Campus Updates - 2021 Collection

CAMPUS UPDATE

Pierson’s Perceptions

Just like the leaves of autumn, success is multi-hued and visible all around us at ECU. We have many alumni and current students who, rightfully, are being recognized for their professional accomplishments.

We have students completing a tremendous fall semester, full of activities. We have faculty and staff working together to provide us with a successful HLC comprehensive review.

ECU’s quality of programs and services are to be praised for providing the foundation of success for all our students and alumni. As numerous as the leaves on our beautiful campus, we have many blessings for which to be thankful.

As we quickly approach the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us will consider the blessings that we have received this year – a year that has stood as a triumphant return from chaos and hardship caused by the pandemic.

Throughout this year of recovery and returning to normal, we will give praise to those things that made our lives better and to the people who enriched us.

This Thanksgiving, please consider the gifts that you have received while at ECU and consider how you might pay those gifts forward to be a blessing for others. Giving Tuesday is November 30.

Together we can strengthen our foundation for even more success in the future.

November 2021

Finch-Walker selected as Entrepreneur of the Year Michelle Finch-Walker, visit in this country today one of three owners was someone’s great of “Girls Gone Wine,” idea – someone who was has been named East not afraid to take the risk Central University’s 2021 and just go for it,” FinchEntrepreneur of the Year.

Walker said.

As per tradition, she Finch-Walker, who will deliver the annual earned a bachelor’s degree Limes Lecture to college in Mathematics and and visiting high school Computer Science from students in November.

ECU in 1986, will address Finch-Walker, along young entrepreneurs during FINCH-WALKER with friends and business a luncheon on Wednesday, partners Chandra Rickey November 10, at ECU’s and Rhonda Reed, founded “Girls Gone Chickasaw Business and Conference Wine” in 2006, a boutique winery and Center. An entrepreneurial competition gift shop located in Hochatown near for area high school students, called Broken Bow Lake in far southeastern “Tiger Tank,” also takes place that day.

Oklahoma.

Please visit www.ecok.edu/news to “Every business that we love and read much more about the event!

Dr. Katricia Pierson President

East Central University

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Tigers prove handful for Razorbacks In their first exhibition game of the season, ECU gave Arkansas all they could handle and more, forcing the hosts to come from behind for a 77-74 win.

The first ECU home games are coming up! The women host Arkansas-Fort Smith on November 20 and the men host Arkansas Baptist on November 22. Go Tigers!

Call ECU at 580-332-8000!

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Campus Update November 2021

ECU online Sports Administration degree ranked as among most affordable in U.S. ECU’s Master of Education in Sports Administration online degree has been recognized as one of the most affordable in the country. “Our graduates are well-prepared to start, or continue, a career in Sports Administration,” said Dr. Nick Stowers, ECU assistant professor of Kinesiology and Sports Administration. “We pride ourselves in providing a quality online master’s program that is both flexible and affordable for those interested in the various jobs fields within Sports Administration.”

According to the research group “Sports Management Degree Guide,” which obtains its data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ECU ranks second nationally on the most affordable online master’s program list. The NCES collects its data from official accrediting agency websites, as the research group explains in its methodology.

Complimentary Russian lessons for children return to Ada Public Library For the second consecutive year, area school children will have an opportunity to learn the Russian language and about the Russian culture thanks to an East Central University professor and her students. Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, a longtime Languages professor and director of Global Education at ECU, and her advanced level students will teach Russian language and culture to children ages 9-12 in an exciting program at the Ada Public Library. Despite the pandemic last fall, the program’s inaugural year proved to be a success.

“The children will learn about a fascinating new culture, as well as the basics of the language,” Sukholutskaya said.

Classes started October 21 at the Ada Public Library. The free program continues each Thursday for the remainder of the semester. The library is located at 124 S. Rennie in downtown Ada. Check out the entire stories at www.ecok.edu/news!

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Intermission

Brady McComas emotes as "Harry" while Makayla Faulkner looks on as the glib yet wise bartender in David Hanson's play "Intermission" during an October performance in the Chalmers Herman Theatre. ECU students performed the first-ever U.S. collegiate production of Hanson's play.

OSDH tabs ECU alum as regional director East Central University alumnus Chris Munn has been named as the interim regional administrative director for the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s District 8, which includes Carter, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, Pontotoc and Stephens counties.

Munn replaces the district’s former interim director, Mendy Spohn, who was named assistant deputy commissioner for the OSDH’s Community Health division.

Originally from Pauls Valley, Munn has served Stephens County MUNN residents as a public health specialist for 27 years. He has been the Covid-19 vaccine project manager for District 8 since fall 2020, working closely with staff and community partners throughout the nine-county region. He also serves on the board for the Stephens County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the “Pathways to a Healthier You” County Health Improvement Organization.

To read the entire story on Munn’s appointment, please visit www.ecok.edu/news.

Stay up-to-date at www.ecok.edu/news!

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Campus Update November 2021

Pumpkins!

Sometimes it is best to put down the books and pick up the pumpkins. Many ECU students seeking a break from mid-term work found this fun, relaxing and seasonal activity as a happy diversion. With agreeable October weather, there has been no shortage of campus fun for those so inclined!

The pumpkin for par Pumpkins are not just for painting! Two students take their best shots on the putt-putt course during the annual Fall Carnival on the ECU campus.

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Ticket, please!

ECU students line up for presentations during the "Go Global" event on campus in October. ECU maintains a strong Global Education program.

Give back at www.ecok.edu/donate!

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Campus Update November 2021

Fall Formal a big success ECU students enjoyed the opportunity to dress up for a Fall Formal event held in the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center on campus. The dance was well-attended by students and even some faculty!

Check out these ECU TikToks!

A cold, tasty thank you!

Rhonda Kinder, left, and Haley Vickers enjoy some delicious ice cream provided by President Pierson's office as a thank you to employees for participating in an accreditation review by the Higher Learning Commission in October. Employees met with visiting reviewers over two days. ECU received a very positive review from the HLC!

Visiting artist Courtney Starrett, associate professor in the Department of Visualization at Texas A&M University, delivers a talk about her exhibit at ECU's Pogue Gallery in October.

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Follow events at www.ecok.edu/calendar!

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Campus Update November 2021

Nice wheels!

Dr. Stacey Bolin, left, and Srijita Dia Gosh in 2017.

ECU alum named as i2E venture advisor

A young man checks out a vintage Super Sport Chevrolet Camaro during the annual Cody Johnson Memorial Car Show held on the ECU campus in October.

Note: This article is edited for space from the original, which appeared in The Oklahoman. Click here to read the full story!

By Scott Meacham, CEO of i2E Inc. Srijita Dia Ghosh, i2E’s newest venture advisor, was born and brought up in West Bengal, India. Her home city of Kolkata, along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, is a packed city of millions. She came to ECU to play tennis.

Like everyone who is engaged in the entrepreneurial community, Dia is no stranger to pivots, or to serendipity. In college, she experienced both when, about a year-and-a-half in, due to budget cuts, the tennis and golf programs at ECU were eliminated.

Dia stayed, and Dr. Stacey Bolin, associate professor and director of the Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship, came into her life. Dr. Bolin has long been an advisor to teams that competed in the Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup teams. She is a champion of entrepreneurship as a career and cornerstone of the competition’s history.

Through Love’s Cup, she interned with and then joined the Ada Jobs Foundation as an entrepreneurship specialist. In between, Dia graduated Summa Cum Laude and as Honors valedictorian.

“In a rural community, the exciting challenge is that you have to come out and build it yourself,” Dia said. “It is important to help entrepreneurs here believe that you don’t have to be in a certain place to create a technology business.

You can do it from Ada, Oklahoma. All you need is the internet and a supportive ecosystem.”

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Sweet sounds Members of the ECU Jazz Ensemble, under direction of Dr. Nathaniel Berman, perform an outdoor concert in front of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center in October.

See more at www.ecok.edu/photo-galleries!

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Campus Update November 2021

A ROARING GOOD FALL! Whether it be Football, Soccer, Cross Country or Volleyball, the ECU Tigers experienced a lot of success this fall semester. To catch up on all the latest, please visit the official ECU Athletics website at www.ecutigers.com!

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Follow all sports at www.ecutigers.com!

CAMPUS UPDATE

December 2021

Pierson’s Perceptions

The Fall 2021 harvest is at hand – and, wow, what a harvest of success and honors it has been! The fruits of this particularly bountiful harvest sure are tasting sweet.

You don’t have to look any further than our amazing football team, which just completed its most successful season in a decade. That team is a shining example of the pride and fight that all ECU Tigers have.

But I encourage you to look further. In fact, look as deeply as you can and you will uncover example after example of what it means to be an ECU Tiger.

Whether it’s our gifted students winning competitive awards, our faculty members receiving accolades, our alumni making waves out in the world, or our dedicated and hard-working staff members keeping the whole ship afloat, ECU Tiger pride shines through time and again.

Remember last December?

Because of the situation the world was in, we held a virtual commencement for Fall 2020 graduates. Thankfully some of those came back to walk with the Spring 2021 class.

As I said at the outset, the fruits of this harvest seem extra sweet – especially for the approximately 300 Fall 2021 graduates who in a matter of days will participate in a proper, traditional commencement all their own.

Happy holidays to each and every member of the ECU Tiger family. Bring on 2022!

Tigers weather the Storm!

The ECU football team celebrates a hard-fought, season-ending victory over bitter rival Southeastern in the Great American Classic in Durant on November 13. It was ECU’s second consecutive victory in the rivalry game and the 104th overall meeting between the two teams. The Tigers finished the 2021 season at 7-4, their best record since an 8-3 mark in 2011. See Page 6 for more Tiger Athletics!

Dr. Katricia Pierson President

East Central University

580-332-8000

Future Tigers enjoy campus on Senior Day Hundreds of area high school students visited the ECU campus on November 3 for the traditional Senior Day. Realizing that students are faced with many options for college, ECU opens its doors each fall semester and extends a warm invitation to them.

The 2021 event was a unmitigated success, and mask-free!

Call ECU at 580-332-8000!

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Campus Update December 2021

ECU Mass Comm student earns prestigious OETA scholarship An ECU junior has earned a $1,000 scholarship from the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) as one of the state’s most promising media students. Cliff Tomlinson, of Coalgate, is studying Mass Communications at ECU and learned of the award in early November, which is earmarked to help with his tuition TOMLINSON and books. OETA is the state’s PBS television affiliate. The scholarship is limited to four broadcasting students from Oklahoma. This year, it is being awarded in honor and memory of William “Bill” Thrash and Gene Dillehay as a tribute to their outstanding service to OETA and the broadcasting industry.

ECU Fall 2021 Commencement event scheduled for December 11 ECU’s Fall 2021 Commencement exercises have been set for Saturday, December 11. Commencement returns to the Kerr Activities Center, where it traditionally has been held. Last spring, the event shifted outdoors to Koi Ishto Stadium due to lingering Covid-19 concerns. As is tradition, master’s degrees will be conferred first, followed by bachelor’s degrees. The keynote address will be delivered by ECU’s 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Jeremy HUMPHERS Humphers, a senior vice president and chief accounting officer at Devon Energy. Humphers graduated with honors from ECU in 1996 and is a native of Pontotoc County. Doors to the Kerr Activities Center open at 8 a.m. and commencement begins at 10 a.m.

Attendees can expect ceremonies to last about two hours.

A complete visitor’s guide can be found here.

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ECU students deliver hygiene kits Members of the ECU Social Work Student Association, in a partnership with ECU Wesley, assembled and delivered personal hygiene kits to members of the Ada community’s disadvantaged population. The project was also intended to bring attention to “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week,” which this year was November 13-21.

Students honor Pappas with new campus bench Dr. Christine Pappas was officially honored for her hard work and dedication to students on November 18 with a prestigious bench on the ECU campus. The bench is located next to the Tiger Fountain in front of Science Hall as part of a de facto “ring of honor” that recognizes those who made indelible impressions on the University, its students and its patrons. Pappas is now chair of ECU’s Political Science and Legal Studies programs in the Department of Law, Politics and Society. As professor, she teaches Political Science Research Methods, Tribal Politics, Constitutional Law, Women in Politics and more. The idea of honoring DR. PAPPAS, seated, and Pappas with a bench originated DR. SHIRLEY MIXON with Dr. Brandon Hill, vice president of Student Development. But it was her students who took the suggestion and ran with it. To read much more, please visit www.ecok.edu/news.

Stay up-to-date at www.ecok.edu/news!

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Campus Update December 2021

Celebrating entrepreneurship!

In the photo at left, Michelle Finch-Walker (center) receives a plaque for being named ECU’s 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year. Finch-Walker, an ECU alum, is co-owner of Girls Gone Wine. She is pictured with Wendell Godwin and Dr. Stacey Bolin. Above, ECU Business professor Dr. Germain Pichop speaks to a group of visiting high school students on campus to participate in Tiger Tank, an entrepreneurial pitch competition. These events are part of the annual Limes Lecture, which Finch-Walker delivered on November 10.

Sing out

Members of the ECU Chorale perform at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on November 23, under direction of Dr. Steven Walker.

White Coat ceremony

ECU Nursing students participated in the White Coat ceremony on November 15. During the ceremony, a white coat is placed on each student’s shoulders, signifying their entrance into the medical profession.

Bing, bang, boom!

The ECU Percussion Ensemble, under direction of Dr. Nick Meyers, performs inside the Ataloa Theatre on November 18.

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First Gen Day

Rhonda Hibbard of ECU NASNTI speaks to a student about Financial Literacy during First Gen Day on November 16.

Give back at www.ecok.edu/donate!

Page 4

Campus Update December 2021

Alpha Chi inducts new members ECU inducted new members into its Gamma chapter of Alpha Chi on November 15 inside the Ataloa Theatre. Alpha Chi is the National College Honor Society and membership is limited to the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors and graduate students at colleges and universities. The Alpha Chi organization turns 100 years old in 2022. Pictured at top are the new inductees.

At left is ECU professor Dr. Ken Hada, who served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Hada read from his latest book of published poetry titled Contour Feathers.

ECU senior art exhibits on display now Three ECU senior art exhibits are currently on display in the Pogue Gallery, located inside Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center through December 3.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and all exhibits are free and open to the public. The artists (their works are pictured here, from left) are Tiffany Johnson, of Allen; Tanner Hudnall, of Wewoka; and Adyson Sullivan, of Shawnee.

Read more about the artists at www.ecok.edu/news.

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Follow events at www.ecok.edu/calendar!

Campus Update December 2021

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EYES ON CAMPUS!

Theatre instructor Vickie Reifsnider prepares for the Majors Fair on November 3.

Potential ECU students take a selfie while on a campus tour.

ECU student Kaylee Thoma displays her work at the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences meeting on campus November 5.

ECU student Garrett Workman contributes some fine fretwork to the Jazz Band concert on November 29.

ECU students celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, inside the Stanley P. Wagner Ballroom on November 3.

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ECU Russian Language students visited the Russian Food Store in Oklahoma City on October 3.

See more at www.ecok.edu/photo-galleries!

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Campus Update December 2021

Tiger tough!

ECU Tiger student-athletes are back in full swing in 2021, following a mostly inactive year due to Covid-19. All games are on this year so come out and support your favorite sport! To follow the teams, stay connected with www.ecutigers.com, the official ECU Athletics website that is bursting with information! Now about these photos ...

Top left: Romello Wilbert, senior guard from The Woodlands, Texas, looks for an opening against Rogers State.

Top right: Madison Rehl, redshirt senior guard from Edmond, directs traffic on the court.

Above left: A Tiger gets a lift to finish a dunk at Tiger Jam. Above right: Kemyra Landry, redshirt sophomore from Dallas, and Nyah Walker, junior from Bryant, Texas, go up to block.

Right: Mackenzie Crusoe, basketball redshirt freshman from Choctaw, takes it deep in the Softball Home Run Derby.

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Follow all sports at www.ecutigers.com!