the Berlin Concert House and the French and German Churches.

“It was the trip of a lifetime and I am so glad our students got to experience it,” said Dr. Andrea Green. “While we were in Europe, I had the opportunity to watch their minds open up and grow a little more each day. Now that the trip is over, I know that these students will be leaving Eastern knowing that traveling to other parts of the world and experiencing other cultures is a priceless experience. I am happy that I got to be a part of that whole process.”

Just a short time after hosting Eastern students in Denmark, the Silkeborg students from the second-year global business class visited Eastern from April 1-8. While on campus, they learned about the American way of life and participated in various activities, such as going horseback riding at Robbers Cave, visiting Tushkahoma to learn about Native American heritage, and shooting at a gun range.

The students also attended class with their Eastern DenPals and participated in several activities on campus. Although this was the first year Eastern had the opportunity to visit Denmark, this was the third consecutive year Eastern has hosted Danish students.

Both institutions look forward to continuing this beneficial cultural experience.

Story and photos provided by Wyatt Stanford, a 2016 mass communication graduate that participated in the study abroad program.

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The seventh annual Sapphire Ball was, perhaps, the biggest and best event to date.

The event raised a record-breaking $23,724, a 68 percent increase over the previous fundraising record of $14,100 raised at last year’s event. With 256 guests in attendance, the 2016 Sapphire Ball also surpassed the record for number of tickets sold.

This tremendous success brings the event’s lifetime total to more than $70,000 raised for student scholarships. The annual black-tie event was introduced in 2011 and is now Eastern’s biggest scholarship fundraiser.

“From the increased number of event sponsors and auction donors, to the generous guests who bid on auction items, there are so many factors that made this year’s Sapphire Ball such a success,” said Treva Kennedy, director of Institutional Advancement. “I’m so proud of the continued support of this event that helps make a college degree possible for current and future generations of Eastern students.”

The charitable affair featured dinner, a silent and live auction, live entertainment by the Kountry Kowboys and an awards ceremony to honor individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact on the college or in their community.

The elegant evening began with a reception and silent auction on the first floor of the E.E. Tourtellotte Student Center. As attendees arrived and socialized, they were invited to bid for the wide variety of items that had been donated by individuals and 16

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local businesses. This year’s silent auction featured items such as a Kindle Fire tablet, a sterling silver Montana Silver Smith cubic zirconia ring, a granite cutting board, a rustic Mountaineer wall hanging hand-painted

by Meredith Snow, Rustic Cuff jewelry, the pick of the litter for a Chihuahua puppy, and a three-month membership to Doc’s Gym, among several others. Guests were also able to purchase “sapphire eggs,” a number of which contained tickets that corresponded with additional prizes.

After the reception and silent auction, guests made their way upstairs to the Ballroom for dinner, the live auction and awards ceremony. The menu for the night

2016 Sapphire Ball Honorees

Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith (far left) gathers with honorees at the 2016 Sapphire Ball.

Honorees include (from left to right) Julie Lawrence, Gina Bullock, Gary Wansick, Teresa Jackson, and Eric Batten representing Texas Instruments.

ing,” Kennedy said. “Our students see it as a privilege to assist with the fundraising event that helps them pay for college. It’s one of the few opportunities they have to connect with donors and show their appreciation.”

After dinner, the live auction commenced with Kevin Gann serving as auctioneer.

Auction items included a custom Easternthemed Bulova watch, a guided hog hunt at the All About U Ranch, a three-day cabin

“I’m so proud of the continued support of this event that helps make a college degree possible for current and future generations of Eastern students.” included a marinated London broil with bleu cheese butter, accompanied by a spinach cranberry nut salad, garlic roasted red potatoes, oven-fired seasoned asparagus, sweet baby carrots, dinner rolls and guests’ choice of raspberry white chocolate cheesecake or pecan cake with caramel mousse for dessert. Guests were served by Eastern scholarship students.

“About 40 students were involved at the event by serving dinner, assisting with auction items and providing valet park-

stay and fishing excursion on Lake Eufaula, a 12-carat sapphire pendant necklace, a skydiving experience and a day of golf with EOSC President Dr. Stephen E. Smith at the McAlester Country Club, among others.

Next up on the night’s agenda was the awards ceremony. Four individuals and one organization were honored.

Gary Wansick and Teresa Jackson received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A 1980 Eastern graduate, Wansick has committed the past 35 years of his professional career to law enforcement and currently serves as McAlester’s chief of police. While at Eastern, Wansick studied psychology and sociology and played tennis as a Mountaineer. Before completing his degree at the University of Oklahoma, he began working as an officer for the Moore Police Department. He returned home to join the McAlester Police Department in 1981, working his way through the ranks as a lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division and a captain before being named chief of police in 2013. During that time, he earned a criminal justice degree from Eastern. Aside from his professional achievements, he is also an active member of the McAlester Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. Previously he has served as a board member for the American Red Cross, Pittsburg County Child Abuse Prevention Committee, Fraternal Order of Police (McAlester Lodge), and the First United Methodist Church.

Jackson’s career took a different path but is no less impressive. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation and has served her tribe for nearly 17 years. After graduating from Eastern in 1985 with a degree in business administration, Jackson continued her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She began her career as an auditor with the IRS before joining the Choctaw Nation as a comptroller for the health system in 1999. She progressed in

her career quickly, serving as chief financial officer, hospital administrator and now as senior executive officer. She also serves on a variety of boards and committees, including chair of the Eastern Board of Regents, vice chair of the Inter-Tribal Health Council Committee and treasurer of the Oklahoma City Inter-Tribal Health Board.

Next, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) received the Community Spirit Award for outstanding support and service to Eastern. TI been a valued partner for the Eastern GEAR UP grant program for several years. Through the partnership, TI has provided support for local high school math and science teachers through professional development, STEM workshops and technical expertise and support. In addition, 85 math and science teachers in 27 local schools now have TI-Nspire CX Navigators for use in the classroom. TI specialists installed the equipment and provided coaching in classroom to support those efforts. TI has also provided registration and accommodations for 20 local teachers to attend the T3 International Conference where math and science educators from around the world convene for three days of networking, sharing and exploration while learning the latest ideas, insights and strategies for using TI technology effectively in their classrooms.

Nursing professor Gina Bullock was the next to be honored as she was presented

the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2005, Bullock joined Eastern as an adjunct clinical instructor. Since then, she has balanced teaching with her career as a registered nurse at the Cleveland Area Hospital and St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. She started her education in nursing at the Meridian Technology Center, completing their CNA and LPN programs.

From there, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Langston University and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She is an active community volunteer. Following the bombing of the Murrah Building in 1995, Bullock was there helping treat the wounded. She has also worked with teens in pregnancy prevention programs in Oklahoma County. She was also recognized as one of the top 100 nurses in the state by the Great 100 Nurses Foundation of Oklahoma in 2014.

The J.C. Hunt Award for staff excellence was awarded to Julie Lawrence, who has served as the administrative assistant to the Math and Science Division since 2008. She provides day-to-day support for 10 full-time and seven adjunct faculty members, as well as the numerous students in the Math and Science Club and the Multicultural Club.

Her numerous contributions on campus include helping coordinate club fundraisers, Homecoming festivities, Mountaineer Mania, Wellness Week, Math Counts and the Regional Science Fair each year. A native of Jakarta, Indonesia, Lawrence attended the Universitas Persada Indonesia and majored in marketing management. Since moving to the U.S., she has actively served for the Wilburton Chapter Masonic Lodge, Latimer County Shriner Club, Latimer Christian Clinic, Bowers Baptist Church, Tidwell Nursing Home, Latimer County Nursing Home and Latimer County 4H. She is well known among students, faculty and staff for her cooking skills, and often welcomes foreign exchange students into her home during campus breaks.

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Eastern Oklahoma State College

Distinguished Lectureship Series The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) produces and stores approximately one-third of the ammo reserves for the United States. The man tasked with leading this operation is Col. Sean Herron.

Serving as the esteemed speaker of Eastern’s 12th Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lectureship Series, Herron took the opportunity to discuss terrorism, geo-politics, and the importance of developing an effective national security strategy.

With terrorism and national security taking center stage during the presidential campaign, Herron encouraged Eastern students to be critical listeners and to make a difference in the world with their vote.

“You get a vote,” Herron said. “Democracy is very powerful and I want you to exercise your right as informed citizens. This is what our country is about: you getting a chance to cast your vote in an informed and intelligent manner that makes a difference in the world.”

Throughout the lecture, “Terrorism, Geo-Politics and National Security,” Herron repeatedly challenged the nearly 150 students, staff members and general public.

“It is important to understand the issues and not just the rhetoric and emotions that we hear on TV and from the pundits,” Herron said while introducing the topic.

Before continuing, Herron said he is politically agnostic, as are all serving mem-

bers, which enable them to provide impartial military advice without being beholden to a particular political party or candidate.

Without delay, Herron asked who in the audience was afraid of terrorism. Several raised their hands.

“You should be concerned, but you should not be afraid,” Herron said. “That is a very big difference. So if you see something out of the ordinary, say something.”

He then posed a series of questions: What is the definition of terrorism? Where does it originate? Can a national leader be a terrorist? Is terrorism the new nature of war? What motivates terrorists? Is terrorism unfair?

“This is a very complex issue,” Herron said. “You should learn to think independently, critically and understand the issues.

That is why you are here at Eastern.”

He told them terrorism is a tactic to get to a political end, but it’s ultimately about power.

While showing a map of the Middle East, Herron pointed out competing interests in the region and discussed the geo-political tensions that exist.

“These are a very complex set of relationships and you need to understand that,” he said.

Herron said the relationships must be taken into consideration when developing a national security strategy, which aligns what the U.S. intends to do with how it intends to do it, to achieve a desired outcome.

“So when you hear presidential candidates and others talk about what they are

are powerful and can change the world with their vote, but they must first think through the problem to find a viable solution.

His message struck a chord with some in the audience.

“The lecture was eye-opening, very instructive and I hope my fellow students paid as close attention as I did and that they will really think about what Col. Herron had to say, and take that into consideration when viewing politics,” said Wyatt Stanford, a mass communications major who is planning to transfer the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

The Rothbaum Lectureship Series was created with a $25,000 gift from the late Julian J. Rothbaum, a Hartshorne native and Tulsa attorney.

Once matched by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the gift became a $50,000 endowment to fund the

“This is a very complex issue. You should learn to think independently, critically and understand the issues. That is why you are here at Eastern.” going to do, ask yourself, ‘how are they going to do it?’” he said. “Ask yourself, ‘is this the person who can make three branches of government work together enough to get it done?’”

In closing, Herron told the students they 18

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lectureship series that is designed to help Eastern bring recognized authorities to campus to address issues of public affairs at the national, state or local level.

Kevin B. Jackson, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, contributed to this story.

100% online degrees For many students, work and family obligations make it difficult to commit to a traditional college classroom setting and schedule. Online learning provides students with the flexibility to complete classes anytime, anywhere.

This fall, Eastern will launch five fully online degree programs to help make earning an associate degree a reality for these students.

“Eastern’s fully online degree programs will fill a definite need for many students that want the flexibility of learning from home on their own schedule,” said Dr. Janet Wansick, vice president of academic affairs. “This will create opportunities for students in Oklahoma and across the nation. It’s about access to an affordable, high quality degree with no time or geographical constraints.”

The associate degree programs include general studies, psychology/sociology, criminal justice, business administration, and computer information systems. The programs are already part of Eastern’s curriculum and will be taught by existing professors.

Eastern received approval from its accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission, to offer the five fully online degrees. Wansick said the curriculum met the same rigorous academic standards as traditional face-to-face courses. The admission requirements are also the same for both the online and traditional programs offered by Eastern.

“Eastern will offer a structured approach to course offerings and support services to maximize student success. Motivated, full-time students will be able to complete these online degrees in two years,” Wansick said.

For several years, Eastern has offered online and hybrid courses that combine online and traditional classroom learning.

Wansick said as those courses continued to grow in popularity, college faculty and staff recognized the need to develop fully online programs.

Online students will learn and interact with faculty and their classmates via the Internet and Eastern’s BlackBoard course management system. Students should have reliable Internet access and expect to download course materials, submit assignments, participate in class discussions, work on group projects and take tests online.

Joining/Retiring Retirees Judy Bornheim, 8 Years Accounting Assistant II

Debbie Layton, 18 Years

Professor/Administrator Office Technology

Sheryl Marmon, 17 Years

Administrative Assistant Physical Plant

Julie Moss, 30 Years Programmer

Kathy Tackett, 27 Years Psychology Instructor

Full-Time Faculty Hires Krishna Bastola

Instructor of Chemistry

Nicholas Hill Physical Plant

Aimee Jones

Success Coach, Pathways to Success

Arianna Jones

Assistant Softball Coach

Kirk Kelley

Head Baseball Coach & Athletic Director

Kraig Kelley

Residence Life Coordinator

Natalie Kennedy

Education Coordinator Gear Up Grant

Kimberly Moore

Human Resources Assistant & Benefits Coordinator

Staff Hires

Kari Painter

Michelle Baron

Candace Raney

Cashier

Dayna Bills

Financial Aid Officer III

Robin Campbell Physical Plant

Karen Clark

Mountaineer Radio Sales Executive

Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs

Tayler Richey

Marketing Coordinator

Earl Shero

Ranch Management Specialist

Compliance & Employee Training Coordinator

Dwight Smith

Kathy Coffelt-Ramsey

John Spiegel

GEAR UP Administrative Assistant to Professional Development Coordinator

Carolyn Colley

Success Coach, Pathways to Success

Debbie Coody

Accounting Assistant II

Allen Dick Physical Plant

Clayton Gant

Assistant Baseball Coach

Trevor Harmon

Head Men’s & Women’s Soccer Coach

Derek Hatridge

Communications Coordinator & On-Air Radio Personality

IT Specialist/Web Technician

GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator

Marsha Talley Physical Plant

Mikel Tarrance

Success Coach, Pathways to Success

Christina Taylor Physical Plant

David Welch Physical Plant

Kerry White

Success Coach, Pathways to Success

Aquaponics brings fresh food, business opportunities to southeast Oklahoma The success of Eastern’s first venture into aquaponics has resulted in the construction of a second greenhouse and the launch of a new Agri-Business Incubator facility in Wilburton.

Partnering with Symbiotic Aquaponic, Eastern began offering the first aquaponics certificates classes in Oklahoma following the completion of the college’s 2,880-square-foot greenhouse in 2014. As the popularity and demand for the courses continued to grow, Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith and Dr. Kaben Smallwood, co-owner of Symbiotic Aquaponic, began researching the possibility of creating an agri-business incubator to provide training to producers interested in a career centered on aquaponics.

Their joint efforts resulted in a $199,000 Rural Business Development Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and construction of a new greenhouse and commercial-scale aquaponics operation that can be replicated throughout rural Oklahoma.

“This is the first aquaponics incubator in the state of Oklahoma,” Smallwood said.

“It’s an exciting program that will have the capability of creating 20 new business 20

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entities over the life of the grant. Through aquaponics entrepreneurships, our goal is to create jobs, build the community, and conserve precious natural resources. The incubator will help provide stability in a fledgling industry.”

Smallwood said Symbiotic Aquaponic staff and Eastern’s agriculture faculty will work together to recruit and select participants for the program. Participants will utilize in-class instruction and hands-on work in the greenhouse during a 90-day course period to leave the incubator with the aquaponics and business knowledge needed to start their own aquaponic business.

The program includes 20 hours of instructional materials including introductions to aquaponics and business, an overview of the rules and regulations associated with aquaponics, financial viability of proposed operations, business formation assistance, and discussion of potential financing options through government programs and financial institutions.

In addition, participants will have 20 hours of required greenhouse time focused on learning aquaponic techniques and methods, including taking a crop from seed to harvest, marketing the crop, and incorporat-

ing the resulting information into a business plan. Each participant will be allowed 100 square feet of aquaponics grow space in Eastern’s state-of-the-art greenhouse.

Smallwood said the first class of the incubator program will begin in the spring of 2017. In the meantime, individuals can visit eosc.edu/aquaponics to learn more about the program and certificate courses.

Athletic Update • Men’s & Women’s Soccer

Bringing a brand new sports program to a college campus can be tricky, but the rewards have been abundant for Eastern as the new soccer program continues to grow.

In only its second season of existence, Mountaineer and Lady Mountaineer soccer has already brought a bevy of benefits to EOSC. Athletes from different corners of the globe have converged upon Wilburton, creating an even more diverse student body and introducing students to the world’s many cultures. Countries such as Scotland, Great Britain, Brazil, Paraguay, the Bahamas and the Czech Republic were represented for the men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Eastern soccer saw continued success, accelerating the infant programs to new heights with each passing match. Both teams enjoyed success on the field, with the Lady Mountaineers earning 20 goals on the season off of 16 assists while the Mountaineers scored 43 goals off 37 assists.

Both teams continued to grow and develop as the season marched forward, and it showed as student and alumni interest grew along with them.

Success came off the field as well for Eastern, as Lady Mountaineer Mykaela

Jones earned the prestigious Larry Stone Award. This award is given to Eastern student-athletes that resemble the traits of Stone, a former Mountaineer that gave his life defending his country: they embody the spirit of teamwork, citizenship, selflessness, determination and excel in their scholarly efforts as well as athletics. Jones, a native of Owasso, Oklahoma, was team captain for the Lady Mountaineers.

The 2016-17 season will move forward with new leadership with the addition of Trevor Harmon.

Harmon, who has already seen success on the pitch both as a player and assistant coach, will look to add his own spin to what is becoming a popular program at Eastern.

As an assistant coach, Harmon helped start the soccer program at Rose State College. In its inaugural season, the team achieved a record of 12-5 and he helped lead the team to #11 and #19 national rankings while going 14-5 in the second season.

Harmon has coached nine All-Region II players and three All-West Region team players while helping advance nine of 12 sophomores to play at the NCAA Division II and NAIA level.

Trevor Harmon Head Soccer Coach

A native of Allen, Texas, Harmon played soccer for Oklahoma City University. During his 60-game career at OCU, he collected 12 goals and four assists. He also helped lead the team to SAC finals and national rankings, and earned the NAIA Scholar Athlete and Co-SIDA Academic All-District awards.

As the 2016-17 year prepares to get underway, expect EOSC to make a big splash this season.

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Athletic Update • Women’s & Men’s Basketball

The Lady Mountaineers know what it means to rise against adversity. Head Coach Amber Taylor never let her team get their heads down, and they were able to battle all season long because of their hard work and tenacity.

Eastern began the season with a 6-2 record, but it wasn’t long before the heavy competition began to challenge the Lady Mountaineers and how they approached games. The ladies of Big Blue kept their opponents fighting until the final buzzer with the help of outstanding play from guards such as Tatyana Dawson-King and Brittney Thomas and formidable forwards like Jazmyne Walker and the dominant Shauna Coleman.

Eastern was able to garner big time wins including a pair of road-and-home wins against long-time rival Connors State College and a 70-55 win against Murray State in the C.C. Dunlap Field House.

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to outwit and outplay many opponents, and the team earned a spot in the Region II Conference tournament because of their hard work.

However, the Lady Mountaineers would see their season come to an end at the conference tournament after a heated 61-53 battle against Murray State. Eastern finished with a 16-14 record and saw the departure of seven sophomores, including key players Coleman and Dawson-King.

That won’t deter the Lady Mountaineers going forward, however, as Eastern has many returning players, a bounty of incoming talent and a mind set to never ever quit.

2016

Mountaineer basketball kept finding ways to win in the 2015-2016 season. A year that was filled with a roller coaster of emotions and excitement, Eastern kept its fans and alumni on the edge of their seats.

Head Coach Scott Edgar’s team started the year strong with a seven-game win streak.

With many key returning players and a bevy of fresh talent, the Mountaineers looked to shake up the gauntlet that is the Region II Conference.

The Mountaineers were nothing short of firepower, with 3-point specialists like R.J. Diggs and Jalen Cunningham and stifling defense from the likes of MarQuen Mitchell and Mangistu Jongkor. Eastern used its size — only one out of all 15 players were listed under 6-foot-0 — and outside shooting to create a two-pronged offense that kept opposing defenses reeling and second guessing.

The Mountaineers were able to score beyond the century mark eight times during the

season, including a record-tying eight 3-pointers from Cunningham in a 99-91 win against Northern Oklahoma CollegeEnid on Sophomore Night in the C.C. Dunlap Field House.

The Mountaineers finished with an 18-14 record that included a run in the conference playoffs, where their season ended after a tough match against Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa. While a few pieces to Eastern’s puzzle have moved on, the experience of the returning squad and the fresh incoming talent will have the Mountaineers ready to rumble in the 2016-2017 season.

Athletic Update • Baseball & Softball

The Mountaineer baseball program continued the Eastern tradition of success in the 2015-2016 season.

Head Coach Craig Price, who earned his second Region II Coach of the Year accolade, and his team saw many victories, upsets and excitement throughout the season. The Mountaineers fought around the diamond every game, either through exceptional fielding plays or powerful strokes of the bat. Eastern scored 492 runs off 622 hits, earning a team average of .325 on the season.

The Mountaineers also had a penchant for the dramatic as they took the Region II Conference by storm and won the conference championship with a sensational 20-6 victory over Connors State College. It was the first conference title for Eastern baseball since 2012, and the fourth in seven years.

The Mountaineers traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the NJCAA South Central District Tournament, where the dream season came to an end.

Eastern finished with a 32-32 record. As with baseball, many people will come and go for the Mountaineers. Price, after much thought and deliberation, left the sport for a career change.

But the ethics, teamwork and success of this program will only continue under new Head Coach Kirk Kelley. He brings 19 years of baseball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. He has 595 career wins as a collegiate head coach at institutions including Lyon College the University of Central Arkansas.

Kirk Kelley

Head Baseball Coach

Eastern softball got a brand new look in the 2015-16 season. After the departure of long-time coach Andy Mace, the Lady Mountaineers received a new leader: one that knows the program better than most.

Kendra White, an Eastern alumna and former Lady Mountaineer softball player, took over for her former coach. Mace left behind 34 years at the helm, with four Region II championships and six trips to the NJCAA national tournament.

White had her work cut out for her, but that didn’t stop her.

She’s continued to build all season long, with the beginnings of fruition for her own visions for the Lady Mountaineer softball program starting to appear. It isn’t easy when starting from scratch, but White has tackled it head on.

Pitching for the Lady Mountaineers led the way, with the team collectively striking out 172 batters during the season. Play from the circle is paramount in softball, and it’s something White will not only 2016

seek to consistently improve, but sustain an increased level of talent for Lady Mountaineer softball.

The history of the program will always be on White’s mind, as she herself has been a part of it. But now a new opportunity arises for White to elevate Eastern softball to new levels and create a little history herself in the 2016-17 season.

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Looking to the future ous career he has led in the oil and gas industry. After graduating from Eastern, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Later, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in business adminis-

the ESOC Alma Mater by Shelton and the Eastern Concert Band.

Eastern’s 286 graduates included 136 students who earned an associate of arts degree, 91 who earned an associate of science degree, 51 who earned an associate

“Your destiny hasn’t been limited by your past, nor has it been defined by your present... stay focused and committed to your future. Only you can do this.”

A day of celebration and recognition culminated in the awarding of 286 degrees at Eastern’s 2016 Commencement Ceremony. The college’s 107th Commencement was led by Eastern alumnus and longtime ConocoPhillips engineer Edward Stokes, who delivered the keynote address.

A 1972 engineering science graduate, Stokes shared 10 principles of success during his remarks. He encouraged the Class of 2016 to follow their passions, set goals, never stop learning, keep the right attitude, and make time for family and friends, among others. He also challenged graduates to look to the future, whether it’s entering the job market or continuing their education.

“Your destiny hasn’t been limited by your past, nor has it been defined by your present,” Stokes said. “Instead, it will be governed by the amount of energy you are willing to apply along with your ability to stay focused and committed to your future.

Only you can do this.”

Stokes has earned the ability to speak with authority on the subject of success by virtue of his education and the illustri24

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tration from Houston Baptist University. He has worked for ConocoPhillips since 1976, holds two field-related patents and has published 15 technical papers on production and marine engineering topics which he has presented in six countries.

Before the conferring of degrees, each division’s dean honored their top graduate.

The 2016 Outstanding Gradates included Kelsey Chambers of Tushka, Agriculture Division; Anthony Whisenhunt of Wilburton, Behavioral and Social Science Division; Kareesa Kennedy of Buffalo Valley, Business Division; Wyatt Stanford of Haileyville, Language, Humanities and Education Division; Ashley Earley of Valliant, Nursing Division; and Breanna House of Rattan, Science and Mathematics Division.

Other highlights from the event included freshmen Victoria Cole and Kyle Shelton performing the “Star Spangled Banner” during the posting of the colors by the Choctaw Nation Color Guard, an invocation given by Eastern Student Government Association President Kelsey Chambers, the presentation of the graduating class by Eastern’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Janet Wansick and the performance of

of applied science degree and eight who earned one-year certificates of mastery. grees and eight were one-year certificates of mastery.

Top Left: Ed Stokes, a member of the EOSC Alumni Hall of Fame, delivers Eastern’s 2016 commencement address.

Above: Kane Konsure, of McAlester, receives his business administration degree.

Eastern Barn Bash

Eastern’s Goddard Show Barn Complex can now add concert venue to its long list of uses thanks to the Agriculture Department’s first annual Barn Bash on May 7.

The festivities lasted past midnight as guests enjoyed a concert by “The Bo Phillips Band,” dancing, barbecue, and prizes.

Planned as an opportunity for Eastern alumni to meet and connect with current students, the Barn Bash met and exceeded event expectations with approximately 400 people in attendance. Organizer Eddie Woods, dean of the Agriculture Division, said the event was the first of what will become an annual event. The 2017 Barn Bash is scheduled for May 6.

Tickets for the event were $50 each, which included dinner for two, entertainment and a chance to win the grand prize of the evening - a Polaris Ranger. EOSC alumnus Eric Shaw, class of 2007, was the lucky winner when the 500th ticket was drawn. A wide variety of smaller door prizes were also given away including plants grown in Eastern’s own Greenhouse, beef jerky, T-shirts, fishing gear, local business coupons and caps.

Proceeds raised from the event will help fund a Small Animal Complex on the EOSC farm. Though still in the planning stages, Woods said the college hopes to build a swine farrowing facility and a sheep and goat unit.

Top: Eastern alumnus Eric Shaw was the winner of the grand prize.

Left: Attendees enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner at the event.

Right: Agriculture Division Dean Eddie Woods reads a ticket number during the prize drawing.

Masons continue support of education

Pictured Above: Members of the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma Monte Womack (far left), Ridge Smith (center) and John Logan (far right) gather with EOSC’s Treva Kennedy and Dr. Stephen E. Smith.

The Masons recently continued their tradition of supporting public education by bestowing Eastern’s Development Foundation with a $50,000 gift to support student learning. The Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma‘s will establish the Masonic Endowment for Student Learning, supporting

development, presentations by renowned speakers, or possible travel to significant locations.

“Student success is our main goal at Eastern and this gift will help us reach that mission,” said Treva Kennedy, director of Institutional Development. “We are appreciative to the Masons for this gift and their support

“We are on a mission to help higher education. In every pocket of the state...” innovative and creative projects to enrich student learning.

“We are on a mission to help higher education,” said John Logan, executive director of the Masonic Charity Foundation.

“In every pocket of the state we visit, the schools are an integral part of the community they serve. We want to help keep that mission alive.”

Starting in the spring of 2017, Eastern faculty and staff will have the opportunity to apply for mini-grants from the permanent Endowment’s interest income. These mini-grants are for projects that will directly impact student learning. Examples of eligible projects include leadership training, community service participation, service learning projects, civic skills 2016

of higher education. We look forward to seeing how faculty and staff will utilize this new opportunity to further student success.”

The EOSC Foundation will award the mini-grants to faculty and staff twice a year for the fall and spring semesters.

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Connections for a

Lifetime

The friends you made at Eastern are connections that will last a lifetime. Keep your connection to EOSC strong by becoming a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. Benefits include a subscription to the Statesman newspaper, access to Eastern’s library services and admission to home sporting events. You’ll also be kept up-to-date on news, events and activities happening at Eastern. An annual membership is $25 and a lifetime membership is $200. Join today by calling 918-465-1759.

Eastern would like to recognize the following people who show their Mountaineer pride and support EOSC through a lifetime membership.

Don Adkins Billy Albright Wayne Allen Virgina Allen Dr. Del Allen Joseph Arnold Frank Back Jo Ann Back Nick Barone Ed Beltram Deanna Bickel Joyce Bills Dr. Daniel Boatright Brad Boles Greg Bourns James Bowen Dr. Fern Allen Bowling Ken Brasfield Dr. William Brewer Harriet Brewer Trice Butler Raymond Campbell Allen Caraway Joann Caraway William Carlton James Bradley Carpenter Bentley Carpenter Ralph Carpenter Stanley Carpenter Michael Cathey Becky Chandler Ann Choate Norm Clayborn Ann Cocke Lance Cogburn Beth Conway

Gene Cooper Gerald Cound Robert Cox Tammy Crow Ben Curtis Jesse Darden Charles Davidson Gary Davis Bruce Degidts Dan Denny Charles Dodson Richard Dunaway Jonette Dunlap Ricky Eakle John Edmunds Robert Enis LaDonna Enis Paul Enis Kenneth Farley Adam Few Justin Few Guy Folger Jerry Fowler Stanley Funderburg Janis Franklin Adams Herbert Ganner Bill Garner Joyce Gideon Larry Godfrey Dr. Marsha B. Gore Joyce Hamilton Don Hamm Charles Hardt David Hardt Donald Harkey Virginia Harkey John Hendrix

Ray Henson JC Hester Don Hewett AnnaVee Hill Brian Hill Bill Hill Meleesia Hill Avant Christopher Hoag Bob Holley James Howell Joe Johnson Kerri Jones Treva Kennedy Charles Kile Mark Klimkowski Ila Curtis Knabe Steve Lalli Kay Langham Robert Legg James Lester Juanita Lewark Scott Logan Jacob Lundry John Malone Dr. Elmer Mangrum Margaret Hulsey Marr Alice Martin-Eakle Rosalinda McClary H.W. McKinney Billy Mickle Dr. Henry Migliore Michael Miller Cheryl Miller-Shelby Bill Milligan Otho Minter Tammy Monroe Dr. Charles Montgomery

Charlotte Moody Laura Morgan Linda Morgan Bobby Mouser Vicki Mouser Frank Murphy Mitchell Nelson George Nigh Edna Wright Nunley Shara Olive Donald O’Nesky Jack Paschall David Perryman Milburn Phillips Steve Pollok Christina Poor Clarence Pratt Rick Prentice Sherri Prentice Robert Purcell Tommy Quaid Dr. John Raunikar Nils Raunikar John Redman Forrest Richardson Anita Risner Ellen Robison Curtis Rose Calvin Rowland Katina Roye Michael Royer Matthew Rutkowski Jayna Santine Lee Anne Schweitzer Linda Miller Seidle Kellye Semeski Sarah Shires-Hudson

Patricia Simons Betty Sinner Roger Sinner Bill Skeith Tom Slamans Jimmy Smith Tom Smith Jerry Smith Dr. Rita Smith Kipp James Stallcup Edward Stokes George Stroud Dortha Lee Tucker Claudia Waggoner Leland Walker Sally Walker Gary Wansick Dian Rose Werhane Betty Wharton Evelyn “Jo” Whisenhunt Guthery William “Bill” White Phyllis Whitworth Linus Williams Betsy Wilmes Monte Womack Cheryl Wood-Myers David “Bruce” Woods Dr. Grady Wray Billy Wright Judy Wright William Wynn Jimmy Xezonatos Lawrence Youhanaian David Yowell Heather Ziverk

Alumni Board Members Justin Kennedy, President Curtis Rose, 1st Vice President Ed Stokes, 2nd Vice President Karen Smallwood, Secretary/Treasurer Stephen Brinlee 26

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Rhonda Kite Fields Betty Wharton Mae Mings John L. Redman Carly Jones

Anita Risner Dr. Stephen Smith, Ex-Officio Member Treva Kennedy, Ex-Officio Member

Making an

Impact

Scholarship gifts have the ability to forever impact a student’s life. Our generous alumni, donors and community supporters are making a commitment to the future students of Eastern. To learn how you can pledge your support, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 918-465-1873 or 918-465-1761.

Albert Shelton Endowed Scholarship Alecca Garofoli Endowed Scholarship Audrey & Treca Balentine Endowed Scholarship Bill H. & Anna Vee Hill Endowed Scholarship Bill Lambert Endowed Scholarship Bob Williams Endowed Scholarship BP America Annual Scholarship Carl Ryan Endowed Scholarship Charles C. Collins Endowed Scholarship (Red Oak Alumni Association)

Charles W. Davidson Endowed Scholarship Charles E. Turney Annual Scholarship Cheri Potter Endowed Scholarship Chesapeake Scholarship Clara Gaustad Annual Scholarship Clark & Wanda Bass Endowed Scholarship Claude Corvin Endowed Scholarship Claud C. & Floy May Dunlap Endowed Scholarship

Clayton High School Endowed Scholarship Dallas Herzer Endowed Scholarship David Joe Thomas Endowed Scholarship Deno & Gwen Maggi Endowed Scholarship Deroy & Lou Forwoodson Endowed Scholarship Dolly Hughes Harrison Endowed Scholarship Donald A. Parham Endowed Scholarship Don & Dot Adkins Endowed Scholarship Don C. Phelps Endowed Scholarship Don McClanen/FCA Endowed Scholarship Dr. Del & Ramona Allen Endowed Scholarship Dr. E. T. Dunlap Endowed Scholarship Dr. Henry Migliore Endowed Scholarship Dr. James M. & Nancy Miller Endowed Scholarship Dr. Janet & Gary Wansick Endowed Scholarship Dr. Lloyd E. Church Endowed Scholarship Dr. William W. & Harriet A. Brewer Endowed Scholarship

Ed E. Enis Endowed Scholarship Edgar & Jessie Wood Endowed Scholarship Edward G. & Claudia W. Stokes STEM Endowed Scholarship

E.E. Tourtellotte Endowment E.O. Rowland Endowed Scholarship EOSC Foundation Endowed Scholarship Evelyn Whisenhunt-Guthery Endowed Scholarship

Exxon Corporation Endowed Scholarship F. Holland Jester Annual Scholarship Faculty Choice Endowed Scholarship Farrell-Cooper Mining Endowed Scholarship Frank & Grace Marie Cirar, Jr. Endowed Scholarship

Frankie Rezabek Endowed Scholarship Franklin Electric Corporation Endowed Scholarship Fred & Florence Stovall Endowed Scholarship Gene Stipe Endowed Scholarship George Nigh Endowed Scholarship George Tolbert Endowed Scholarship Guy Gardner Endowed Scholarship Helen Albright Endowed Scholarship Holly Walker Annual Scholarship Howard Yourman Endowed Scholarship IC Gunning Annual Scholarship Jack Gladden Memorial Endowed Scholarship James, Sarah & Scott Salmon Endowed Scholarship

Jess & June Bailey Endowed Scholarship Jim D. Sullivan Endowed Scholarship Dr. J.N. & Helen Baker Endowed Scholarship Joe & Brenda Coy Endowed Scholarship John Alan Ward Scholar Athlete Endowed Scholarship

Johnnie Wray Endowed Scholarship Karolyn & John Hendrix Endowed Scholarship Kensel & Dortha Lee Tucker Endowed Scholarship

Kerr Foundation Endowed Scholarship Kiamichi Electric Coop, Inc. Endowed Scholarship K. Lance & Jane Woodliff Endowed Scholarship Larry & Ann Owens Endowed Scholarship Less & Agnes Mitchell/Exxon Mobil Endowed Scholarship

Mark Winters Endowed Scholarship Martha Grantham Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Mary Beth Guard Endowed Scholarship Mary Lea Gillespie Endowed Scholarship Masonic Endowment for Student Learning Meat Technology Annual Scholarship Mildred Enis Endowed Scholarship Milton & JoAnn Smith Endowed Scholarship N. Louise Southard Endowed Scholarship

OK Independent Meatpackers Endowed Scholarship

Otha Grimes Foundation Annual Scholarship Pam Shoemake Endowed Scholarship Patricia Thomas Endowed Scholarship Pete Prichard Endowed Scholarship Public Service Company of Oklahoma Endowed Scholarship

Puterbaugh Foundation Nursing Annual Scholarship

Puterbaugh Foundation Pittsburg County Annual Scholarship

Ramon Jackson Endowed Scholarship Ray Fuertsch Endowed Scholarship Richard C. & Barbara Hartigan Endowed Scholarship

Robert L. Borden Endowed Scholarship Roger & Bettye Sinner Endowed Scholarship Ross & Margaret Harlan Endowed Scholarship Sapphire Endowed Scholarship Seldon Taylor Endowed Scholarship Senator Billy Mickle Endowed Scholarship Shirley Bambeck Annual Scholarship Southwestern Bell Telephone Company

Endowed Scholarship

Steve & Linda Hudson Endowed Scholarship Dr. Stephen Smith Endowed Scholarship Thomas L. Crawford, R.N. Endowed Scholarship Tom & Betty Bagwell Endowed Scholarship Travis German Dean of Students Endowed Scholarship

Tri-County Administrator’s Association Endowed Scholarship

Vastar Resources, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Wanda Bohanon Endowed Scholarship Walter Williams Endowed Scholarship W.E. “Bill” Allford Endowed Scholarship Weyerhaeuser Corporation Endowed Scholarship WH & Joan Sutton Endowed Scholarship Wilbur & LaVerne Smith Endowed Scholarship Wilburton State Bank Endowed Scholarship William E. “Bill” White Annual Scholarship William J. West Endowed Scholarship Willie Hogan Endowed Scholarship

Foundation Board Members Ruth Harkins, Chair Sara Jane Smallwood, Vice-Chair Justin Few, Secretary Dr. Janet Wansick, Treasurer

Dr. Marsha Gore, Past Chair Thomas Poteet III Nils Rauniker Jeff Wimberly

Monte Womack Dr. Stephen E. Smith, Ex-Officio Jayna Santine, Program Administrator

2016

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