Campus Update
February 2016
ECU REPRESENTED AT HIGHER ED DAY
ECU was well represented at Higher Education Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The group is pictured with Regional University System of Oklahoma Regent Connie Reilly (far right) and State Rep. Todd Thomsen (far left). Prior to visiting the State Capitol, the ECU students met with former Congressman Dan Boren at the Chickasaw Nation’s Division Offices in Oklahoma City.
ECU STUDENT SPEAKS AT LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON
ECU student Caleb Savage (center) was a featured speaker recently at a Legislative Luncheon at Pete’s Place in Krebs. Also pictured are ECU President John R. Hargrave and Glen D. Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Savage is ECU’s student senate president. He spoke about the importance of a college education and how grateful he is to have the opportunity to pursue a degree.
CAREER EXPO TO HELP STUDENTS, EMPLOYERS CONNECT
ECU will host two career fairs in the month of March. ECU’s 2016 Spring Career Expo is set for Wednesday, March 23, from noon3 p.m. in Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center and Education Career Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29 at that same venue from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Students can connect with employers and representatives from graduate schools. For more information contact Peggy Saunkeah, director of ECU’s Career Center, at 559-5890 or saunkeah@ecok.edu
SAVE THE DATE: EDUCATION BUILDING TO BE RENAMED ON MARCH 29
A ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony will be held on March 29 for the recently remodeled Education Building. The new name will be the Lanoy Education Building in honor of Mary Pauline and the late Leon Lanoy. That morning, some new members will be inducted into the Gene and Evelyn Keefer Educator’s Hall of Fame.
RAMADAN SYMPOSIUM FEATURES NEUROSCIENCE EXPERTS
An overflow crowd attended the Fourth Annual Ramadan Symposium, which featured experts from the neuroscience field who shared their knowledge and findings through a series of lectures on Jan. 28. The symposium is named in honor of the late Dr. Raniyah C. Ramadan and is funded by the Ramadan family.
CHORALE PERFORMS AT THUNDER HOME BASKETBALL GAME
ECU alumni and friends gathered at a reception at the Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City, prior to the Thunder game on Feb. 3. For the second straight year, the ECU Chorale performed the National Anthem and the ECU Gold Program presented the colors at an Oklahoma City Thunder home basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 3.
THOUSANDS OF CHOIR STUDENTS COME TO CAMPUS
Approximately 3,000 choir students were on campus Feb. 16-17 for the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association’s District 9 Choral and Solo/Ensemble Contest which took place in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center and Faust Hall.
12 PI SIGMA ALPHA STUDENTS GO TO D.C.
Twelve members of ECU’s chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society traveled to Washington, D.C. to intern with members of Congress and attend the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Research Conference. The students were able to visit the Supreme Court Building and White House.
Campus Update February 2016
NELSON PRESENTS PAPER AT RESEARCH CONFERENCE
Student Erica Nelson represented ECU well. She presenting a research paper at the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Research Conference at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The presentation was entitled “The Effectiveness of Drug Courts in Oklahoma.”
CLOTHING GIVEAWAY FOR BUSINESS, STUDENTS
Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business students now have the opportunity to dress for success after professionals and ECU alumni generously donated business clothing.
EARLY STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR CHICKASAW PLAZA
The early stages of construction are ongoing for the new Chickasaw Plaza at Koi Ishto Stadium. The plaza, on the northwest portion of the football stadium, will serve as the primary entrance. The Chickasaw Nation provided donations for the plaza.
SINGING VALENTINES FILL AIR
Members of the ECU Chorale performed as singing Valentines on Feb. 11-12 on campus and in the Ada area. The Chorale raised around $1,800 to go toward travel expenses for a trip to California in the fall.
SUTTON FIRST BUSINESS SCHOLARS PROGRAM GRADUATE
Trevor Sutton is the first graduate in ECU’s Business Scholars Program. The program was established by Kellogg & Sovereign Consulting, Inc. of Ada, for business majors and helps develop tomorrow’s business leaders.
ONE-ACT PLAY PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH “THE BIG READ”
A one-act play was performed in conjunction with “The Big Read,” a month-plus long event to promote literacy, encourage the reading of classic literature and expand cultural horizons. As part of the Ada and ECU program, the focus is on Thornton Wilder’s book “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” a Pulitzer Prize winning novel based in 18th century Peru.
10th ANNIVERSARY OF COMPOSER CONCERT CELEBRATED
The 10th annual Faculty, Students and Friends Composer Concert was conducted on Feb. 8 in Ataloa Theatre inside the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. The evening featured new compositions and a special choral premiere.
STUDENT TEACHERS IN AREA SCHOOLS
These ECU students are conducting their student teaching duties in area schools this spring.
THREE FOOTBALL PLAYERS HONORED
Congratulations to a few ECU Tigers. Senior offensive lineman Travis Hening was named to the 2015 D2Football.com All-American Second Team while ECU teammates junior receiver David Moore and senior defensive end Karmah Yates were honorable mention selections. Moore was also named to 2015 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-American Offense Third Team.
TIGERS NO. 8 IN REGIONAL RANKINGS
The ECU men’s basketball team is ranked eighth in the latest NCAA Division II Central Regional Rankings. The Tigers had won six straight, heading into that latest regional poll.
Campus Update February 2016
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, Feb. 25
Training/Informational Session presented by ECU BIT Team and Police Noon in Memorial Student Union
Friday, Feb. 26
Go Global Study Abroad: Spotlight on France Noon, Room 221 of Chickasaw Business and Conference Center
Softball vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State 1 p.m. doubleheader at Tiger Field
Foreign Film Festival: Wild Tales
4 p.m. in Estep Multimedia Center of the Bill S. Cole University Center
Saturday, Feb. 27
Softball vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State Noon doubleheader at Tiger Field
Tuesday, March 3
Women’s and Men’s Tennis vs. Lewis Univ. 1 p.m. at Mayhue Tennis Courts
The Big Read: Amy Williamsen Lecture 5:30 p.m. in Linscheid Library Atrium
Thursday, March 3
ECU Theatre & Musical: Fiddler on the Roof, 7:30 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre
Friday, March 4
Softball vs. Ouachita Baptist 1 p.m. doubleheader at Tiger Field
ECU Theatre & Musical: Fiddler on the Roof 7:30 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre
Saturday, March 5
Softball vs. Ouachita Baptist Noon doubleheader at Tiger Field
Campus Update
April 2016
EDUCATION BUILDING NAMED FOR LANOYS
ECU’s newly remodeled Education Building is now called the Lanoy Education Building, named in honor of Mary Pauline Lanoy and her late husband Leon because of their passion for higher education and a love of the teaching profession.
TWO INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
Ruth Ann Taylor and Steven Crawford were inducted into the Gene and Evelyn Keefer Educator’s Hall of Fame on March 29. Taylor had a 38-year elementary school teaching career and Crawford is executive director of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration. The Hall of Fame is dedicated to the Keefers and other parents like them who could not afford to go to college but made it a priority that their children have the opportunity.
RAM JACK PARTNERSHIP WITH ECU RECOGNIZED
Ram Jack Inc., was recognized for its partnership with ECU by receiving the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award. Steven D. Gregory, inventor and founder of the Ram Jack methods of foundation, has been engaged with the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business for years.
SCHOOL OF NURSING RECEIVES GRANT
ECU nursing students will now have the opportunity to practice true clinical skills thanks to a $147,090 grant provided by the Valley View Health and Wellness Foundation to the ECU School of Nursing. The grant is being used to purchase high-fidelity mannequins, which are becoming a standard of quality training at medical schools.
Campus Update April 2016
ECU CELEBRATES FOUNDERS’ DAY
ECU conducted a celebration of its 107th birthday on March 25 on Centennial Plaza. The event featured the Pride of Tigerland Marching Band performing the Oklahoma State Song and Tiger Fight Song. The ECU Chorale joined the band in a rendition of Happy Birthday.
LEADERS PREPARING FOR LAUNCH OF OKA’ INSTITUTE
ECU is working collaboratively with local partners – the Chickasaw Nation and the U.S. EPA Robert S. Kerr Research Center – to discuss the launch of the Oka’ Institute, the new water science institute for water resource studies and programs. Oka’ is the Chickasaw and Choctaw word for water. The Oka’ Institute vision is to create practical water solutions, both locally and globally, driven by research and directed by data in long-term sustainable ecological management and economic development.
ECU HOSTS REGIONAL, STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIRS
ECU hosted both the Regional Science and Engineering Fair and the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair. Scholarships were presented at the OSSEF, March 31-April 1 and more than 80 other awards were presented in 54 categories and several qualified for the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
HUNDREDS ATTEND INTERSCHOLASTIC MEET AT ECU
Hundreds of high school students converged on the ECU campus Feb. 23, for the 100th Annual Interscholastic Meet, which consisted of 63 schools. It was a throwback to years past with three separate testing sessions in the morning, followed by an awards ceremony in the Ataloa Theatre.
ECU CONDUCTS SPRING 2016 CAREER EXPO
Hundreds of ECU students, from all majors, flocked to Foundation Hall and explored their career options during the Spring 2016 Career Expo held March 23. The event was staged by the ECU Career Center, under the direction of Peggy Saunkeah.
ECU RECOGNIZED AS CERTIFIED HEALTHY CAMPUS
Making great efforts and achievements in actively creating a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors, ECU was recently recognized as a Certified Healthy Oklahoma Campus at the excellence level. ECU’s Office of Administration and Finance received Certified Healthy Business Merit Status as well from the Oklahoma Turning Point Council.
Campus Update April 2016
MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM RECOGNIZED FOR CAPTURING TITLE
The ECU men’s basketball team was recognized at the NABC-Hillyard Champions Luncheon during the Final Four in Houston. The Tigers achieved the award after gaining a share of the 2015-16 Great American Conference regular season championship. In the photo are head coach Ja Havens (center) along with assistant coach Aaron Hill and graduate assistant Jared Jobe.
THOMAS GARNERS MORE AWARDS
ECU senior basketball star Stirling Thomas was named to the D2 Conference Commissioner’s Men’s Basketball All-Central Region Second Team after being selected to the eight-member Great American Conference All-Tournament Team. He was also a unanimous All-GAC First Team selection for the regular season and was joined on the first team by teammate Braxton Reeves. ECU’s Ishmael
Donzo was an honorable mention pick. Thomas led the Tigers and GAC with a 19.5 scoring average in 2015-16.
JACKSON, STOTLER NAB GAC HONORS
ECU junior basketball players Jalyn Jackson and Whitney Stotler were picked for the Great American Conference All-Tournament Team following their postseason efforts. Jackson earned All-GAC honorable mention accolades for the 2015-16 regular season. Jackson averaged a double-double in the two games at the GAC with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Stotler averaged 21.5 points.
EDMONDS PITCHER OF THE WEEK
ECU sophomore right-handed pitcher Shae Edmonds was named Great American Conference Pitcher of the Week on April 5 after helping the Tigers claim a 1-0 victory at Oklahoma Baptist on April 2. Edmonds allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out three as ECU won the three-game series, two games to one.
FOUR ECU STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO LAW SCHOOLS
Four ECU students - Kaylin Cullum, Logan Harrison, Lauren Crudup and Maecey McClain – were recently accepted to a total of 10 law schools. Since 2010, 86 percent of the students from ECU’s Political Science and Legal Studies Department have been accepted to more than 40 law schools across the country, according to Dr. Christine Pappas, director of the Political Science and Legal Studies Department. McClain was not available for the photo.
BIOLOGY STUDENTS CAPTURE
AWARDS AT TRI-BETA CONVENTION
Seven ECU biology students attended the Tri-Beta South Central Regional Convention in Cedar Hills, Texas as they presented four posters and made two oral presentations. Morgan Mackey won first place for her oral presentation. Kimberly Condry took second for her poster presentation. Melissa Penton was named region secretary for Tri-Beta.
Campus Update April 2016
ECU STUDENTS EARN CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS AT SCISSORTAIL
ECU students Lyndsey Key and Ashley Loper nabbed awards in the college division at the recent Scissortail Creative Writing Festival held on the ECU campus. Key took first place for a short story called Beanstalk and Loper finished second for her three poems entitled Suite 1700: Bloody Doves and Pomegranate Juice, North and October Prairie Song.
ALPHA CHI INITIATES 91 NEW STUDENTS
The ECU Chapter of Alpha Chi initiated 91 new students. Alpha Chi consists of the top 10 percent of juniors and seniors at ECU.
ECU HONORS SENIORS GO TO SAN FRANCISCO
Thanks to a special grant from the ECU Foundation, Inc., nine ECU honors seniors and two honors faculty traveled to San Francisco March 10-13. The contingent walked among the Redwoods of Muir Woods and took a catamaran cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge. A trip to Chinatown also took place as Dr. David Weir provided a lecture on Asian-American Immigration.
STUDENTS ENJOY FESTIVAL OF COLORS
The Asian Student Association sponsored the Holi Festival of Colors held recently in front of the Horace Mann Building on the ECU campus. Holi is an ancient spring Hindu religious festival, also known as the festival of colors and the festival of love.
BARBECUE LUNCH HELPS BENNETT FAMILY
ECU showed support for the family of IT Director Jeremey Bennett, holding a free barbecue lunch on March 11 in anticipation of receiving donations to help offset the medical expenses for Bennett’s son, Jacoby, who was attacked by dogs. Just over $1,200 was raised.
DR. BURKE RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. James Burke, chairman of the ECU Human Resources Department, received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers at the group’s annual conference, March 3-5, in Norman. Burke, a licensed clinical social worker, was nominated for the award by fellow social worker Dr. Carol Bridges, a retired professor from ECU.
PENNY SALES TAX TOWN HALL MEETING CONDUCTED
In an effort to improve education funding in the state with a proposed penny sales tax, a town hall meeting was conducted on campus and attended by ECU President John R. Hargrave, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby and University of Oklahoma President David Boren.
Campus Update
June 2016
OBW CONTRIBUTION FROM AT&T
ECU’s award-winning summer camp, Oklahoma Business Week, recently received a $20,000 contribution from AT&T. OBW is a unique five-day camp for high school students, who form a “company” to learn about business practices and compete in a simulated business challenge.
ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS DISPLAYED
Innovative entrepreneur ideas from two ECU teams led to a first and second-place finish for ECU teams at the 2016 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup. Air-Ez, led by ECU freshman Larisa Bolin of Ada and team member, ECU senior Breanna Ragan of McAlester, took first place in the Small Business Division. James Brown, an ECU junior from Shawnee, took second place. Bolin was also named a 2016 Paulsen Award Scholarship recipient.
OVER 4,000 ATTEND BAND CONTEST
More than 4,000 students, teachers and parents were in attendance at the OSSAA Band Contests held on the ECU campus in April.
ECU Receives Rebate from OGE
For the past 18 months ECU has been upgrading to LED lights throughout campus and it is paying off. This month ECU received a $297,000 rebate check from OGE.
TOP SENIORS NAB GEORGE NIGH AWARD
Two outstanding ECU senior students – Delaney Lippard and Linzi Thompson – were named co-winners of the prestigious George Nigh Award for 2016. Lippard of Pauls Valley and Thompson of Sulphur were two of the five finalists selected for the awards. The award is named in honor of ECU alum and former Gov. George Nigh.
VETERANS, MILITARY HONORED
ECU’s Veterans Upward Bound Program, in the spirit of “A Day of Remembrance,” hosted Veterans and Military Appreciation Day on May 19. The program featured speaker Waco Blakely, OEF/OIF veteran, and presentation of the Bret Isenhower Scholarship to Eric Rawls.
Campus Update June 2016
ALUMNI GATHER FOR TULSA REUNION
McNellie’s Downtown Restaurant was the scene for a Tulsa area alumni reunion on May 20 as former ECU students were able to reminisce with old friends and make new ones.
CONCUSSIONS FOCUS OF CONFERENCE
Mercy Hospital of Ada and the Mercy Health Foundation Ada hosted a free one-day conference on concussion safety for all high school and college coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, school administrators and physicians on June 10.
ZETA TAU CELEBRATES 50th AT ECU
The ECU chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha celebrated its 50th anniversary on campus April 16. The 129th chapter was established in 1966 as several of those 32 ladies were among the more than 200 in attendance. More than 900 ladies have become members of Zeta Tau Alpha at ECU since 1966.
DR. BOLIN EARNS REGION 6 TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dr. Stacey Bolin, assistant professor in ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business, has been selected for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools (ACBSP) Region 6 Teaching Excellence Award for 2016. Bolin is also the director of the Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship.
TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Four ECU faculty members were recognized with Teaching Excellence Awards at “An Evening of Employee Recognition.” Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Phyllis Isaacs, Dr. Kenneth Hada, Dr. Stacey Bolin and Dr. Mary Harper.
ALUM RECEIVES FELLOWSHIP
Recent ECU graduate Tyler Rowsey earned the Robert W. Sledge and H.Y. Benedict Fellowship at the National Alpha Chi Convention in Alexandria, Va., this past spring. Rowsey, from Allen, Oklahoma, placed first and received a $3,500 fellowship, for his paper on “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of a Novel Antifungal.”
MOSLEY SELECTED AS 2016 RUSSIAN SCHOLAR LAUREATE
ECU junior Elsa Colette Mosley was selected as a 2016 Russian Scholar Laureate, it was announced recently by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. Mosley of Sulphur is a political science and studio art major, with a Russian studies minor.
SUYDAM ACQUIRES SEVERAL AWARDS
ECU softball player Autumn Suydam was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Division II First Team, D2CCCA All-Central Regional Team and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection for 2016. Suydam hit .399 for the Tigers and was named to the All-Great American Conference First Team.
DAVIS NAMED TO NFCA ALL-CENTRAL REGION FIRST TEAM
ECU softball catcher Taylor Davis was selected to the 2016 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-Central Region First Team for 2016. She batted .374 with 19 runs batted in and 42 runs scored and was earlier named to the All-Great American Conference First Team. Davis was joined by teammates Autumn Suydam and Jordynn VanPelt on the All-GAC First Team.
LAW DAY CONDUCTED AT ECU
ECU students participated in Law Day at ECU April 14 as they learned about the process of jury selection and received advice from recent graduates who are paralegals, court clerks, law students and attorneys. They were also involved in conversations with Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt and Kris Steele about Oklahoma Corrections and alternatives to incarceration.
ECU ATHLETES PARTICIPATE IN TRASH PICK-UP DAY IN ADA
Members of the ECU football team participated in Ada’s annual Volunteer Citywide Trash Pick-up Day on April 23. The event was hosted by the city’s Beautification Committee.
FCS HOSTS TEA PARTY WITH 6TH GRADERS
Sixth graders joined ECU students for a Tea Party on April 15 in the Stanley Wagner Ballroom. The event was hosted by the ECU Department of Family and Consumer Science.
Campus Update June 2016
ECU COLLAGE’ CONDUCTS SPRING DANCE CONCERT
ECU Collage’ held its spring dance concert with two performances on April 15 and 16 in the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
“ASIAN
NIGHT” CELEBRATED ON ECU CAMPUS
The ECU Asian Student Association hosted “Asian Night” on April 14. The event featured food, cultural activities and dancing.
GREEK WEEK FEATURES FUN, CHARIOT RACES
ECU’s Annual Greek Week featured fraternity and sorority members participating in various competitive events, including chariot races in April.
STUDENTS PLAY MUD VOLLEYBALL
In attempt to relieve late semester stress, ECU students got down dirty with the annual Mudstock Volleyball Tournament on April 22 on the volleyball court near the Physical Plant as part of Orange Crush Week.
Campus Update
ECU RECEIVES SIX-FIGURE INCENTIVE
CHECK FROM OG&E
ECU recently accepted a $297,437 incentive check from OG&E for its participation in the OG&E Schools and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Program. SAGE helps organizations save energy and money by providing no-cost facility improvement recommendations, benchmarking services, energy master planning and financial incentives based on energy savings. ECU retrofitted the entire campus with highly-efficient LED lighting, which will save nearly 2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually.
NEW RESIDENCE HALL SET FOR ECU
A new residence hall is on the horizon for ECU. With the help of the sale of bonds through the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority’s Master Real Property Lease Program, ECU is projected have a new residence hall, loan free, on campus in the near future. The facility, which will be the seventh housing option for students on campus. The location for the residence hall is near the northwest corner of Francis and 13th Streets in Ada, directly across from the Mayhue Tennis Courts.
PITSCO STEM LAB OPENS ON CAMPUS
In an effort to celebrate a new and innovate way to tie in science, technology, engineering and math with education, ECU conducted the formal naming for its new Pitsco STEM Lab on Wednesday, July 27, on the first floor of the Lanoy Education Building. Pitsco STEM labs transform classrooms into real-world learning centers where students are exposed to a variety of career fields and obtain relevant college and career-readiness skills.
SENATOR LANKFORD SPEAKS AT ECU
U.S. Senator James Lankford spoke and fielded questions during a town hall meeting July 26 in the Synergistic Room of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center. Among the topics of discussion were national security, government efficiency and economic growth. Lankford was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 after serving four years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
First Day of Fall Classes set for Aug. 15
TIGER FOOTBALL PLAYER HELPS SAVE LIFE OF YOUNG GIRL
ECU football player William Colbert helped save the life of a 7-year-old girl during the Independence holiday weekend at Gladewater Lake in Kilgore, Texas. Colbert, along with a woman, saw Serenity Johnson struggling in the water, swam out and pulled her to safety as Johnson’s stepdad performed CPR. Colbert is a defensive back and sophomore-to-be for the Tigers.
ECU ALUM IN BELL-RINGING CEREMONY ON WALL STREET
Former ECU football player John Gaines (far left) was part of the bell-ringing ceremony at the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on July 15. Gaines was an at-risk orphaned child turned youth advocate and Boeing employee. At ECU, he was not only part of a 2010 Lone Star Conference North championship team, but was selected as outstanding general business student by faculty and also received a special “character” award.
FORMER ECU BASEBALLER PART OF SOFTBALL STAFF OF YEAR
Former ECU baseball player JT Gasso, an assistant coach with the University of Oklahoma’s 2016 national championship softball team, was among those honored as the 2016 Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Association. Gasso, the son of OU head softball coach Patty Gasso, graduated from ECU in 2011 and played two years for the Tiger baseball team in 2010-11.
CHICKASAW SUMMER ARTS ACADEMY HELD ON CAMPUS
ECU once again hosted the annual Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy in July. Students, ages 8 through high school, participated in activities such as drawing, painting, sculpturing, instrumental music, voice music, photography, video and sound production and dancing.
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT HOSTS “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT” SUMMER ACADEMY
ECU’s Department of Chemistry conducted a week-long residential program called the “You Are What You Eat Summer Academy.” Participants performed analytical tests in a biochemistry laboratory, focusing on three major classes of biomolecules: Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relations of these biomolecules to nutrition was emphasized as well as modern analytical techniques. Participants also made a trip to the Samuel Noble Foundation in Ardmore.
YOUTH PART OF TIGER BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE
The ECU men’s basketball program hosted “Tiger Basketball School” for grades 3-8, July 11-13, as participants experienced skill development and competed in contests and games.
SEMINOLE NATION HOSTS DIABETES
CAMP AT ECU
Students from the Seminole Nation ventured onto the ECU campus to take part in a Diabetes Camp as participants were urged to move and increase their overall daily activity levels and make healthier food choices.
ROBOTICS SUMMER ACADEMY HELD ON ECU CAMPUS
ECU’s Explorations in Computer Science and Robotics Summer Academy was recently conducted on campus as youngsters learned about robotics and competed in various challenges.
BUSINESS STUDENTS GO TO CHICAGO
Students from ECU’s Business Leaders Association took a trip to Chicago in May to tour various companies and learn about business practices as well as go on sightseeing.
ALUMNI REUNION IN OKC AUG. 19
The ECU Alumni Association will hold a reunion on Aug. 19 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. at Topgolf in Oklahoma City, located at 13313 Pawnee Drive. For online registration go to: http://alumni.ecok. edu/events/EventDetails. aspx?id=825513. Those attending must RSVP.
ECU-HENDERSON STATE FOOTBALL GAME TO BE TELEVISED
ECU’s 2016 home football opener against Henderson State on Saturday, Sept. 10, will be televised by the American Sports Network. The Tigers also have home games with Oklahoma Baptist University for homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.; Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.; Harding on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.; Southern Arkansas on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.
PLC GROUP VISITS BLACK MESA
Members of ECU’s Presidential Leadership Class took a trip to the Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve near Kenton in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The preserve is near the borders of the states of New Mexico and Colorado and contains the highest point in Oklahoma with an elevation of 4,973 feet.
ECU STUDENTS SERVE IN UGANDA
Students from ECU and the University Central Oklahoma went to Uganda in May and worked on a project entitled “Global Service – Uganda.” The group, which included 10 students and three sponsors, delivered books and prepared them to be placed in a children’s library.
Campus Update
CHICKASAW PLAZA OPENS AT STADIUM
With much fanfare, ECU officially opened the new Chickasaw Plaza on Sept. 9 with a ribbon cutting at Koi Ishto Stadium. Representatives from ECU, Ada High School and the Chickasaw Nation, including Gov. Bill Anoatubby, were on hand for the christening of the plaza, which includes ticket booths, concession stand, team shop and restrooms, along with serving as the main entrance gate into the stadium.
HARGRAVE TO RETIRE AS PRESIDENT
ECU
President John R. Hargrave has announced his retirement, effective this spring. Hargrave has served ECU as president since 2009 and is the eighth president in the history of the institution which began classes in 1909. He has deep roots and a special connection to his alma mater. Eighteen members of his family attended or graduated from ECU, beginning with John’s grandparents. John graduated from ECU with honors in 1977.
KURTZ NEW CEO OF ECU FOUNDATION
ECU alumnus Craig Kurtz has been named as the new chief executive officer of the ECU Foundation, Inc. Kurtz will begin on Oct. 3. Kurtz most recently served as sales manager for SMG World/Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz. He graduated from ECU with a bachelor’s degree in history from ECU in 1985 and was a member of the men’s basketball team under legendary head coach Wayne Cobb. Craig is pictured with his wife Noel.
GOV. ANOATUBBY VOTED MOST POWERFUL OKLAHOMAN
Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill
Anoatubby, an ECU alum, has been named the 2016 Most Powerful Oklahoman in a statewide poll of business, civic and governmental leaders. The poll was conducted by OKC Friday, the Newspaper for Trendsetters.
GREETHAM DELIVERS WATKINS LECTURE
Stephen H. Greetham, chief general for the Chickasaw Nation’s Division of Commerce, delivered ECU’s Lou Watkins Lecture concerning water law on Sept. 13. The lectureship, which honors former Political Science Department Chair Lou Watkins, former chair of ECU’s political science department, brings recognized authorities to ECU to address subjects of public interest.
DR. PAPPAS SPEAKS ON DEATH PENALTY
ECU Professor Dr. Christine Pappas gave a public talk on the death penalty in the state entitles “Oklahoma’s Legacy of Tinkering with the Machinery of Death,” prior to the ECU SCREENS’ presentation of “Hangmen.”
KHANFAR TO LEAD PANEL DISCUSSION
Yousef Khanfar, award-winning writer, photographer and humanitarian, will lead a panel discussion at ECU’s Louise Young Diversity Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. The event is free.
ALL-SPORTS DINNER, AUCTION HELD
Various items and memorabilia were up for bid at the ECU AllSports Tiger Kickoff 2016 Dinner and Live Auction on Aug. 23 in Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center. The annual event benefits the ECU Athletic Department with funds going toward scholarships, equipment and travel expenses for the teams. This year’s event netted over $40,000.
ECU TAKES PART IN ADA FEST 2016
ECU, along with Ada Main Street and Downtown Ada Merchants hosted Ada Fest 2016 as music, art and food highlighted the daylong list of activities which spanned several blocks, including ECU’s Centennial Plaza. This was the second straight year for the event, which was resurrected in 2015. More than 12,000 attended the event throughout the day.
COLE HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING
U.S. Congressman Tom Cole was on campus Aug. 25 for a Student Town Hall Meeting as ECU students, faculty and staff were on hand. Cole addressed what was going on in Washington D.C. and answered questions from the attendees who packed the Estep Multimedia Center.
STUDENTS INVOLVED IN NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM
Dr. Charles Peaden (right) poses with three ECU students who are among the first to pursue a master’s degree, studying in ECU’s new Water Resource Policy and Management Program. From left to right are: David Roland, Kimberly Elkin and Sarita K.C. The unique program is designed to support the need for advanced understanding of the growing complexity of water issues that face communities in the state, nation and globally.
NINE ECU STUDENTS AWARDED NASA FELLOWSHIPS
Nine ECU students were awarded funding under the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program for 2016-2017. They include: (seated left to right) Darby Heard, Morgan Mackey, Kyle Boydstun and Melissa Penton. Standing are: (left to right) Hope Cline, Eric Loucks, Micah Godfrey and Kristian Castellanos. Not pictured is Summer Jennings.
ECU CLASS OF 2020
Members of the ECU freshmen class form a ‘20’ on Centennial Plaza prior to the start of fall classes to signify their target graduating year of 2020.
CULLY, SLOAN SERVE EHS INTERNSHIPS
Two students in ECU’s Environmental Health Science Program, Masie Cully and Tara Sloan, served internships over the summer. Cully’s internship took place in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest while Sloan’s internship experience was in Arizona. Each worked with health services offices in their respective parts of the country and particularly worked with Native American tribes.
STUDENTS SPENDING SEMESTER IN FRANCE
ECU students Kane Konsure (left) and Elsa Moseley (right) recently went to University of Limoges in France to study for the fall semester through ECU’s Go Global Study Abroad Program, which is directed by Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya (center). Another ECU student not pictured, Jiajun Lin, is also studying at the University of Limoges.
ECU WELCOMES 33 NEW FACULTY
ECU welcomed 33 new faculty members in August for 2016-17 as they pose for this group photo.
CAMEL RIDES ENJOYED ON CAMPUS
ECU students enjoyed their annual camel rides on the Bill S. Cole University Center Lawn in honor of hump day on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
UPCOMING OCTOBER EVENTS
Saturday, Oct. 1
2 p.m. - Volleyball: ECU vs SWOSU Kerr Activities Center
Tuesday, Oct. 4
2 p.m. - Book Signing by Dr. Chris Bean Linscheid Library Atrium
Thursday, Oct. 6
2 p.m. - Book Signing by Travis McCray Linscheid Library Atrium
4 p.m. - Soccer: ECU vs. Ouachita Baptist Tiger Soccer Field
5 p.m. - Fall Carnival University Center Mall
7:30 p.m. - ECU Theatre Presents Medea Chalmers Herman Theatre, HBFFAC
Friday, Oct. 7
7:30 p.m. - ECU Theatre Presents Medea Chalmers Herman Theatre, HBFFAC
Saturday, Oct. 8
11 a.m. - Soccer: ECU vs. Harding Tiger Soccer Field
6 p.m. - Football: ECU vs. SWOSU Norris Field at Koi Ishto Stadium
7:30 p.m. - ECU Theatre Presents Medea Chalmers Herman Theatre, HBFFAC
Monday, Oct. 10
7:30 p.m. - Jazz Ensemble Concert Ataloa Theatre, HBFFAC
Campus Update
November 2016
THOMSEN NABS LEGISLATIVE AWARD
State Rep. Todd Thomsen (second from right) is presented with the Legislative Distinguished Service Award from Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Glen D. Johnson (third from right) during a recent ceremony in the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.
OKA’ INSTITUTE HOSTS CONFERENCE
ECU and the new Oka’ Institute hosted a Water Sustainability Conference, Oct. 26-27. Experts from a wide range of fields, including Dr. Sally Gutierrez, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program, spoke about water sustainability issues in hopes of closing the gap between environmental concerns and economic development.
ENROLLMENT TIME
Enrollment for the 2017 spring semester begins Monday, Nov. 7. Once students get clearance by their advisor they can go to the Academic Success Center (ADMIN 262) to pick up a free flash drive.
ECU STUDENTS HANDLE PROTEST SITUATION WELL
What could have been an extremely volatile situation was handled well by ECU students and community Tuesday, Nov. 1, as a pair of protestors displaying anti-Black Lives Matter signs came on campus to demonstrate against the BLM movement. Students countered with a peaceful protest of their own with props such as signs and the playing of music, particularly the fight song, by members of the ECU Pride of Tigerland Marching Band to drown out the protestors’ message.
SCHOOL OF NURSING RECEIVES GRANT FROM VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
The ECU School of Nursing recently received a $51,943 grant to renovate part of the school into a simulation lab, which will assist nursing students. The funds came from the Valley View Health and Wellness Foundation, which awards grants to organizations that promote area residents’ health and well-being.
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL NOV. 21
The Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, hosted by the ECU Human Resources Department, is set for Monday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex in Ada.
Photo by Carl Lewis of The Ada News
ECU, SSC ENTER INTO CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT
Seminole State College and ECU officially entered into a consortium agreement, making it possible for students to pursue an Associate in Science in Elementary Education degree by enrolling in courses at both SSC and ECU. Picture are SSC President Dr. Jim Utterback and ECU President John R. Hargrave.
DR. GERALD WILLIAMSON HONORED WITH HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Dr. Gerald Williamson was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society Hall of Fame on Monday, Oct. 24, in Oklahoma City. Williams, currently an advancement officer for the ECU Foundation, Inc. has spent 38 years at ECU in several positions including business marketing instructor, assistant men’s basketball coach and vice president for student services.
KHANFAR LEADS PANEL DISCUSSION AT DIVERSITY LECTURE
Yousef Khanfar, award-winning and Palestine-American writer, photographer and humanitarian, led a panel discussion at ECU’s Louise Young Diversity Lecture on Sept. 29. Khanfar’s photography exhibit called “Invisible Eve” opened that same night in the Pogue Arts Gallery and he conducted a book signing.
FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN WATKINS SIGNS BOOKS
Former U.S. Congressman Wes Watkins spoke and signed the book “Making Things Better: Wes Watkins’ Legacy of Leadership” on Oct. 11 in ECU’s Foundation Hall. Also attending was current U.S. Congressman Tom Cole.
ECU FOUNDATION BOARD MEETS
The ECU Foundation, Inc. recently conducted its annual board of directors meeting on Oct. 25 in ECU’s Foundation Hall.
THOUSANDS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON CAMPUS
Thousands of high school students were recently on campus for the Tigerpalooza Band Contest, Little Dixie Vocal Contest and the Chalk Drawing Contest on Centennial Plaza.
WALLACE SPEAKS IN POETRY SERIES
Ron Wallace, a three-time winner of the Best Poetry Book by the Oklahoma Writers Federation, spoke during ECU’s September Poetry Series Sept. 20 in ECU’s Estep Auditorium. Wallace has been a three-time finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and has authored seven books.
ALUMNUS KARNER TALKS TO CLASSES, McNAIR SCHOLARS
ECU alumnus and Duke University
Assistant Professor
Dr. Courtney Karner spoke to two ECU biology classes and a group from the McNair Scholars Program on Oct 24. Karner is a research faculty member in the Department of Orthopaedics Research at Duke in Durham, N.C. Karner earned an Academic All-American award in 2003 while playing football at ECU. Pictured with Karner is Dr. Gerald Williamson.
DR. BEAN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS BOOK
Dr. Chris Bean, author of “Too Great a Burden to Bear: The Struggle and Failure of the Freedmen’s Bureau in Texas,” spoke about the subjects in his book and signed books on Oct. 4 in the Linscheid Library. Bean is associate professor of History and Native American Studies at ECU.
NEW SALARY GUIDELINES FOR ECU EMPLOYEES DISCUSSED
Lynn Lofton, ECU employment services director, discusses the U.S. Department of Labor’s new salary guidelines for exempt and non-exempt employees during one of several meeting times in the Estep Multimedia Center.
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH PROVIDED
ECU staff enjoyed hot dogs, chips, ice cream and tea at a Staff Appreciation Lunch on campus Oct. 27.
CAREER EXPO CONDUCTED ON ECU CAMPUS
The ECU Career Center hosted the Fall 2016 Career Expo in Foundation Hall on Sept. 28. Students brought five resumes and dressed professionally while meeting with companies and graduate schools in hopes of latching onto a career opportunity.
RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN GO GLOBAL STUDY PROGRAM
Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, director of ECU’s Go Global Study Abroad Program, poses with (from left) Dylan Sterling, a psychology major, Egor Stepanenko and Oksana Okhrimenko. Sterling is studying at the State University of Management in Moscow, Russia, while Stepanenko and Okhrimenko are from Russia and studying at ECU this fall.
STUDENTS ATTEND GO GLOBAL STUDY ABROAD FAIR
ECU students learned about studying abroad at ECU’s Go Global Study Abroad Fair. The event featured booths and presentations from students who have journeyed abroad and those who are from abroad and studying at ECU this semester.
HUDSON RECEIVES JELTZ SCHOLARSHIP
ECU student McKenzie Hudson is the recipient of the Wyatt F. and Mattie M. Jeltz Scholarship, presented by James L. Mosley.
NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO PI SIGMA ALPHA
New members were inducted into ECU’s chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. To be eligible for induction, students must be a junior or senior and have at least a 3.0 grade-point average in all political science and legal studies classes.
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY HELD IN ESTEP
ECU students packed the Raymond J. Estep Multimedia Center to view the Hillary Clinton-Donald Trump Presidential Debate on Sept. 26. The event was hosted by the Politics Club made up of the College Republicans and Young Democrats.
ECU THEATRE PRESENTS “MEDEA”
The ECU Theatre Department presented Medea, Oct. 6-8, in the Chalmers Herman Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
ECU WOMEN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS
The ECU women’s cross country team captured the 2016 Great American Conference championship on Oct. 22 in Durant. The Tigers placed four runners in the top 10, led by a first-place effort from sophomore Anna Mora. Junior Michaela Lombardi took fifth, junior Marisa Meza ended up eighth and Abbie Winchester was 10th. Freshman Kelsey Horner finished 15th.
TIGERS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT GAC TITLE
The ECU men’s cross country squad won its third straight GAC title and fifth out of the last six years during the conference championship race on Oct. 22. ECU junior Kevin Matthews won the 8k event as three of his teammates – sophomore Cole Montgomery (fourth), senior Adrian Guevera (fifth), senior Richard Mora (seventh) each placed in the top 10. Teammate Larry Filler ended up 12th.
ECU MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IN PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKINGS
The ECU men’s basketball team is ranked No. 24 in the NCAA Division II Bulletin Top 25 Poll. Coach Ja Havens’ Tigers are also picked No. 1 in the Great American Conference Preseason Rankings after going 22-8 last season and capturing the GAC regular season title.
BASKETBALL COACHES CLINIC AT ECU
The ECU men’s basketball program hosted a coaches’ clinic during homecoming festivities on Sept. 24 as former Tiger head coach Wayne Cobb and current head coach Ja Havens were among the featured speakers.
ZETA TAU HOSTS BIG MAN ON CAMPUS
ECU student Dalton Cordell was the winner of “Big Man on Campus,” hosted by Zeta Tau Alpha. The event is designed to raise breast cancer awareness and is a parody of a beauty pageant for guys, but fundraiser oriented.
