Connection - September 2023

CONNECTION A Publication of Connors State College

September 2023

A New Chapter In CSC Athletics: Soccer Kicks-Off Inaugural Seasons

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

ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Chris McBeath VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis

CONNECTION CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Krystle Lane Derotha Rivenbark Matthew Harmon Sierra Spencer Reagan Robinson Richard Benge

September 2023

FEATURE

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A New Chapter In CSC Athletics: Soccer Kicks-Off Inaugural Season

CAMPUS LIFE

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Students Start Semester with Student Activities CSC’s Second Summer of SPUR Programs

EDUCATION

CSC’s Commitment to Workforce Development through Micro-Credentials CSC Maintains Tuition and Fees for Third Consecutive Year, Demonstrating Commitment to Affordable Education CSC Foundation Empowers Students with Over $60,000 in Scholarships Awarded

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SPOTLIGHTS

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Student Spotlight: Gracee Starkey Alumni Spotlight: Gary Hendrix ('77)

ATHLETICS

CSC Student-Athletes Earn National NJCAA Recognition 18 CSC Student-Athletes Named to NJCAA Academic All-America Teams Brady Cerkownyk Hears Name Called in 2023 MLB Draft Clayton Porterfield Named Oklahoma Shooter of the Year

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Cover Photo: Connors State College’s Soccer Programs Prepare for their Inaugural Seasons

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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

A New Chapter In CSC Athletics: Soccer Kicks-Off Inaugural Seasons Connors State College, known for its commitment to academic excellence and a rich sporting tradition, is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in its history. The upcoming semester marks the inauguration of men's and women's soccer programs, adding an electrifying dimension to the college's already vibrant sports culture.

Establishing a soccer program from scratch is no small feat. Connors State College has invested heavily in recruiting experienced coaching staff with a passion for developing emerging talent. The program will be led by head coach, Adam Skolnick. A Florida native, Skolnick moves to Green Country with years of experience coaching both men and women at just about every level of the game. Prior to CSC, he served as the Men’s Assistant at Millsap College.

"When I was looking at where to take the next step in my career, I did not expect to find a project as appealing as this one here at Connors State. To be able to join an athletic department with such a rich history of success and help start a new program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The support I have received in my time here on campus has been amazing, and I hope to help CSC soccer reach the same heights as the other programs on campus in due time.”

Joining Skolnick is assistant coach Richard Benge. The former collegiate goalkeeper has years of coaching the position at the high school and collegiate levels.

The recruitment process was rigorous and extensive. Connors State College has cast a wide net, seeking local and international talent. The men's and women's teams are

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FEATURE

a diverse mix of skill levels, backgrounds, nationalities, and playing styles. This diversity is expected to be one of the program's strengths, bringing fresh perspectives and strategies to the field and campus.

Community involvement is a cornerstone of Connors State College's philosophy.

The soccer program is already working to foster relationships with local schools, youth clubs, and the general community.

Clinics and workshops are planned to inspire young athletes, bridging the gap between playground soccer and collegiate play. With soccer being one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing sports, CSC will look to inspire an upcoming generation by having college-level soccer played in Muskogee County.

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The men's and women's soccer programs are more than just sports; they are a testament to Connors State's commitment to growth, excellence, and community engagement. While the inaugural season is just the beginning, it is bound to leave an indelible mark on the college's history, further uniting the campus community in a shared passion for this institution. As the first whistle blows, Connors State College marches confidently into the future of collegiate soccer, eager to embrace every challenge and celebrate every triumph.

CAMPUS LIFE

Students Start Semester with Student Activities As Connors State College students begin their semester, life around campus flourishes. The first week of classes kicked off on August 22nd and since then, students have had plenty to keep them busy.

Various student activities have provided the student body with fun ways to spend their downtime between classes and extracurricular organizations. The first of these events was the Back to School Bash.

Faculty & staff joined in on the lawn for food, fun, and fellowship.

Campus Life has been particularly busy this August hosting several other events as well. They have already hosted movie nights, a bowling trip, a blood drive, and more.

Keep an eye on the Connors State Campus Life Facebook page to see what student activities are coming up at CSC.

Connors State College’s Second Summer of SPUR Enrollment Programs This past summer, Connors State College once again played host to a series of impactful first-year student programs.

Building on the success of the inaugural events in the previous year, the college continued its commitment to helping incoming students transition seamlessly into campus life.

with a collaborative effort involving Student Affairs, Admissions, Advisement, and dedicated faculty members. The goal was clear: create an environment where students could connect with their peers, become familiar with the college's campus, and prepare themselves for the academic journey ahead.

Planning for these engaging programs commenced early in the spring of 2023,

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EDUCATION

Connors State College's Commitment to Workforce Development through Micro-Credentials In an ever-evolving job market where continuous learning is imperative, Connors State College is taking proactive steps to support workforce development.

Recognizing the need for accessible and flexible upskilling opportunities, the college has introduced Micro-Credentials, providing a pathway for individuals to enhance their skills and stay competitive in today's dynamic industries.

The modern workforce landscape demands adaptability and a willingness to acquire new skills. Connors State College, in partnership with industry leaders and local employers, has taken a bold step to bridge the skills gap. Micro-Credentials, also known as digital badges or microcertifications, are short, focused courses designed to impart specific skills or knowledge relevant to the demands of today's job market.

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CSC's Micro-Credentials encompass a diverse range of fields and industries.

From digital marketing to AI technology, training for correction officers to childhood development, there's a MicroCredential for virtually every career path.

These courses are designed to provide immediate value in the workplace.

Pursuing higher education can be costly, but Micro-Credentials offer a more budget-friendly alternative. With shorter durations and targeted learning outcomes, these programs provide a costeffective means of gaining essential skills and certifications.

As Connors State College evolves with the needs of its students and the job market, Micro-Credentials remains a vital step forward on the path to lifelong learning and career success.

EDUCATION

Connors State College Maintains Tuition and Fees for Third Consecutive Year, Demonstrating Commitment to Affordable Education Connors State College announces that for the third consecutive year, it will not be increasing tuition or mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year. This decision is a testament to Connors State College's dedication to providing accessible and affordable education to its students.

As educational costs continue to rise across the nation, Connors State College continues to prioritize the financial wellbeing of its student body.

“We are incredibly grateful for the investment that the Oklahoma Legislature has made into Higher Education this session. Their efforts are essential in keeping the cost of attending college within everyone’s reach,” added Dr. Ronald Ramming, President of Connors State College.

Connors State College invites prospective students, current enrollees, and their families to take advantage of this remarkable opportunity to receive highquality education without incurring additional financial strain. By choosing Connors State College, students can access a wide range of academic programs, dedicated faculty, state-of-theart facilities, and a supportive learning environment at an affordable cost.

As the college embarks on another year of academic excellence, Connors State College remains committed to aiding in the growth of Eastern Oklahoma’s workforce. By keeping tuition and mandatory fees unchanged, the college reinforces its position as a leader in providing accessible higher education options to the community.

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EDUCATION

Connors State College Foundation Empowers Students with Over $60,000 in Scholarships Awarded, Marking 300% Growth Since 2019 Connors State College Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to education and student success by awarding more than $60,000 in scholarships to 75 deserving students. This substantial increase in scholarship funding, representing a remarkable 300% surge since 2019, reflects the foundation's dedication to fostering academic excellence and supporting the aspirations of its student community.

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As the Connors State College Foundation continues to extend its reach and provide increased scholarship opportunities, it strengthens the educational fabric of the community. By investing in the academic success of its students, the foundation not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of the region.

SPOTLIGHTS Student Spotlight: CSC Freshman, Gracee Starkey Earns Koch Scholarship Gracee Starkey, daughter of Candi Whittiker and Erick Starkey, is among 449 students from the United States and Canada chosen to receive an academic scholarship from the Koch Family Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year. Gracee will be attending Connors State College.

Scholarships are awarded annually to applicants demonstrating a strong academic record, leadership, and extracurricular and community involvement. An independent panel of judges with expertise in the field of education selects recipients.

“We believe the purpose of education is to enable people to discover, develop, and apply their talents so that they can lead

successful, fulfilling lives by creating value for others. It has been a pillar of the Koch Family Foundation for decades. This scholarship program not only provides financial assistance but also recognizes the hard work these outstanding young people have done, both in school and in their communities. I commend them for their accomplishments and wish them continued success,” said Liz Koch, president of the Koch Family Foundation.

The Koch Family Foundation created the academic scholarship program in 1970 for dependents of employees of Koch Industries, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States and Canada. To date, more than 5,200 scholarships totaling more than $9.7 million have been awarded.

Alumni Spotlight: Gary Hendrix (‘77) Inducted Into OCA Hall of Fame Gary Hendrix came to Warner in the Fall of 1976, after he graduated from Fort Gibson High School. He’d initially learned about Connors from his father, an alum himself. But, for Hendrix, the deciding factor was the opportunity to play both baseball and basketball for coaches Carl Scott and Don Crownover.

Hendrix has fond recollections of his days in Warner, from living in Russell Hall to being elected to Student Government,

and participating in Student Theatre productions in the Fine Arts Building.

“I made a lot of lifelong friends here. We walked around the museum earlier and I saw the names of many professors I’d known in my time on campus. Although many of those professors have passed on, I look back and realize the influence they had on my life. Each person helped make me who I became, and I am very thankful for all of them,” he remarked.

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SPOTLIGHTS

Before becoming the head basketball coach at Hilldale, Gary Hendrix embarked on a coaching journey that took him through various schools. Notably, he spent the majority of his coaching career at Fort Gibson, where he coached from 1986 to 1998 and again from 2005 to 2017. During his tenure at Fort Gibson, Hendrix achieved significant milestones, including leading his teams to back-toback finals appearances in 2016 and 2017.

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One of the highlights of Hendrix's coaching career was winning a state championship in basketball at Mounds in 1985.

This past summer, Hendrix was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Please join Connors State College in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Coach Hendrix on an amazing career thus far.

ATHLETICS

Connors State College Student-Athletes Earn National NJCAA Recognition Connors State College is proud to announce that four of its student-athletes have been named to NJCAA All-America teams for the 2022-2023 year.

Brady Cerkownyk, of Connors State baseball, has been named an NJCAA First Team All-America selection. Drafted this year by the MLB’s Detroit Tigers, this award caps off a stellar career for the Canadian catcher. In his lone year at CSC, Brady finished second in the nation in batting average (.470), second in home runs (27), and first in RBIs (107). He narrowly missed winning the NJCAA Triple Crown, while also leading the nation with a .985 slugging percentage.

Additionally, three student-athletes have been honored as NJCAA All-America Honorable Mentions. In baseball, Luke Rolland has had an outstanding career for the Cowboys. In 28 total appearances over two seasons, the Pangburn, Arkansas

native posted an ERA of 3.22, with a 2.49 this past season. After totaling nearly 200 career strikeouts for Connors, Rolland will continue his college baseball career at Austin Peay next season.

With the help of Cerkownyk and Rolland, the Cowboys would go 50-7, winning the regular-season Region 2 crown and their 19th conference championship.

In men's basketball, Xavier Glenn earned the Cowboys' second All-America Honorable Mention nomination. The former Bixby Trojan joined an exclusive club this past season, becoming the program’s 11th 1000-point scorer of all time. Glenn averaged 21.9 points per game, helping lead the Cowboys to a regular season record of 24-6. Next season, Glenn will be playing for the NCAA Division 1 program, Texas A&M-University Corpus Cristi.

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ATHLETICS

The lone Connors freshman to earn NJCAA recognition this season was women's basketball’s Haitiana Releford.

Releford had a season to remember for the Cowgirls, averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Her NJCAA Honorable Mention caps off a season full of accolades for the Northside High School (Fort Smith, AR) graduate. During or after the season, Releford was named NJCAA National Player of the Week, 4-time Region 2 Player of the Week, Region 2 Freshman of the Year, and selected for the All-Region 2 First Team.

These achievements highlight the commitment to excellence and dedication

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to sportsmanship that Connors State College instills in its student-athletes. The college is immensely proud of all the recognized student-athletes and appreciates their hard work, discipline, and contributions to the success of their respective teams.

Connors State College remains committed to providing exceptional athletic opportunities and fostering an environment where student-athletes can thrive both academically and athletically.

ATHLETICS

18 Connors State College Student-Athletes Named to NJCAA Academic All-America Teams Connors State College is proud to announce that 18 of its student-athletes have been named a part of this year’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-America teams. This recognition highlights both their academic achievements and athletic abilities.

The NJCAA Academic All-America program acknowledges student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and their respective sports. To qualify for this honor, studentathletes must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6 while demonstrating dedication to their sport.

The 18 student-athletes from Connors State College have exhibited a strong commitment to their academic pursuits while making significant contributions to their teams.

The 18 student-athletes to receive this honor from Connors State College are recognized below: Elijah Alexander (Moore, OK), Baseball Griffin Almond (Thornberry, Ontario) Gavin Alveti (Searcy, AR) Jaci Armond (Frisco, TX) Luca Boscarino (Mississauga, Ontario) Brady Cerkownyk (Tornoto, Ontario) Cage Edgmon (Collinsville, OK) Rody Garcia (Nagua, Dominican Republic) Andres Matias (Santo Domingo, DR) Chase Pair (Red Oak, OK) Luke Rolland (Pangburn, AR) Blake Simpson (Toronto, Ontario) Alex Springer (London, Ontario) Peyton Dickerson (Corsicana, TX) Meliah Hunter (Fort Smith, AR) Caitlyn Collier (Hobart, OK) Karley Fewel (Oktaha, OK) Addisyn Dalton (Stuart, OK)

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ATHLETICS “We are incredibly proud of our studentathletes for earning a place on the NJCAA Academic All-America team.

Their exceptional performance in the classroom and on the field is a testament to their hard work. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals on this accomplishment.” remarked Dr. Ronald Ramming, President of Connors State College.

The Connors State College community joins in celebrating the accomplishments of these outstanding student-athletes and applauds them for their tremendous commitment to academic and athletic excellence.

Brady Cerkownyk Hears Name Called in 2023 MLB Draft Brady Cerkownyk, of Connors State baseball, has been chosen by the Detroit Tigers with the 440th overall selection in the 15th round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

In his time in Warner, Brady Cerkownyk has been remarkable for the Cowboys. He excelled in 55 games, finishing second in the nation in batting average (.470), second in home runs (27), and first in RBIs (107). He narrowly missed winning the NJCAA Triple Crown, while also leading the nation with a .985 slugging percentage.

Cerkownyk, a Toronto-born catcher, has been a top prospect for quite a while.

Earlier this year, he was a part of USA Baseball’s 2023 Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List.

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“He came in and had a great year for us,” said Connors State College baseball coach, Perry Keith. “Some of these guys are ready physically, some are ready mentally for what it takes to succeed at that level, but Brady’s ready. He’s ready for what it’ll take, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him in the Major Leagues.

And that’s why he came here, was to make an opportunity for himself and he capitalized on that. I couldn’t be any prouder of him."

The Connors State College baseball program has a longstanding tradition of nurturing and developing exceptional athletes, and Brady Cerkownyk's selection in the 2023 MLB Draft is another example of the program's commitment to

ATHLETICS excellence. With last night’s draft, over 130 Cowboys have been drafted all-time, with more than a dozen making it to the Major League.

The entire Connors State College community extends its warmest congratulations to Brady on this exceptional accomplishment. We eagerly anticipate watching his journey in professional baseball and will continue to support him as he represents our college at the highest level of the sport.

Clayton Porterfield Named Oklahoma Shooter of the Year Clayton Porterfield, a member of the Connors State College Archery Team, has been honored by Oklahoma ASA 3D Archery. Clayton's dedication and skill as a platformer have earned him the prestigious title of Oklahoma Shooter of the Year.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Clayton Porterfield for this welldeserved accolade, and we are immensely proud to have him represent Connors State College.

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PHOTOS

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PHOTOS

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PHOTOS

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PHOTOS

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE ROAD WARNER, OK 74469

BACK COVER: CSC Soccer Will Play Home Games at the Hatbox Soccer Complex Championship Field in Muskogee, Oklahoma.