A Publication of Connors State College
V O L U M E
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N U M B E R
SUPPORTING SURV IVOR S THROUGH AWA RENESS CONNORS PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES EVENT
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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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N U M B E R
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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
FEATURE
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WISH Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
COMMUNITY
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9/11 Event
EDUCATION
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Seminar Series Kicks Off
COWBOY FAMILY
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Meet McGuire, Langston, Herriman & White
CAMPUS LIFE
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The Scene on Campus
Dr. Makenna Garrison VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis
CONNEC TI ON CONTRIBUTORS Ona Lou Britton-Spears Dr. Tabatha Hibbs Mike Jackson Dr. Krystle Lane Chris McBeath Derotha Rivenbark Brittany Seay
SOCIAL
MEDIA
#CONNORSSTATE
facebook.com/ connorsstate
twitter.com/ connorsstate
youtube.com/ connorsstatecollege
instagram.com/ 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, 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
Supporting survivors through awareness – Connors State College supports annual Women in Safe Homes event Members of the Connors State College family joined city officials, law enforcement officers and others to raise awareness for the high rates of domestic violence across the state. Nearly 20 out of every 1000 Oklahoma residents experienced some form of domestic or interpersonal violence this year. Members of the CSC cross-country and baseball teams combined their efforts by running twenty plus miles from the Warner campus to the Muskogee County Civic Center after which they were joined by community members, including Dr. Ronald Ramming and others that completed a one mile walk from the Muskogee County Courthouse to the Civic Center while wearing high heels. “We are happy to support the WISH Foundation in this annual event. We
are very proud of the students, faculty and staff that continue to show their support,” stated Dr. Ramming. “Connors State College saw the need several years ago to raise the awareness of violence on campus regardless of if it was domestic violence or dating violence,” Mike Jackson, Dean of Students, said of the event. “Since that time the school has taken an active role in raising these issues with students, faculty, and staff. The continued demonstration of support for the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes campaign is a part of this awareness program. In addition, for the past two years, the Cross-Country Team coached by Korey Keith has run over 20 miles on the day of the annual event from Warner to Muskogee. We are proud of the efforts of all of our CSC family.”
Connors State College has participated in the event for over a decade. Administration supports efforts at acknowledging the existence of domestic violence and are active in creating programs to reduce domestic violence within our community. If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, WISH Muskogee is a safe place to seek assistance. The WISH Crisis Line is 918.682.7878 and is always available. You can also call the Oklahoma State Safeline at 1-800-522SAFE (7233). The national domestic abuse hotline is 800-799-SAFE (7233). If you are in an emergency situation, call 911. – Pictured, above and following page: Connors students, faculty, staff and administration participate in the WISH Walk a Mile in her Shoes Event.
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COMMUNITY
Connors SGA & PLC Host 9/11 Memorial Event Connors State College held an event on September 10 to commemorate 9/11. Faculty, staff, and students came together to remember and honor the lives and sacrifices of the heroes involved in the events of September 11, 2001. The Student Government
Association and President’s Leadership Class students assisted in honoring the legacy and sacrifice of members of the military. They paid special tribute to the lives of the 13 soldiers recently lost in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26 by placing medals of honor beside a short
biography of each soldier. “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” – Ronald Reagan
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EDUCATION Monthly Seminar Series Kicks Off With Presentation from Dr. Sarah Hudson: “Researching Film, Gender, and the Middle East” Connors State College recently held its inaugural seminar in its newly implemented monthly Seminar Series. The monthly seminar series was introduced to allow CSC students to learn about fields of study outside their plan of study. As such, the Seminar Series will invite speakers from across academia to present their research. There will be three seminars each semester; the invited speaker will present their research in a talk lasting about 30 minutes and will then take questions from the audience. During the Fall 2021 series, speakers from the fields of literature, biology, and education will present their research. The seminar will be held at either the Warner or Port campus, depending on the speaker’s preference, and a Zoom option will be available to students, staff, and faculty, as well as interested members of the community, who may not be able to attend in person can still participate virtually. The first seminar speaker was Dr. Sarah Hudson, a CSC Instructor in the Division of Communication and Fine Arts, who spoke on “Researching Film, Gender, and the Middle East.” Dr. Hudson drew from her experiences in writing her dissertation to discuss how to manage a research
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project whether it is a shorter paper for a freshman composition class or a longer paper such as a Master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation. Three broad areas are critical to research projects: · Developing a solid framework for your research and argument · Organizing your source information in a way that works for you and your project · Being persistent and thorough in collecting your data/conducting your research The framework is critical because it becomes the foundation, the “map,” that can act as a guide during the writing process, giving the writer a map to go back to if they get lost in their analysis or float off on a tangent. Developing a system to manage the information gathered during the research process is one of the most important parts of a research project because it allows the researcher to see patterns in the information and to ensure nothing important is omitted. Finally, understand that problems will arise during research. Sometimes information is difficult to find; sometimes experiments have unexpected results or consequences. However, good researchers are willing to do what it takes, ethically, to collect the information and data they need
for their projects. The next seminar will be held Wednesday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. on the Warner Campus in the LLC Auditorium. The speaker will be Dr. Mark Paulissen, a biology professor at NSU in Tahlequah. His talk is entitled, “Contests in Your Yard: Aggressive Behaviors of Oklahoma Lizards.” The final seminar of Fall 2021 will also be held on the Warner Campus in the LLC Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. Lynett Rock, Division Chair of Math and Sciences will present “Ride Like a Girl: Narrative Exploration of Women in the Rodeo.”
COWBOY FAMILY Jayla McGuire, Student A 2020 graduate of Oktaha High School, Jayla McGuire is a sophomore at Connors State College who hails from Oktaha, Okla. As a kid, Jayla always dreamed of being a veterinarian. Her recent decision to pursue a career in the medical field reflects her continued desire to serve and heal. During her senior year, Jayla decided to attend Connors State College because it was affordable, close to home and offered a familylike atmosphere within the faculty, staff, and student body. Upon joining the campus, she discovered that the many opportunities to participate in leadership and enrichment opportunities far exceeded her expectations. “Connors State College ignited a passion for leadership I was previously unaware of within myself. I have made so many connections among my fellow classmates that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. Connors State College is a family;
a family of which I am proud to be a part!” Jayla currently serves as President of the President’s Leadership Class and Vice-President of the Student Government Association. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Faculty and staff acknowledge her campus involvement and positive attitude sharing that, “Jayla is part of everything on campus and when you see her, she always has a smile on her face. She goes above and beyond what is expected and exhibits true leadership qualities that any college would want to represent its student body”. Upon graduation from Connors State College, she plans to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from either NSU or OSU. Her long term plans involve attending medical school. When Jayla is not at school or with her friends, she spends the remainder of my time with her parents, Jacquline and David McGuire, and sister Brooke. She also loves to spend a lot of time
with her 2-year-old German Shepard named Niko. “He goes anywhere and everywhere he can with me. “ “There’s only one state…... CONNORS STATE!!!!”
Jessica Langston & Brooklyn Herriman, Staff Connors State College is excited to kick off the academic year with a new recruitment team! Director of Recruitment, Jessica Langston, comes to Connors from Northeastern State University and brings many years of experience in recruitment, admissions, and student scholarships. She recently earned her master’s in Higher Education Leadership and was named Outstanding Graduate Student in 2019. Recruiter, Brooklyn Herriman, is a 2019 Connors graduate. She was a member of the President’s Leadership Class, extremely involved in the Agricultural Division and teams, Student Government President, as well as many other areas of campus
life. Together, their knowledge of higher education, student needs, and love for Connors makes them a great team! The recruitment staff has hit the ground running this fall. With the creation of new marketing materials, a revamp of social media pages, and already attending numerous college fairs in Oklahoma and Arkansas, Connors hopes to gain traction and increase the college’s brand recognition for students. Area schools have brought groups on campus for tours, and more are scheduled in the coming weeks. The application for fall 2022 admission is already open and there
are about 60 applicants so far. This is a positive step in the right direction, ensuring Connors is the first choice for students right from the start. With college application week promoted heavily in high schools at the end of September, Connors is now able to promote early applications alongside our competitors. The recruitment department will be hosting new events this year on Saturdays and encourage families to attend with their students. Be sure to follow the Connors recruitment pages on Facebook and Instagram @ SeeYouAtCSC to keep up with events and news!
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Jimmy White, Retiree, Inducted to Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame Jimmy White, a retired CSC faculty member, was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame. Mr. White was selected for the prestigious honor in part due to his continued work in historic preservation and his dedication to ensuring accurate presentations of historical events. Mr. White holds a B.S. in Secondary Education Social Sciences and an M.A. in History from Oklahoma State University. His impressive teaching career began in 1973 when he was hired to teach sixth-grade social science at Capitol Hill Middle School in Oklahoma City. In 1976, he was hired as a history instructor by Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma. Jimmie remained employed with Connors until he retired on June 30, 2013. He later returned as an adjunct instructor until 2020. Julie Dinger, a former CSC administrator, said in her letter of recommendation for the honor, “Mr. White has shown time and again through his career the importance and value of education, helping to create relationships and processes that enhance and improve education for Oklahomans.” In 1997, Mr. White was appointed by then-Governor Frank Keating to serve on the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Commission. His effort on the commission was instrumental in increasing awareness of this pivotal time in Oklahoma history. Additionally, Jimmie volunteers as a guide for the tour of all-Black towns in Oklahoma where he lends his expertise on the history of these towns. While at Connors, Mr. White established the Social Science Division’s Distance Education Program in 1989 and was appointed chair of the program in 1990, making him
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the first African American to hold that position. Mr. White is active within the community and across the state. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and served two terms as state president. Other memberships include The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Inc., Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges, Black Heritage Committee of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Life member of NAACP, vice-president of the McIntosh County Democratic Party, and treasurer of the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Inc. He has earned many awards throughout his career which include the first Minority Assistantship by the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education in 1975 and 1976, Most Outstanding Black Instructor at Oklahoma State University by AfroAmerican Society in 1976, Langston University Distinguished Service Award in 1980, United States Jaycees Outstanding Young Men of America Award in 1980 and 1981, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congressman Mike Synar in 1982, Wanda Bass and McCasland Award for Excellence by the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 2004. He has also made significant contributions to research via presentations and publications including: “History of Connors State College,” Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, vol. 1, 336-337,” James Brooks Ayers Robertson Governor of Oklahoma, 1919-1923,” Oklahoma’s Governors, 1907-1929: Turbulent Politics, vol. XVI, The Oklahoma Series, 87-114, and “The Black Tiger of the Twin Territories: William Henry Twine, Attorney, Editor,
Community Man.” Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, vol II 1528-1529. Relevant presentations include: “Black Towns of Oklahoma,” Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa of Connors State College, November 4, 1992, “Martin Luther King: The Hate That Made Him Love,” National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Eufaula, Oklahoma, January 17, 1993, “Black Skin, Red Blood: The History of the Black Warriors of America 1770-1974,” Muskogee Veteran Medical Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, February 23, 1993, “No Longer Invisible: The Men Who Reveal Black History,” Boyton/ Moton High School, February 1, 2001, “Tulsa Race War of 1921,” Mid-American Conference on History, Oklahoma State University, January 21, 2002, “Struggle and Hope: Oklahoma Black Towns,” Kari Barber. Documentary Consultant, 2013. Dr. Ronald Ramming said of Mr. White, “He has contributed so much to the campus and community. His work reflects his genuine desire to teach and connect with students. We are honored to witness his induction…he certainly deserves the honor.”
CAMPUS LIFE
SHOOTING SPORTS The CSC Shooting team competed in North Platte, NE at the Lincoln County Gun Club in the 7 State Prairie Circuit Conference. The team competed against other 2-year colleges as well as 4-year universities. Teams such as reigning Division 2 National Champions Fort Hays, Division 2 Midland University, and Division 3 Concordia. CSC Shooting emerged as the Champion Jr. College team (includes a traveling trophy), 4th HOA and 2nd in Sporting Clays. Additionally, Tell Dixon was Top 5 in Trap Men, Top Sporting Clays Individual, and made the all-conference team. CONNORS CONNECTION
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OKLAHOMA CHALLENGE Connors State College hosted a safe driving workshop in conjunction with the organization Oklahoma Challenge. The workshop’s purpose was to shine a light on the negative effects of unsafe driving. The event provided attendees with the opportunity to witness and participate in different simulations which included allowing students to drive an ATV while wearing “drunk goggles”. Information tables provided resources that promoted safe driving habits. Thousands of people die each year in vehicular accidents caused by distracted drivers. CSC hopes that the event educated students on the risks of unsafe driving and to help fight the battle against unnecessary deaths.
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AGGIE LUAU On September 21 the Aggie Club held a Luau that was open to all Connors State College students. The Aggie Club cleaned and cooked a whole pig for this event as well as provided kickball and wiffleball. The Luau had one of the largest turn outs of all events this year and served as a good premises for building foundational student relationships as well as an opportunity to further interaction among the collective student body. Amidst this event many students were able to escape the monotony of school work and have an outlet of destressing fun.
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CON N O RS ST A T E CO LLE G E 700 College Road | Warner, OK 74469
Dean of Students Mike Jackson accepts an award for Connors participation in the annual WISH Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Event.
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