Connection: Volume 10, Issue 7

A Publication of Connors State College

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CROSS COUNTRY TEAM ORGANIZES RUN FOR HER RELAY

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C ON NO R S S TA TE C OL L EG E WARNER CAMPUS 700 College Road Warner, OK 74469

INSIDE THIS ISSUE V O L U M E

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THREE RIVERS PORT CAMPUS 2501 N 41st St E Muskogee, OK 74403

ADMINI STRA TI ON PRESIDENT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Robin O’Quinn VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES

FEATURE

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Walk a Mile / Run for Her

COMMUNITY

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Community Dinner • Potato Donation

EDUCATION

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National FFA Honors

COWBOY FAMILY

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Meet Jones, Todd, Remington & Choat

CAMPUS LIFE

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Veterans Day Celebration • Halloween Jackpot • Fall Concert

Mike Lewis

CONNEC TI ON CONTRIBUTORS Annie Jo Gilbert Robin O’Quinn Rochelle Vanover

SOCIAL

MEDIA

#CONNORSSTATE

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youtube.com/ connorsstatecollege

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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, national 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 and issued by Connors State College as authorized by the Director of College and 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.

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FEATURE

Connors Participates in Walk a Mile and Run for Her Events The CSC Cross Country Team completed a 20-mile relay run from the Warner Campus to the Civic Center in Muskogee on October 22, 2020. The first ever Run for Her fundraiser event was organized to bring awareness to domestic violence and help raise funds for Muskogee’s Women in Safe Homes (WISH).

The CSC President’s Leadership Class visited local businesses and took pledges per mile run. Their efforts raised more than $6,000 for the WISH program.

”Lots of people talk about doing something,” stated Mike Jackson, Dean of Students. “This team ran 20 miles and made something great happen!

I am awfully proud of this coach and team as I know so many others are.”

The run was held in conjunction with Muskogee’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes awareness event, which allows men to trade their boots and tennis shoes for women’s wedges and heels. With the encouragement of fellow supporters, participants walk a mile-long distance from the Muskogee

County Courthouse to the Muskogee Civic Center. The march ended with a speakout where Dean of Students Mike Jackson, Head Baseball Coach Perry Keith, and CSC President Dr. Ron Ramming all spoke about the importance of domestic violence awareness.

“The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is an annual awareness campaign that CSC has been involved with for many years,” said Jackson. “Domestic violence and sexual assault are terrible problems and are reported

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too often on college campuses.

Connors students who learn about the problems of assault are better able to prevent themselves from being victims by knowing of the dangers.”

Connors showed up in a sea of orange to support the cause.

Students, staff and faculty arrived holding signs, while some donned heels. Connors received the award for the group with the largest attendance.

“It was not only a great experience, but also a great event for our student athletes, coaches, and leaders of Connors,” said Korey Keith, CSC Residence Manager. “We wanted to show that we take a stand for Domestic Violence in the community and on our campus as we also support the WISH foundation.”

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COMMUNITY

SGA Provides Community Dinner Connors State College Student Government Association held its third annual community dinner to help feed the Warner area community.

“This year’s community dinner posed a challenge to us: How do we continue a growing event during a pandemic,” stated Rochelle Vanover, SGA co-advisor. “We had to get creative in the delivery of the dinner.”

Sodexo cooked the entree items – which included turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and green beans – and ordered food containers for mobile delivery.

The meals were boxed up ahead of the start time and delivered to cars

in the parking lot outside of the A.D. Stone Student Union. SGA Students and volunteers from the President’s Leadership Class and the CSC Rodeo Team assisted in the process. Even the Connors State College President,

Dr. Ron Ramming, was seen delivering meals to cars.

“We couldn’t cancel this year’s community dinner,” said Vanover.

“The need is even more present now in these trying times.”

initiatives and the campus food pantry,” said Rochelle Vanover, CSC student activities coordinator.

“The Stop Hunger Foundation works to fight hunger within the communities we serve,” said Joanne McLain, Sodexo General Manager.

“Our motto is to do everything with a good heart – expect nothing in return and you will never be disappointed.”

Students from the Student Government Association, President’s Leadership Class, and the Rodeo

Team also helped unload, package, and deliver the potatoes to the Gospel Rescue Mission.

The Gospel Rescue Mission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men and women rediscover purpose and live an abundant life.

It offers services to help those who experience hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness while volunteers encourage and inspire men and women to reach toward their original design and live an abundant life.

Connors and Sodexo Donate 2,000 Pounds of Potatoes to Gospel Rescue Mission Annually, the Gospel Rescue Mission gives away Thanksgiving baskets to people in need in the Muskogee area.

This year, Connors donated approximately 2,000 pounds of potatoes – jointly received from faculty, staff and Sodexo – to the cause.

As an extension of its Stop Hunger Foundation, the college’s food service contractor Sodexo helped organize the potato delivery and provided half of the total donation.

“Sodexo has been a tremendous asset in Connors’ community outreach

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EDUCATION

CSC Students and Alumni Earn National FFA Honors Fourteen Connors students and alumni members have received the coveted American FFA Degree from the national organization for 2020. This degree recognizes those FFA members who have achieved the highest level of membership and met the associations requirements. As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experiences,

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their outstanding leadership abilities, and the community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career.

American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.

The following Connors State students have worked long and hard to achieve this prestigious honor. Awards were presented during the 93rd Annual FFA Convention hosted virtually by the National FFA Association.

Congratulations to all our Connors State Cowboys and Cowgirls on this

achievement!

American FFA Degree Recipients (top row, L-R): Tristen Walling, Lakeland, FL; Lauren Erickson, San Luis Obispo, CA; Elizabeth Vietheer, Elk Grove, CA; Hunter May, Massanutten Tech, VA; Kaylee Gum, Riverton, KS; (middle row, L-R) Grant Brown, Gore, OK; Christopher Flatt, Coyle, OK; Brooke Hodges, Stigler, OK; Bailey Lockhart, Warner, OK; Hattie Lloyd, Howe, OK; (bottom row, L-R) Ty Scott, Strother, OK; Will Shelby, Madill, OK; Hope Lockhart, Heavener, OK; and Grace Bane, Gore, OK (not pictured).

COWBOY FAMILY Gina Jones, Faculty A native of Muskogee, Okla., Gina Jones is an instructor for the CSC business division, teaching mostly accounting courses. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern State University, followed by a Master of Science in Higher Education plus an additional 18 hours in graduate coursework in accounting and MIS. Jones began her CSC career in 1993 as the Student Activities Director advising the Student Senate, Student Activities and the Cheer Squad.

“I fell in love with CSC and the people that I worked with,” said Jones.

“At that time, I started teaching some Business division courses and realized that I really enjoyed teaching at the college level. In order to complete a degree, I had to leave Connors, but always planned to make my way back. Once my Master’s degree was completed, I got a job at Tulsa Community College Metro Campus teaching in the Business Division.

I was there two years until an instructor’s position in the Business Division came available. I applied, was hired, and made it back as I had always hoped to.”

Jones related that Connors has been a part of her life for so long, she can’t imagine not working here.

“Connors is like family,” said Jones.

“Both of my children have taken courses here as concurrent students, and my son earned his associate degree here.

Besides in-person classes at CSC, Jones also teaches virtually and onsite at Jess Dunn and Eddie Warrior Correctional Facilities.

Jones thinks CSC is a great place for students because it feels like home yet provides a great start to living life as an adult.

“CSC provides a great educational foundation and prepares students for the future whether that is in the workforce or for university coursework,” said Jones.

In addition to her position at Connors, Jones is a licensed real estate agent, who occasionally flips houses.

She enjoys the outdoors, loves to hike and plans to start taking backpacking trips.

Jones said her children, Bobby and Madison, are the biggest part of her life and what she is most proud of.

Elizabeth Todd, Staff Elizabeth Todd, Controller, has been part of the Connors family for more than eight years.

Originally from Gore, Okla., Todd obtained an associate degree in business at CSC and a bachelor’s in accounting and business administration from Northeastern State University.

“I was about to graduate from NSU and wanted to find an accounting job close to my family,” Todd said. “ I saw a part-time accounting position posted and applied. I already knew that I would like to work here ... The choice was easy!”

Todd was a student worker while attending CSC, and then in 2011, a part-time accountant. She became full-time in February of 2012 as a

financial aid counselor.

“My co-workers make everything better,” said Todd. “They are more than just co-workers, because they are my friends too. I can rely on them in the ups and downs, both at work and outside of work.”

Beyond friendships, Todd said Connors has impacted her life in numerous other ways, as well.

“The different job opportunities I have had here have pushed me out of my comfort zone more than once,” Todd said. “CSC has helped me grow as a leader and a person. I have also had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. In fact, I met my husband here.”

Through working at Connors, Todd met and married her “best friend”

who is also a Connors alumnus. She became a mother a little over a year ago and says it has been the best adventure yet. In her spare time Todd enjoys event planning and decorating, sewing, gardening and antiquing.

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Cadon Remington, Student From Hiawatha, Kan., Cadon Remington grew up knowing he wanted to do something involving animals.

“Being a vet is something I have always strived to be when I grew up,” Remington said.

By working for his family’s horse vet, Sam Crosby, Remington discovered his desire to be a veterinarian and specialize in equine lameness.

“He gave me an outlet to further my knowledge as a vet and I craved it,” said Remingtion.

Remington attended Hiawatha High School his freshman and sophomore year, and finished his high school education via Manhattan Virtual Academy, an online program. He chose to make the switch to a virtual setting to further his opportunities as a rodeo competitor.

Despite coming from a family full of team ropers, Remington is the first to also find success in the horse show arena, being named a four-time World

Champion through the AQHA and APHA World Shows.

As an active member of the rodeo team at Connors, Remington finished third in the Central Plains region which qualified him to the College National Finals. He is also a five-time state champion and has won the All-Around Cowboy title through the Kansas High School Rodeo Association.

Initially, Remington was drawn to Connors because of the rodeo facilities and the close proximity to his veterinarian, but found a “second family who welcomed him with open arms”.

“The friendships I have made here are most important to me,” said Remington. “Coming to a place that was eight hours from home and not knowing anyone was, for sure, a culture shock. Connors State is truly a family with open arms.”

After his time at Connors, Remington says he plans to transfer to Southwestern Oklahoma State

University to further his education and amplify his rodeo experience. From there, he plans to attend a vet school, hopefully Oklahoma State University, to finish his education. Eventually, Remington says he would like to have his own equine lameness clinic.

Chad Choat, Alumnus Originally from Eufaula, Okla., Chad Choat is the owner and operator of Community Home Health.

Started by his mother more than thirty years ago, Choat began his time at Community Home Health working for his mother in 1995 after teaching school for a couple of years. Once his mother entered retirement, Choat and his wife, Misty, purchased the company in 2010, and have since grown Community Home Health into one of the largest home care providers in eastern Oklahoma.

“I was honored to be named outstanding home care administrator in the state of Oklahoma in 2012,” Choat said. “We now employ over 100 people in eastern Oklahoma and will do over 10 million dollars in revenue

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this year. It has allowed our family to give back to the communities we serve and we are so excited to be able to endow a scholarship at Connors State College to help incoming freshman achieve and chase their dreams.”

Choat graduated from Connors in 1992 after being named Mr. Connors.

From there, he attended Oklahoma State University graduating in 1994 with an Agriculture Education degree.

Choat spoke highly of his time at Connors saying he developed life-long friendships that have helped him in life both professionally and personally.

“I was on the livestock judging team while [at CSC] and I am convinced that experience helped develop me into the leader I am today,” Choat said. “It gave me confidence and

CAMPUS LIFE

public speaking abilities that has opened so many doors over the years.

Coach Mcpeak and Dr. Ramming are included in my life story anywhere I get the chance to talk about it. They took a gamble on this kid from Eufaula and I am grateful.”

Livestock judging wasn’t the only extracurricular Choat participated in at CSC. He was also the team mascot for the basketball team and won a talent show.

“There is one thing about my time at Connors I love to tell,” said Choat. “ There was a student talent show held my sophomore year. I had never sang in front of anyone and my buddies talked me into entering. At the end of the night after fifteen acts performed I was named the winner. Blew my mind.

I actually sang at graduation that year and have been singing ever since.”

Choat currently resides in Claremore, Okla., where he had the opportunity to serve in a public office.

“It was an honor to serve when Claremore experienced a population growth and to have a front row seat to many community changes, and the enhanced quality of life was very fulfilling.”

Between a public office and the day-to-day operation of Community Home Health, Choat makes time for his new found passion — raising Angus cattle. He has grown his herd to forty head this year and is excited to continue expanding.

In his remaining free time, Choat enjoys golfing when the “sun is shining and the temperature is above freezing” at the Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Okla.

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY On November 11, Connors State College celebrated the men and women who have served our country. During the Veterans Day ceremony, two Connors State College and C&W Janitorial and Maintenance Services employees - Patty Webber and Eric Burke - were recognized and presented with medals for their service. Webber also spoke to the audience about the 11th hour.

Webber is pictured with (from top, L-R) CSC President Dr. Ron Ramming; Derotha Rivenbark; and Eric Burke.

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FALL CONCERT On November 10, Connors State College students, faculty, and staff showcased their many talents during the annual Fall Concert and Variety Show. Assistant Dean of Students Jake Lawson, Division Chair for Communication and Fine Arts Lori Palmer, and instructor Rebecca Hill worked tirelessly to organize the concert and create a fun night for attendees. Pictured are (top row, L-R) Lawson, Gracie May and DeQuan Laskey, Kylea Terrell, (bottom row) Shooting Team members with Coach Sierra Walker.

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HALLOWEEN JACKPOT On October 28, the Connors State College rodeo team hosted a Halloween Jackpot, where costumes were encouraged. Students were broken up into teams and each student participated in various timed events. Pictured are (top row, L-R) Jennah Allen, Cassidy Fuhrman, Tre Goff, Autumn Cullam, Cheyenne Shaver, (bottom row, L-R) Colby Sadler, Cadon Remington, Caden Dunham, Dawson Mitchell, and Grayden Penny.

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CO N N O RS ST A T E CO LLE G E 700 College Road | Warner, OK 74469

FALL CONCERT Syngel Hernandez performed a Cherokee Tribe Stomp Dance during the annual Fall Concert and Variety Show.

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