In this Issue
astern tatesman E S Vol. 95 Issue 4
December 2, 2016
EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE EST. 1908
Eastern and DOE reach repayment agreement Zane Johnson Staff Writer
News, Pg. 4
Homecoming, Pg. 8
After more than two years, Eastern Oklahoma State College and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) have come to an agreement that will have Eastern paying $593,853.42 in liabilities to the DOE. This number is nearly half of the original figure handed down by the government agency. “Here’s the main thing, we’re excited that we got the amount down about $400,000,” Eastern President Dr. Stephen Smith said. “It was at a little over $1 million, so we got this thing down to less than $600,000, so we’re pretty happy.”
The agreement comes after a standard program review in March 2014 found 21 findings in processes related to financial aid, crime statistics, and transcript files. The most serious finding was that the Antlers site offered more than 50 percent of a degree program. Eastern was originally asked to repay $1,086,608.70. Since then, the college has been in negotiation and has just recently gotten an agreement signed. “We’re working in compliance with the U.S. Department of Ed to get us in a better place,” added Smith. Smith says that the college already has a plan set up to make the payments.
“We’ve set aside $130,000 to make sure we cover that payback every year. This last year, we had a 20-year note on a bond that we paid off, so we just kept that in our budget. We were going to use that money for other things, but we just kept that in our budget because we had to repay this money. So that’s what we’re doing.” The college has already paid a down payment of $148,463.36 and will begin making quarterly payments of more than $27,000 until Oct. 1, 2020. According to the repayment agreement, in addition to the payment of the liability, Eastern has also agreed to the
Homecoming ROYALTY
Donald J. Trump elected POTUS, Pg. 4
following: • Eastern must hire a third party servicer to assist with Title IV matters. The third party servicer must remain in place until June 30, 2017. • Eastern must participate in a compliance assistance visit conducted by the Department. The institution must address all issues identified during the visit. • Eastern must resolve all outstanding reconciliation issues including Pell, Federal Work Study and Direct Loans. • Eastern must provide a plan to address its high cohort default rates. SEE UPDATE PAGE 6
Music program presenting its 90th Candlelighting Eastern Oklahoma State College’s Music Department will present its 90th Annual Candlelighting program Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Designed to give the Eastern community and the area community an opportunity to come together and usher in the Christmas season, the Candlelighting program is one of the oldest traditions at Eastern. The event will feature performances by the Concert Choir, Concert Band, and the Eastern Expressions and culminate with the traditional lighting of candles. The Concert Band will present a selection of original arrangements by Dr. Brandon Hendrix, Eastern’s director of instrumental and choral ensembles, including a haunting rendition of “Carol of the Bells.” The Concert Choir will perform several contemporary arrangements including “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The Eastern Expressions will
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” - Calvin Coolidge
“A good conscience is a continual Christmas.” - Benjamin Franklin Eastern’s 2016 Homecoming Queen and King are Shayla Stewart of Owasso, and Ricky Ramirez of Edmond. Stewart and Ramirez represented the softball and baseball teams respectively.
SEE
CANDLELIGHTING PAGE 2
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The Mix
December 2, 2016
campus news
Book buyback is open; sell your books back before the semester Book buyback is now open at the Wilburton campus. The bookstore will travel to the Idabel campus on Wed., Dec. 7 and will be there from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. They
The Best Mix of Top 40, pop, adult, contemporary, light classic rock and today’s cross-over country music. The Morning Show with The Crazy Train Weekdays 7 - 11 a.m. The Afternoon Show with Dougo Weekdays 2 - 6 p.m.
Join the Statesman staff Are you a great writer? Photographer? Are you good with web design?
If so, you may want to work for the Statesman newspaper. Please contact Kristen Turner at (918) 465-1720 or kturner@eosc.edu. You do not have to be a Mass Communication major.
will then be on to the Antlers campus from 5-7 The Bookstore will also be on the McAlester campus Thursday, Dec. 8 from 2-7 p.m.
MUSIC
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perform “Feliz Navidad,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” among others. Students involved in the production include Leila Aaron and Jacalyn Hulsey of Wilburton; Kayla Carr of Checotah; Victoria Cole of Kiowa; Krystina Cabrera of McAlester; Christopher Ainsworth of Gowen; Samantha Cosper of Canadian; Clay Hawes of Talihina; Zana Johnson of Kinta; Igor Leal of Padrao, Brazil; Nicholos Martindale of Howe; Dante Miller of Quinton; Rebecca Needham of Clayton; and Lucinda Roberts of Yanush.
News
December 2, 2016
Page 3
Completing college mission of C4 Week Zane Johnson Staff Writer
Cookies, music, and… bees? PTK starts off its Community College Completion Corps, or C4, sign-up week outside the E. E. Tourtellotte Student Center with cookies and entertainment provided by the Eastern Expressions. Thus commenced two hours with more than 50 people signing the pledge to take their future into their own hands and commit to completing at least an associate’s degree. A few uninvited guests did show up, however. This mid-October event saw sweat bees following students as they participated in the event. That same day a street dance was held in front of the Student Center, with a fire for hot dogs and s’mores. Tuesday saw a workshop with CollegeFISH.org, a website from the Phi Theta
Kappa Honor Society. The workshop helped students to decide the best option for their next step in college education after Eastern. On Wednesday, PTK gathered a Career Fair for the students, with booths for medical, math & science, and more career fields. With Thursday came a Resource fair to help inform students about a variety of financial aid options that are available to them, as well as other Eastern degree programs. The week finished off with a rally in the Student Center on Friday, headlined once again by the Eastern Expressions, with dessert and punch to celebrate the scholastic week. Door prize drawings were held, as well as the “Passport” drawing. Winners of the door prizes included: J.C. Byous; Payton Emmert; and the grand prize winner, Sam Simco.
Eastern Statesman Staff Derrick James Editor Wyatt Hubbard, Staff Writer Zane Johnson, Staff Writer Taylor Broyles, Staff Writer Zana Johnson signs her pledge to complete college during Eastern’s Community College Completion Corps (C4) event held on campus.
The Voice contestants to perform at Eastern’s Performing Arts Series
Performers and former The Voice contestants are scheduled to perform in the Eastern Music Department’s inaugural Performing Arts Series. The duo is set to perform Jan. 28. For ticket information go to https://alaskaandmadi.eventbrite. com
The Eastern Music Department is starting a new tradition with the inaugural Performing Arts Series on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. This event is designed to raise money for student scholarships and will feature a guest artist or group every year. This year’s guest artists are the country music duo, Alaska and Madi. Alaska and Madi appeared on the sixth season of NBC’s The Voice, where they were paired with Blake Shelton. Since the show they have used their newfound stardom to catapult themselves into the music scene in Nashville, where they currently perform.
Alaska and Madi will also hold a songwriting workshop open to the public on Friday, Jan. 27 (details about this will be coming soon). The Eastern Expressions and members of the Oklahoma Kids will be featured as the opening acts for Alaska and Madi. In addition to great music, everyone who purchases a ticket will enjoy a free appetizer bar. The concert is open to the entire community, and all ages are welcome. Please visit the following link for ticket information: https://alaskaandmadi. eventbrite.com. Contact Dr. Brandon Hendrix for more details.
The Eastern Statesman wishes you a Merry Christmas and hopes that your holidays are happy.
Kristen Turner, Adviser
Published monthly from August through May by students of Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton, OK. Opinions expressed in the “Statesman” are not necessarily those of the Eastern student body, faculty or administration. Opinions expressed in articles, columns or letters are those of the individual writers. Members of the Oklahoma Collegiate Press Association, Community College Journalism Association, Student Press Law Center and Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association. Letters to the editor are not only welcomed, but encouraged. All letters must be able to be verified with the author’s phone number, address, and e-mail address. The editor reserves the right to edit to fit space limitations and to comply with libel laws and good taste. The publication is issued by EOSC and is printed at a cost of about $50 per page. Telephone is (918) 465-1714. E-mail: statesman@eosc.edu.
News
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December 2, 2016
Donald Trump elected POTUS; State Questions 777 and 779 fail DERRICK James Editor
Donald J. Trump gives his victory speech in the early morning hours after he won a majority of the Electoral College votes, making him the 44th President of the United States of America. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, yet Trump's 306 electoral votes are enough to secure the presidency.
Americans rolled out to cast their vote in November's general election to have a say in what was a historical bid for the presidency. Donald J. Trump won the Presidential election with 306 all-important electoral votes to Hillary Clinton’s 232. After a contentious election cycle, President-elect Trump accepted the office with a message of unity. "Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division; have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. "It’s time. I pledge to every citizen of
our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me. "We’re going to get to work immediately for the American people. And we’re going to be doing a job that hopefully you will be so proud of your president. You’ll be so proud. Again, it’s my honor. It was an amazing evening. It’s been an amazing two-year period. And I love this country." The Republicans regained majority in the United States Senate, and now control both houses. Locally, Oklahomans voted on several state questions that would amend the state’s constitution. State Question 776, which allows any execution method not deemed unconstitutional to be used, passed. State Question 777, also known as the “Right
to Farm”, failed. Question 779, which would have made a permanent fund for public education and given teachers a raise, failed. State Questions 780 and 781 that reduced criminal sentences for theft and drugs and moved the money saved for rehabilitation purposes both passed. State Question 790 that would have removed the state’s separation of church and state clause failed. And State Question 792 passed, it will change the outdated alcohol laws in Oklahoma. All of Oklahoma’s U.S. Senators and Representatives won their bids for reelection. Local State Senator Larry Boggs won his reelection bid, as did area State Representatives, Brian Renegar and Ed Cannaday.
Eastern honors alumni during 2016 Homecoming celebration Eastern Oklahoma State College alumni from around the country returned to Wilburton this past weekend to take a trip down memory lane and celebrate their beloved alma mater. Three of those alumni, as well as a former student organization, were also honored during the college’s annual Homecoming Dinner. Leland Walker, a 1974 Eastern graduate and longtime educator, was inducted as the 33rd member of the EOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame. Walker, of Panola, spent 38 years dedicating his life to inspiring young people in agriculture education. He taught at Moss, Roff and Wilburton High Schools, as well as at Eastern from 1984-2012. During the event, Walker spoke about his career as an educator and mentor and the impact working with young people has had on his life. “During my 28 years at Eastern, I had the pleasure to work with hundreds and hundreds of young people. Some of those young ladies and young men were brilliant, while a few were marginal students, but I found value in each one of those individuals,” Walker said. “I want to thank Eastern Oklahoma State College for the educational foundation it provided me and for extending me this high honor. Most importantly, I want to thank the young men and women who allowed me to be a part of their lives, especially those that participated in the soils and crops judging teams.” More than 70 current agriculture instructors in Oklahoma were taught under Walker’s leadership. His students
are involved in conservation, extension, farming, ranching, forestry, landscaping and more. Walker said he and his wife, Sally, often run into former students at various places around the state. He described those chance meetings as mini family reunions. Dr. Dustin Hulsey, a 2003 Eastern graduate, was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. A Wilburton High School graduate, Hulsey opened his own veterinary practice in Red Oak and grew the operation from a mobile practice to a 4,000-square-foot facility with modern equipment including digital radiography, hematology capabilities and ultrasound viewing and technology. Hulsey said that as a high school student, he knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. He thought about going directly to Oklahoma State, but ultimately decided Eastern offered an advantage with smaller class sizes, more hands-on teaching and caring faculty that helped him succeed. “After I finished at Eastern, I went on to Oklahoma State but I never forgot the experiences and fun that I had here at Eastern. Still to this day, I continuously try to get young students graduating from high school to pursue an education here at Eastern. I try to get them to come join the Eastern family. This institution is full of instructors that honestly and truly care about the success and progression of their students,” Hulsey said. Estella Bennett-Mask of McAlester was presented the Distinguished Former Fac-
Eastern President Dr. Stephen E. Smith (far left) gathers with the 2016 EOSC Homecoming Award honorees including (left to right) Estella Bennett-Mask, Distinguished Former Faculty Award; Anita Risner, representing Angel Flight for the Heritage Award; Dr. Dustin Hulsey, the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award; and Leland Walker, the 33rd member of the EOSC Alumni Hall of Fame.
ulty Award. An Eastern Alumna, BennettMask taught a total of 33 years in higher education with 31 of those at Eastern. She taught various business courses in entrepreneurship, management and marketing while also coaching many students who placed in the top five nationally in business competitions. “I have been fortunate through the years to receive several honors and hold positions of leadership in several organizations. However, nothing was as gratifying as coaching students as they pre-
pared for competitions and to see their growth in knowledge and self-confidence as they won their event,” BennettMask said. “Teaching at Eastern wasn’t a job, but a career and a way of life.” Eastern’s former student organization Angel Flight was recognized with the Heritage Award for the significant role the group played in shaping and molding the history of Eastern. Angel Flight served as a student drill team and service organization that helped plan various campus activities and performed at
marching competitions, parades and other college events. Eastern alumna Anita Risner, Class of 1967, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “Angel Flight was an important part of our lives. We learned to build leadership skills, social skills and the importance of volunteering outside of the classroom,” Risner said. “I developed some wonderful friendships and discovered a hidden talent that changed the way I thought about myself. And it was just plain fun.”
News
December 2, 2016
Tips for surviving your final exams
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MOUNTAINEER MANIA
Wyatt hubbard Staff Writer
With finals week right around the corner it can be a very stressful time especially when you're trying to find time to study. Here are a few tips to help you be successful this finals week. Tip #1 get a good night’s sleep. It may sound cliché but, when taking a final it is idea to be well rested as this helps you think clearly as well as improve your memory and the ability to concentrate so try to get the required amount of sleep which is eight hours. Tip #2 make the time to study Don't wait until the last minute to study instead, take 5 to 10 minutes every day to study your notes. Study in a quiet room with little to no distractions turn off cell phone, computer, TV, and anything else that might disturb you while studying. Tip #3 talk to your professors Your processor can give you helpful hints and tips on how to study for the exam. Step #4 quiz yourself or let others quiz you Study the material then ask yourself questions or let somebody else ask you questions about what you have studied. Create your own notes or flashcards. Step #5 answer the chapter review questions. Most textbooks include review questions at the end of each chapter which will come in handy when studying for the final exam. These are just a few tips to help you with finals week. Good Luck!
Professors David Juarez and Julie Collins answer questions from high school students during Eastern's annual Mountaineer Mania Nov. 17. Every year, hundreds of high school students travel to the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wilburton campus for the recruiting event.
HS teams compete in Eastern Invitational Eastern Oklahoma State College will host its annual high school invitational basketball tournament Dec. 5-10 in Wilburton. This year’s tournament will feature 12 high school boys’ and girls’ teams from Oklahoma. Both boys and girls teams from Battiest, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Caney, Cameron, Gans, LeFlore, McCurtain, Panola, Red Oak, Smithville and Stuart will participate. Eastern’s annual high school invitational basketball tournament is one of the largest and longest running tournaments of its kind in Oklahoma. Five players from each bracket will earn All-Tournament Honors and one player from each bracket will be named Tournament MVP. Games will be played at Eastern’s C.C. Dunlap Field House in Wilburton and the Wilburton High School gymnasium. For tournament brackets and a complete schedule of games, visit www.eosc.edu/invitational.
State Regents approve budget request The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education voted Thursday to request $957.9 million for FY 2018, which reflects an 18.3 percent increase over the FY 2017 appropriation of $810 million. Strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce pipeline through the Complete College America degree and certificate completion plan continues to be the state system of higher education’s top priority. The State Regents are requesting $122.7 million for degree completion programs and initiatives. This investment will provide state colleges and universities funding to meet instruction and academic enterprise requirements and for institutional scholarships.
“Despite historic budget cuts in FY 2017, our state system of higher education remains committed to increasing college degree and certificate attainment, which strengthens Oklahoma’s economy,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “These additional funds would empower our colleges and universities to continue meeting our Complete College America goals as we work to produce the graduates required to meet our state’s workforce needs.” Increased funding for financial aid programs will also be a priority for the State Regents in the upcoming legislative session. The State Regents are seeking $12.7 million to restore scholarship programs and fully fund the concurrent enrollment program, which provides
tuition waivers to high school seniors who enroll in college coursework during their senior year. The State Regents are seeking $1.1 million to restore shared service programs and $9.6 million for debt service obligations related to the 2005 higher education capital bond issue. Another area of focus in the coming legislative session will be maintaining current law regarding weapons on higher education campuses. Oklahoma higher education does not oppose the Second Amendment or gun ownership. Under current law, campus presidents have the discretion to grant exceptions to the weapons ban when an exception is warranted. The State Regents and the presidents of all 25 state system institu-
www.statesman.eosc.edu
tions strongly believe that there is no scenario where expanding authorization to carry weapons on higher education campuses does anything other than create a more dangerous environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. The State Regents will also continue efforts to preserve the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship as an access program. Recognized by many as America’s best college access program, Oklahoma’s Promise is considered a model that combines emphases on academic preparation and financial support for college. More than 70,000 students have earned college tuition scholarships through Oklahoma’s Promise since the program’s inception in 1992.
Features
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December 2, 2016
Several opportunities available through the Choctaws of Eastern DERRICK James Editor
The Choctaws of EOSC provide many opportunities for its members throughout the academic year.
The Choctaws of EOSC held its last meetings of the semester the week before finals week. The program is officially known as The Choctaw Nation College and Career Resources. Its goal is to create a community among Choctaw students, their college campus, and their staff wherein students are empowered to make informed decisions and develop academic and life skills to become confident, proactive, and accountable participants in their educational and professional lives. To achieve this goal, the program meets every Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon in Johnston 131 – The HUB. Each class offers insight on a differ-
ent topic ranging from study skills to financial literacy. Choctaw Nation Success Coach Jamie Irwin leads the EOSC program and weekly classes. After a meal provided by the program, Irwin, along with guest speakers from around the area who specialize in different topics, teaches the skills necessary for students to better themselves in their current and future endeavors. At the end of the weekly workshop, the students are given a $10 voucher to Choctaw Travel Plazas, which can be used to purchase fuel or other items inside the stores. To be a part of the program, a student must be an enrolled member of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Students must also attend the first meeting to learn what the program’s expectations and goals are and then sign a con-
tract. For a student to qualify for a scholarship, the student must also complete a worksheet that informs him or her of the steps needed to be eligible for financial assistance. These steps include attending plays and musicals, attending career fairs, participating in workouts, attending Native American culture events, completing resumes, and volunteering in the community. At the end of the semester, the student will meet with Irwin to discuss plans and if the requirements for the scholarship were met. The scholarship can be used the next semester at Eastern or at the school to which the student is transferring. If you are interested in becoming a part of the program, contact Irwin at choctawsofeosc@eosc.edu. Her office is located in Johnston 122.
The backpack program continues to help nourish area elementary students
Zane Johnson Staff Writer
As children laugh and talk, the sound of plastic bags mixes with the sounds of joy. It’s the Wilburton Backpack program, a program dedicated to helping ensure that children in need have food on the weekend to eat. The United Methodist Church of Wilburton leads the program, where the bags of food are packed, then transported to the school. At the school, teachers and administrators give out the bags to students in need. These students who receive
UPDATE
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According to Smith, Eastern has already hired a third-party servicer to assist with Title IV matters. He also says that the DOE visit stipulated in the agreement has already taken place in November. “Two gentlemen from the Department of Ed came up, and we spent a day with them. They basically went over various policies, making sure that our policies are okay and giving us advice. So that was just kind of a guidance session,” explained Smith “We’re cleaning up a few things. They wanted to see some policies here
bags also have the opportunity to inform their teachers about siblings at home who also need food. Currently, the backpack program packs food for roughly 60 kids every week. The program focuses on children in grade school (ages 6-12), because once they reach middle school and up, children may view help more negatively and are less likely to accept the help. The process of packing the food resembles the assembly line. First, volunteers come in and lay out all the food in organized sections, then other volunteers come in and pack the food in nondescript plastic shopping bags.
The foods given to kids are carefully chosen in order to ensure that the food will have the necessary nutrients for the kids and that it will last several days. Foods are also selected to avoid common allergies. Therefore, foods such as peanut butter are not part of the program. The program also makes sure that all food included is easily accessible, so no canned goods that require a can opener are accepted. The backpack program runs on donations from various churches, city organizations, and public grants. It has managed to continue operating since 2012.
and there, and so we’re working with the gentlemen in Dallas, and hopefully within the next few weeks we’ll have that all done and they’ll sign off on that.” Moving on to the next portion of the agreement, Smith explained that reconciliation means to make sure that everything is accurate in the system. “We’re working on that per their request to make sure everything is just cleaned up. That’s taking a little bit of time, so our financial aid office is working on that and I’m not sure what the timeline for completion on that will be.” Smith also explained that Eastern had already implemented a plan to work
on default rates and that the school had already handed over a copy of that plan to the DOE. “The payment plan is in place. We’re moving forward, and we’re good there. When we get this cleaned up, it will help us get off HCM2 status. This is our next biggie for the college, is to get off HCM2.” Heightened Cash Monitoring, or HCM2, is a delay in financial aid money. The DOE requests and reviews a batch of random Eastern student financial aid files, then, once those files have cleared, it sends the money to Eastern in small intervals. This has sometimes led to delays in Eastern students receiving their financial
A high school student tries to read off of a TelePrompTer during Eastern’s Mountaineer Mania held Nov. 17.
aid and loans disbursements throughout the last two years. According to Smith, the DOE has told the college that once the four non-liability components are satisfactory, they will remove Eastern from HCM2. Smith hopes that the college will see this happen sometime this spring. “We’ll have all of this stuff done within the next few weeks; it’s just a matter of when they make that decision to let us off HCM2.” Smith also addressed the vacancy in the Institutional Advancement office after its director Treva Kennedy resigned before the Thanksgiving holiday. Smith said that Kennedy resigned in order to pursue
other opportunities and that Eastern is currently evaluating how to manage the duties of the office. He hopes that a plan will be in place after winter break, but is not sure what that will entail. There is also a vacancy in Eastern’s Board of Regents, but Smith says that he doesn’t see it being filled in the near future. “They’ll fill it at some point. You have political factors going on, because Governor Fallin may be going to Washington, D.C. — if you keep up with the news. Right now, I don’t think that they’re filling any open positions across the state because they don’t know what she’s going to do.”
Alumni
December 2, 2016
WHERE ARE THEY NOW...
Eastern Alumni making an impact on the world EASTERN Former Eufaula mayor doesn’t dwell on his past as he continues new career in Austin, Texas By Mike Cathey (EOSC 1983 of Indianola) Author’s note: When Joe Johnson was approached about this feature he was very forthright and shared, “I am sure you are aware of some legal problems that I had 20 years ago. I did what was necessary and don’t look back I try to be better and not bitter, everything happens for a reason.” Back in the summer of 1998 Joe Johnson was convicted of 10 felony counts. He was found guilty of two counts each of conspiracy and obtaining a thing of value under false pretenses and one count of embezzlement. He also was convicted on five counts of making false claims against a state agency. Johnson was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay an $8,500 fine and court costs. He served time in jail for three years. Also, I believe that Johnson is now the sixth former EOSC Statesman Editor to have been featured. Joe Johnson (EOSC 1973 of Eufaula) is now Executive Vice President of The Central Texas Search, an Austin Texas-based career advancement and marketing firm. At the age of 24 Johnson was elected the youngest full time Mayor in Oklahoma history at the time (Eufaula, OK) and served in that position for nearly 23 years. He was also a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation’s Supreme Court for over 16 years and was Chief Justice for 10 of these years. “When some unforeseen challenges with my position caused me to take an early retirement when I was only fifty years old I did,” Johnson shared. “After a brief time out I thought fishing and playing golf was going to be fun and it was for about six month. I got bored and decided to go back to work and line
“
I was working for the Indian Journal newspaper reporting on the Eufaula City Council meetings and decided to run for mayor. I thought I would stay one term and go back and get my law degree. It did not work out that way. I won the mayoral race and kept winning and was also appointed by four different Chiefs of the Muscogee Creek Nation to the Supreme Court.
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Joe Johnson EOSC 1973
many of my current clients, I did not know how, I had never looked for a job. I had always been elected or appointed to my previous positions. “When I was between jobs the Governor of Oklahoma George Nigh (EOSC grad) was a longtime friend and I was talking to him about my situation. I told him I was thinking about going back to work. He said he had some things that I could help him with. So he put me on some economic development boards to recruit industry for the state and to help with their executive searches. That is where I got an interest in what I am doing now. “It was also a lot of fun but they like to pay me mostly with plaques and certificates. My wife was glad to get me out of the house but said, ‘If you are going to work that hard you should get paid for it.’ “My longtime friend runs our Houston office. I did not know exactly
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Joe Johnson
what he did but I thought he helped people get jobs. He said that his dad was retiring from this company after 33 years and why don’t I go to work for them. I did not know at the time they wanted me to be a managing partner and actually open the Austin office. “I graduated from EOSC in 1973, was Freshman Class President and a member of the Student Senate, and went on to OU to study pre law. I then decided to sit out a semester of college to run the Hartshorne Sun which was owned by former EOSC Regent Eddie Young—he was running for State Representative at the time. He lost his election, so I went back to Eufaula waiting on my next semester at OU to begin. “I was working for the Indian Journal newspaper reporting on the Eufaula City Council meetings and decided to run for mayor. I thought I would stay one term and go back and get my law degree. It did not work out that way. I won the mayoral race and kept winning and was also appointed by four different Chiefs of the Muscogee Creek Nation to the Supreme Court. Twenty-three years later, I had served as the Eufaula mayor longer than anyone in the city’s history. “We ran into some problems that changed my course, but overall I don’t regret much of anything in my life. It has been good. We always have things we wish we could change or mistakes that we have made, but that is life. You live and learn. “Austin has been good to us. I am now 66 years old and looking very seriously at retiring again to Costa Rica within a year.” Johnson received an EOSC associate degree in journalism. He was the editor of The Statesman and was class president of the freshman class, a member of the Student Senate and President of the Young Democrats. He was also a member of the EOSC Speech, Debate and Forensics Team.
Joe Johnson, center, and friends during his time at Eastern Oklahoma State College. Johnson graduated with a degree in journalism before transferring to the University of Oklahoma.
Joe Johnson was elected mayor of Eufaula when he was just 24 years old. He served as mayor for 23 years and was also appointed to the Supreme Court by four different Chiefs of the Muscogee Creek Nation.
“I learned so much from Journalism teacher Jim Sullivan, tons of people skills that have helped me throughout my career,” shared Johnson on his time at Eastern. “I loved everyone. Johnnie Wray, my speech teacher, was great and Frank Hogan was also excellent. The main thing I learned was people skills that have and continue to help me. It all started at EOSC.” Being one-quarter Creek Indian himself, Johnson is the great-greatgrandson of Phosas Harjo (a noted leader of the Creek Tribe during its early development. And he is also the greatnephew of the famous Creek Statesman and Poet Alexander Posey. Johnson’s wife, Beverly, was
previously an entertainer and a member of Vince Gill’s first band. His daughter, Kristi, is a Norman attorney and married to Cale Gundy, former OU Quarterback and now Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. His son, Blake, is a recent OU Law graduate and now with the OKC firm of Crowe Dunleavy. Mike Cathey is a Lifetime Member of the EOSC Alumni Association. While at Eastern, Cathey was a staff writer for The Statesman and Vice President of the Student Senate. Cathey is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and resides in Chicago, IL and Indianola, OK.
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HOMECOMING 2016
Members of the women’s basketball team dance at the scorer’s table during Eastern Oklahoma State College’s Homecoming parade held Nov. 12. Eastern’s clubs, teams, alumni, staff and faculty all came out to help celebrate the college’s annual homecoming.
December 2, 2016