Seminole, Oklahoma Vol. XLVIII Issue No. 9 May 2019
COLLEGIANSEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE
SSC adds three new honorees to its Alum-ni Hall of Fame, Johnathan Russell, Dar-lene Wallace and Carlos James.
See story on Page 4.
SPRING BANQUET
Read the story on Page 3.
PSI BETA INDUCTION
Read the story on Page 7.
SSC WELCOMES DENMARK DELEGATION
2 THE COLLEGIAN May 2019
Fall Enrollment Begins
Seminole State College is cur-
rently enrolling for the 2019 fall se-
mester. Students can also enroll for
summer and upcoming intersession
courses. A current class schedule can
be viewed on the College’s website at
www.sscok.edu.
Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President
for Student Affairs, encourages stu-
dents to enroll now before classes
start to fill-up. “Although our fall se-
mester doesn’t begin until August 12,
it’s important for students to come
visit with an SSC advisor sooner
rather than later, especially if they
are looking to take a specific class at
a certain time.”
He explained that this is also a
great time to consider a summer or
intersession class. “These course op-
tions are available to help students
complete degree requirements that
they weren’t able to fit into their fall
or spring schedules. We are always
looking for ways to provide flexible
class offerings for our students.”
For help with enrollment, students
may visit an advisor in person inside
the Walkingstick Student Services
Center or call 405-382-9230. Current
Finals WeekMay 6-10
"The Seminole State Colle-
gian" is published during the
fall and spring semesters by the
Seminole State College Office
of Media Relations, under the
direction of Josh Hutton. The
staff reserves the right to edit
submitted material for spell-
ing and style. Consideration is
given to all submitted material,
but submission does not ensure
publication. No anonymous
material will be considered. All
views expressed are those of the
author and not necessarily those
of Seminole State College. "The
Collegian" is distributed on the
SSC campus and mailed to more
than 300 friends of the college.
Seminole State College, in com-
pliance with Title VI of the Civ-
il Rights Act of 1964, Executive
Order 11246 as amended, Title
IX of the Educational Amend-
ments of 1972, and other Fed-
eral laws and regulations, does
not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, gen-
der, age, religion, handicap, or
status as a veteran in any of its
policies, practices or procedures.
This includes, but is not limited
to, admissions, employment, fi-
nancial aid and educational ser-
vices. This publication, printed
by the Norman Transcript is is-
sued by Seminole State College
as authorized by the President
of the college. At a cost of $275,
1,000 copies have been prepared
and distributed. Questions and
concerns can be directed to Josh
Hutton at 405-382-9283.
Submiting to The Collegian SSC Welcomes Denmark Student Delegation
Danish students from 360 College in Silkeborg, Denmark visit the SSC campus.
GraduationMay 10
End of the Year BashMay 1
students may enroll with their aca-
demic advisor.
SSC students can receive asso-
ciate degrees in 18 transfer degree
programs including majors in agri-
culture, art, biology, business, child
development, computer science,
criminal justice, elementary educa-
tion, enterprise development, health,
physical education and recreation,
health sciences, liberal studies,
pre-engineering, psychology, sec-
ondary education and social scienc-
es.
The College also offers several en-
ter-the-workforce degree programs,
including business technology, engi-
neering technology, medical labora-
tory technology, nursing and physi-
cal therapist assistant.
Regular hours for the SSC Office
of Admissions, Business Office and
Bookstore are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
Monday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Friday. For additional in-
formation about enrollment at SSC,
please call the college’s Office of Ad-
missions at 405-382-9230.
Fall classes start August 12.
Spring Graduation
Commencement Ceremony - May, 10 at 10:30 a.m.,
Raymond Harber Field House
Keynote Speaker - Marty Lewis, Superintendent and CEO,
Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Overflow Seating - Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center
Watch a livestream of graduation at bravadotv.com
Region II Softball Tournament
May 9-12
May 2019 THE COLLEGIAN 3
SSC Welcomes Denmark Student Delegation
Danish students from 360 College in Silkeborg, Denmark visit the SSC campus.
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR FALL 2019SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR ADVISOR TODAY
Meeting Miss America
Seminole State College Presi-
dent’s Leadership Class students
met with Jane Jayroe Gamble, a
third generation Oklahoman and
a former Miss America. Gamble
was the featured speaker during
the Seminole Chamber of Com-
merce monthly forum on April 11.
Gamble held a career in broadcast
journalism for 17 years as a prime
time news anchor in Oklahoma
City and Dallas Fort Worth. She is
also the author of several inspira-
tional books – her most recent ti-
tled Practice: Unleashing the Power
of Faith. Gamble visited with the
students and described her journey
to becoming Miss America as a girl
from a small Oklahoma town. She
encouraged them to not give up on
their dreams and that almost any-
thing is obtainable if you are willing
to put forth effort and hard work.
Eleven Danish students, and their sponsors, Henrik Staal and Annemarie Kratz Theusen, arrived in Seminole April 22 as part of an educational and cultural exchange program between 360 College in Silkeborg, Denmark and Seminole State College. The delegation is pictured with SSC President Lana Reynolds ( far right) at a luncheon welcoming them to campus.
Danish exchange stu-dents enjoy sodas and burgers inside Pop’s, a restaurant and fuel sta-tion off of Route 66 in Ar-cadia, Okla. that holds a selection of over 600 bev-erages.
4 THE COLLEGIAN May 2019
Alumni, Employees and Students Honored by SSC
Hundreds attend 25th annual Spring Banquet, hosted by the SSC Educational Foundation.
More than 350 friends and sup-
porters of Seminole State College
attended the SSC Educational Foun-
dation’s annual recognition banquet
April 25, in the Enoch Kelly Haney
Center. The event included recog-
nition of college alumni, employees
and students.
SSC alumni Carlos James, Johna-
than Russell and Darlene Wallace
were inducted into the Seminole
State College Alumni Hall of Fame.
The two honorees joined 69 other
former students in the Hall of Fame.
Recipients of the honor are selected
for their achievements while attend-
ing the college and contributions
they have made in their professional
careers which bring pride to the in-
stitution. Nominations are accepted
each year from faculty, staff, mem-
bers of the SSC Educational Foun-
dation and the public for induction.
Three SSC employees were rec-
ognized at the banquet for their
upcoming retirements, including:
Deedra Eldredge, NASNTI Coach-
ing Specialist; Cindy Guinn, Admin-
istrative Assistant to the President’s
Office; and Mary Higgins, Accounts
Payable Clerk.
One employee was recognized for
reaching an employment milestone.
Damaris Haney, Talent Search Advi-
sor, was also honored for serving the
College for 20 years.
One student from each of the
Seminole State College added three new honorees to its Alumni Hall of Fame at the SSC Educational Foun-dation Spring Banquet on April 25. Pictured from left to right: SSC President Lana Reynolds; Alumni Hall of Fame Honorees Johnathan Russell, Darlene Wallace, Carlos James; and SSC Educational Foundation Chair Lance Wortham.
College’s six academic divisions was
selected by faculty to be recognized
as the “SSC 2019 Outstanding Stu-
dents.” Those honored at this year’s
reception included: Business and
Education – Hanna Pitman of Quin-
ton; Language Arts and Humanities
– Kristy Lively of Bethel Acres; Sci-
ence, Technology, Engineering and
Math – Kaitlyn Carroll of Broken
Arrow; Nursing and Health Scienc-
es – Ashley Bristol of Del City; and
Social Sciences – Kaitlyn Trunk of
Seminole.
Campus organizational lead-
ers were also honored at the event.
Those honored were: Angela Church,
Faculty Senate President; Edith
Cathey, Professional Staff Council
President; Toni Wittmann, Classified
Staff Association President; and Ti-
jah Johnson, member of the Student
Government Association.
Proceeds of the banquet will go
to the SSC Educational Foundation.
The SSC Educational Foundation,
Inc., was created in 1972 “to supply
aid for charitable, benevolent, edu-
cational, scientific and literary pur-
poses,” according to the foundation’s
articles of incorporation.
Lance Wortham serves as Chair of
the Foundation Board of Trustees.
Vice Chairs are Jeramy Rich and
Doug Humphreys. Other members
of the Board are: Chairman Rocky
Barrett, Dan Boren, Dr. Vickie Car-
ter, Brooke Case, Steve Degraffen-
reid, Jay Estes, Rick Geist, Suzanne
Gilbert, Keith Grissom, Jim Har-
din, John Hargrave, Tim Mathews,
Gordon Melson, Chris Moore, Carl
Packwood, Kenny Pryor, Chief Kay
Rhoads, Lance Ruffel, Mark Schell,
Jack Sherry, Roy Sisco, Sue Sno-
dgrass, Bob Swearingen, Andy Tuck-
er, Reggie Whitten and David Wil-
son.
May 2019 THE COLLEGIAN 5
Spring Banquet
6 THE COLLEGIAN May 2019
Seminole Chamber Honors SSC Personnel
Two Seminole State College em-
ployees were recognized for their
hard work and dedication during
the monthly Seminole Chamber of
Commerce Forum on April 11. As-
sistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Sam Rivera was honored as “Faculty
Member of the Month” and Direc-
tor of Student Support Services and
STEM Student Support Services Jan-
na Manlapig was honored as “Profes-
sional Staff Member of the Month.”
Rivera completed his bachelor’s
degree in Criminal Justice Manage-
ment at Union Institute and Univer-
sity. He received his master’s degree
in Criminal Justice at the University
of Oklahoma.
While living in California, Rivera
served the Sacramento Sheriff’s De-
partment for 23 years before retiring.
Following his time in Sacramento,
Rivera took on the role of SSC Chief
of Police from 2015 to 2017. Since
that time, Rivera has held the posi-
tion of Assistant Professor of Crim-
inal Justice.
He is involved with a number of
campus organizations and com-
mittees. He is a member of the As-
sessment Learning Committee, the
Chair of the Professional Develop-
ment Committee and an advisor for
the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Rivera and his wife Stephanie
reside in Wewoka. They have four
adult children: Samantha Kale of
Foresthill, California; Andrew Rivera
of Auburn, California; Ryan Rivera
of Killeen, Texas; and Reagan Rivera
of Shawnee.
Manlapig received her bachelor’s
degree in Religion from Oklahoma
Baptist University and her master’s
degree in Adult and Higher Educa-
tion Administration from the Uni-
versity of Oklahoma.
In her role as Director of Student
Support Services and STEM Student
Support Services she administrates
grants and plays a key role in helping
students with their academic pur-
suits.
She is involved with the Student
Success Council and Professional
Staff Council. She also sits on adviso-
ry boards for nursing and MLT. She
is an active member of the Emman-
uel Episcopal Church in Shawnee,
where she participates on the meal
service team, plays in the hand bell
choir and plays percussion for the
youth service on Wednesday eve-
nings.
She and her fiancée Holly reside
in Shawnee. Manlapig has two chil-
dren, Mitchell and Kamryn.
SSC Assistant Professor of Crim-inal Justice Sam Rivera was honored as the February “Facul-ty Member of the Month” at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum April 11.
Director of Student Support Ser-vices and STEM Student Support Services was honored as “Pro-fessional Staff Member of the Month” at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum April 11.
SSC’s Documentary Screening Draws
Large Crowd
Seminole State College and
the Phi Theta Kappa Honor So-
ciety hosted a free screening of
the documentary series Killing
Pain on April 18. The event drew
more than 140 campus and com-
munity guests. The series focuses
on Oklahoma’s opioid crisis and
the steps being taken to stem the
epidemic.
Members of PTK pose with the
SSC President prior to the doc-
umentary screening on April 18.
Pictured from left to right: Presi-
dent Lana Reynolds, PTK Officers
Paige Brown, Taryn Washburn,
Nathan Weeks and Mattie Wood.
May 2019 THE COLLEGIAN 7
Twelve Seminole State College
students were inducted into the Psi
Beta Psychology Honor Society for
two-year colleges on April 11 at 6
p.m.
Psi Beta is the national honor so-
ciety in psychology for community
and junior colleges. The mission
of Psi Beta is professional devel-
opment of psychology students
through promotion and recognition
of excellence in scholarship, lead-
ership, research, and community
service. Seminole State College has
held an active charter with Psi Beta
since 1996.
Inducted into Psi Beta were:
Amanda Barton of Wetumka; Bai-
ley Brennan of Tulsa; Aysha Bui
of Shawnee; Daryian Fancher of
Harrah; Susan James of Wewoka;
Addie McGill of Seminole; Brittney
Moore of Seminole; Chad Paige of
Tecumseh; Ernest Sego III of Shaw-
nee; Jayden Smith of Wynnewood;
Sierra Springer of Allen; and Gavin
Winchester of Prague. During the
special candle-lighting ceremony.
Each student received a pin, certif-
icate of achievement, and an honor
stole to wear at the College’s com-
mencement ceremony on May 10.
Seminole State College Psi Beta
co-sponsors Christal Knowles, As-
sociate Professor of Psychology and
Kendall Rogers, Assistant Professor
of Psychology/Sociology, conduct-
ed the ceremony. Knowles gave the
keynote address encouraging stu-
dents to understand the importance
of positive thinking and determina-
tion and celebrating accomplish-
ments and victories.
Knowles then recognized the
2018-2019 officers and presented
them with SSC keepsakes and a Psi
Beta decal. The officers include
Brittney Moore, President and SGA
Representative; and Aysha Bui, Sec-
retary and Treasurer. All of the of-
ficers were integral in helping the
organization sponsor and participate
in functions on campus and in the
community
“All of these students have demon-
strated not only the intellectual ca-
pability to succeed in the classroom,
but they also have demonstrated a
strong commitment to serve their
community,” “I am very proud of
these students and what they have
accomplished in their academic ca-
reers and I anticipate more great
things from them in the future,”
Knowles said.
To become a member, students
are required to have an overall
grade-point-average of 3.25 with at
least a “B” or better in psychology
and to have demonstrated a genuine
interest in psychology.
For more information regarding
the Seminole State College Chapter
of Psi Beta, contact Knowles at 405-
382-3207 or Rogers at 405-382-9691.
SSC Students Inducted into Psi BetaTwelve SSC students were inducted into the psychology honor society in April.
Eight students attended the Seminole State College Psi Beta National Honor Society induction ceremony in the College’s Utterback Ballroom of the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. Seated (l-r): Addie McGill, Susan James, Daryian Fancher, Aysha Bui and Bailey Brennan. Standing (l-r): Ernest Sego III, Brittney Moore, Chad Paige, Jayden Smith, Gavin Winchester and sponsor Christal Knowles. Not pictured: Amanda Barton and Sierra Springer.
8 THE COLLEGIAN May 2019
SSC Honor Society Recognizes Graduating Members
SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE2701 BOREN BLVDSEMINOLE, OK 74868
Thirty-two sophomore members of Seminole State College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society were recog-nized at a dinner for graduating members on April 16.
PTK honor student Cherie Brewer, of Seminole, celebrates her selec-tion as an All-Oklahoma USA Ac-ademic Team Member at the SSC honors banquet with her husband, Shaun, and their six-year-old daughter, Rowan.
SSC President Lana Reynolds (left) and Phi The-ta Kappa sponsor Jeff Cheng (right) congratulate Mattie Wood, of Depew, on her selection as an All-Oklahoma USA Academic Team Member. Wood also served as PTK President of the local chapter this year.
