Connection: Volume 9, Number 5

A Publication of Connors State College

V O L U M E

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N U M B E R

NSU/CSC Nursing Partnership Takes Effect

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE WARNER CAMPUS

700 College Road Warner, OK 74469

Inside this issue VOLUME 9, 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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C onnors S t at e C ol lege/ N S U Tahl equah par t ner on N urs ing P rogram t o offer s t udent s m ore oppor t uni t ies • N ew S I M Lab Tec hnology

COMMUNITY

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C onnors C ares • V PA A Wans ick Honor ed

by J our nal R ec ord

COWBOY FAMILY

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Meet Hibbs, Br yant, Nelson, Henson, Guerra, and Webber

EDUCATION

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Connors Hosts Successful Camps • Move I n D ay S uc c es s

ATHLETICS

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Walden Wins Barrels at IFYR • C S C S how Team W i ns E m pire Fair • A c ademic A llA m er i c ans N am ed

CAMPUS LIFE

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Fall S em es t er, B ack t o S c hool A ct iv it ies

VICE PRES I DENT F O R ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Dr. Janet Wansick 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 Kassie Adams Cindy Anderson Carlie Clay Annie Jo Gilbert Northeastern State University Poteau Daily News Janet Wansick

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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 and Northeastern State University Partner on Nursing Program

Dr. Ron Ramming pictured with (L to R) Dr. Steve Turner, president of Northeastern State University, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker, and Brian Woodliff, president and CEO of Northeastern Health System.

Connors State College, Northeastern State University, Northeastern Health System and Cherokee Nation came together to sign a memorandum of understanding and formally announce the launch of a new satellite Nursing Program partnership July 8.

With this memorandum, NSU will provide CSC space on the NSU Tahlequah campus to operate a satellite program of CSC’s current Associate of Applied Science in Nursing.

Dr. Steve Turner, NSU president,

said the partnership is a perfect example of public higher education’s ability to respond quickly to community workforce and health care needs.

“Future graduates of this Nursing Program will provide direct patient care to those with heath challenges and will bolster the number of health professionals in the area,” said Turner. “The financial support provided by the Cherokee Nation and Northeastern Health System is key to the program’s success. NSU is pleased to work with Connors State College to increase the number of

nurses in Green Country.”

Dr. Ron Ramming, CSC president, said Connors is excited to work with the Cherokee Nation, Northeastern Health System, and NSU to extend their Nursing Program into Cherokee County.

“We believe this partnership will prove to be an excellent example of how the public, private and tribal sectors can work together to address critical workforce needs.”

Cherokee Nation and Northeastern Health System have each agreed to fund a faculty position for the new satellite nursing CONNORS CONNECTION

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FEATURE program. The partnership will expand current nursing education and workforce opportunities for CSC and NSU students, improving the overall health and well-being of the citizens of Cherokee County, the Cherokee Nation and patients of Northeastern Health System.

“Increasing options for health care education in northeast Oklahoma means we are able to help fill the workforce needs of the future and allow young people the ability to compete for jobs here at home,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief

Bill John Baker. “Producing skilled nurses with an associate degree from Connors State and bachelor’s degree from NSU addresses the health care shortage we see today across rural Oklahoma and makes it easier for nurses to advance their degrees. Cherokee Nation is proud to play a major role in this unique and forward thinking collaboration of tribal, community and higher education institutions.”

President and CEO of Northeastern Health System Brian Woodliff said NHS is proud to

participate in this collaborative effort to address the growing demand and shortage of nurses.

“Students will have what the community has long needed, a local program to begin and finish their nursing curriculum and clinical rotations thanks to participants.

We appreciate the leadership and partnership of Connors State College, Cherokee Nation and Northeastern State University. NHS intends to be the employer of choice for many of the students to care for a community for years to come.”

Written in cooperation with NSU Marketing

Dr. Ron Ramming, president of Connors State College, pictured with (L to R) Tracy Lieblang, Sheri Todd, Brenda Smith, and Sandra Watson, Division Chair for Nursing and Allied Health programs at CSC.

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Pictured (L to R) President and CEO of Northeastern Health System Brian Woodliff, President of NSU Dr. Steve Turner, President of Connors State College Dr. Ron Ramming, and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker signing the CSC/ NSU memorandum of understanding.

Connors State College Introduces New SIM Lab Equipment Connors State College recently introduced its first Simulation Lab to cover all aspects of modern nursing education. Leading the simulation lab is Clinical Instructor, Sheri Todd.

The lab is located at the Muskogee Port Campus, where Tahlequah nursing students are able to use the lab also. This will be the first year the lab is available all four semesters.

“The Nursing Anne Simulator is the first nursing simulator to cover every aspect of modern nursing education, and offers safe and realistic practice on core nursing skills,” said Fabiela Kemble, CSC SIM lab coordinator. “The instructor analyzes harder situations to give the students more hands on

experience that they would not be able to experience out of a text book.”

Some of the realistic care procedures includes NG tubes, complete urinary catheterization, CPR training, and Bilateral assessments.

Alongside the Nursing Anne Simulator, the facility offers a SimBaby, a tetherless simulator designed to help healthcare providers effectively recognize and respond to critically ill pediatric patients.

Connors was the first facility in the state to have a SimBaby in company with the Laedral’s Nursing Simulation. “Her name is PonkaWi Connor which means ‘little girl’ in

Ponca,” said Kemble. “She simulates a 9-month-old pediatric patient and is highly realistic.”

The simulator offers realistic critical situations that help prepare nurses for real-life events.

Some of the situations include compensated shock due to dehydration, compensated shock due to sepsis, and moderate viral croup. It contains realistic anatomy to ensure students perform correct procedures while doing CPR. Kemble said she is ready for the implementation of all four semesters in the simulation lab, which also includes the Tahlequah nursing students.

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COMMUNITY

Connors State College Hosts Benefit for Flood Victims Connors State College, along with C & W Services, hosted “Connors Cares” on June 6, 2019 in the A.D. Stone Student Union on the Warner Campus to feed all those effected by the recent flooding in Webbers Falls, and the surrounding areas.

Warner Fire Chief Steve Marshall addressed the crowd in attendance with figures regarding how much the Warner community and surrounding areas have pitched in to help the flood victims. Chief Marshall said that within the first call for help, over 500 sandbags were filled by hand in under two hours.

As a community in Warner, 6,886 hours of community service have been given, and over 385 hot meals have been cooked and served. Chief Marshall stated that this is a “trying and stressful time” but the support the community has given is unreal.

Along with Connors State College, C & W Services helped sponsor the BBQ meal, and Sodexo donated the desserts. Site manager Keri Lawson spoke on behalf of C & W Services, and Connors State College.

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Lawson stated that none of her crew lost their houses but some were displaced due to flooding.

She also said the last few weeks on campus were busy due to camps going on, and extra Oklahoma Highway Patrol staying to help with flooding.

“My crew is awesome, we just handle it,” said Lawson. “They handle it, and I really appreciate

it and couldn’t ask for more.” C & W Services representatives Angie Taylor and Stephanie Smith from Dallas, Texas were in attendance and covered what cost the event had. “It is such a blessing to work for a company who gets it, and is always willing to help,” said Lawson.

“The goal of this is out of the chaos, we can bring you a couple hours of comfort, and with all the pressure we can bring you a couple hours of peace,” said Lawson.

Among those in attendance were Warner Mayor Roger Thomason, the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief members, Connors State College faculty and staff, Warner cheerleaders, who served food, and many friends and supporters of the Warner Community.

Dr. Janet Wansick Named Top 50 Women by Journal Record

The Journal Record named Dr. Janet Wansick one of the 2019 Fifty Making a Difference — the Woman of the Year program that spotlights female business and community leaders. Wansick will be among those honored at an event set for Oct. 10 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where the Woman of the Year will be announced.

Dr. Janet Wansick’s official title is the vice president for Academic Affairs at Connors State College, but you will see her about campus wearing many hats, doing what it takes to make the students successful.

She began her career in education in 1992 as a math instructor at McAlester Public Schools before starting in 2002 as a teacher at Northern Oklahoma College, while working on her doctoral degree at Oklahoma State University.

She joined Eastern Oklahoma State College in 2011 and served

as vice president for academic affairs from 2015 to 2017 before joining Connors State College. She has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, serves on the local Women Empowering Women board, and graduated from and is a lifetime member of Leadership Oklahoma.

“I hope that I’ve impacted people and made them understand the importance of education because education really is what put me on the path that I’m on right now,” said Wansick.

Throughout Dr. Wansick’s career at Connors State College, though it may be short, the impact she leaves on people is remarkable.

Many faculty and staff have had the privilege to work one on one with Dr. Wansick. Among those are Robin O’Quinn, assistant VP for Academic Affairs, and Raven Remer, executive assistant to the VP for Academic Affairs.

“I truly enjoy working with Dr. Wansick every day,” said Robin

O’Quinn. “She energizes me and challenges me to be better every day through her actions, words of encouragement, and support.”

O’Quinn said if any quote could describe Dr. Wansick as a boss, it would be a quote from Jon Taffer, “The greatest gift of leadership is a boss who wants you to be successful.”

Leadership can be described as the action of leading a group of people or organization. Dr. Wansick embodies what it stands for to be a leader. She has an undeniable passion for higher education and the betterment of the state of Oklahoma.

“I have had the pleasure of working under Dr. Wansick for almost two years,” said Raven Remer, executive assistant to the VP for Academic Affairs “Dr. Wansick is knowledgeable, positive, and passionate about higher education. She embraces principles of exemplary leaders, and thus, she models behavior to which all staff should aspire.”

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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 got 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.

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.

Elisha Guerra, Student Elisha Guerra, a graduate of Stratford High School class of 2000, wanted to be a radiologist like her grandmother when she was little. Guerra’s path to education has not been an easy one. In 2007, she attended school to become an x-ray technician, and changed her major in 2016 to psychology. Guerra says she chose Connors State to start a career path while her children are in school. When asked how Connors has impacted her life, Guerra said she has met some amazing people to help guide and lead her to passing her general education classes.

“My advisors and instructors have been great to work with my schedule with me being a single mother of four boys,” said Guerra. “It has given me the opportunity to attend classes that work well with our daily schedule.”

On top of being a full-time mom and student, Guerra is a tutor for Title III, and for TRIO Student Support Services.

She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Mu Chi Chapter,

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and is running for chapter president of PTK. Upon graduation from Connors State College, Guerra plans to attend NSU to pursue a master’s degree in psychology in hopes to one day be a mental behavior counselor.

“I would like to advocate women and children of the Hispanic culture that have been born into, survived, or are still living through domestic violence,” said Guerra. “Being bilingual is a bonus in this field, seeing as there are many people that are not fluent in the English language.”

Guerra was recently selected to receive the 2019 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar Award. She was also nominated and selected to attend the N.E.W. (National Education for Women) Leadership Program in May of 2019. She is an Academic Achievement Award recipient, and on the presidents honor roll.

“Where there is a will, there is a way,” said Guerra. “I am always willing to

make myself a better person, to help make the community I live in a better place for my family, and help others along the way.”

Alumni in the Hall Of Fame

Jack Bryant

Blake Nelson

Lou Henson

Bryant, graduate of the class of 1978, serving as president of Redlands Community College, was inducted in 2019 into the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society Hall of Fame.

Blake Nelson, graduate of CSC, executive vice president of American Maine-Anjou Association, was recently inducted into the Showtimes, Inc. Hall of Fame.

Lou Henson, attended CSC, coached basketball for 21 seasons at Illinois and is the all-time leader in wins with 423.

Henson was inducted in 2019 into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Patty Webber, Staff Patricia Ann Webber, or better known as Patty, will never pass you without showing you a smile and a kind word. Patty Webber, Payroll Administrator/Interim HR Rep, comes to Connors State College from Vian, Okla. Webber graduated from Northwest Arkansas Community College with a degree in Business, and in November, will have worked for Connors for five years. Webber said her favorite part of working for CSC is the “Connors family”, and getting to work with people who are at the top of their game.

“I enjoy getting to know the students, they are so bright and full of life” said Webber. “Nothing will make you smile bigger than walking into the cafeteria and hearing ‘Hey Miss Patty’.”

Webber said working for CSC has made her more community-oriented.

“I was honored to attend the Muskogee Women’s Conference in July 2018,” said Webber. She has also walked in the Azalea Day Fun Walk, and

the Bull Run 5K. When asked why she thought CSC was a good place for students, Webber talked about how it is a small enough school to get one-on-one interaction in classes, yet big enough to give students what they need to further their education. Webber said staff and faculty care about the students and want them to be successful.

Webber is the proud wife of Mike, who she has been married to for 34 years. She also is a member of the crochet circle Caring Stitches; a campus-run group. Webber has been crocheting since she was 18 years old. Webber is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. She served the U.S. from 1980-1984, where she was stationed in Ramstein, Germany, and Tacoma, Wash. Webber also has a deep love for sunflowers, all things pink and NASCAR.

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EDUCATION

Connors State Hosts Many Sucessful Camps

Over the two-month summer break, Connors State College is home to more than 1,000 students participating in several different camps. CSC has been home to McPeak’s Be A Champ Camp for 38 years, and home to Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Cadet Lawman for two years. Not to mention, Head Baseball Coach Perry Keith holds numerous camps throughout the summer teaching student’s key

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baseball skills they need to be successful. Jerry McPeak started Be A Champ Cattle and Lamb Camp on the Connors State campus, and has no plans to move it. Throughout the three weeks McPeak has students on campus, they learn how to better care for their livestock, and themselves. This year, the camp was fortunate enough to have Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur, come visit and speak

with the students. Although OHP’s Cadet Lawman is the newest to campus, they have a great impact in the community while in town.

The students come in for a week and learn life skills that set them up for future successes. 35% of the students that go through the Cadet Lawman program end up working in law enforcement.

Move-In Day 2019 Proves Huge Success On Saturday, August 17, 2019, more than 200 students from across the nation, and even some international students, moved into the dorms on Connors State College’s Warner campus.

“Move-in day is always such a great time,” said Rochelle Vanover, CSC student activities coordinator.

“Students make this campus come alive and it’s so great to see new friendships being made from the start. I always love the level of excitement from both the students and their families.”

Throughout the fall semester, there are several activities for students to be involved in. Some of the activities include movie nights in the pool, tie-dyeing pillow cases,

and even a block party. When not at a scheduled activity, many students can be found in Millers Crossing clubhouse playing pool, ping-pong, foosball, or even swimming.

“The move-in day process was able to start earlier than planned, and all residents were processed before the official end of the day,” said Mike Jackson, CSC dean of students. “Due to assistance by the First Baptist Church and their volunteers, as well as the support of many others, the majority of all students were able to be in their rooms before 3:00 p.m.

We very much appreciate everyone’s help.”

Students started checking in before 8 a.m., gathering information they needed to begin their college

experience. With help from the volunteers, they enjoyed a stressfree afternoon moving into their dorms. Many students and families enjoyed dinner in the cafeteria before saying their good-byes.

“Move-in day went well, and although I’m sad to be away from my family, it makes it so much easier with how kind and helpful everyone is,” said Kenzie Green, CSC freshman. “I’m so excited for these next two years as a Connors State student.”

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ATHLETICS

Connors’ Walden Wins IFYR in Barrel Racing Trisha Walden of Wister pulled off a majestic rally, culminating in the barrel racing championship at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee on July 12.

“It’s been a goal and a dream and

now it’s come true. I can’t thank God enough,” Walden said.

Walden, who had the ninth-best time out of 219 riders in the first go-round at 16.583 seconds, entered the finals fourth with a total

time of 32.996 seconds.

In the short go, she crossed the barrier in 16.322 seconds, the second-fastest time of the short round.

Since the order of that round was reverse of the top 15 qualifiers, she had to watch three competitors run after her. Walden believed that order worked in her favor.

Each of them came up short and Walden’s total time of 49.318 seconds beat runner-up Hailey Jo Perkins of Kountze, Texas, by 0.068 seconds.

The top five barrel racing averages were separated by less than a tenth of a second.

Also that week, she competed in the Junior American Qualifier in Shawnee, making the top four in barrel racing. The top 10 in that event qualified for the RFD TV American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, in March.

Article pulled from the Poteau Daily News

CSC Show Team Success at Empire State Fair The CSC Livestock Show Team was awarded a grand champion banner at their first show of the season at the Ozark Empire Fair on August 3, in Springfield, Mo. Connors State College heifer #16 named “Peaches” placed first in her class; won her division and was selected Grand Champion Female at the Ozark Empire Fair. CSC Show Team sophomore, Abbi Walker, of Huntsville, Ark., exhibited the heifer in the show ring. “Peaches” was also named the Best of Polled Female in the Santa Gertrudis breed show.

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CSC Show Team was awarded the Best of Polled Bull in the show with CSC Bull #20.

CSC Heifer #29, named “PJ” placed third in class and was shown by sophomore Paige Hoover, of Sapulpa, Okla. Cow/calf pair, CSC “Paula” and calf, “Double Shot”, placed second in class and was exhibited by sophomore Taylynn Williamson, of Dade City, Florida, and sophomore Emily Remmington, of Jennings, Okla. CSC #12 Bull placed third in class and was shown

by Hoover. CSC Bull #20 placed

second in class and was shown by Remmington. CSC Bull #20, Heifer #29, and Heifer #16 were exhibited as a set and were named Champion Get of Sire.

The CSC Show Team raises, trains and exhibits cattle from the CSC teaching farm and livestock herds.

This is the beginning of the show season for the team. Freshman members of the team will begin exhibiting later this fall. The team is coached by Larry McFarland.

17 Connors State College Students Named All-Americans Connors State College was fortunate enough to have 17 All-American athletes this past season. Students honored were from men’s baseball, women’s basketball, and women’s softball. The students honored for baseball were Alexander Seelman,

Andres Gonzalez, Braden Calico, Connor O’Malley, David Mendham, Garrett Meidl, Jack Liddell, James Roe, Michael Coletta, and Nicholas Hain.

Connors State Women’s Basketball honorees were Melina Ludlow, Kimberly Motley, and Cheyenne

Marshall. CSC softball players recognized were Breanna Simmons, Haley Castle, Maylin Hladik, and Nicki Freeman. Connors State College extends our congratulations to these individuals and wishes them the best of luck throughout their careers.

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CAMPUS LIFE Back to School Activities

Students have the opportunity to participate in several back to school activities through the first two weeks of school. Some of those include a back to school dance, a bowling night in Checotah, and a block party hosted in Cowboy Square on the Warner Campus.

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Students also can participate in any of the activities that are available during the day in between classes. We host a number of activities such as tie-dyeing, open mic night in the Fine Arts Building, popcicles by the pool, movie night in the pool, and blood drives. We encourage students to get involved in many things throughout their college experience on Connors State Campus. The staff hosts many events throughout the year for students to network and mingle with those they live by in the dorms and those who commute. “Club Rush� is an event hosted by Campus Life that gives students the opportunity to find a club to become involved with while on campus at Connors.

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE

700 College Road | Warner, OK 74469

Students walking to their classes on the first day of school for the fall 2019 semester.

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