January2025
A L U M N I
NEWSLETTER
Welcome to our updated alumni newsletter! We are thrilled to share with you the latest developments at Connors State College as we build futures one at a time and make a positive impact in our community.
Athletic Updates
The basketball season is well underway, and both the Cowgirls (4-12) and the Cowboys (13-2) are in the heart of conference play. Melvin Self Fieldhouse is an exciting place when the Cowboys and Cowgirls are battling on the court, vying for a spot in the Region II playoffs. The Region II Tournament will be played in March with all remaining games being important conference games for both the Cowgirls and Cowboys. Most of you know by now that we lost our dear friend and former employee, Connie Muse, in December. Connie was the wife of Head Coach Bill Muse and the mother of Assistant Coach Bill Muse Jr. In true Cowboy Spirit, the Orange Nation filled the gym on January 6th to honor “Momma Muse”. The players are dedicating this season to her by wearing a patch with her initials on their jerseys. Cowgirls tip off each night at 5:30 followed by the Cowboys at 7:30. The January 25th game times will be 1:00 and 3:00. The Cowgirls and Cowboys would like to ask for your support as they work hard to finish the season strong.
Stay up to date with schedule, results and news: https://connorsathletics.com/
The Connors State College Baseball and Softball teams are itching for February to get here. Both teams had an amazing 2024 season and are eager to get the 2025 season started. Head Coach, Perry Keith enters his 39th season of guiding the Cowboys, while Cowgirls Head Coach Bobby Foreman is beginning his 3rd with the program. The Cowboys ended the 2024 season with an overall record of 51-9. They open the 2025 season at home, February 3rd against the eagles of Ozarks. The Cowgirls ended their 2024 season with a record of 29-36 and they will open their 2025 Season on the road in Bartlesville on February 1st against the eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan. They hope to see you in the stands!
Agriculture News
Archery Team
The Archery Team was very successful at the 2025 USA Archery Oklahoma State & JOAD Indoor Championship. Results for Connors State College Collegiate Archery Team were as follows:
Collegiate Barebow Women: Corie Barnes - 1st Ciera Dunn - 2nd Melanie Box - 3rd
Collegiate Compound – Colton Ingersoll – 1st
Livestock Judging Team
The Judging Team has been on the road competing at the Cattleman’s Congress in Oklahoma City and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The team put together a strong performance! The results are as follows:
Cattleman’s Congress
9th High Team
Arden Pittman – 9th High Individual Overall
National Western
6th High Team Overall
2nd High Team Sheep/Goats
Peyton Dugan tied 10th Sheep/Goats
Wyatt Jackson tied 10th Sheep/Goats
Show Team
The Show Team has been on the road for most of January showing the Connors State College Santa Gertrudis cattle. They traveled to Oklahoma City for the Cattlemen's Congress and to the Fort Worth Stock Show in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Corie Barnes
Colton Ingersoll
Shotgun Sports
The Shotgun Sports Team is busy preparing for their annual Quail and Pheasant Forever Banquet which is on February 21, 2025.
Meat Judging Team
The Meat Judging Team has been busy in January. They went on their first road trip to the Texas Tech mock contest. The team got to experience and workout at Tyson Amarillo, West Texas A&M, Cargill Friona, and Texas Tech University. Texas Tech hosted the mock contest where Nathan Melton was able to crack into the top ten in Beef Grading with a 9th place finish out of 40 competitors. Their first national contest was at the National Westen Stock Show in Denver where Nathan Melton was 7th overall in beef judging.
Rodeo Team
The Connors State College Equine Field Day will be February 7, 2025, at the Fred Williams Indoor Arena. The primary audience is 4H & FFA members, but it is open to other youth horse kids as well.
For More information:
Debby Golden, Division Chair goldend@connorsstate.edu
Jake Walker, Ag Instructor Head Rodeo Coach jake.walker@connorsstate
Daniel Lujan, Ag Instructor, Livestock Judging Daniel.lujan@connorsstate.edu
Stetson May, Show Team Coach, College Farm Stetson.may@connorsstate.edu
Johnny King, Archery Coach, john.king10@connorsstate.edu
Chris Driskill, Shotgun Coach, chris.driskill@connorsstate.edu
Connors State Campus News
Chloe Silka, a freshman at Connors State College who is on the Livestock Judging Team and part of the President’s Leadership Class, has been selected to represent Connors at the George and Donna Nigh Leadership Academy held annually in Oklahoma City. Every year, each participating in a higher education institution selects one student from their campus to attend the Academy. Students nominated for this award must have strong leadership qualities, high academic achievement, and strong community involvement. This is a five-day Leadership Academy that provides an intense mixture of personal development sessions on expanding personal skills and understanding of leadership. The Academy is designed to provide opportunities to outstanding students who are preparing for careers in public service.
Community Christmas Parades
Connors State participated in the Warner and Muskogee Community Christmas Parades CSC strives to be involved in both communities and engage our students in various activities. Students from several programs including PLC, SGA, Cheer, and student activities dispersed candy and greeted the onlookers with Holiday Cheer. The Warner Parade was held on Saturday, December 7, and Monday December 16 in Muskogee.
Connors State - Virtual during Winter Storm.
On January 10, Connors State campuses were physically closed due to inclement weather, but offices remained open for business due to continued updates in technology. Classes were not in session, but many students were already on campus and could carry on appointments with advisors, financial aid staff, and other campus offices through various means. Connors State continues to look for ways to best serve our students.
Alumni Spotlight: Valentino and Agnes Synar (1946-1947)
While attending Connors State College, Valentino “Val” Synar, met Agnes Abbott, sparking a romance that was briefly interrupted when Val served in Japan after WWII. Agnes, a standout athlete, played on the college’s first women’s basketball team in 1946, becoming the season’s top scorer. She also excelled as class secretary-treasurer, homecoming queen, and student council member, graduating in 1947 with a degree in Commerce. The couple married in 1948 and built a life rooted in agriculture. Val earned degrees in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma A&M College (now OSU) and worked extensively in livestock and ranching. Together, they ran a ranch near Oologah, Oklahoma, and operated “The Cow Palace,” now the Tulsa Stockyards. Agnes shared her expertise through the OSU Home Economics Extension Service, teaching homemaking, crafting, and culinary skills. After Val’s passing in 2018, Agnes continued to live on their ranch until her death in 2021 at age 92. Their story reflects a legacy of commitment to education, agriculture, and Connors State College. Source: Diana Dickinson, family friend and caretaker of Agnes Synar
Softball Pie Auction and World Series Ring Presentation
The Softball program hosted their annual pie auction and fundraiser on Saturday, January 11. The 2024 World Series Team was presented with their World Series Rings. Many Alumni, family, and friends were in attendance.
(2024 Cowgirl World Series Team with Coaching Staff and President Ramming) Annual Opening Day Baseball Bash
Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Friends and Family gather the last Saturday in January every year to celebrate the Baseball program. The “Opening Day Bash” recognizes the current students and their achievements, honors tradition, reconnects with Alumni, and raises money to help support the current program.
(Darin Daniels 2021 Alum, Debby Salmon CSC Alum, Chase Hudson 2022 Alum, Matt Weber 2021 Alum, Aaron Hosack 2022 Alum, Angie Lane CSC Alum and Current CSC Bursar)
Alumni Recruitment Drive
CSC alumni volunteers are hosting a booth at community events to recruit new members for the Alumni Association. Know of an event that would be a great fit? Contact Dr. Lori Palmer at lori.palmer@connorsstate.edu.
New Alumni Webpage Launching Soon
The new alumni webpage will feature past newsletters, alumni interviews, event updates, benefits, and more. Stay tuned for the official launch!
Alumni Interview Project
The Ogdon Family Museum Alumni Interview Project is digitally preserving the stories of our alumni, students, and faculty. Interested in sharing your Connors experience or recommending someone for an interview? Contact Dr. Lori Palmer at lori.palmer@connorsstate.edu.
Upcoming Alumni Events
• Equine Field Days-Feb. 7, 8am Fred Williams Indoor Arena
• Quail and Pheasant Shooting Sports Banquet, Feb. 28, 6pm Student Union**UPDATED DATE**
• Rodeo and Equine Alumni Banquet and Fundraiser-March 29, 6pm Student Union
• 78th Annual Aggie Day – April 3, All Day, on campus
• CSC Masters Collegiate Judging Competition, Fred Williams Indoor Arena
• CSC Baseball at Tulsa Drillers Stadium: Join us on April 14, 2024, as the Cowboys face off against NEO.
• CSC Softball Vs. NEO: April 24, OSU Cowgirl Softball Facility-Stillwater, OK
• CSC Graduation-May 9, 7pm-Rougher Village, Muskogee, OK
• Gator Giveaway, -May 10, 6pm
• Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet/Fundraiser: This event is moving to fall 2025. Stay tuned for more details!
Be on the Lookout for our First Annual Alumni Celebration and Fundraising Gala Fall 2025.
This event will include Dinner, Alumni HOF inductions, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Music, dancing, funs, and games. This will be a great opportunity for Alumni to reconnect with friends and celebrate their legacy at Connors State College. More details to Follow
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Connors State Podcast
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Connors Connection
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CSC Alumni Newsletter Contributors
Angie Lane, CSC Bursar, lanea@connorsstate.edu Athletics
Debra Mullen, Adjunct Instructor/Club Sponsor, Deborah.mullen@okstate.edu Agriculture
Dr. Lori Palmer, Academic Division Chair, lori.palmer@connorsstate.edu Alumni News
Brandy McElyea, CSC Foundation, brandy.mcelyea@connorsstate.edu Contributor
Callie Connolly, Business Instructor, callie.connolly@okstate.edu Contributor
Jake Lawson, VP for Student Affairs, Jacob.lawson@connorsstate.edu Campus Events
Special Thanks to CSC IT and CSC Marketing for their continued support!