Connection: Number 10, Volume 5

A Publication of Connors State College

V O L U M E

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N U M B E R

CSC Welcomes Students Back to Campus

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE WARNER CAMPUS

700 College Road Warner, OK 74469

Inside this issue VOLUME 10, NUMBER 5

THREE RIVERS PORT CAMPUS

2501 N 41st St E Muskogee, OK 74403

ADMINISTRATION PRE S I DE NT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming FEATURE

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Wel c om i ng S t udent s B ack t o C ampus

COMMUNITY

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Loc al C hurc h M akes O ver 2600 Mas k s for S t udent s • Pas s ing of C S C ’s Lou Hens on

COWBOY FAMILY

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Meet Hibbs, Mendham, Jordan, Hilton, and Stout

VICE PRES I DENT F O R ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Ms. Robin O’Quinn VICE PRES I DENT F O R FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis

CONNECTION LA Y OUT & DE S I GN Annie Jo Gilbert CONTRI B UTO RS ABCA Wayne Bunch Annie Jo Gilbert Muskogee Phoenix Robin O’Quinn Rochelle Vanover

EDUCATION

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M eet A & M B oard of R egent s, J i m my H arrel • CSC Awarded SSS Grant • CS C Awarded T it le I I I G rant • C S C Foundat ion D onor S pot l ight

ATHLETICS

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ABCA Honors Cowboy Baseball • Women’s B as ket ball F inis hes S pr i ng S eas on S t rong

CAMPUS LIFE

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Life A round C am pus

Social

Media

#CONNORSSTATE

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youtube.com/ instagram.com/ connorsstatecollege connorsstate

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 State College Welcomes Students Back to Campus

Connors State College was eager to welcome students back to campus during move in week August 10-14, 2020. Typically, students have one day to move in and visit multiple stations in the AD Stone Student Union to check into their dorm rooms, and make sure all their paperwork is good to begin school. This year, due to COVID-19, the move in process was expanded into a move in week.

“Because of the virus, CSC had a move-in week rather than the traditional move-in day,” said Mike Jackson, Dean of Students. “With the help and assistance of students

and staff, we experienced very few problems. This may very well become the standard we will use going forward.”

Students were asked upon move in to only bring two family members with them to help move in, and were told beforehand masks were required upon entering buildings on campus. Students who did not have a mask with them were provided one made from the Warner First Baptist Church. Before entering Gatlin Hall, where the move in process took place, students were asked to go to Millers Crossing Clubhouse to complete a screening

and get a checklist.

“Connors can have classes and activities this fall and next spring without major adjustments as long as students and staff social distance, wear masks, and wash their hands,” said Jackson. “It is not hard, it just has to be done, and we trust everyone will do these 3 simple things.”

“We expect better times going forward due to everyone coming together,” said Jackson.

CSC has established procedures and protocols to support current and future needs in line with the CDC, NJCAA, the Oklahoma CONNORS CONNECTION

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FEATURE Department of Public Health, the Oklahoma Board of Regents, and the Muskogee County Health Department, as well as continuing efforts to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 within athletics, programs and the CSC campuses.

Student common areas have had increased sanitation efforts, while requiring students to wear masks in said areas. C&W Services, CSC’s partner janitorial and maintenance service, have doubled sanitation efforts in all student dorm areas, common areas, and classrooms.

“My number one take away from our time on campus since the students have been back is we have seen the vast majority of students do their part as we all try to navigate through these extraordinary times we are facing,” said Jonathan Rowe, Coordinator of Residential Life and Special Events.

“With government guidelines changing almost daily, we are required to adjust mid-stream.

Our staff and students have been very flexible with these changes, which makes implementing new procedures much easier on

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everyone,” said Rowe.

Rowe said with continued support such as this, we hope to be the safest and healthiest campus around.

CSC and C&W’s Services partnership has been longstanding and built on reliability towards one another. Site Manager Keri Lawson explained that C&W protocols for this specific situation forced them to go into level two (out of three levels) cleaning and sanitation in March 2020.

“C&W’s first objective is the safety of the students, visitors, faculty, and staff at Connors State College,” said Lawson.

Due to a level two ranking of cleaning and sanitation, extra staff was hired to accomplish it.

“We are sanitizing in between classes and sanitizing touchpoints throughout buildings all day long,” said Lawson. “We want all of the students to enjoy their time at Connors, and if we can do extra cleaning to help keep them safe and comfortable, so that experience is not interrupted, then we will do all the extra cleaning it takes.”

C&W Janitorial staff clean student showers, toilets, sinks, door handles and common areas in all dorm rooms every Friday to maintain a level of cleanliness to keep the students safe and comfortable.

While students are getting used to the new “normal”, they are choosing to make the best of it.

During meal times, staff and Sedexo have rearranged the cafeteria in order for students to remain socially distanced while they are enjoying meals.

“This year is a bit different compared to last year due to COVID19, and everyone wearing masks and social distancing,” said Kylee McCorkle, CSC sophomore and PLC member.

“All of the staff and students worked together to make it a safe but enjoyable experience. This semester may be different than others, but I know we will make the best of it here at Connors State College.”

While preparing for classes to begin, students had five different class redesign delivery options for the Fall 2020 semester. CSC offered

both online and face-to-face classes with an additional flexible option for students to participate and interact with instructors by webcam during regularly scheduled class sessions.

Courses are labeled in Banner for students to be aware of the format they chose for instruction delivery.

“Connors’ reopening plan was developed following input from returning and incoming students, faculty and staff, as well as recommendations from the CDC, the Oklahoma Department of Health, and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences,” said Dr. Ron Ramming, President of CSC. “Because of the fluid nature of the pandemic, changes and updates to the plan may change as new information becomes available.”

Residential housing on the Warner campus is open to students and has additional safety restrictions in place for guests visiting and common areas for students.

“The safety of our students, faculty

and staff is the upmost importance of the college, while providing the students an atmosphere where they can learn and be successful,” said Ramming. We know that despite our very best efforts, we will not be able to guarantee we will be able to prevent exposure to COVID-19 throughout the semester and year; however, we will continue to work together to create a safe environment to significantly reduce the chance of infections and slow the spread of the virus.

With all of the constant changes ongoing due to the pandemic, CSC athletics continues to follow the requested guidelines from the NJCAA to ensure safety of our athletes and fans. For all fall scrimmages and games, every fan attending should have their temperatures taken before entering a facility. If a fan has a temperature, they must be asked to leave, as they cannot attend the event for their safety as well as the safety of others.

CSC also strongly encourages that all

fans wear masks while at any event.

The temperatures of the opposing team and coaches will be taken when they arrive for any event.

Hand sanitizer will be placed at the facility or field where the event is being played.

Coaches are asked to schedule time in the fitness center for their teams to work out to avoid multiple students in the fitness center at a time. Machines are being sanitized and students are asked to wipe the machine down each time after use. All athletes are being screened before practices in facilities on the CSC campus.

With continued efforts from all faculty, students, and staff, CSC looks forward to adapting to the new “normal”, and maintaining on campus throughout the school year.

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COMMUNITY

Local Church Makes Over 2,600 Masks for CSC Students A face mask assembly line operated each Tuesday out of one of the rooms at First Baptist Church of Warner. For several hours each week, one woman cut materials into 14-inch by 9-inch segments. A couple of other women folded and ironed, refolded and re-ironed the segments into three or four layers.

More women sewed the layers together with elastic, then it’s more ironing. Members of the church’s sewing group sewed over 2,600 masks for Connors State College before the start of the fall semester this August. Group coordinator Deb Salmon said Connors’ officials asked if the group would make the masks for incoming students.

CSC President Ron Ramming said the college will distribute the masks to students at the Warner and Muskogee campuses. It’s a precaution Connors takes as the COVID-19 pandemic remains.

“As our students come back and as we’re making plans to have students come back on campus in as safe a manner as we can, there’s going to be times where it’s difficult

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to social distance,” Ramming said.

“And we’re really going to encourage mask wearing in those situations.

We’re doing as much as we can to stop the spread of the virus.”

Connors’ Dean of Students Mike Jackson said he’s pleased the church members agreed to help.

“Masks are hard to find right now, especially in the quantity we need,” he said. “A lot of schools are doing different kinds of things.

The fact that it’s a reusable mask means a lot to us because finding those disposable masks has been a difficulty. They can wash this one and reuse it as much as they need to.”

Sewing group member Vickey Ward called the work “a labor of love for the Connors’ community.”

Connors provides bolts of material, plus thread and elastic, she said.

Church member Judy Hale said she feels she’s doing the work for the Lord. She said Connors’ students will need the masks because they come from all over the country.

“We had them from back east and

up north and Oregon,” Hale said.

The women had several group sewing sessions, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We set up kind of an assembly line,” Ward said.

Many women brought their own sewing machines. Others did ironing and cutting.

“We love the fellowship of it,” she said. “It may take us a few minutes to get everything ready to go.

They made 70 masks in one session.

First Baptist has been known for its outreach, she said.

“It’s what we’re supposed to do as Christians,” Ward said. She said the sewing group meets monthly to sew children’s clothes for the Operation Christmas Child ministry.

The church also was a distribution center during the 2019 floods.

“We just have a heart to help others,” she said. “So we very rarely say no to anybody who asks for help. It’s who we are and what we do.”

Story by The Muskogee Phoenix

Passing of CSC’s Lou Henson

Okay native Lou Henson, the all-time wins leader as men’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois and New Mexico State, died Saturday at his home in Champaign, Ill., at 88, his family announced Wednesday.

Henson was buried Wednesday in a ceremony in Champaign, which was attended by family only. He had battled cancer over the past two decades after an initial diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2003.

Henson graduated from Okay in 1951, played at Connors State College in 1951 and 1952 before going on to his successful collegiate coaching career. After having his Connors’ jersey retired in 1994, he was the first person inducted into the Connors’ Athletic Hall of Fame, that being in 2012, and the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. He most recently was inducted to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, in 2019.

“The Cowboy family lost a legend today, a man inducted into numerous hall of fames and having two courts named after him at both New Mexico State and Illinois,” said

Connors’ athletic director and men’s basketball coach Bill Muse.

“He always wanted to give you as much time as he could. He and his wife Mary have been very supportive of our program throughout the years. He fought a great fight to the end. A really quality life.”

Charlie McMahan, who was once boys basketball coach and athletic director at Okay and now is superintendent at Porter, had one brief phone encounter with Henson.

“We were we had a very short conversation one time trying to get him one year to come to a sports banquet. There was a last minute something and he couldn’t make it,” McMahan said.

“I remember how humble it seemed he was, how it didn’t feel like he was sitting here talking to some peon coach. At the same time, I’m sitting on the phone ‘thinking hey, I’m really talking to this guy,’” said McMahan.

Henson’s coaching career began at Las Cruces (New Mexico) High School in 1957 and spanned 21 years at Illinois. He retired in 2005, 21 wins shy of becoming only the fifth coach in Division I history to win 800 games. Henson retired with a career record of 779-413, the sixth-winningest in Division I history at the time.

His initial job coaching in the college ranks in 1962 at HardinSimmons University in Texas. As a condition of taking the HardinSimmons job, Henson insisted that the team (and thus the school) be racially integrated, a condition to which the university agreed. He was 67-36 in four seasons there with two 20-win campaigns.

During a 41-year career, Henson registered 423 wins at Illinois and 289 at New Mexico State, where he coached from 1966 to 1975 and again from 1997 to 2005. He led both schools to the Final Four — the

Aggies in 1970 and the Illini in 1989.

“Our Orange and Blue hearts are heavy,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. “We have lost an Illini icon. We have lost a role model, a friend, and a leader.

“Coach Henson’s true measure will be felt in the lives he touched – the lives of his former players, people on this campus, and friends in our broader community.”

For years after Henson left the sidelines, he and his wife, Mary, were widely loved, unofficial ambassadors for both Illinois and New Mexico State and the towns where they’re located, Champaign, Illinois, and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“Who doesn’t love Lou? Seriously — who doesn’t love him?” former NBA player Reggie Theus, who succeeded Henson at New Mexico State and considered him a mentor, once said. “Because he’s genuine.

There’s no ego there.”

Henson is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughters Lisa, Lori and Leigh Anne. A son, 35-year-old Lou Henson Jr., died in a 1992 car accident.

Story by The Muskogee Phoenix

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COWBOY FAMILY

Dr. Tabitha Hibbs, Faculty

Dr. Tabatha Hibbs hails from Nebo, Kentucky. Dr. Hibbs is co-chair for the Undergraduate Research Program at Connors State College, a new program started recently. Dr. Hibbs teaches Comp I, Comp II, Humanities I, Creative Writing, and British Literature. She obtained her multiple degrees from several universities; Western Kentucky University, McNeese State University, and the University of Tulsa, where she earned her doctorate in English.

When asked why she chose to work at Connors, Dr. Hibbs states she was successful in college because of the support and mentoring she received from faculty, despite being a firstgeneration college student from a rural community.

“Working at Connors gives me the opportunity to offer that same support to students of a similar background,” said Dr. Hibbs.

David Mendham, Student Coming from Dorchester, Ontario, David Mendham is a recent graduate of Connors State College.

Mendham attended Connors State College on a baseball scholarship for two years. Mendham graduated high school from Catholic Central, in London, Ontario. As a child, Mendham always had dreams of becoming a Major League Baseball player, and CSC is helping him accomplish his dreams.

“I chose Connors State because of the legacy and standard of sportsmanship Coach Keith has set inside his baseball program,” said Mendham.

Mendham was very involved in the baseball program, starting as third baseman for both years while on the field for Coach Keith.

“Being a part of the baseball program, the coaches had a huge impact on me as a person,” said Mendham. “The program taught me how to work hard and achieve my goals.”

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While at CSC, Mendham had several achievements on and off the field including All American and Academic All American in 2019, and playing in the Junior College World Series of Baseball in 2019.

While at Connors, Mendham’s 2019 seasonal stats include: .422 average, 14 home runs, and 81 RBI, ranking number two in the National Junior College Athletic Association for RBI stats.

Currently, Mendham is residing in Columbia, South Carolina, attending his first year at the University of South Carolina on a baseball scholarship, where he is majoring in Criminal Law.

Dr. Hibbs is also the faculty editor for Kaleidoscope, the creative writing and photography journal for students, staff, and faculty at Connors State College. In her spare time, Dr. Hibbs enjoys gardening, and she and her husband are restoring their 120-year-old house.

Dr. Hibbs said she is continually challenged as an instructor to adapt to the changing student needs and learning styles.

“There is a deep commitment on the part of faculty, administration, and staff to seeing students succeed, not just in the classroom but in all areas of life,” said Dr. Hibbs. “That support is important for students beginning college, regardless of their age.”

Dr. Hibbs stated one of her favorite things about working at Connors State College is getting to know and work one on one with some truly fantastic young people.

Rex Jordan, Alumni

Originally from, and currently residing in Hulbert, Okla., Rex Jordan attended Connors State College from 1990-1991. Upon attending CSC, Jordan continued his education at Oklahoma State University, obtaining a bachelor’s

Tosha Stout, Staff

A graduate of Warner HS, Tosha Stout has been employed with Connors State since 2018. Stout was initially hired as an Academic Advisor in the Student Support Services program, then transitioned into the role of Academic Success Coach/ Carl Perkins Advisor and

degree in Agricultural Education in 1993, and earning his master’s degree in Agriculture in 1997. Jordan is currently in his second term as a Cherokee Nation Councilor.

Connors is a family tradition – Jordan’s son Drew graduated from Connors with an associate’s degree in agriculture in 1996, and daughter Cray attended CSC in 1999.

“Connors instilled in me the confidence to continue on with my education at OSU,” said Jordan.

“I greatly appreciate their help in assisting me in obtaining a college education.”

Jordan has spent over 25 years working for the Cherokee Nation and the Housing Authority of Cherokee Nation.

“At the Cherokee Nation, I was the first Cherokee Nation 4-H Agent in the Nation,” said Jordan. “Later, I spend about 20 years working for the Housing Authority and left as a Director in 2015 to run for the Reach Higher Coordinator.

“To me, Connors is a family,” said Stout. “I grew up in Warner, so the people, which make CSC special, have always been there to support and encourage me.”

Stout currently resides in Keefton, enjoys barbequing with her family, and chasing around her 9-month-old son, Jackson Ray. Haley Hilton graduated from Hilldale HS, and has also been employed with CSC since 2018.

Hilton started as a part time Admissions Clerk, moved to full-time Admissions Clerk, before moving to her current position as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Hilton said one of her greatest moments here has been watching the students succeed and graduate.

“The people at Connors will never understand how much I appreciate them,” said Hilton. “Since my first day everyone has been so helpful and understanding.”

Hilton is also a recent graduate

Cherokee Nation Council.”

Jordan served his first term on the Council from 2015-2019, and won reelection to serve his last term from 2019 to 2023.

When asked why Jordan thought CSC was a good place for students, Jordan said Connors provides a great entry into college life.

“I graduated from Hulbert High School with a class size around 40, and was the first in my family to attend college,” said Jordan. “I appreciate the personal touch and attention CSC gives to each student.”

Jordan said the small classes and attention instructors give to each student makes it possible and easier for students to transition into college life.

Along with serving the Cherokee Nation as a Council member, Jordan and his family have been involved in 4-H and FFA activities for over 50 years.

Haley Hilton, Staff

of Connors State, finishing her Associate’s Degree in May of 2020.

In her spare time, Hilton and her husband Brandon enjoy spending time teaching their kids how to hunt and fish, along with playing chauffeur to their kids to numerous ball games and rodeos.

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EDUCATION Oklahoma A&M Board Of Regents, Jimmy Harrel Originally from Leedey, Okla., Mr. Jimmy Harrel was appointed to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents in April of 2020, to which he was appointed by Governor Stitt.

The owner and CEO of Bank of Western Oklahoma, throughout Harrel’s notable career in banking, he has opened six branches of the bank- Elk City, Vici, Weatherford, Cordell, Geary, and Woodward.

Along with owning and operating Bank of Western Oklahoma, Harrel also has a farming operation and runs cows in western Oklahoma.

Harrel credits his father for having the greatest influence on his career.

“Working with him on the ranch he taught me what it took to get things done,” said Harrel. “I learned so much about business from him and how to make things work. He taught me to take care of things and they would last.”

“I still farm with the tractor he got me in 1973, I still wear the watch he gave me for college graduation, and I still have the same wife of 57 years,” said Harrel. “So, I would say that his advice has worked in many areas.”

Husband to Marilyn, father to Keela and her husband David Terry of Weatherford, Okla., grandpa

to Taylor and her husband Brody Haynes of Weatherford, Okla., and Ryan Terry, student at Oklahoma State University, Harrel wears many hats.

“Something many do not know about me is my first car cost $560,” said Harrel. “My dad paid half and I paid half, I drove that car for six years, all through college.”

One word to describe Harrel is achiever, he was raised to work and still believes he needs to work hard daily.

“I am constantly setting goals, whether on paper or mentally, and work hard to achieve those things,” said Harrel.

What little spare time Harrel does have, he likes to spend his time running racehorses, but most of all, he enjoys supporting the youth of Oklahoma and watching their events.

“I enjoy watching them at their baseball, softball, and basketball games,” said Harrel. “Supporting them at their livestock shows; and watching them develop into strong leaders in their communities and the state.”

Harrel enjoys the spring season the most. He said it is because of the beginning of a new life, grass begins

CSC Awarded Title III Grant The U.S. Department of Education announced that Connors State College will receive a Title III grant of $1,499,105 to build on Connors’ strengths and experience as serving a continuously increasing Native American student population and capitalize on regional and national workforce trends that create solid opportunities for high-wage/ successful careers. The funding, provided by the Department of Education, is designed to provide “assistance to Native American Serving Institutions to enable these institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals.”

Connors State College’s newly awarded NASNTI, Native American

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Serving Non-Tribal Institution, responds to a regional need and the corresponding opportunity it creates for students. Efforts will focus on a new Associate of Science (AS) degree in Computer Science with three sub specialization options.

Additionally, Connors will develop three distinct Certificate Options, also in the Computer Science field, to provide focused training in the skills and competencies with the greatest regional, state, and national demand.

“Connors State College is excited for this opportunity to provide our students with expanded degree/ certificate options in a high-demand, high-wage field of Computer Science. Connors is dedicated to surrounding our students with

to turn green, and trees bloom.

“My dad told me to never turn down a rain or a new calf,” said Harrel. “Spring reminds me of those things and that it is a fresh start or new growth for many things.”

Harrel’s advice for Connors State Students?

“My father taught me to watch and listen to successful older people,” said Harrel. “They have the wisdom and knowledge of what it takes to become successful. If you listen and truly act interested, most of them are willing to give advice and guidance to help you become successful.”

people and resources they need to be successful. This grant is another tool in our tool chest of support for our students,” stated Dr. Ron Ramming, CSC President.

Ms. Rhonda Wilson, Connors Division Chair for Business, expressed how excited she is to have received this grant.

“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity as it will provide our students with more choices in broadening their educational opportunities. I look forward to working with the NASNTI team to help our students for the next five years.”

The program, open to all students, is expected to be available for student enrollment Fall 2021.

CSC Awarded SSS Grant The U.S. Department of Education announced that Connors State College will receive a federal Student Support Services (SSS) grant of $ 1,423,780 to help more students succeed in and graduate from college. The five-year renewal grant supports 180 students, and the amount represents a 3.5% increase from the previous grant funding cycle for the college.

Connors State College’s SSS program helps college students who are low income, first generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities. The array of services the SSS program provides are comprehensive and includes academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring, academic advising, and academic transfer assistance.

Such services enhance academic success and make it more likely that students will graduate or transfer with the lowest possible debt.

SSS began in 1968 and is one of the eight federal “TRIO” programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed

in higher education. It recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success; it bolsters students from low income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had, and helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.

“Connors State College is dedicated to surrounding our students with people and resources they need to be successful. This grant is another tool in our tool chest of support for our students.

We are extremely proud of our students and SSS staff who work with them to achieve their goal of a college degree,” said Dr. Ron Ramming, CSC President.

Christina Conner, Connors SSS Program Director, expressed how excited she is to have received our grant renewal. She and her staff work diligently to ensure success for the students in the program.

“Ninety-six percent of our students who participate in the SSS program

have good academic standing with an 82% persistence rate. I am extremely proud of our students and am looking forward to working with our students for the next five years.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the systemic inequality and financial hardship which keep promising students from succeeding in college. Student Support Services is needed now more than ever,” said Maureen Hoyler. Hoyler is the president of the non-profit Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C., dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, firstgeneration students, and students with disabilities.

For more than 50 years, the Student Support Services program has made important contributions to individuals and society as a whole by providing a broad range of services to help students succeed. This vital program can and does make all the difference.

College from 1953 to 1955 receiving an Associate Degree in May, 1955.

He attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Okla., and the following year accepted a position as an elementary teacher in Wichita, Kansas in 1956. In August 1956, he and Joyce Loretta Randolph were married and relocated to Wichita, Kansas where both were teachers.

Ken became an elementary school principal in 1963. Ken and Joyce received their Bachelor in Education degree from Friends University, Wichita. Ken also received a Master’s Degree from Emporia State University, and did advance study at the University of Denver. In 1970, Ken joined an investment brokerage firm in Topeka, Kansas. In 1992, he founded OFG Financial Services, Inc. where he remains as President and owner. OFG Financial currently is licensed in 23 states has over 60

investment advisors, 40,000 clients and assets under management of more than two billion dollars.

Ken and Joyce have one daughter, Kendra, a rehabilitation counselor, in Richfield, Minnesota. Ken and Joyce reside in Wichita, Kansas and Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Mr. Ken Ogdon is a long-time donor and friend to Connors State College. His generous contributions have helped to fund many projects across campus. His past gifts have funded the renovation of Russel Hall, as well as, the creation of the Ogdon Family Museum. The museum is a wonderful addition to campus that provides the community with the opportunity to engage with Native American art and regalia. In recent months, Mr. Ogdon created an endowment to benefit scholarships for student athletes.

CSC Foundation Donor Spotlight, Ken Ogden

Ken Ogden started his education in one room schools in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma and graduated from Central High School – Sallisaw in 1953. He attended Connor State

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ATHLETICS

Cowboy Baseball Recognized Nationally for Academics

Connors State College Cowboy baseball strives for excellence on and off the field. The American Baseball Coaches Association recognized the over 400 member college and high school programs from across the country who have been awarded the 2019-20 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award.

Teams from every level of college and high school baseball were honored with this year’s award, which highlights programs coached

by ABCA members that posted a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for the entire 2019-20 academic year. A record 426 college and high school programs submitted nominations and received this year’s award. In total, 143 high school teams along with 283 programs from the NCAA Div. I, II, III, NAIA, and Junior College levels were recognized.

“In light of the challenges faced

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by so many programs across the country, we are humbled to be able to honor a record number of teams for their outstanding academic achievements,” said ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz. “It is a testament to the leadership of our member coaches and the commitment of their studentathletes who persevered during an unprecedented academic year.”

Coaches were able to nominate their teams for the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award following the conclusion of their spring semesters prior to the nomination deadline of July 17. To be honored, teams had to meet the following criteria: must be a high school or college team, head coach must be a current ABCA member, and the team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale during the 2019-20 academic year (Due to some schools

changing to Pass/Fail grading, spring semester grades were not required to be included in the cumulative calculation).

The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and studentathletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/ Diamond Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

Cowgirl Basketball Finishes the Spring Strong The NJCAA announced its 2019-20 Women’s Basketball All-American Academic Teams of the Year and four Connors State Cowgirls have been the recipient of the honor. Athletes named Academic All-Americans for the Cowgirls were first team sophomore Melina Ludlow with a 4.0 grade average; second team, freshman Baylee Hall, 3.87 grade point average, and honorable mention selections sophomores Kailen Wright and Lauren Wright with 3.6 grade point average.

“This is a testament to our program on the quality of student athletes we have inside our program and doing things the Cowgirl Way,” said Cowgirls head coach Jamie Fisher.

“Our team had an overall team GPA of a 3.4 because of their hard work and dedication inside the classroom.”

Despite an academic year that was interrupted due to COVID-19,

NJCAA student-athletes flourished in the classroom as 1,026 teams earned at least a 3.0 GPA or better.

A total of 27 programs from across the country earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors after achieving the highest GPA in their respective sport throughout the academic year.

Along with the academic success that the Cowgirl Basketball players accomplished, four students signed letters of intent to play at four-year institutions.

Following graduation and moving on are De’Asias Reid to Bethune Cookman, a NCAA Division I school in Jacksonville, Fla.; Lauren and Kailen Wright to Ouachita Baptist University a NCAA Division II school in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and Tatum Jones, Panhandle State University, a NAIA school in Goodwell, Okla.

“Today is an exciting day for the Cowgirl program with 4 out of the 5 sophomores moving onto to receive a basketball scholarship from a

university,” said Fisher.

“This sophomore class had exceptional leaders and helped elevate the program to another level again. This class will be severely missed.

“I am excited for the girls to move on and play at the next level.

They all worked very hard and well deserve for an opportunity to compete at the next level.”

Reid, who averaged 14.5 points to lead the Cowgirls in scoring, also had offers from Chicago State, University Missouri- Kansas City and Tennessee State.

Lauren Wright, who averaged 10.6 points a game and Kailen Wright, who averaged 3.5 points a game, had offers from Southern Arkansas University and Midway University in Fremont, Neb. Jones averaged 5.1 points a game, also had a scholarship offer from Midland University.

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