Friday, August 25, 2006
NEWS 15TH STREET
Rose State College
6420 SE 15th Street, Midwest City, OK 73110
Vol. XXXVI Issue 1
Learn how to be a senator or mascot. See story, Page 3.
Summer news recap. See story, Page 2.
Test your thinking skills. See puzzles, Page 5.
6th president chosen Johnna Ray Editor in chief
Regents appointed Dr. Terry Britton as the sixth president of RSC, effective July 1, during a special joint meeting held eight days after the resignation of former RSC President Dr. James Cook. Cook, who will continue at RSC until Jan. 1, 2007 as Special Advisor to the Board and Administration, told colleagues in a campus-wide e-mail that his decision to resign was influenced in part by his wife’s recent retirement. He said the couple devoted their entire adult careers to the field of education, which did not allow much time to “enjoy non-work related time together.” “Now seems to be the best time for me to phase out my presidency and transition the college to new leadership and myself to a new focus on my family,” Cook said. While the role of president is new to Britton, leadership is not. Throughout the years, Britton – who came to RSC as an English professor on January 15, 1972 – has held positions as vice president for Academic Affairs, vice president for Information Services, director of the Learning Resources Center and executive vice president. In a July 16 article written by the Midwest City and Del City Sun, Britton shared his personal goals for the college. These goals are to “promote and to enhance further the value of the associate degree in the community,” “increase the number of students enrolling, graduating and staying in the community for work and further education,” to increase RSC’s impact in
Photo by JON ROLLMAN
Faculty and staff join in the H.B. Atkinson Theatre to hear new RSC President Dr. Terry Britton present the annual State of the College address, Aug. 17.
Britton’s goals: ‘Hope, dignity’ Joshua Pace News Editor Dr. Terry Britton, RSC president, spoke to a packed room of college personnel during his State of the College address on Thursday, Aug. 17, in the H. B. Atkinson Theater. Two words that Dr. Britton said he would be repeating on a regular basis are “hope” and “dignity,” because these are what he wants to instill in the college’s students. “An individual’s dignity is to be most prized,” Dr. Britton said during the speech. “You and I are community college professionals and we know how little self-esteem many of our students have [because] they have never been allowed to develop it.” The speech, which was Britton’s first since taking over the position earlier this year from Dr. James Cook, not only outlined some of the college’s goals, but also highlighted his vision for what education can do to enhance people’s lives. “If we offer any equality in this great land of opportunity, it should be an equal right to personal dignity,” Dr. Britton said. “Your teaching and mentoring can go far in allowing individuals to understand the importance of being a free and responsible citizen with self respect and a respect for others.” In addition to underscoring the importance of the RSC mission, Britton also said that one of the college’s goals in coming years should be to grow in both facilities and student enrollment. His hope is to increase enrollment to 10,000 students – something that will not happen overnight but is still more than possible, he said. However, having more students will not make the college better if it does not have the facilities to accommodate learning, and fortunately, RSC is already striving to meet that need with a number of ongoing construction and renovation projects, he said. Although Dr. Britton’s address contained many informational items outlining the college’s plans for future growth, perhaps the most heart-felt of his statements came as he proclaimed what education means to him personally. “I knew that education was my main hope as I grew up in poverty in southwest Oklahoma,” he said. “It was instilled in me early that education was the future for me … and I am grateful to [my mother] and to all my teachers who believed [in me] and kept stressing the value of learning, growing and hope.” Britton said that he believes RSC can bring that same hope to students, which is the college’s ultimate mission. jpace@rose.edu
Photo by STACEY McENTIRE
Academic year begins with new leadership
Dr. James Cook, former RSC president, left, resigns. Dr. Terry Britton, right, who served as executive vice president during Cook’s six-year presidency, now the new RSC president.
workforce development and continuing professional education, to “promote cultural events that will benefit the entire community,” and to see the current building projects successfully completed. Britton has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, earned at Southwestern State University Weatherford, and a master’s and doctorate degree, also in English Literature, from the University of Oklahoma. He and wife, Kay, have four children in whom they have instilled the importance of education. “My eldest, Mynda Lee, graduated from OU with a degree in English,” Britton said. “Marshall attended here
briefly before leaving for the U.S. Navy, Morgan received a degree from [RSC] in Physical Therapy Assistance [and] Aaron is now a sophomore [at RSC].” Britton was born in Redstone Valley and spent most of his pre-college school years in Anadarko, a relatively small town in Caddo County located about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. He enjoys writing poetry and attending or participating in poetry readings when his schedule permits. “I found it difficult before [being appointed as president of RSC] to find time to write, but will still seek some opportunities,” Britton said. “I
can’t quit trying.” Britton shares this “can’t quit” attitude and determination when discussing his plans for the future of the college. “We can never be satisfied with maintenance,” he said. “The world is changing too quickly for us to be mere caretakers.” “The face of the college is changing with the addition of three buildings and the opportunity to provide bachelor’s level programs here,” Britton added. “We will look for new opportunities while protecting the quality of the academic programs and care for our students - that is the college legacy.” jray@rose.edu
Orientation, Raider Dayz provide fun, food, instruction to students Shannon Hoverson Assistant Editor Family Orientation – a day packed-full of activities – and a way for new students and their families to learn about RSC – was held Saturday Aug. 19. Registration began at 9:00 a.m. in the Student Center Main Dining Room. Dr. Terry
Britton, new President of RSC, spoke to the assembled students and then invited them to go over to the Gymnasium with the RSC mascot, Rowdy Raider, showing the way. The students were shown a brief video about the student senate, which stressed becoming involved with campus leadership opportunities. Then students were invited Photos by JENNIFER WIMER
Left: Raiders meet one another while participating in various activities, such as the birthday circle squat, during Orientation. Above: Josh Vaughn, drummer, and band, Cardinal Trait, perform for Raiders Aug. 21.
to “Meet-A-Raider,” an opportunity to meet new people and get to know each other, which involved finding people with the same colored shoes and getting in groups according to month of birth. “It was a way for me to relax,” Kim Cline, computer programming and simulation major, said. “I love the campus,” Cline added. “It’s great; it has all kinds of stuff going on.” After “Meet-A-Raider,” several aspects of college life, from intramural sports to financial aid and how to apply, were discussed. After they were dismissed, students streamed out of the Gym to visit various booths set up around the Campus Mall. Here, they collected stickers on a sheet, which listed many of the booths, and later handed in the sheet for entry in a drawing. Some of the items up for grabs were two iPods, CD cases and calculators. The winners of the iPods were Brittany Sellers, undecided major, and Preston Carter, geosciences major. Free pizza, soda and popsicles were avail-
able for everyone and many people enjoyed games throughout the Campus Mall, such as Putt Putt, a rock-climbing wall, Frisbee golf, a football toss and a dunk tank with Student Senate President, Daniel McClure “taking one for the team.” Family Orientation was just the start of the annual “Raider Dayz.” In addition to being the first day of classes, Aug. 21 provided food and fun on the Campus Mall and despite rain for the second straight year, the event was well attended. Additionally, local bands Cardinal Trait and Winter Circle performed live during the festivities. “I think it’s really cool,” Aaron Vaughn, Cardinal Trait’s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, said. “[RSC’s] a really nice campus.” By day two, the rain cleared and students were able to enjoy the activities and visit booths set up by local companies and student clubs. For more Family Orientation and Raider Dayz photos, pick up a copy of the next issue of 15th Street News, Friday, Sept. 1. shoverson@rose.edu