Connection - June 2024

Cowgirls End Season With Trip to NJCAA World Series

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CONNORS STATE COLLEGE WARNER CAMPUS 700 COLLEGE ROAD WARNER, OK 74469 THREE RIVERS PORT CAMPUS 2501 N 41st St. E MUSKOGEE, OK 74403

April 2024

FEATURE

CAMPUS LIFE

VPAA Dr. Chris McBeath Earns his Hood at University of Arkansas CSC Honors Newest Hall of Fame Class at Annual Alumni & Friends Reunion Hummingbird & Rhoden Named Mr./Ms, CSC Faculty & Staff Recognized at Annual IMPACT Awards Banquet

ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Chris McBeath

Dr. Krystle Lane Derotha Rivenbark Matthew Harmon Bailey Tull Brandy McElyea Clint Maxcey

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EDUCATION

Connors Celebrates Annual Spring Commencement CSC Celebrates Bi-Annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony CSC Celebrates Graduation of Correctional Students at Eddie Warrior

VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis

CONNECTION CONTRIBUTORS

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Cowgirls End Season With Trip to NJCAA World Series

SPOTLIGHTS

Student Spotlight: Bailey Tull Alumni Spotlight: Charles Homer Larwood

ATHLETICS

Cowboys Baseball 2024 Season Recap Madison Needham Named STUNT AllAmerican Honorable Mention

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Cover Photo: Connors State Competes in 2024 NJCAA Women’s World Series in Oxford, Alabama.

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Connors State College in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nation origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, crime statistics for both the Warner and Muskogee campuses may be reviewed at http://connorsstate.edu/asr. This publication was printed by Connors State College as authorized by the Director of College & Community Relations. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination or endorsement is intended by Connors State College.

FEATURE

Cowgirls End Season With Trip to NJCAA World Series The Cowgirls softball team had a fantastic season in 2024, racking up an impressive 37-11 record and claiming the program a stunning NJCAA Region 2 championship.

win over Eastern Oklahoma State. The following day, the Cowgirls defeated Seminole State 4-3 to advance to the championship round.

Their stellar play earned them a trip to the NJCAA Women's College World Series in Oxford, Alabama, capping an outstanding campaign.

Though they dropped game 1 of the championship series to Eastern while dealing with numerous rain delays, Connors State responded emphatically in the decisive game 2. Powered by their potent lineup anchored by first-team allregion selections like Katelyn Fleming, Brooke Wyatt and Kylee Smith, the Cowgirls defeated Eastern 7-2 to claim the region 2 crown.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Bobby Foreman and first-year assistant McKenna Sikes, the Cowgirls exceeded expectations and emerged as one of the top teams in the region. They entered the Region 2 tournament as the #3 seed, riding a wave of momentum after a strong regular season showing.

Connors State opened regional play on May 8th with a convincing 5-0 victory over Northern Oklahoma College Enid. Just hours later, they pulled out a dramatic 6-5

Their reward was a well-deserved trip to the NJCAA Women's College World Series in Oxford, Alabama. Though their stay was brief after losses to powerhouse teams Hutchinson and Iowa Western, the Cowgirls savored the experience of playing on the national stage.

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FEATURE

Connors State put together one of the most successful seasons in program history, posting a stellar 37-11 overall record while claiming the region 2 title.

With a talented core set to return next year, the future looks extremely bright as the Cowgirls aim to build off their 2024 breakout season and make another run at a national championship. With Foreman and Sikes continuing to provide steady leadership, the bar has been raised for Cowgirls softball as they look to cement themselves as an annual contender.

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CAMPUS LIFE Connors State College Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Chris McBeath Earns his Hood at University of Arkansas Dr. Chris McBeath, Vice President of Academic Affairs, was recently celebrated in a prestigious hooding ceremony for earning his Doctorate in Education from the University of Arkansas.

The ceremonial hooding marks the pinnacle of McBeath's educational pursuits, which included bachelor's degrees from Oklahoma State and Northeastern State, a master's from NSU, and now a doctorate focused on adult and lifelong learning.

McBeath's passion for teaching was ignited during his tenure as a high school Social Studies instructor, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2016-2017.

Transitioning to higher ed, he joined Connors State in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Division Chair and being honored as Faculty of the Year in 2021.

CSC Honors Newest Hall of Fame Class at Annual Alumni & Friends Reunion On Saturday, April 27th, the Connors State College Alumni & Friends Association held its annual reunion banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event brought together alumni, supporters, and the campus community to celebrate the college's legacy and recognize exceptional individuals who have made lasting impacts.

The banquet commenced with welcoming remarks from Alumni & Friends Association President Randall Brock and

College President Dr. Ronald Ramming.

Attendees enjoyed lunch served by members of the President's Leadership Class.

The highlight was inducting six new members into the prestigious Connors State College Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes alumni who have achieved greatness and brought distinction to themselves and their alma mater. The 2024 inductees were Larry Callison, Kathy Davis, Larry Harvey, Frederick Kirkwood,

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CAMPUS LIFE Charles Homer Larwood, and Betty Roper.

Callison was celebrated as a legendary Oklahoma high school basketball coach with over 1,000 career wins and multiple state titles. Davis starred on the Connors State basketball team before becoming an educator and coach herself. Harvey spent decades as an agriculture teacher mentoring future instructors and leading award-winning FFA teams. Kirkwood currently serves as Chief Customer Experience Officer for Summit Utilities overseeing multi-state operations.

Larwood, one of Connors State's first students in 1914, later pioneered pharmaceutical research and served as a

university dean. Roper, an Oktaha rancher, achieved championships in barrel racing while also working as an elementary school teacher.

The Alumni & Friends Association recognized new lifetime members and provided updates on activities, including a silent auction fundraiser. Two current students received scholarships from the association's funds.

For more information about the Alumni & Friends Association, or to learn how you can get involved, contact Brandy McElyea by emailing brandy.mcelyea@connorsstate.edu.

Hummingbird & Rhoden Named Mr./Ms. CSC Connors State College recently honored Emma Rhoden and Zahayfa Hummingbird as 2024's Mr. and Ms. CSC. The prestigious student awards recognize outstanding leadership, involvement, and embodiment of CSC values.

Rhoden, from Dade City, FL, was heavily involved in Ag Ambassadors, Show Team, Student Government, and was crowned

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Homecoming Queen. Hummingbird, a Tahlequah native, made his mark through esports, President's Leadership Class, and as Homecoming King.

As they prepare to transfer, Rhoden and Hummingbird can take pride in leaving a lasting legacy as CSC ambassadors through their well-rounded achievements.

CAMPUS LIFE

Faculty & Staff Recognized at Annual IMPACT Awards Banquet Connors State College recently held its annual Impact Awards ceremony, honoring exceptional individuals and departments for their remarkable contributions to the institution. The event recognized outstanding faculty, staff, and student employees who have made a positive impact on the college community.

Tomi Grimes earned the highly esteemed Faculty of the Year award, a testament to an unwavering commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Their dedication and expertise have earned widespread respect and admiration among both students and colleagues.

Zahayfa Hummingbird received the Student Employee Impact Award, in recognition of his exceptional performance and significant contributions as a student employee.

The Award for Distinguished Group or Department was presented to the Student Support Services, acknowledging their outstanding efforts and work towards aiding in students' success. Their diligent work and unwavering commitment has played a pivotal role for many. Derotha Rivenbark was honored with the Support Staff Impact Award, acknowledging her invaluable contributions to the college community. Director of Recruitment, Grace Blackwell received the Professional Staff Impact award, recognizing her exceptional work in her first full year leading the college’s recruitment division.

Connors State College extends its congratulations to all the award recipients for their exceptional achievements and contributions.

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EDUCATION

Connors Celebrates Annual Spring Commencement On Friday, May 10th, Connors State College held its annual commencement ceremony at Rougher Village at Muskogee High School. The event celebrated a record-breaking number of graduates earning degrees and certificates from the institution.

The commencement speaker was Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who has served in the position since 2019. As a member of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents that oversees Connors State, Arthur congratulated the graduates on their tremendous achievements.

In addition to Secretary Arthur, fellow Regent Billy Taylor of the Oklahoma A&M Board was in attendance to recognize the graduates. The board governs Connors State College along with other institutions across the state.

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President Dr. Ronald Ramming expressed his pride in the record class of graduates and the bright futures ahead of them.

"Over the past few years, we have seen degree production rise at the institution.

This is a testament to all of the hardworking faculty and staff we have here at Connors," said Dr. Ramming. Regarding the graduates, he added, "These students have taken full advantage of their opportunities at Connors State. With what they’ve gained, they are well-prepared to launch rewarding careers or continue studying at a university."

Among the graduates were students from an array of degree programs offered at Connors State's campuses in Muskogee, Warner, and online. These included traditional students, non-traditional students, concurrent students, and former correctional students as well.

EDUCATION

CSC Celebrates Bi-Annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony On Friday, May 10th, Connors State College held its bi-annual nurse pinning ceremony, honoring the latest graduates from the school's nursing program. The event took place at Rougher Village, the gymnasium at Muskogee High School, and recognized the achievements of 59 newly minted nurses.

The nurse pinning ceremony is a longstanding tradition, dating back to the 1800s when Florence Nightingale herself received a pin to commemorate her nursing studies. The pin serves as a symbol of the graduate's education, knowledge, and commitment to providing outstanding patient care.

Connors State College Nursing Director Dr. Diane Mashburn presided over the ceremony, welcoming the graduates' families and friends who filled the bleachers at Rougher Village.

This is such a proud moment for these nursing graduates and all of us at Connors State," said Dr. mashburn. "They have worked incredibly hard over the past few years, balancing challenging coursework with clinical rotations. Their dedication to this noble profession is inspiring. Nursing is more than just a career – it's a calling," said Mashburn.

"The patients we care for aren't just case numbers, they're human beings going through incredibly vulnerable moments.

It's our privilege as nurses to provide skilled, compassionate care.”

The program at Connors State has grown substantially in recent years to help meet the increasing demand for nurses, both in Oklahoma and across the nation. With this latest group of 59 graduates, the future of healthcare welcomes bright, committed professionals ready to make a difference in people's lives.

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EDUCATION

CSC Celebrates Graduation of Correctional Students at Eddie Warrior For over two decades, Connors State College has operated a pioneering Prison Education Program, providing incarcerated individuals the opportunity to further their education and transform their lives. The program recently celebrated a milestone, awarding a record 34 degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year.

participate in the Second Chance Pell program. This allowed the college to expand educational opportunities using federal grants for qualified prisoners.

Each semester, approximately 200 students enroll in classes spanning subjects like business, liberal arts, and social sciences.

The seeds of the program were planted in 1998 when Connors State began offering courses at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, Oklahoma. Since then, hundreds of incarcerated students have taken advantage of affordable access to higher education while serving their sentences.

This Spring, the program held a graduation ceremony at the Eddie Warrior facility. There the graduates received their associate's degrees, marking the highest number of degrees awarded in a single year since the program's inception. Their colleagues, faculty members, and correctional staff cheered as they received hard-earned diplomas.

In 2016, Connors State was selected as one of only 67 institutions nationwide to

"This program is transformative on so many levels," said Connors State

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EDUCATION

President Dr. Ronald Ramming. "It provides a pathway for personal growth, develops valuable skills for future employment, and reduces recidivism rates. We're grateful to be able to help provide this opportunity to so many Oklahomans each year."

Studies show that incarcerated individuals who participate in prison education programs are significantly less likely to reoffend upon release and better positioned to secure meaningful jobs. The employment prospects improve even further with an associate's or bachelor's degree.

For the graduates, commencement marked the culmination of incredible perseverance and dedication to changing the trajectories of their lives through education. Many plan to continue studying or pursue their careers.

The success of Connors State's Prison Education Program underscores the college's mission of expanding access to higher education for all qualified students, regardless of circumstances. As the program grows, more Oklahomans will have the opportunity to embrace education as a catalyst for second chances.

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SPOTLIGHTS Student Spotlight: Bailey Tull (‘24) For Bailey Tull, the path to higher education has been one of perseverance and grit. After graduating as valedictorian from Muskogee High School in 2017, Bailey initially struggled to find balance between life, school, and work when she started college. Facing obstacles along the way, she was forced to take a step back, and approach college from a different angle.

It was her experience at Connors State College that proved to be the turning point for Bailey. She credits the supportive staff, such as Mike Jackson, and faculty like Professor Crapes, for helping her regain her confidence and determination to succeed academically.

"The staff and faculty at Connors really pushed me to do great," Bailey said. "They helped me stay positive and always feel like I could get the grade I wanted."

Bailey also found a supportive community through Connors' TRIO Student Support Services program, where she was able to connect with classmates and be a part of the larger Connors community.

"Connors made it easy for me to juggle life, work, and school," Bailey shared.

"They gave me the confidence to stay in pursuit of my goals."

Her hard work and perseverance paid off,

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as Bailey finished her last semester at Connors with an impressive 4.0 GPA. Now, with her associate's degree in hand, Bailey plans to transfer to Northeastern State University to pursue a major in Nutritional Sciences. Her ultimate goal is to further her education and embark on a career as a Physician Assistant.

Bailey's journey at Connors State College serves as an inspiration, a testament to the power of determination, supportive communities, and the transformative impact that a nurturing educational environment can have on a student's life.

SPOTLIGHTS Alumni Spotlight: Charles Homer Laywood (1914-1916) Charles Homer Larwood, called Homer, was born November 8, 1895, in Arkansas to Charles and Sallie Larwood. He had one brother and three sisters. In 1910, the family moved to Oklahoma where they lived outside of Sallisaw.

While attending school at Sallisaw, Homer Larwood entered an essay about farming in a statewide contest sponsored by Oklahoma A&M College. He won first place. According to the Sallisaw Star Gazette, the prize was a scholarship to the college of his choice. He chose to attend Connors State College in 1914.

Attending Connors in its infancy, he was extremely popular. So outstanding that the president of the college, J.S. Malone wrote to the editor of the Sallisaw Star Gazette on March 24, 1916, praising Homer, saying he was the best student the college had ever had. He also asked that they send more students like Homer to Connors. That same year, on July 14, 1916, Homer wrote to the newspaper encouraging the young people of the area not to be timid or afraid to continue their higher education at Connors.

After finishing Connors, Homer attended Oklahoma University, but because of the start of WWI, he had to drop out to enter the marines where he served as a captain in the Medical Corps. He was no doubt

one of the first former students from Connors to enter the War. He would later serve in WWII in the same capacity.

After WWI he earned two PHD’s at OU in Pharmacy. In 1946 after serving in WWII, he was elected Dean of The College of Pharmacy at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He would serve as Dean for 20 years. While at the University,he authored several scientific papers and developed many pharmaceutical breakthroughs, some were made public by the Eli Lilly Company.

After a life of many accomplishments, he retired in 1966 and returned to Oklahoma where he lived with his sister in Westville.

Homer passed away May 27, 1977, at the age of 81. Let us not forget the students like Charles Homer Larwood who helped Connors, in its beginnings, to become the college it is today.

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ATHLETICS

Cowboys Baseball 2024 Season Recap The 2024 season has come to an end, and the Cowboys put together a remarkable 51-9 overall record this spring.

they were just about unbeatable at home in Warner, defending their park with a stellar 34-1 home record.

This year’s team will be remembered for their prolific offense that got after opposing pitchers all season long.

Connors State featured one of the best lineups in the entire NJCAA. Their .378 batting average paced all junior college teams in the nation. The Cowboys also ranked in the top 10 nationally in on-base percentage (.490, 2nd), runs scored (623, 5th), and slugging percentage (.588, 7th).

They hit 64 home runs and drove in a staggering 571 runs.

After a blistering 34-2 start to the season, the Cowboys cooled off slightly in late April before righting the ship. They won 17 of their final 24 games down the stretch, including taking 2 of 3 against conference rival Rose State to close the regular season. Their only real blemish came in a 1-2 showing against regional foe Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in midMay.

The Cowboys were steady on the road, going 12-6 in true road games. However,

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Though their season ended earlier than hoped in the regional tournament, the 2024 Connors State Cowboys had a season to remember.

ATHLETICS

Madison Needham Named STUNT All-American Honorable Mention The Connors State College STUNT team placed one athlete on the 2024 College STUNT All-American Team, in their third season of existence.

Madison Needham was named a AllAmerican Honorable Mention by the College Stunt Coaches Association earlier this month. Needam, a sophomore from Stigler, was an integral part of the jumps and tumbling routines while also fulfilling necessary roles in pyramids and tosses, as well as partner stunts.

“Madison Needham is an athlete that embodies the mission of STUNT in highlighting the talents of female athletes.

As she graduates and continues onto the

next phase of her life, we will certainly miss her”, added head coach Clint Maxcey.

CSCA All-American nominees must meet the following criteria: Be a four-quarter participant.

Partner Stunts, Pyramids/Tosses, Jumps/Tumbling, Team Routines.

Participate in at least 50% of team games.

Be a vital component to team’s success, show that in their routines.

To keep up with Connors State STUNT, follow the team on social media @Connors_STUNT on Instagram.

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE ROAD WARNER, OK 74469

This year’s commencement address was delivered by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and A&M Board Member, Regent Blayne Arthur. Arthur has served in both capacities since 2019.