Connection: Volume 8, Number 6

A Publication of Connors State College

V O L U M E

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N U M B E R

Student Government Registers 80 New Voters

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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 Dr. Janet Wansick VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES

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Voter Registration

COMMUNITY

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College Fair • Fall Plant Sale • Rotary Scholarship • Domestic Violence Walk • Western Heritage Day • Bull Run 5K • Cow Chip Day

COWBOY FAMILY

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Meet Vanover, McBeath, May and Borovetz • Employee Cookout • OACC • OTA Conference

ATHLETICS

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Rodeo Team • Shooting Sports Team • Show Team • Livestock Judging Team

CAMPUS LIFE

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Meet the Players • Student Activities

FEATURE

Mike Lewis

CONNEC TI ON LAYOUT & DESIGN Zadie McElhaney CONTRIBUTORS Cindy Anderson Emma Long Zadie McElhaney Dr. Anita Thompson Rochelle Vanover

SOCIAL

MEDIA

#CONNORSSTATE

facebook.com/ connorsstate

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youtube.com/ connorsstatecollege

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 Student Government Registers 80 New Voters Getting students registered to vote was the primary focus of this year’s Constitution Day at Connors State College. CSC Voter Registration Days, sponsored by the Connors Student Government Association (SGA), had registration booths set up on both the Warner and Muskogee campuses, producing a total of 80 new voters.

“It’s important that we get new voters registered for the upcoming election of new state representation, as well as important state questions.

These students are the future of our state and need to have a say in the way their future will be run,” said, Rochelle Vanover, Coordinator of Student Activities and SGA sponsor.

SGA members and volunteers also hosted voter registration booths at

Checotah and Warner High Schools, which allowed concurrent students who were unable to get to the booths on campus, a chance to get their applications in as well.

“Several students were very excited to get registered and were thankful we made the booths available. Some students were confused on how to get registered and it helped that we had people there to help them through the process.” said Brooklyn Herriman, SGA President.

Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by the thirty-nine men on September 17, 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

The law establishing the present

holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as “Citizenship Day”. In addition to renaming the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” the act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide educational programming tied to the history of the American Constitution on that day. In May 2005, the United States Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.

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COMMUNITY Recruitment Hosts Successful College Fair The Melvin Self Field House on the Warner campus of Connors State College was filled wall-to-wall with area high school seniors and community members for the Area Wide College Fair.

This event, hosted by Connors State Recruitment, allows potential students to meet-and-greet with area recruiters. Those in attendance had a chance to meet and learn more about how their futures could be enhanced

with a degree.

Logan Nero, director of recruitment, said more than 1,000 students and recruits from 35 different colleges made their way to Warner for the event.

“This area-wide fair is one of the largest events Connors State hosts and is a part of the Oklahoma College Day and Night Coordination Committee,” said Nero.

Nero said this is her seventh time

hosting the event in Warner for the college and each year she is surprised as more and more attend.

“The longer I work here the more I’ve learned how Connors State helps students transition from a two-year to a four-year college,” said Nero.

“Connors has given students opportunities to propel them forward and sometimes this college fair is the first time students make it on to the campus.”

Horticulture Department Holds Annual Fall Plant Sale The Connors State Fall Plant Sale was in full swing September 18-21. The CSC Plant Sale was held at the Warner Campus Teaching Greenhouse.

The sale featured 8-inch and 12inch mums in yellow, white, purple, red, bronze and tricolor. The sale also featured pansies, violas, panolas,

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snapdragons, dianthus, kale and Swiss chard grown by the Connors State Horticulture Department.

The Fall Sale also added a new addition to the plant sale this year, perennials. The sale has continuously become more versatile and adds new plants each year. Over 1,000 plants were sold at this year’s sale.

“The plant sales allow the students an opportunity to learn about marketing, sales, product promotions and customer service,” said the Director of Horticulture, Debby Golden. “In addition, we believe our sales provide a service to the local community.”

Muskogee Rotary Club Recognizes 2018 Scholarship Recipients In an effort to assist non-traditional students in their educational pursuits, the Muskogee Rotary Club awarded their 2018 scholarships to Connors students: Shelley Smith and Megan Yochum.

Shelley Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Tulsa Nathan Hale High School in 1990.

After high school, she attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. She has lived in the Muskogee area for 20 years and is married to her husband David.

She has a grown son Derek who is 23, and a 10 year old son, Zachary, who attends Sadler Arts Academy. Shelley also has one grandson, and one on the way.

While at NSU, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.

Shelley spent several years teaching instrumental music at Hilldale Public Schools, and after several years taught Mild to Moderate Special Education for Muskogee Public Schools. She has spent many years working with students, being a sponsor at various camps, and working with “at-risk” kids. She has enjoyed mentoring, counseling, and encouraging young people through the years. Her personal experience with Special Education, and fighting through a lifethreatening illness herself, have been the driving force behind her endeavor to go back to school and earn her associate degree from Connors State College. Shelley is studying to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant and plans to use that career to help give “hope” to others.

Megan Yochum enrolled in college during her senior year of high school at Fort Gibson, but the news of her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis caused her to drop those classes, tend to her mother’s needs and join the

workforce. Megan’s mother survived breast cancer, but it wasn’t until later when her mom was laid off from her job that she would see the importance of higher education. It took her mom an entire year to find another job because she lacked a college degree.

That family struggle is what pushed Megan to go back to school and complete her degree.

Megan is a soccer mom to a 9-yearold boy, and works a full-time job in addition to college. Megan has worked

in the Insurance industry since 2014.

She enrolled at Connors State College in the summer of 2016 and will graduate with her Associates in Arts & Letters during the Spring of 2019. She is a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was awarded a scholarship from the Muskogee Rotary Club in 2017 as well. Megan plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in the Fall of 2019 to begin working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science.

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CSC Participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Hundreds took to the pavement on Thursday, October 4, to “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes”, in protest of domestic violence.

The community came together to stand up against sexual assault with a rally in downtown Muskogee; men traded in their boots and tennis shoes for women’s flats, wedges and high

heels.

The rally started in front of the Muskogee County Courthouse and ended inside the Arrowhead Mall where a speak-out was held. Mike Jackson, CSC’s dean of students, lead the speak-out, where prominent members of the community addressed the issues.

Many students, faculty and staff members from Connors State College walked in support.

Connors State won the second place award for the group with the largest attendance. Women’s Head Basketball Coach, Jamie Fisher, won the award for greatest strut.

Western Heritage Days Brings Joy Once Again The Connors State College Agriculture Ambassadors, Rodeo Team, and Shooting Sports Team spent a day interacting with children from the Oklahoma School for the Blind during Western Heritage Days on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

Western Heritage Days is an event hosted by the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association specifically for the

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Oklahoma School for the Blind.

The event, held at the Silver Spur Ranch Indoor Arena in Haskell, Oklahoma, offered the CSC students the opportunity to help with horseback rides, stage coach and wagon rides, mechanical bull riding, dummy roping, rock wall climbing, fishing and mentorships to the students from OSB. The CSC students helped

youngsters with the animals and activities throughout the day.

“I really enjoyed being able to help work Western Heritage Day,” said CSC Ag Ambassador, Brooklyn Evans. “It’s a fun day where we get to help the kids experience new activities outside of their classroom environment.”

Racers Run to the Finish at Annual 5K Bull Run and Fun Run On Saturday, October 6, Connors State College along with the Warner Chamber of Commerce, hosted their Annual Bull Run 5K and Fun Run on the Warner Campus. Timed by the I:40 Race Services, this annual run allowed around 50 individuals of all ages to race towards the finish line.

Rain Doesn’t Scare Cow Chip Day Festival Goers On Saturday, October 13, the Warner Chamber of Commerce hosted the 31st Annual Cow Chip Day Festival in Rogers Memorial Park.

Despite the rain, the festival goers still enjoyed the day’s events.

Several Connors State College

organizations, along with valuable members of the Warner community, helped make sure the festival was a success.

The festival began with a parade and then continued on to the park where attendees could be entertained

with events such as, a talent show, fundrasing booths and enjoy delicious food.

This event allowed for clubs, organizations, and community members to celebrate together.

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COWBOY FAMILY Rochelle Vanover, Staff Rochelle Vanover, Connors State student activities coordinator, said working in Higher Education has given her the opportunity to expand her horizons, grow her skills and has provided her with many professional development opportunities.

Along with being the student activities coordinator, Vanover is also the adviser for the President’s Leadership Class and a co-adviser for the Student Government Association.

Vanover has experienced first-hand what it’s like to be a student at a junior college. Vanover graduated with her Associate of Science in Agriculture from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in 2011. She then received her Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Leadership from Oklahoma State University in 2014 and is currently working on her Master of Science in Agriculture Education from Iowa State University.

“I really like working in a community college setting,” Vanover said. “I enjoy interacting with students and helping them achieve their goals. My job as the student activities coordinator allows me to bring life to campus and help our students enjoy their college experience.”

Vanover said attendance in class is a priority at CSC, but the faculty and staff at CSC also encourage students to have fun and create lasting friendships. This is part of the reason she loves her job, she said.

“I enjoy the small family that Connors has created,” Vanover said.

“Moving here and not knowing anyone was very difficult, but within the first few days I had already been embraced by so many people on campus. I’m very fortunate to be a part of the Cowboy family.”

Vanover grew up in Miami, Oklahoma, with her close-knit family.

When she isn’t attending an event with her Cowboy family she said she can be found baking, gardening or obsessing with her love for cacti.

Chris McBeath, Faculty Chris McBeath, a history professor at Connors State, graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. After pursing his Business Management degree, McBeath went to Northeastern State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a master’s degree in American Studies.

McBeath teaches many of the history courses at CSC including, U.S. History Until 1865, U.S. History Since 1865, Oklahoma History, Geography, Early Western Civilizations and Modern Western Civilizations.

McBeath loves teaching and sharing history with his students, or anyone who will listen. He said he wants to give back to the community and the area that Connors serves.

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“We have a great family of students, faculty, staff, and administration at CSC,” McBeath said.

Along with teaching history on both the Warner and Muskogee campuses, McBeath also teaches at one of the correctional facilities Connors serves.

“I have taught several semesters at one of the correctional facilities,” McBeath said. “I can’t describe how you feel at the end of a semester when the students succeeded in the class. I am looking forward to attending a graduation. I think that will be almost as rewarding for me as for the students.”

McBeath lives in Brooken, Oklahoma with his wife, Trish, son, Matthew, and daughter, Ella. Matthew is a sophomore and Ella is in the 8th grade. Most evenings, McBeath finds himself on a

ballfield or in a gymnasium.

McBeath said apart from his family, his proudest accomplishment is his master’s degree… oh and also his bicycle ride down Pikes Peak.

Stetson May, Student Stetson May, a sophomore on the Connors State Rodeo team, is from Morris, Oklahoma.

May is majoring in Agribusiness and hopes to work in the agriculture industry after graduation.

May said he plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, after he obtains his associate’s degree.

“Connors has taught me how to be myself and grow as a leader in many different ways,” said May. “I was chosen by my teammates to represent Connors Rodeo team as the Team Roping Director.”

May said he will be the first child in his family to graduate from college.

May said he has two sisters who are very supportive of his dreams and when he isn’t in the arena practicing or at a rodeo, he is spending time with his family.

“I am so appreciative of the rodeo coaches at Connors State,” May said.

“Without their help and support, I would not have had the opportunity to attend school here at Connors State. I chose Connors because I was given the chance to be a member of the rodeo team and still be close to home.”

Dr. Frank Borovetz, Jr., Alumni Dr. Frank Borovetz, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Muskogee, OK. He attended Houston Elementary, Alice Robertson Junior High and graduated from Central High School in 1957.

After high school, he attended Connors State College, where he enjoyed playing football for the Cowboys, in addition to participating in various campus activities. He then transferred to Northeastern State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. Borovetz furthered his education, earning his master’s degree from Colorado State College in Greeley, Co, and his Doctorate of Education at the University of Tulsa.

Borovetz began a career in education in Muskogee as an elementary teacher, before moving into administration and eventually becoming the Assistant Superintendent of Catoosa Public Schools. He then became the

Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Connors State College and worked on a number of federal grants. Upon retirement from Connors, Borovetz wanted to stay active, chosing to take a position with the Veterans Administration, where he worked to make sure veterans were informed and taking full advantage of their benefits.

In addition to his career, Borovetz has actively served the community of Muskogee. He was a member of the Jaycees, has served on numerous community boards and served as a city councilman for over 20 years. He was active in the Special Olympics program in Oklahoma and has served as a secretary and elder at the First Lutheran Church of Muskogee, where both he and his wife, Kay, are members.

Both he and Kay are retired and

still live in Muskogee. They stay busy traveling, attending activities and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Borovetz is proud to have two grandsons playing football just like “Pops.”

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Cookout Brings Employees Together The Connor’s faculty and staff members invited their families to join them at the Harding South Ranch on September 20, for a cookout and an evening of fellowship.

The cookout was hosted by the CSC Campus Recognition and Social Activities Committee.

While at the ranch the employees participated in cornhole, fishing, grilling hamburgers, roasting marshmallows around the campfire and visiting with their co-workers.

Angie Lane, Connors State bursar, said that events such as the cookout provide a relaxing, no pressure atmosphere where the employees can simply get to know one another on a

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level that doesn’t involve job tasks.

“I graduated from CSC and then worked for about 2 years afterward and have been back now for over 17 years and truly have no desire to leave,” Lane said. “This [Connors] is home.”

Lane said once you become a member of the Cowboy family you gain so much.

“A huge group of people suddenly become personal cheerleaders as you journey through life,” Lane said. “We hurt for each other. We celebrate for each other. We watch each other’s children and grandchildren grow. We laugh together. We cry together, and we pray for each other.”

Lane said once you choose to be a part of the Cowboy family you are Family and that the Cowboy family has a motto; Once A Cowboy, Always A Cowboy!

Lindsay Anderson, an administrative assistant and tutor coordinatior at CSC, said employee events are important because it gives the different departments the opportunity to visit and connect with one another.

“To me being a part of the Cowboy family means that I am a part of something much larger than an employee at a college,” Anderson said. “I enjoyed the time we could all be together and relax and talk to one another.”

OACC Conference Recognizes CSC Employees On October 5, numerous Connors State employees attended the 2018 Annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference at Oklahoma City Community College.

Connors State Title III employees Gwen Rodgers and Debra Kinman offered a breakout session to the conference attendees on how to use Zoom, a video communication platform. Vice President of Academic Affairs, Janet Wansick, presented as part of a panel on lessons learned in preparing for HLC accreditation visits.

Jake Lawson, Equine program director, instructor, head Rodeo coach and assistant dean of students, was nominated for the Outstanding

Faculty Member award.

Mike Jackson, dean of students was nominated for the Outstanding Professional Employee Award, and Sherry Todd, administrative secretary for the Nursing Department, was nominated for the Outstanding Support Staff Award.

Connors State’s Angie Lane, CSC bursar; Mattie Keys, CSC director of financial aid; Karen Seabolt, CSC controller; and Shawna Tatum, the CSC accounts receivable collection officer won an award in the Creative Staff Innovation Division for their Innovative Student Accounts Receivable Collections nomination.

Students Attend OTA Conference in Tulsa Connors State College and Indian Capital Technology Center’s Occupational Therapy Assistant students and Jeanne GallienGorman, CSC’s coordinator for OTA curriculum development and accreditation, attended the 2018 Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Association Conference on September 28th and 29th.

Gallien-Gorman was asked to be the keynote speaker at this year’s conference.

The 16 current OTA students attended the event both days and learned first-hand the meaning of advocacy and professional involvement in their professional organizations.

The students represented both

CSC and ICTC at their designated promotional table throughout the conference events.

The event offered several breakout sessions that consisted of lessons such as Vision and Learning, Culture and Spirituality in Occupational Therapy, International OT Advocacy and Short-Term Mission Trip, and many other sessions.

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ATHLETICS Connors State Rodeo Team Hits the Road The Connors State College Rodeo Team competed at the Colby Community College Rodeo in Colby, Kansas, September 14-16.

Dontre’ Craven finished 3rd in the long go, split 3rd in the short round, and 3rd overall in the average in tie down roping.

The CSC Rodeo Team then traveled to a college rodeo hosted

by Southeastern Oklahoma State

University, in Durant, Oklahoma, on September 27-29.

Tori Culley placed 5th in the long go, 3rd in the short round, and 3rd overall in the average in barrel racing.

Bryton Edmundson qualified for the short round in steer wrestling. Bryton Edmundson and Gavin McReynolds were 6th in the long round and qualified for the short round in team roping.

Shooting Sports Team Travels to Kansas The Shotgun Shooting Sports Freshman Team members competed in an individual contest on September 8, 2018 at Fort Hayes, Kansas. The team members competed in Skeet, Double Skeet, Trap, Double Trap, Wobble and Super Sporting Clays.

Wyatt Krittenbrink was in the top five in two divisions and had a 3rd place in another. Jesse Cole had a 1st and 2nd placing and a top five placing. Grant Ryan had a top five placing.

The CSC Shotgun Shooting Sports team later took all of the team members and traveled back to Fort Hays, Kansas, on September 15th and

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16th for the first team competition of the year.

Of the 32 teams competing at Fort Hays, Connors finished 4th high place team overall. This included junior colleges and universities. The team was 4th in Wobble; 4th in Combined Skeet; 5th in Trap; and 5th in Double Trap. Jesse Cole, a freshman from Luther, Oklahoma, finished in the top 25 of the individual competition.

Livestock Judging Team Starts the Season Strong The Connors State Livestock Judging Team brought home many awards from Aksarben. The contest was held October 1 and 2.

The sophomore team was 2nd high team overall. Will Shelby was 2nd high individual overall and Kinder Harlow was 10th high individual overall.

The freshman team brought home the following placings: 1st high team sheep; 2nd high individual sheep, Corrine Burrus; 5th high team hogs; 5th high team cattle; 2nd high individual cattle, Daniel Lujan; 4th high team reasons; and 4th high team overall.

The sophomore team brought home the following placings: 1st high team sheep; 3rd high individual sheep, Alexa Wandry; 5th high individual sheep, Will Shelby; 2nd high team hogs; 6th high individual hogs, Kinder Harlow; 4th high team cattle; 4th high individual cattle, Will Shelby; 3rd high team reasons; 7th high individual reasons, Will Shelby; and 8th high individual reasons, Braeton Kimble.

The CSC Livestock Judging Team also competed at the Tulsa State Fair where they were the top team overall.

The freshman team black had a 1st in cattle 2nd in reasons, and 5th overall.

The freshman team orange placed 5th in cattle; Blaire Hawkins placed 5th in sheep and goats; and Daniel Lujan placed 2nd in cattle.

The sophomore team black placed 1st overall, 1st in reasons, 1st in hogs and 3rd in sheep and goats. Braeton Kimble was the high individual overall placing 2nd in hogs, 2nd in reasons, and 3rd in cattle. Will Shelby was the 2nd high individual overall, placing 3rd in reasons, and 4th in hogs. Eli Smallwood was 8th overall. Tierani Johnson placed 4th in reasons.

Show Team Competes at State Fairs The Connors State Show Team had a great showing at the State Fair of Oklahoma. The CSC 11-7 Santa Gertrudis Bull won Reserve Grand Champion Bull, Reserve Division Champion and 2nd in his class. The bull was exhibited by Colton McCorkle, a sophomore from Holdenville, Oklahoma.

The CSC Paula Santa Gertrudis heifer won 1st in her class and Reserve Division Champion. She was exhibited by Lilli Benson, a sophomore from Randlett, Oklahoma.

The CSC Christmas Santa Gertrudis Heifer won 1st in her class and was exhibited by Jessica Burg, a

sophomore from Palm City, Florida.

The team then traveled to the 2018 Tulsa State Fair. Kaylee Gum, a freshman from Pittsburg, Kansas, exhibited Armitage Elvira in the Simmental division with a 2nd place win. Analani Lorett, a freshman from Ponca City, Oklahoma, exhibited CSC Christmas in the Santa Gertrudis Senior Heifer division and won 3rd place in her class. Paige Hoover, a freshman from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, exhibited CSC Paula, in the Intermediate Santa Gertrudis division to win a 3rd in class. Jessica Burg exhibited CSC 11-7 Santa Gertrudis Bull and won a 2nd place class placing.

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CAMPUS LIFE

Meet the Players Opens 20182019 Basketball Season On Monday, October 1, the Connors State College men’s and women’s basketball teams took to the court inside the Melvin Self Fieldhouse for the first time of the season. The event was open to CSC students, faculty, staff and community members.

Cowboys head basketball coach, Bill Muse, introduced the men’s team.

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Following Muse, Jamie Fisher, Cowgirls head basketball coach, introduced the women’s basketball team and Kwanna King, cheer coach, introduced the 2018-2019 cheer squad.

After introductions and speeches, the players participated in a 3-point shooting contest, a slam dunk contest and a scrimmage.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES Students on both the Warner and Muskogee campuses have had the opportunity to participte in a variety of events over the past few weeks. These activities include, karaoke, flag football, sand volleyball, bubble soccer, painting, scary movie marathons and much more.

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

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CONNORSConnors STATE COLLEGE State College recently celebrated its 108th graduating class awarding more than 350 certifi-

The Connors State spirit squad utilized time between National cates and degrees on Friday, May 5, 2017.

Tournament games by reading with the children at the Hutchinson Community College Childcare Center. WWW.CONNORSGIVING.COM/RECONNECT 16 VOLUME 8 NUMBER 6