Connection: Volume 9, Number 1

A Publication of Connors State College

V O L U M E

9

N U M B E R

1

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

9 ,

N U M B E R

1

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

FEATURE

3

COMMUNITY

4

Fall Bull Sale • Student Driven Donations • Community Movie Night

COWBOY FAMILY

6

Meet Ramos, Noble, Quick and Walker • Holiday Season Festivities

Mike Lewis

CONNEC TI ON LAYOUT & DESIGN Zadie McElhaney CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Janet Wansick

Cindy Anderson Wayne Bunch Emma Long Zadie McElhaney Rochelle Vanover

EDUCATION

ATHLETICS

CAMPUS LIFE

10 12

15

Christmas Parades

Nursing Pinning Ceremony •PTA Pinning Ceremony Cowboy Basketball • Cowgirl Basketball • Alumni and Friends Versatility Ranch Horse Show and Timed Event Rodeo

Campus Life Photos

SOCIAL

MEDIA

#CONNORSSTATE

facebook.com/ connorsstate

twitter.com/ connorsstate

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.

2

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

FEATURE CSC Students Spread Cheer in Local Christmas Parades On Saturday, December 1, 2018, Connors State College Student Activities and President’s Leadership Class participated in the annual Checotah Christmas Parade.

The students rode in the bed of a pickup truck and passed out candy and greeted those in attendance.

Connors State College also participated in the Muskogee Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Connors State was among more than 100 participating floats with their float “Joy To The World”, with A Charlie Brown Christmas theme.

Student Activities Coordinator and PLC advisor, Rochelle Vanover, led the concept, design and creation of this year’s float.

Along with the students, Dr. Ron Ramming, president of Connors State College and Vanover lead the procession representing the college.

“For this year’s float, we put in around 40 hours with buying and gathering materials, construction, and then lighting,” Vanover said. “It’s important for our students to be able to give back to the community.

Although this isn’t a true gift, bringing a smile to a child’s face at

Christmastime is something that our students enjoy seeing.”

The student’s enjoy building something that is entirely their product, she said.

“They come up with the design and then we gather the materials and with a little hard work, time, and several screws, zipties, and staples we make their design a reality.”

This year’s group was excited to bring A Charlie Brown Christmas to life because it is something they remember from their childhood and that other children are able to enjoy today, Vanover said.

CONNORS CONNECTION

3

COMMUNITY

Annual Fall Bull Sale Brings Excitement to Campus Connors State College hosted the annual Fall Performance Bull Test Sale on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

On sale day, cattle breeders and buyers from across the Midwest packed into the CSC sale facility – while others placed bids by phone call, while watching the sale live via Facebook.

Students from various teams and organizations such as, the Rodeo Team, Juding Team, Show Team,

4

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

Shooting Sports Team and the Agricultural Ambassadors helped on the day of the sale. The students helped sort the bulls, groom the bulls, take phone bids and serve lunch.

“The bull sale is a day of excitment for the whole campus,” said Zadie McElhaney, CSC’s Marketing and Communication Coordinator.

“I enjoyed taking photos of the attendees and publicizing the sale live via Facebook.”

The bulls on display sold for an average of $2,100 per head despite an uncertain beef cattle market.

Breeders from across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri put their bulls on test at Connors, where they are evaluated for growth performance, structural soundness, and fertility.

Contact Roger Morton at 918.577.

560 for more information, or to place a bull on test.

CSC Students, Faculty and Staff Find Time to Help Those in Need Amid final projects, activities and tests, Connors State College students, faculty and staff took time to support a variety of organizations and help those who were in need this holiday season.

From providing warm clothes in the cold weather to collecting gifts for

children, the Connors campuses were a buzz of holiday activity.

The Connors’ season of giving started with members of the Business Club collecting hats, umbrellas, gloves, socks, and scarfs to donate to homeless shelters.

The men’s baseball team provided

and packed enough gifts and toys for 22 boxes to be sent around the globe for Operation Christmas Child.

The Connors State Agricultural Ambassadors collected non-perishable food items that were distributed to food pantries in Okmulgee, Muskogee, and McIntosh Counties.

Student Government Association Sponsors Community Movie Night On November 27, 2018, Connors State Student Government Association hosted Community Movie Night in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Warner campus.

Admission was free to all members of the community and students on the Connors campus.

During the showing of Polar Express, hot chocolate and popcorn were passed around to all the attendees.

Jake Lawson, the SGA leader and Assistant Dean of Students, said, “The event had a great turnout. We hosted 75 community members and college

students for the showing.”

Lawson said the event was an exciting night that provided an opportunity for the Warner community and the CSC family to mingle and celebrate the holidays with one another.

CONNORS CONNECTION

5

COWBOY FAMILY Tina Taylor Ramos, Alumni Tina Taylor Ramos is a 1992 graduate of Vian High School, where she was an All-State basketball player and selected as an Oklahoma Super 5, one of the top 5 players in the state.

She started her collegiate career at Connors State College playing for coach Monte Madewell, and was named JUCO All- American. She is listed in the record books for the most rebounds in a single game with 25, and for the individual and season rebound average of 11.15 and 12.5 respectively.

In 1995, she transferred to the University of Oklahoma playing for both Burl Plunkett and Sheri Coale.

Ramos was selected for the St. John’s Redstorm All-Tournament Team and was named to the Big 12 Honorable Mention Team and a nominee for Big 12 Player of the Year. At the

University of Oklahoma, she holds 5th in the record books for the rebound average with 8.0 r.p.g., and 14th for minutes played with an average 28.0 minutes per game.

After graduating from OU, Ramos moved back to her hometown of Vian, where she teaches and coaches with husband, former Connors Cowboy baseball player, Albis Ramos. At Vian, Ramos teaches elementary physical education and health, coaches 5th grade girls and boys basketball in addition to junior high and high school girls track. In 2008, she coached her high school track team to a 3A State Championship, a feat that had not been achieved since Ramos herself ran in 1990. She was also selected as the NFHS Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2008 for the state of Oklahoma.

She and Albis have been married for 19 years and have 2 sons, Javier and Diego.

Colleen Noble, Staff Colleen Noble, the Director of the Connors Native American Success and Cultural Center (NASCC) and an Academic Advisor, was born in an Air Force hospital in Weisbaden, Germany. Noble, who now resides in Muskogee, Oklahoma, is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.

Noble lives in Muskogee with her husband, Darryl Noble, who she has been married to for 12 years.

As the Director for the NASCC, she has had the opportunity to develop an art collection featuring traditional and contemporary artwork.

“I loved the experience of being able to put together the collection,” she said. “The majority of the artwork is located in the NASCC and other pieces

6

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

are located in the Warner library and the Rotunda in the Garner Science Building in Muskogee.”

Noble said she has now been a member of the Cowboy family for 10 years. She said she enjoys working with students and guiding them through the college experience.

“Connors is a great fit for my goals and ideas,” Noble said. “While working at Connors, I have been blessed to watch students excel and achieve their dreams. It is always great to hear from former students and have them tell you that you are a part of their success.”

Noble said Connors gives all students the opportunity to achieve their educational dream of a college degree.

Sadie Quick, Student Sadie Quick is a freshman at Connors State College from Stigler, Oklahoma. Quick lives on campus, is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, and is a student employee in the CSC Human Resources Department.

Quick graduated from Stigler High School in May of 2018 where she was the class Salutatorian and was picked for the Who’s Who Senior Class Pick of Peers.

At the age of 10 Quick was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.

As a child, Quick aspired to become a teacher, but has since decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist.

Quick said she would love to help others who have also been diagnosed with diabetes. Quick said she believes a career in pharmacy will allow her that opportunity.

Quick said she has not let her diabetes stop her from pursuing her

dreams.

“I am a member of the Stigler Church of Christ and my favorite Bible verse has always been Romans 8:18, ‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us,’ ” she said.

After Connors, Quick plans to attend Northeastern State University to finish prerequisites for pharmacy school.

“My mom, dad, and brother all graduated from Connors,” Quick said.

“Connors has provided me with not only awesome roommates and close friends, but also with the best bosses.

Growing up, I was always friends with my next door neighbor because I didn’t have any other options. Being at Connors, I have had the opportunity to develop friendships that I have created and not ones that were created for me.”

Sierra Walker, Faculty Sierra Walker graduated from Connors and then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and her master’s in international agriculture at Oklahoma State University.

Walker teaches Introduction to Natural Resources, Ecology of Natural Resources, Communications in Agriculture, Fundamentals of Soil Science, Food Science, Intro into Archery, and Intro in Agricultural Education. Walker is also the shotgun shooting sports coach, the co-advisor for Aggie Club, the advisor for Ducks Unlimited, and the advisor for Quail and Pheasant Forever.

“I absolutely love my co-workers in the CSC Division of Agriculture,” Walker said. “I also like how it feels

more like a family than just a place of business. The best part though is working with young adults and helping them gain the skills and knowledge that they will need in life.”

Walker said she grew up coming to the Connors campus for Be a Champ Cattle Camp and grew to appreciate the campus.

Walker said, “When I came to Connors to pursue my associates I fell in love with the college and the faculty and staff. When this position opened, I knew it was meant for me. I have a great passion for education, shooting sports, and Connors.”

Walker said she met her husband, Clayton Walker, when she was a student at Connors State and they have been married for almost 10

years.

“I have a 7 year old boy, Falcon Walker, who is rambunctious and loves animals and being outdoors as much as me,” she said. “ When I am not spending my time at Connors I am spending time on my little funny farm. “ CONNORS CONNECTION

7

Employees Participate in Holiday Season Festivities As the fall semester drew towards a close, the Connors State faculty and staff embraced the encroaching holiday season and participated in a festive Week of Wonder put on by members of the Week of Wonder committee.

The week’s events included a chili cook-off, door decorations, contests, surprise games, bingo, and a holiday brunch to wrap it all up.

This time was used as a way for faculty and staff to catch up and reflect on their past semester together, while embracing the holiday and enjoying a fun afternoon of food and festivities.

8

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

Cindy Anderson, CSC’s Executive Assistant, and Madison Ogden, a student employee in the executive office, were the winners of the door decorating contest with their Polar Express theme. Patty Webber, CSC’s Payroll Administrator, Nate Walker, CSC’s Director of Human Resources, Teresa Williams, CSC’s Human Resources Representative, and Sadie Quick, HR student employee, placed second in the door decorating contest with their Holiday on the Beach theme.

The Connor’s maintence crew won best dressed at the holiday brunch.

The crew also perfomed a skit to

Mariah Carey’s hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.

Albert Tucker, CSC’s Desktop Administrator, was the winner of the Chilli cook-off in Warner and Jody Butler was the winner in Muskogee.

Raven Remer, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and a member of the Week of Wonder committee, said, “I enjoy the camaraderie that the Week of Wonder gives to our CSC family. It’s a week where we can have a little bit of fun to conclude our fall semester, before we leave for the holiday break.”

CONNORS CONNECTION

9

EDUCATION CSC Celebrates the Graduation of Nurses Connors State College celebrated the graduation of 42 new nurses in a pinning ceremony held Dec. 7, 2018, on the Warner campus in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

The pinning ceremony signifies the nursing students’ official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. The ceremony is rich with symbolism; it is the right of passage which can be traced all the way back to the 12th century.

Sandra Watson, the Connors Interim Division Chair for Nursing and Allied

10

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

Health, said, “This was the largest group we have had in several years because it included both career ladder students and traditional students.

This is exciting for our community because the projected need for nurses in Oklahoma exceeds the current capacity of the schools in Oklahoma.”

The graduates were: Jae Armstrong; Ashley Belcher; Angela Bosserman; Ashlinne Callahan; Lindsay Cates; Rylan Davenport; Allison Davis; Lauren Dvorak; Kaitlyn Fleetwood; Kylee Jones; Makinze Kannady;

Chloe Linn; Leyla McCarter; Amanda Mauldin; Hailie Nealis; Lacee Norvell; Eric Peterson; Alyssa Price; Brandon L. Reich; Rachael Ridgeway; Alicia Rosson; Sydnie Rosson; MacKenzie Sells; Lacee Shade; Aubrae Sharp; Michael White; Dusti Asbill; Brittany Barnes; Cathy Burnett; Stanley Ray Collins; Brittany Cowart; Esther Delacerda; Erica Dudzik; Holly Dunham; Irina Green; Eric McKinney; Jessica McKinney; Shannon Scott; Angie Smith; Brandy Smith; Beth Storts; and Ashlee Whisenhunt.

Connors Holds First PTA Pinning Ceremony Connors State College in cooperation with Indian Capital Technology Center held the very first pinning ceremony for 15 graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Muskogee ICTC. The pinning ceremony, followed by a reception, recognizes the accomplishments of the graduates, following clinical and coursework completion.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program helps students gain the

skills needed to help individuals regain physical function and improve mobility under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Sarah Foster, the PTA Program Director, said,” Eleven out of 15 students had jobs lined up before they graduated. Seeing that so many of our students were offered jobs through their clinical placements was wonderful. It made me proud as the program director to know that they were representing the school and the

program so well.”

Seeing the joy on the students’ faces at graduation and knowing how hard they’ve worked for months was very rewarding, Foster said.

The graduates were: Rachel Baker; Jessie Bliss; Ashley Cloud; Brody Enkey; Chelsi Gorman; Savanna Hallum; Ciera Harper; Sydnee Huber; Mandi Jones; Haley Jones; Bailey King; Kali Romine-Andrews; Tori Singler; Hope VanOrsdol; and Ty Whitebird.

CONNORS CONNECTION

11

ATHLETICS Cowboys Sweep Redlands Community College Connors State Cowboys had no trouble with visiting Redlands Community College at the Melvin Self Fieldhouse bouncing back from a disappointing loss to Eastern State to take a dominating 100-68 victory over the Cougars.

It was the eighth time this season in which the Cowboys surpassed the 100-point mark.

“Second semester we are still trying to find ourselves’” said Cowboys head coach Bill Muse. “We are trying to get our backcourt solidified. I thought they played a lot better tonight.

“I thought (Burke) Putnam played

really, really well. He played under control and scored when we needed it.

“I was really proud of the improvement they made from the game against Eastern State” said Muse.

The Cowboys improve to 14-3 on the year and 3-1 in Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The Cowboys held a comfortable 45-27 advantage at the half and stretched it to 36 points 100-64, the largest lead of the night, with 1:24 remaining when the Cougars were hit with a double technical foul.

Callon Haydon drained 3-of-4 foul shots to put the Cowboys at the century mark.

Connors had five players score in double figures led by Burke Putnam’s 23 points followed by Isaiah Jones’ 20-point production.

Jordan Graham came off the bench to pour home 19, with Tyress Sidberry adding 11, and Terrance Jones 10.

“I thought Graham did a great job tonight and (Isaiah) Jones is a load inside. If he keeps developing we will have a lot of different weapons,” said Muse.

Cowgirls Capture Conference Victory Connors State Cowgirls rallied from a 12-point deficit early in the third quarter to overtake visiting Redlands Community College at the Melvin Self Fieldhouse to capture an impressive 64-55 Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference victory.

Cowgirls will land a 3-1 OCAC record while the loss drops Redlands to 1-3 in conference play.

“We didn’t play the first half very

12

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

strong, but I told them in the locker room that the first five minutes of the second half would determine the game,” said Cowgirls head coach Jamie Fisher.

“We played excellent defense the second half and everyone did their part. We came back into it playing really well. We controlled the boards and scored inside the paint by penetrating the lane.

“We had four girls score in double figures and when we do that we are tough to handle,” said Fisher.

Cowgirls had four players score in double figures, led by Shaniqua Patterson’s 18 points with Sadie Carter adding 15, while Vicky Duru and Aniya Webster scored 13 each.

The Cowgirls are now 11-5 for the 2018-2019 basketball season.

CONNORS CONNECTION

13

Connors Hosts Successful Alumni and Friends Versatility Ranch Horse Show and Timed Event Rodeo Connors State College equine and rodeo programs recently hosted two competitions – the Alumni & Friends Versatility Ranch Horse Show and a Timed Event Rodeo, which were open for entry to students, alumni, friends and the public.

The annual Timed Event Rodeo, held Friday, November 16 and 17, had 181 entries competing in breakaway roping, calf roping, steer wrestling,

14

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1

barrel racing and team roping. Among those entries were current and former students, alumni and friends. Gate admission reflects an excess of 700 in attendance.

Prizes for first through fourth place included horse blankets, buckets, hay bags, ropes, money and more.

Sponsors of this year’s Alumni & Friends Versatility Ranch Horse Show and Timed Event Rodeo were: RSM

Farm Supply; Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association; Animal Medical Clinic of Muskogee; Jim & Yevonne Loftin; Bob & Vicki Mouser; Jerry & Linda Shoemake; 4F Ranch (Jerry Fowler); DC Metal Fab of Warner; Dr. Gary & Cindy UpDyke; Mark & Kay Calavan; Randy UpShaw; and Glover Vet Services.

CAMPUS LIFE

CONNORS CONNECTION

15

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

16

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 1