7 minute read
EDUCATION
Originally from Leedey, Okla., Mr. to Taylor and her husband Brody Jimmy Harrel was appointed to the Haynes of Weatherford, Okla., and Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents Ryan Terry, student at Oklahoma in April of 2020, to which he was State University, Harrel wears many appointed by Governor Stitt. hats.
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The owner and CEO of Bank of “Something many do not know Western Oklahoma, throughout about me is my first car cost $560,” Harrel’s notable career in banking, said Harrel. “My dad paid half and he has opened six branches of the I paid half, I drove that car for six bank- Elk City, Vici, Weatherford, years, all through college.” Cordell, Geary, and Woodward. One word to describe Harrel is Along with owning and operating achiever, he was raised to work and Bank of Western Oklahoma, Harrel still believes he needs to work hard also has a farming operation and daily. runs cows in western Oklahoma. “I am constantly setting goals, Harrel credits his father for having whether on paper or mentally, and the greatest influence on his career. work hard to achieve those things,” “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 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 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.”
The U.S. Department of Education Serving Non-Tribal Institution, announced that Connors State responds to a regional need and the people and resources they need to College will receive a Title III grant corresponding opportunity it creates be successful. This grant is another of $1,499,105 to build on Connors’ for students. Efforts will focus on tool in our tool chest of support strengths and experience as serving a new Associate of Science (AS) for our students,” stated Dr. Ron a continuously increasing Native degree in Computer Science with Ramming, CSC President. American student population and three sub specialization options. Ms. Rhonda Wilson, Connors capitalize on regional and national Additionally, Connors will develop Division Chair for Business, workforce trends that create solid three distinct Certificate Options, expressed how excited she is opportunities for high-wage/ also in the Computer Science field, to have received this grant. successful careers. The funding, to provide focused training in the “I’m extremely thankful for the provided by the Department of skills and competencies with the opportunity as it will provide Education, is designed to provide greatest regional, state, and national our students with more choices “assistance to Native American demand. in broadening their educational Serving Institutions to enable “Connors State College is excited opportunities. I look forward to these institutions to improve and for this opportunity to provide our working with the NASNTI team to expand their capacity to serve students with expanded degree/ help our students for the next five Native Americans and low-income certificate options in a high-demand, years.” individuals.” high-wage field of Computer The program, open to all students,
Connors State College’s newly Science. Connors is dedicated to is expected to be available for awarded NASNTI, Native American surrounding our students with student enrollment Fall 2021.
CSC Awarded SSS Grant
The U.S. Department of Education in higher education. It recognizes have good academic standing with announced that Connors State that students whose parents do not an 82% persistence rate. I am College will receive a federal Student have a college degree have more extremely proud of our students Support Services (SSS) grant of difficulties navigating the complexity and am looking forward to working $ 1,423,780 to help more students of decisions that college requires for with our students for the next five succeed in and graduate from success; it bolsters students from years.” college. The five-year renewal grant low income families who have not “The COVID-19 pandemic has supports 180 students, and the had the academic opportunities worsened the systemic inequality amount represents a 3.5% increase that their college peers have had, and financial hardship which keep from the previous grant funding and helps students with disabilities promising students from succeeding cycle for the college. remove obstacles preventing them in college. Student Support Services Connors State College’s SSS from thriving academically. is needed now more than ever,” program helps college students who “Connors State College is said Maureen Hoyler. Hoyler is the are low income, first generation dedicated to surrounding our president of the non-profit Council (those whose parents do not students with people and resources for Opportunity in Education in have a four-year college degree) they need to be successful. This Washington, D.C., dedicated to or students with disabilities. The grant is another tool in our tool furthering the expansion of college array of services the SSS program chest of support for our students. opportunities for low-income, firstprovides are comprehensive and We are extremely proud of our generation students, and students includes academic tutoring, financial students and SSS staff who work with disabilities. aid advice, career and college with them to achieve their goal For more than 50 years, mentoring, academic advising, of a college degree,” said Dr. Ron the Student Support Services and academic transfer assistance. Ramming, CSC President. program has made important Such services enhance academic Christina Conner, Connors SSS contributions to individuals and success and make it more likely that Program Director, expressed how society as a whole by providing students will graduate or transfer excited she is to have received our a broad range of services to with the lowest possible debt. grant renewal. She and her staff help students succeed. This vital SSS began in 1968 and is one of work diligently to ensure success program can and does make all the the eight federal “TRIO” programs for the students in the program. difference. authorized by the Higher Education “Ninety-six percent of our students Act to help college students succeed who participate in the SSS program
CSC Foundation Donor Spotlight, Ken Ogden
College from 1953 to 1955 receiving investment advisors, 40,000 clients an Associate Degree in May, 1955. and assets under management He attended Northeastern State of more than two billion dollars. College in Tahlequah, Okla., and the Ken and Joyce have one daughter, following year accepted a position Kendra, a rehabilitation counselor, as an elementary teacher in Wichita, in Richfield, Minnesota. Ken and Kansas in 1956. In August 1956, he Joyce reside in Wichita, Kansas and and Joyce Loretta Randolph were Sallisaw, Oklahoma. married and relocated to Wichita, Mr. Ken Ogdon is a long-time Kansas where both were teachers. donor and friend to Connors State Ken became an elementary school College. His generous contributions principal in 1963. Ken and Joyce have helped to fund many projects received their Bachelor in Education across campus. His past gifts have degree from Friends University, funded the renovation of Russel Wichita. Ken also received a Hall, as well as, the creation of Master’s Degree from Emporia State the Ogdon Family Museum. The University, and did advance study museum is a wonderful addition at the University of Denver. In 1970, to campus that provides the 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 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 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.
