COMMUNITY

CSC Hosts Inaugural Equine Field Day

On Friday, February 5, over 90 students attended the inaugural Connors State College Equine Field Day at the Indoor Arena on the Warner Campus. Students ranged in age from 4-H Cloverbud students to FFA High Schoolers. The day consisted of educational and informative demonstrations. The demonstrations were led by current members of the CSC Equine and Rodeo program; Mr. Ricky Boles, Agriculture Adjunct Instructor/Farrier; Dr. Bob Story, DVM; Mr. Dusty Harris, CSC Farm, Mr. Jake Lawson, Assistant Dean of Students and Rodeo Team Coach, and Mr. Jake Walker, Rodeo Team Coach and Equine Instructor.

“This was our first Field Day event, and it certainly exceeded our expectations as far as turnout,” said Jake Walker.

Students covered 21 separate topics during the half day event. A few of the topics discussed are as follows: parts of the western saddle, haltering and horseman’s knots, a saddling demonstration, farrier tools, basic horse colors, vital signs, conformation; and evaluated and talked through a lead halter class.

Students were separated into different groups, all masked, socially distanced in a partial open-air barn. Instructors remained 6-feet from the students and spoke without masks so individuals could hear. In a time were so many things are postponed, cancelled, or pushed virtual, students expressed gratitude and genuine interest in the topics covered and the events throughout the day.

“We hope the turnout was a reflection of the equine interests in the participants, but no doubt we were an event that was available when so many others have cancelled events,” said Walker.

Connors upholds CDC Guidelines while hosting events on campuses. For more information about the equine program, events like this, or information about Connors; visit connorsstate.edu –

Above, L-R: Jake Lawson, Assistant Dean of Students and Rodeo Team Coach, addresses the crowd of students and potential future cowboys. Anthony Craig, Okmulgee, Okla., sophomore and rodeo team member, discusses coloration of grey horses with the students. Gracie Roth, Tonkawa, Okla., sophomore rodeo team member, identifies herself as a group leader for students to find.

COWBOY FAMILY

Derotha Rivenbark, Staff

The Executive Assistant for Connors’ President, Derotha Rivenbark hails from Wesley Chapel, Florida. She was born and raised in Florida on a small ranch and earned an associate of arts degree from Santa Fe College.

Rivenbark believes that coming to work for CSC was a God thing.

“I had accepted a job with DHS and as I went to sign all the papers, the computer crashed and within a few minutes, HR called from Connors offering this position. I know that this is where God wanted me to be. Accepting this job was the best decision!”

She believes working at Connors has helped her regain confidence and faith in people. She enjoys learning from and working with Dr. Ramming daily. She has also learned to be confident in herself and knows that she is valued.

Rivenbark loves that there are so many opportunities at every corner for our students. The scholarship opportunities that are now available are exciting.

“Dr. Ramming and Dr. Lane have been working so hard to set up endowed scholarships and make them available to our students. Our Student Affairs department goes above and beyond in all aspects to help students get involved on campus. I also see our faculty and staff making their best efforts to make every student feel at home here at our college.”

Prior to her time at Connors, Rivenbark taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for eight years. When land prices and agriculture became more difficult in Florida, she and her family moved to Oklahoma 11 years ago and bought land here. She is happily married to her husband, Ben, and they have four very wild but great boys. She and her family live outside Stigler on the family ranch.

“Owning a ranch with family is always an adventure! I can honestly say my in-laws are the best. Something crazy is always happening, but we embrace it as a family and always overcome it! I love my life and am truly blessed and thank God for my family every day. I am a firm believer in second chances. God is so good.”

A graduate of Checotah, Okla., Kim Emerson was born and raised just a few miles down the road. Emerson graduated from Connors State in 2003, and then continued her education at Oklahoma State University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.

“Attending Connors after high school was a perfect transition to OSU,” said Emerson. “When talking to junior and seniors, I always encourage

Kim Emerson, Alumna

them to look at Connors.”

Emerson isn’t the only CSC alumni in her family. Emerson’s father first attended Connors State, and her sisters graduated from CSC in 2005 and 2007.

Emerson currently serves as Market President for Armstrong Bank in Checotah. Along with managing the Checotah Branch for Armstrong Bank, Emerson serves as a board member for the Connors Development Foundation, Second Vice-President/ Beef Superintendent for the Muskogee Regional Jr. Livestock Show, and Vice President for the McIntosh County Fair Board.

Emerson thinks CSC is a good place for students because it allows the students the ability to transition and prepare for a large university and their class sizes.

“The friendships and education I gained at CSC is something I will never forget,” said Emerson. “Some of my greatest friendships were made while I was at Connors.”

Emerson said the teachers and advisors she had at CSC made the greatest impact on her, especially in the agriculture department.

“Jerry ‘Coach’ McPeak, Blake Nelson, and Dr. Ron Ramming are still friends of mine today,” said Emerson. “I have had the honor of serving on many boards with Blake and Dr. Ramming, as well as instructing for Coach at Be A Champ Cattle Camp most summers, and fondly remember “Doc’s analogy of ‘line breeding vs inbreeding,’” said Emerson.

In Emerson’s spare time, she enjoys raising her kids, Julie and Jax, and helping her husband, Josh, run their cow-calf operation, raising and producing Simmental/Angus show cattle and quality replacement heifers and bulls.

Katie Kempen, Student

Katie Kempen was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Kempen graduated from East Central High School, and planned to follow her childhood dreams of attending college and pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a large animal veterinarian,” said Kempen. “When I got to Connors, I decided I would rather go more into the ruminant nutrition side of things.”

Kempen is currently a sophomore at Connors and a very active member of the Livestock Judging Team.

“I chose Connors because of the nationally recognized and successful livestock judging program,” said Kempen. “I felt I could have great success under head coach Nolan Hildebrand.”

Kempen said Connors has had a tremendous impact on her life. She has met some of her greatest role models, and developed friendships that will truly last a lifetime.

“Deciding to move away [from home] and attend Connors was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make,” said Kempen. “It turns out it was actually one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I will always look back and cherish the memories I made as a Cowboy!”

Along with being a member of the Livestock Judging Team, Kempen is also an Ag Ambassador, a member of SGA and Aggie Club.

While at CSC, Kempen has achieved several honors on the Livestock Judging Team. Kempen was named 2021 High Individual at the Cattlemen’s Congress and was a marking member of the Connors team that won the contest. Kempen was also named High Individual at the 2021 Patriot Livestock Judging Contest and was also a part of the marking team that won the contest.

Upon graduation from CSC, Kempen plans to attend Texas A&M University, majoring in animal science. Kempen plans to eventually get her masters and doctorate degrees in ruminant nutrition.

Both of Kempen’s parents are ag teachers in San Antonio, Texas, and that is where she accredits her deep love and passion for agriculture.

In her spare time, Kempen likes to hang out with her best friend, her corgi, Eidie, that she rescued when she was 3 years old.

Dr. Sarah Hudson, Faculty

Dr. Sarah Hudson, an instructor within the Connors State College Division of Communication and Fine Arts, claims Texarkana, Ark., as her hometown.

She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., majoring in English with a minor in 3D studio art. Her master’s degree and doctorate are both from the University of Arkansas. Both degrees are in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies with an emphasis in Middle Eastern Literature and Culture.

Hudson says she wanted to work within commuting distance of Tulsa, and to stay in academics.

“Connors had an opening at the right time as I was finishing my PhD,” said Hudson.

In addition to teaching Humanities, Comp I and II, she sponsors the CSC Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and is prepping to design a course to help nursing students prepare for the reading section of the Kaplan exam.

Hudson believes that Connors has impacted her life in many positive ways.

“I have expanded my knowledge base and skill as a teacher while working with our student body, and I have a wonderful department full of incredible, dedicated coworkers. The most unexpected way that Connors has impacted me is through my involvement with our Second Chance Pell Grant at the prisons in Taft. I never expected to teach courses at prisons, and I certainly wouldn’t have guessed that I would find them so meaningful and fulfilling.”

Feeling like she is giving back to her community and making a difference in students’ lives is a benefit to working at Connors. She enjoys

getting to know and working with the Communications and Fine Arts Division.

“They are a feisty bunch with big hearts and quick wits. My kind of people.”

Hudson feels that Connors is a good place for students because it is an affordable, close location where students can build the skills they need to complete a four year degree or go directly into the work force.

“Our students can take their core classes without breaking the bank while they decide whether they want to go on to a four-year school and if so, what they want to major in when they get there.”

The most surprising thing most people don’t know about Dr. Hudson is that she has a small flock of pet chickens. Her seven birds include three buff Orpingtons, two barred Plymouth rocks, and two laced Wyandottes – one silver laced and one gold laced.

“They are all named after historically important women who also happen to have traditional names: Sylvia, Gertrude, Ethyl, Harriet, Ruth, Henrietta … except one. Beyonce` the Hen lives up to her namesake in a variety of ways.”

EDUCATION

Regents Davis and Ramsey Visit PLC

On February 4, Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents member Rick Davis of Guthrie, Okla., and CEO for the A&M Board of Regents, Jason Ramsey, visited Connors State College and visited with the President’s Leadership Class.

Regent Davis and Mr. Jason Ramsey discussed the structure of Higher Education and helping students take an active role in understanding the process of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, becoming an active part of the process, and ways to engage and initiate the President’s Leadership Class.

Regent Davis and Ramsey gave the students the floor and allowed them to participate in open discussion with all things related to Higher Education.

Multiple students gave their input on issues they felt could help future college students, and navigating the “new” normal during the pandemic.

Colby Cook, Cushing, Okla., discussed with Regent Davis about ways to provide opportunities for more students looking for internships or more hands-on experiences during their time in higher education.

Students also talked about how important concurrent classes are for junior and seniors in high school.

“I came into Connors as a freshman with 15 concurrent hours,” said Madison McElyea. “It served as a great opportunity for myself and other students to get a leg up and get some of our classes under our belt while in high school.”

McElyea spoke about how it helped her also form relationships with professors before she became a student.

“I liked the option to dive into college, while still in high school, and be able to form the relationships with professors,” said McElyea. “Coming from a small school, it instilled confidence in me to be able to form those relationships, and prepared me for a university after Connors.”

President Ramming also shared with Regent Davis and Ramsey that some students that have attended concurrent classes at Connors have graduated from junior college and high school just days apart.