SE Oklahoma Legislative Tour
Representatves from ECU and other Southeast Oklahoma universites joined state legislators to discuss the future of higher educaton and its impact on Oklahoma’s economy and workforce.
The event featured remarks from students and state ofcials, such as the current Speaker of the House of Representatves, Kyle Hilbert, and Representatve Ronny Johns, as well as other senators and representatves.
For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/ news.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 4
- Women's Basketball VS Southern Nazarene University, 1 p.m.
- Men's Basketball VS Southern Nazarene University, 3 p.m.
Jan. 10
- Winter Intersession Ends
Dec. 16
- Women's Basketball VS Arkansas Tech University, 5:30 p.m.
- Men's Basketball VS Arkansas Tech University, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18
- Women's Basketball VS Harding University, 1 p.m.
- Men's Basketball VS Harding University, 3 p.m.
Jan. 20
- Martn Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 21
- Full semester (SP25) begins; SP 25 Term A begins
Jan. 22
- NASA's Pow Wow Night 6 p.m.
Jan. 23
- Women's Basketball VS SOSU, 5:30 p.m.
- Men's Basketball VS SOSU, 7:30 p.m.
Professors save students $140K in textbook costs
ECU recieves grant from OH
Faculty members at ECU are leading Oklahoma in providing no-cost instructonal materials to students through Open Educatonal Resources, or OERs.
OERs are teaching, learning and research materials that are freely available to access, revise, and adapt under an open license.
For more information, visit ecok.edu/news.
ECU has been named the recipient of a $3,615 grant from Oklahoma Humanites. The grant will be used to assist in funding a presentaton of the Killing the Negatve exhibit on the ECU campus in the spring.
For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news.
ECU recently hosted their 104th Interscholastc Meet. Students from 35 diferent high schools took part in more than 20 available test optons, ranging from Shakespeare to Accountng.
For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news.
Sanchez named Director of Alumni Relatons
Jessica Sanchez has been named Director of Alumni Relatons for ECU, a positon that focuses on outreach, networking, communicatons and general support between alumni and graduates through a variety of events and fundraisers, among many other responsibilites. Sanchez begins her new role in Janaury. For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news.
SoN Pinning Ceremony
ECU School of Nursing held their annual SoN Pinning Ceremony in Dec. with students, staf/faculty and families in atendance.
History professor publishes frst book
Dr. Elisabeth Davis has announced the publicaton of her frst book, “Catholic Sisters, Narratves of Authority, and the Natve American Boarding Schools, 1847-1918.” Davis’ book comes afer a series of artcles she published on the Natve American Boarding Schools, both the Carlisle Indian Industrial School as well as schools run by Catholics. For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news
Alpha Chi Inducton Honors Showcase
Alpha Chi Inducton was held in Dec. to recognize students for their academic acheivement and their inducton into the Alpha Chi Natonal Honor Society
Members of ECU's Honor Society were given the oppurtunity to present their Honor's projects before an eager audience.
For more photos, visit www.ecok.edu/photo-galleries
Annual City of Ada tree lighting
ECU Family Christmas party!
Esports takes natonals
ECU Tiger Esports recently made history when their League of Legends team competed and won the Natonal Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Division 7 Natonal Championship. ECU was represented by Chris Barker of Ada, Jesse Barker of Ada, Allie Mabry of Ada, Breckin Guevara of Tulsa and Dakota Cao of Pensacola, Fla. For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news.
ECU hosts OSSAA playofs
ECU recently served as the host site for an Oklahoma School Actvites Associaton (OSSAA) football Class 4A semi-fnal. Elgin High School beat Wagoner High school to proceed to the state fnals. The game took place in the Koi Ishto stadium, bringing hundreds of visitors to ECU and Ada.
2025 ECU Athletcs Hall of Fame
Tickets are available for the 2025 ECU Athletcs Hall of Fame Banquet.
The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees include Erin Curry (Sofball – Student-Athlete), Terry Babbit (Football –Student-Athlete), Phil Johnson (Men's Basketball – Distnguished Coach), Chris Snowden (Distnguished Service), and Tyler Gillum (Baseball – Distnguished Athletc Alumni). In additon, ECU will honor the 1989 ECU Men's Basketball NAIA Natonal Runner-Up team, who will be inducted as Tiger greats.
The formal inducton ceremony will take place on Friday, January 24, at the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center. The evening will begin with a social beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:00 p.m. For more informaton, or to purchase tckets, visit ecutgers.com.
The Clinic, ECU partner on student health care
Beginning in the Spring 2025 semester, The Clinic now serves ECU students at its new locaton inside the Memorial Student Union building on the ECU campus.
The Clinic’s ECU ofce is stafed by Kyndel Dillard, PA-C, a primary care provider and graduate of the university.
For more informaton, visit ecok. edu
ECU recently hosted an event to discuss the future of the university during the constructon of the Dan Hays STEM Center and plans for more renovatons, improvements, and advancements going forward.
ECU Forward gave those in atendance an oppurtunity to glimpse the campaigns three primary focuses, which include; faculty and staf support, student scholarship and experience support, and campus improvements such as housing expansions, renovatons for fne arts facilites, upgrades for athletc facilites and the constructon of the Dan Hays STEM Center.
For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/ news.
ECU has been ranked #3 by College Consensus on their “10 Best Online Counseling Bachelor’s Degree Programs” list.
For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/ news
Feb. 3
- Author Talk, 3:30 p.m.
- Last Day to Drop 16-W courses with 100% refund
Feb. 4
- Baseball vs. Rogers State, 1 p.m.
- Paws and Relax, 2 p.m.
Feb. 5
- ECU Blood Drive, 10 a.m.
Feb. 6
- ECU Blood Drive, 10 a.m.
- Women's Basketball vs. Southern Arkansas, 5:30 p.m.
- Men's Basketball vs. Southern Arkansas, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8
- Women's Basketball vs. Arkansas at Montcello, 1 p.m.
- Men's Basketball vs. Arkansas at Montcello, 3 p.m.
Feb. 10
- Paws and Relax, 11 a.m.
Feb. 11
- Stckball, 4 p.m.
- Artrageous, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 12
- Dr. Walling's Book Talk, 3 p.m.
- Honors Program Interviews, 5 p.m.
Caring, Trustworthy & Committed to Excellence
Upcoming Events
Feb. 16
- Sofball vs. Southwestern College, 1 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Southwestern College, 3 p.m.
Feb. 18
- Sofball vs. Newman Univ., 1:30 p.m.
- Paws and Relax, 2 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Newman Univ. 3:30 p.m.
- ECU BAA Event, 6 p.m.
Feb. 19
- Killing the Negatve: A Conversaton in Art and Verse, 4 p.m.
Feb. 21
- Baseball vs. Ouachita Baptst, 2 p.m.
Feb. 22
- Baseball vs. Ouachita Baptst, 12 p.m.
- Baseball vs. Ouachita Baptst, 3 p.m.
Feb. 25
- Baseball vs. Southern Nazarene, 1 p.m.
- Kayla Ohlmer Artsts' Talk and Recepton, 4 p.m.
Feb. 26
- Paws and Relax, 5:10 p.m.
Feb. 27
- Last Day to withdraw from courses and recieve a W-grade
- Women's Basketball vs. Southwestern, 5:30 p.m.
- Business Leaders Associaton Meetng
- Men's Basketball vs. Southwestern, 7:30 p.m.
Chickasaw Appreciaton Night
Nursing White Coat Ceremony
The Money Game
Smash Event
ECU Athletcs recently hosted Chickasaw Appreciaton Night to honor the long-standing partnership between ECU and the Chickasaw Naton.
Chickasaw Naton Governor Bill Anoatubby was in attendance, along with many members of the Chickasaw Naton community.
ECU Nursing students ended January with the Spring 2025 White Coat Ceremony inside the Ataloa Theatre. 55 students recieved the honor with friends, family, and ECU faculty and administraton in atendance.
The ECU NASNTI REACHE program recently hosted The Money Game event with guest speaker, Eric Smith, who is recongized as a natonally renowned fnancial coach. The event served as an educatonal money-saving lesson for students.
ECU Esports hosted a Welcome Week Event for students across campus during the second week of the semester. Dozens of students were in atendance as they competed in Super Smash Brothers for a chance to win prizes provided by Esports.
Kayla Ohlmer Exhibit
Ohlmer’s exhibit is currently available for viewing inside the Pogue Gallery, with an artst talk and recepton scheduled for Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.
According to Ohlmer’s artst statement, “I have always felt as though I existed between two realites. This feeling has manifested itself into hours of looking at a mirror and deep self-examinaton. However, the person that I see seems unfamiliar to the person that exists in the real world. As an artst, I am interested in the way one simultaneously exists in two spaces.”
Join us for ECU Tiger Tangles: Part Deux! Event to be held on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. inside the Ataloa Theatre! Tickets available at ecok.edu/hb!ac-box-office
New Dean signals new era for CLASS
Following an extensive search, Dr. Mark Walling has been named the new Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at East Central University. With 38 years of dedicated service to ECU, Walling brings a wealth of experience in educaton and a long-standing commitment to both ECU students and alumni to his new positon.
Walling recieved his B.A. in English with Teacher Certfcaton in 1985 from ECU before going on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Oklahoma State University. He returned to ECU in 1987 as a member of the faculty, steadily advancing through the ranks to become a tenured professor and a respected, irreplaceable member of the Tiger community. He assumed his new role on March 1. For more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news
Tiger Tangles: Part Deux triumphs with new record
The beloved student talent show returned for the second year in a row, afer a mult-decade hiatus, to thunderous applause and an evergrowing atendance.
With nearly 1,000 students and alumni in atendance, Kim Bethune took the prize for overall winner for Tiger Tangles: Part Deux, securing the $500 award.
For a full list of winners and for more informaton, visit ecok.edu/news
Upcoming Events
March 3
- Vive 18, 6 p.m.
- ECU Bands Competton, 7:30 p.m.
March 4
- Paws and Relax, 2 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Arlington Baptst, 5:30 p.m.
- Esports vs. SAU, 7 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Arlington Baptst, 7:30 p.m.
March 5
- ECU Junior Day, 9 a.m.
- Lockmiller Art History Lecture, 3 p.m.
March 7
- Sofball vs. Oklahoma Baptst, 3 p.m.
March 8
- Sofball vs. Oklahoma Baptst, 12 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Oklahoma Baptst, 2 p.m.
March 10
- Esports vs. SE, 7 p.m.
March 11
- Health Fair, 11 a.m.
- Baseball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.
- Originals Showcase, 3:30 p.m.
- Stckball, 4 p.m.
March 12
- Mental Health Fair, 11 a.m.
- Killing the Negatve, 4 p.m.
ECU BAA Dinner & Program
Journey of Hope
Artrageous
In celebraton of Black History Month, the ECU Black Alumni Associaton hosted a dinner and program with Marilyn Luper-Hildreth, daughter of famed Civil Rights actvist Clara Luper, presentng, "African Americans in Labor: Contnuing to Uplif and Build Others."
The Pontotoc County Drug Free Coaliton held their annual Gala on the ECU campus with members of the community and ECU administraton in atendance. PCDFC is a local group of volunteer community members collaboratng in an efort to prevent substance abuse and promote recovery.
ECU students, Oklahoma legislatures and community members heard from individuals directly impacted by the Oklahoma City bombing share their personal stories. The program focused on the theme, "A Day of DarknessYears of Light."
The spectacular fusion of music, dance, theatre and live paintng known as Artrageous came to the Ataloa Theatre. Community members came together to partcipate in actvites, enjoy the show and give the natonally recognized cast of Artrageous an excitng ECU and Ada welcome.
8th Annual PCDFC Gala
Caring, Trustworthy & Committed to Excellence
Upcoming Events
March 13
- Paws and Relax, 5:10 p.m.
March 14
- SP25 Term A Ends
- Sofball vs. Harding, 2 p.m.
- Sofball vs. Harding, 4 p.m.
March 15
- Sofball vs. Harding, 12 p.m.
March 17
- Spring Break
March 18
- Spring Break
- Baseball vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.
- Esports vs. HSU, 7 p.m.
March 19-20
- Spring Break
March 21
- Spring Break
- Baseball vs. Arkansas Tech, 2 p.m.
March 22
- Baseball vs. Arkansas Tech, 12 p.m.
- Baseball vs. Arkansas Tech, 3 p.m.
March 24
- SP25 Term B Begins
March 25
- Business Leaders Associaton Meetng, 6 p.m.
March 26
- Paws and Relax, 5:10 p.m.
Linscheid Library Author Talk
Linscheid Library Book Talk
From Oklahoma to Istanbul
Honors Olympics
Seven authors from diferent departments across campus partcipated in a panel to discuss their writng styles, perspectves, viewpoints and publicaton history. Dr. Elisabeth Davis, Dr. Ken Hada, Dr. Randall Maples, Jose Montalva, Dr. Steven Pedersen, Kerry Rhone and Dr. Mark Walling made up the panel.
Dr. Mark Walling discussed his book, "I Can Hear Everything from Here," during a recent Book Talk, including his writng process, history as an author and the long road to publicaton. Walling ofered advice to students and answered a variety of questons on the topics of writng and publishing.
ECU professor, Narciso Arguelles, recently traveled across the globe to visit the American Robert College of Istanbul, Turkey, to lecture, take part in critques for the school’s AP Art Class and work on a mural project with students. The mural now hangs in the hallway of the Robert College Music Department.
Artst Kayla Ohlmer, who currently serves as the Program Director at Tulsa Glassblowing School in Okla., hosted an Artst Talk and Recepton where she discussed her exhibit to a crowd of students, employees and community members.
Lucky Tiger Bingo
Kayla Ohlmer Recepton
ECU Alumni & Foundation
At the age of 18, while stll a senior in high school, Rowe won electon to the Tishomingo city council where he served two terms as the youngest mayor in the state.
He later atended ECU and recieved his B.A., with honors, in 1998 before going on to recieve his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Rowe practced law in Tishomingo from 2001 to 2019, where he served as Tishomingo city atorney for 18 years. He served as special judge of the Chickasaw Naton District Court from 2005-2011 and as district judge of the Chickasaw Naton District Court from 2011-2019. Rowe was appointed to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma by Governor J. Kevin Stt on November 20, 2019. He assumed ofce on December 20, 2019.
Justce Rowe was retained by voters on November 8, 2022 and served as Vice-Chief Justce for 2023-2024. Rowe was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Justce for a two year term beginning January 1, 2025.
ECU Senior Night
ECU Alumnus, Dustn Rowe, named State Supreme Court Justce.
East Central University experienced significant damage after a severe storm hit campus early Tuesday morning, March 4.
Faust Hall suffered the most extensive damage and will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. ECU administrators coordinated closely with local emergency responders, city officials, and support organizations on recovery efforts. The ECU community has shown incredible support Together, we remain committed to rebuilding our campus stronger than before.
Extensive Roof Damage to Faust Hall
South Entrance Faust Hall
The ECU Football Team stepped up to help our community by cleaning up trash and debris in local neighborhoods and schools.
East Central University will host its Evening of Honors and Recognition on May 16 at 6 p.m. in ECU Foundation Hall, located in the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center. Distinguished Alumni awards will go to Kathy Pinson ('76), David Jackson ('85, '90), Christopher "Kitt" Wakeley ('93), State Auditor Cindy Byrd ('98), and Chief Justice Dustin Rowe ('98). Former faculty member David Schallhorn will receive the Distinguished Former Faculty Award. Mark Stringfield ('73) and Janey Thomas ('02) will be honored with Distinguished Service Awards, and the Randall/Newcombe family will receive the Distinguished Family Award.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby delivered the inaugural Congressman Lyle H. Boren Lectureship in Public Engagement and Public Service at ECU on Tuesday, March 25, at noon in ECU Foundation Hall. Former Congressman and current Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren also spoke. The lectureship honors Congressman Lyle H. Boren, an ECU alumnus and influential public servant who advocated for education, farmers, seniors, and public health during his congressional tenure, notably contributing to establishing the National Cancer Institute and Civil Aviation Authority.
Pictured: Top row, left to right; Kathy Pinson, David Jackson, Kitt Wakeley, Cindy Byrd, Bottom row, left to right; Dustin Rowe, David Schallhorn, Mark Stringfield and Janey Thomas. Not pictured, the Randall/Newcombe family.
East Central University's Student Government Association recently swore in new members during a special Student Senate meeting led by Chief Justice Jamin VanHorn.:
• Adrian Odhiambo (International Student Representative)
• Diego Cifuentes (IDEA Representative)
• Mason Martinez (At-Large Representative)
The new senators expressed excitement to enhance student life and campus engagement through events like Tiger Jam, Karaoke Night, Study Bags Table, and Orange Crush week (April 7-11).
From left to right: Diego Cifuentes, SGA President Patrick Snell, Adrian Odhiambo and Mason Martinez.
SGA Hosts Tiger Jam!
a fun filled afternoon of food trucks, rides, and giveaways
President Godwin with a check to aid in relief efforts for the recent storm damage.
Left: The Student Asian Assn. presented
Right: Law Day Student Panel
Upcoming Events
April 1st
• SSB Networking Event 6 PM
• Baseball vs OBU 2 PM
• Esports vs SWOSU 7 PM
• Honors & Student Support Services Enrollment
April 2nd
• Graduate & Senior Enrollment
• Lockmiller Art History Lecture 2 PM
April 3rd
• First Time Transfer Student Enrollment
• Junior Enrollment
• Scissortail Creative Writing Festival
April 4th
• Sophomore Enrollment
• Scissortail Creative Writing Festival
• Baseball vs Southern Nazarene 2 PM
April 5th
• Continuing Freshman Enrollment
• Scissortail Creative Writing Festival
• Baseball vs Southern Nazarene 12 & 3 PM
April 8th
• Softball vs SEOSU 2 PM
April 9th
• Psychology Career Day 10 AM - 2:30 PM
April 10th
• Magic the Gathering 5 PM
• A Defense of the Unborn Person 6 PM
• Showtime Presents: A Broadway Spectacular 7:30 PM
Upcoming Events
April 11th
• HS Concurrent Enrollment
• College of Education Spring Student Conference
• Softball vs Southern Arkansas 3 PM
• Showtime Presents: A Broadway Spectacular 7:30 PM
April 12th
• Tiger Enrollment
• Softball vs Southern Arkansas 12 & 2 PM
• Showtime Presents: A Broadway Spectacular 7:30 PM
April 15th
• Paws and Relax 2 PM
• CHS Awards Ceremony 6:30 PM
April 16th
• McNair Scholars Poster Display 10:30 AM
• Hedgehog & Fox Lecture 3 PM
April 17th
• Business Leaders Assn. 6 PM
April 18th
• Baseball vs University of Arkansas @ Monticello 2 PM
April 19th
• Baseball vs University of Arkansas @ Monticello 12 & 3 PM
April 21st
• Chorale Concert 7:30 PM
April 23rd
• Paws and Relax 11 AM
April 24th
• Honors Program Global Faiths Tour 8 AM
• Employee Recognition 4 PM
Upcoming Events
April 25th
• Softball vs Henderson State 2 & 4 PM
• Baseball vs SEOSU 2 PM
• Charlotte’s Web the Musical 5:30 PM
April 26th
• Softball vs Henderson State 12 PM
• Baseball vs SEOSU 12 & 3 PM
April 27th
• Band Concert 2:30 PM
April 29th
• Honors Showcase 3:30 PM
April 30th
• Chamber Ensemble Concert 7:30 PM
Spring Sports!
Softball
Baseball
