CONNECTION A Publication of Connors State College
January 2023
Connors State College Students Spread Holiday Cheer in Local Parades
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
CONNORS STATE COLLEGE WARNER CAMPUS 700 COLLEGE ROAD WARNER, OK 74469 THREE RIVERS PORT CAMPUS 2501 N 41st St. E MUSKOGEE, OK 74403
January 2023
FEATURE
Connors State College Students Spread Holiday Cheer in Local Parades
CAMPUS LIFE
CSC Faculty & Staff Celebrate Annual Week of Wonder Campus Life Hosts Annual Fall Community Concert Fall Bull Sale A Success
ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Chris McBeath VICE PRESIDENT FOR FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis
EDUCATION
Connors State Nursing Program Celebrates the Pinning of Graduates
SPOTLIGHTS
Student Spotlight: Blakelee Pugh Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Reasnor (‘15) In Memoriam: Regent Jarold Callahan
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ATHLETICS
Coach Muse Honored by CSC NAACP CSC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Find Success in the Fall Connors State Baseball Continues Program Tradition; Takes Part in Operation Christmas Child CSC STUNT to Host Competition February 1st
CONNECTION CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Krystle Lane Derotha Rivenbark Matthew Harmon Sierra Spencer Reagan Robinson Clint Maxcey Bill Muse Perry Keith Stetson May Jamie Fisher Rev. Carneta Cooper
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Cover Photo: Connors State Students Walk in Muskogee Christmas Parade
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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, nation 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 by Connors State College as authorized by the Director of College & 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.
FEATURE
Connors State College Students Spread Holiday Cheer in Local Parades The festive spirit was alive and well as Connors State College students came together to participate in not one, but two holiday parades during the season. The Warner Annual Christmas Parade and the annual Muskogee Christmas Parade became vibrant showcases of community unity, with members from various groups joining in the celebrations. Students from CSC's various athletic programs, President’s Leadership Class, Cheer & Dance, Agriculture Division, Student Government Association, Faculty, and Staff added a touch of holiday magic as they walked in both parades. The diverse representation highlighted the collective spirit of the Connors State College community, bringing together different departments and organizations for a common cause – spreading joy during the holiday season.
The parades provided an opportunity for students to engage with the local community, sharing smiles, waves, and holiday greetings along the parade routes. The festive atmosphere was palpable as participants adorned with holiday-themed attire and decorations brought a sense of celebration to onlookers. “It's wonderful to see our students actively participating and bringing the holiday spirit to our local communities. The parades allowed us to come together, showcase our unity, and share in the joy of the season," remarked Matthew Harmon, Communications Coordinator at CSC. Connors State College students' involvement in these parades exemplifies their commitment to fostering connections and spreading holiday cheer beyond the campus walls.
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CAMPUS LIFE
CSC Faculty & Staff Celebrate Annual Week of Wonder The Connors State CSRA Committee organized its annual Week of Wonder, a week-long team-building event for faculty, staff, and student workers. Each day featured different holiday-themed activities, fostering a spirited atmosphere on campus. Monday kicked off with a campus-wide bingo game via email, followed by a movie and song trivia game on Tuesday. Midweek, participants engaged in a Gingerbread House contest wearing CSC spirit attire. Thursday brought Christmas attire, with CSRA 'elves' playing games with faculty and staff door to door.
The week concluded on Friday with the "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Bash," where attendees wore 50s/60s-themed attire. The Christmas reception featured door prizes, adding excitement to the celebration. The Connors State CSRA Committee's Week of Wonder created a festive and community-building experience for all participants, fostering shared moments and holiday spirit on campus.
Campus Life Hosts Annual Fall Community Concert Once again this year, CSC hosted its annual Fall Concert. This annual event is an opportunity for members of the Connors State community to showcase their musical abilities, and just have fun planning and participating in the event. While the program relies solely on volunteers to perform, the program has seen steady growth over the past few years. The program has grown to include members of CSC’s faculty & staff, current
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and former students, as well as highschool students from the local area as well. The concert is free for those who attend and takes place on the Warner Campus in the Fine Arts Building. To learn more about the Connors State Music Program, you may contact Dean of Students, Jake Lawson.
CAMPUS LIFE
Connors State College Celebrates Successful BiAnnual Bull Sale Connors State College's Division of Agriculture recently held its highly awaited Fall Bull Sale on November 30, 2023, showcasing a diverse selection of Simmental, Angus, and Red Angus bulls. Connors State College's Division of Agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the local agricultural industry. The bi-annual bull sale serves as a valuable platform for breeders and buyers to connect, showcasing the college's dedication to advancing agriculture education and industry engagement, while also providing students with a hands-on learning experience.
The sale saw the successful auctioning of 23 bulls, with an impressive average sale price of $3,734.78. The sale’s top bull fetched a price of $5,700. The grand total of sales reached $85,900, reflecting the quality of the bulls offered. The Division of Agriculture will be hosting its annual Spring Bull Sale on April 11, 2024. For more information regarding the sale, visit connorsstate.edu/agri-bull-test.
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EDUCATION
Connors State Nursing Program Celebrates the Pinning of Graduates Connors State College proudly announces the pinning of its Nursing Program’s graduating class. With 50 graduates, this achievement signifies the college's commitment to producing highly skilled healthcare professionals and addressing the nursing shortage in Northeast Oklahoma. CSC's Nursing Program has a long-standing reputation for excellence in nursing education. The comprehensive curriculum, under the guidance of experienced nursing faculty, equips graduates with a robust skill set, blending theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical experience. The program's emphasis on clinical education, critical thinking, and compassionate patient care ensures graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the healthcare industry.
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"I'm very proud of this graduating class for their resilience and unwavering commitment," says Dr. Diana Mashburn, Director of Nursing & Allied Health at Connors State College. "They have triumphed over adversity, embracing change and navigating through stressful circumstances, emerging stronger than ever. I have full confidence that these graduates will bring compassion and excellence to the healthcare field. Additionally, I’d like to thank all of our dedicated faculty and staff. They have played a vital role in reaching this significant milestone."
SPOTLIGHTS Student Spotlight: Blakelee Pugh (Gore, OK) Blakelee Pugh, a sophomore from Gore, Oklahoma, has immersed herself in various roles and organizations at Connors State College. Majoring in animal science, Blakelee is not only dedicated to her academic pursuits but also actively involved in campus life. Her leadership roles include co-Vice President of the President's Leadership Class, treasurer of the Student Government Association, and secretary of Phi Theta Kappa. Additionally, she serves as an officer in Aggie Club, a member of the Cattle Women's Association, and part of the Ag Ambassadors. Blakelee's decision to attend Connors was influenced by family ties, as her Mom, Aunt, and cousins all shared the Connors experience. Reflecting on her time at CSC, Blakelee appreciates the welcoming
community and the opportunities available.
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After graduation in May, she plans to continue her education at Oklahoma State University and continue her pursuit of a future career as a veterinarian.
Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Reasnor (‘15) Kristin "Red" Reasnor, stands as a testament to athletic prowess and academic excellence. Red, as she is affectionately known, came to Connors in the Fall of 2013 to play softball for the Cowgirls. While at CSC, she numerous accolades and achievements, earning the Marucci Elite Hitter Award in her freshman season. In her sophomore year, she secured NJCAA first-team AllAmerican honors and showcased her versatility as a pitcher.
Mathematics, Red continued her success at Oklahoma State University, setting records in home runs and RBIs. Beyond athletics, her academic dedication earned her spots on the Big 12 All-Academic team and the 2017 Academic All-District team. Red's journey came full circle when she returned to Connors State as an assistant softball coach. After a few seasons at Connors as an assistant, she decided to utilize her mathematics degree in her new career as a teacher.
Completing her Associate of Science in
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SPOTLIGHTS
In the Fall of 2023, the Connors State College Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed Red into its prestigious ranks, recognizing her outstanding contributions to CSC athletics and beyond. Kristin "Red" Reasnor continues to inspire as an embodiment of determination, skill, and
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academic excellence for the Quinton High School and Connors State College communities.
Connors State College Mourns the Passing of Regent Jarold Callahan
SPOTLIGHTS
The Connors State community mourns the passing of Regent Jarold Callahan. His commitment to higher education across Oklahoma and the leadership he provided Connors and the Oklahoma A&M system will be greatly missed. Jarold was born on September 17, 1954, and grew up on a diversified family farm and cattle operation northwest of Welch, OK. He attended Welch High School, and continued his education at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before receiving his associate’s degree in 1974. There he was a member of the Livestock Judging team and would continue both his education and judging career at Oklahoma State University in ‘75. He then went on to receive a B.S. degree in Animal Science and graduated as one of the Top Ten Seniors in the College of Agriculture in 1976. He later received his Master’s Degree in Agriculture (Animal Science) from the University of Arkansas. Jarold coached the Livestock Judging team at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 1976 to 1982, where he also served as Chair of the Agriculture Division. Jarold served as an instructor and coached the Livestock Judging team at Oklahoma State University from 1982 to 1991, where he was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1990. He impacted the lives of many students through his coaching in his time
at both institutions. Later, Jarold served on the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents. “I’ve known Regent Callahan for nearly 40 years. He was a professor, my coach, a friend, a mentor, and later my boss. He was certainly someone of significance in my life and I will dearly miss the wisdom and guidance he afforded me. My heartfelt condolences go out to Jennifer and the rest of Regent Callahan’s family,” remarked Dr. Ronald Ramming, President of Connors State College.
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ATHLETICS
Coach Muse Receives Recognition from Connors State, Muskogee, & Oklahoma NAACP Chapters During halftime of a recent Connors State men’s basketball game, Cowboys Head Coach Bill Muse received recognition from the Connors State College, Muskogee, and Oklahoma NAACP chapters. The honor applauded Muse's support for black student-athletes and his active support of campus NAACP initiatives. “Coach Muse has always been a great supporter of black student-athletes and has supported the NAACP chapter on numerous occasions. He affords his athletes the time to be active members of NAACP and we also appreciate that very much,” remarked Rev. Carneta Cooper, advisor of CSC NAACP. In his time as head coach of the Cowboys,
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hundreds of athletes of color have come through the basketball program. “Coach Muse has his players backs, and that is a very important quality. He really looks after his players. When we speak with Coach Muse about issues or concerns, he has never shown any bias to us and has really wanted to make sure that his players are respected and heard. You can tell he truly has a desire to fight injustice when he sees it,” added Cooper.
ATHLETICS
CSC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Find Success in Fall Campaigns We are halfway through the 2023-2024 NJCAA basketball season and both the Cowboys and Cowgirls have found their fair share of success thus far. Through January 11th, the Cowboys sit at 15-1 (2-0) with their lone loss being a 104101 thriller in East Dallas. The team has found success all over the floor, leading the nation in field goal percentage (55.8). That could be in part due to the outstanding performances by their bigs Brayden Hubbard and Buddy Hammer. Hubbard, a returner from last year’s team, currently leads the team with 25.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Hammer, a standout freshman from Westville, has contributed straightaway for the Cowboys with averages of 15 ppg and 8.0 rpg. As for the Cowgirls, they have also had a
good start to life in ‘23-’24, going 14-2 (20) in the same time frame. The Cowgirls returned several contributors from last year’s team, including sophomores Haitiana Releford, Samantha Shanks, and Carrigan Hill. Releford leads the team in ppg (19.0), rpg (12.1), and steals per game (3.0). Shanks and Hill have been masterful conductors of the offense with averages of 7.7 and 5.6 assists per game respectively. The Cowgirls are one of the NJCAA’s most exciting teams, averaging the 4th most points per game in the nation. For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, follow the team’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. You can support the teams all season long in Melvin Self Fieldhouse with tip-off for every matchup starting at 5:30 pm.
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ATHLETICS
CSC STUNT to Host Competition in Melvin Self Fieldhouse on February 1st Connors State College is set to host an intercollegiate STUNT meet on February 1st, bringing together teams from Southern Nazarene University and Southern Arkansas University. College STUNT is a competitive team sport that combines elements of cheerleading and
gymnastics, focusing on skill and strategy in a head-to-head format. The meet will take place in Melvin Self Fieldhouse on the Warner Campus. It will begin at 2 pm and conclude around 8 pm. For more information, follow CSC Cheer & Dance on Facebook or Instagram.
Connors State Baseball Continues Program Tradition; Takes Part in Operation Christmas Child The Connors State College baseball team continued its tradition of giving back this December by participating in Operation Christmas Child. The team collaborated to pack boxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need around the world.
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The team highlighted the importance of spreading joy and making a positive impact during the holiday season. The players, coaches, and support staff worked together to contribute to the global initiative, emphasizing their commitment to community engagement.
PHOTOS
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PHOTOS
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PHOTOS
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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE ROAD WARNER, OK 74469
CSC recently celebrated the pinning of their latest class of nursing graduates on December 15th in Warner.