Seminole State College. Collegian. Seminole, Oklahoma Volume 37 Number 3 November Seminole State College Receives $1.2 Million Federal Grant

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1 Seminole State College Collegian Seminole, Oklahoma Volume 37 Number 3 November 2008 Seminole State College Receives $1.2 Million Federal Grant SSC President Dr. Jim Utterback and U.S. Congresswoman Mary Fallin highfive after reviewing a letter from the U.S. Department of Education notifying the College of a $1.2 million grant award. Seminole State College received word from the U.S. Department of Education that it has been awarded a $1.2 million Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) grant. SSC was one of only six institutions from across the country selected to receive the grant, which will be funded over a two-year period which began in October. The purpose of the NASNTI Program is to support institutions of education in their effort to increase their self-sufficiency by improving academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Funds can be used to assist institutions with planning, developing, undertaking and carrying out activities to improve and expand the institution s capacity to serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islanders and Native Americans. All students, regardless of race or ethnicity, will be eligible to participate in the grant s programs and receive services provided through the grant. Shelly Howell Watson has been appointed to serve as director of the new grant program. Watson has been employed at SSC since 2004, serving as an international student counselor prior to this new appointment. We are excited to receive this grant. Currently, SSC has a 25 percent Native American student population. This grant will allow the College to better serve an under-represented group in higher education and strengthen our community by providing additional developmental and outreach services to those students, as well as the college s general population said Watson. Watson continued, This grant has allowed us to create several job positions and outline a student success plan that we believe will be have a tremendous impact of the student body. NASNTI funds will be used to purchase of scientific laboratory equipment; renovate and improve instructional facilities; support faculty development, curriculum development and academic instruction; and academic tutoring and counseling programs and student support services. The College has created positions for a curriculum specialist, retention specialist, technology specialist and secretary to help accomplish the goals the College has for the NASNTI program. Dr. Jim Utterback, SSC President, offered special appreciation to the College s Board of Regents for their support in hiring an outside grant writing consultant last May to apply for this new federal program. Additionally, he expressed appreciation to members of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation for their support of the application. In particular, U.S. (continued on page 2)

2 2 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November 2008 College Receives Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Grant (continued from Cover) Congresswoman Mary Fallin and her staff worked with the College and the U.S. Department of Education to secure funding for this grant. We deeply appreciate their The Seminole State College Board of Regents convened Oct. 15 for their October meeting to discuss changes to the SSC Policy Manual and review the College s external audit. During his President s Report, Dr. Jim Utterback informed the Regents of a recent trip to Washington D.C. by College officials. During the trip, Utterback, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Lana Reynolds and Rural Business and Resources Center Director Larry Smith met with members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to discuss higher education and hosted a reception for Congressional staff members. Utterback told the Board that the Educational Foundation s golf assistance, Utterback said. Seminole State has a diverse campus population. We are among the highest percentage in the nation of public institutions serving Native American students. The College tournament held in September raised more than $11,000. He also informed the Board that the College had been awarded a $1.2 million Native American Serving Non- Tribal Institutions Grant, which will be funded over two years. As their first action item, the Regents reviewed and approved the FY08 external audit report performed by Cole & Reed, PC of Oklahoma City. Utterback informed the Board that the College received an unqualified (clean) opinion. The external audit will be submitted to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education later this month. Next, the Board reviewed a bid for purchase and installation of the fire and sprinkler system for the Student Services Center building has always shown a commitment to improving student services and student development, and this grant will be another step in addressing that mission, said Utterback. SSC Regents Convene for October Board Meeting being constructed on the campus. The Board approved the bid from Reliable Fire Systems, Inc. the lowest/ best bid in the amount of $29,758 for labor and materials. The final action item on the agenda involved a change in the SSC Policy Manual to the wording of section II-4-16 regarding 403(B) plans. The change in wording is required so that the College would be in compliance with new Internal Revenue Service laws that go into effect January 1, Members present at the meeting were: Roger Nansel, Chair; Jon Flowers, Bill Huser, Marci Donaho, David Wilson and Marilyn Bradford. The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, Come Celebrate Native American Day on November 17. A special evening program begins at 5:45 p.m. in the Jeff Johnson Fine Arts Center. The keynote speaker will be motivational speaker/owner of the Created for Greatness project Brian Frejo of the Pawnee and Seminole Nations. A presentation will also be given by Southern Arapaho Michael Bell. The event will include a performance by Cultural Shock Camp featuring The Indigenous Shock B, Jabee, and the CSC boys. Performances also by rap artist Lil Mike and Funny Bone of the Pawnee Nation. Four additional informations about Native American Day events, Contact Shelly Howell-Watson at

3 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November The Seminole State COLLEGIAN is published during the fall and spring semesters by the Seminole State College Office of Media Relations, under the direction of Yashanda Anderson Scruggs. The staff reserves the right to edit submitted material for spelling 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 over 200 friends of the college.seminole State College, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and other Federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, handicap, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This inlcudes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by the SSC Print Shop, is issued by Seminole State College as authorized by the President of the college. At a cost of $280; 1,000 copies have been prepared and distributed. Questions, concerns, can be directed to Yashanda Scruggs at (405) The Student Government Association (SGA) officers take a moment to pose for a picture following a luncheon with SSC President Dr. Jim Utterback and members of the Administrative Council on Oct. 16. Pictured (right to left) are Calli Wood of Seminole, secretary; Amanda Cedar Shirey of Shawnee, president; and Siah Scott of Seminole, vice president. Other SGA officials include sophomore senators Cody Barlow of Hartshorne, Rockee Harjo of Holdenville, Jalisa Miles of Wewoka, and Davud Neumann of Harah. Becky Tiger of Seminole serves as a freshman senator. Campus organization representatives include: Angele Burton of Seminole, Phi Theta Kappa; Zac Broade of Shawnee, Nursing Club; Will Coker of Norman, Phi Chi Sigma Veterans Fraternity; and Teva McKinney of Seminole, Native American Student Association. Cynthia Yerby is the SGA sponsor. Shirey Awarded Scholarship by Indian Education Association Seminole State College student Amanda Shirey has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 National Indian Education Association (NIEA) John C. Rouillard and Alice Tonemah Memorial Scholarship. Shirey and SSC SGA Sponsor Cynthia Yerby traveled to Seattle on October 25 to attend the annual NIEA Conference where Shirey was recognized for her honor. The $1,000 scholarship is award to an American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) student who serves as a role model for others and shows creativity in a commitment to appreciation and support of the AI/AN/NH culture in an education setting and displays active leadership in student affairs. Recipients must also demonstrate and encourage student involvement in educational and community activities, and achieve educational objectives and goals. Shirey, a sophomore general studies major from Shawnee, has been active in several campus organizations - currently serving as president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Native American Student Association and Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Upon graduating from SSC, Shirey plans to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and study multimedia arts. She aspires to open her own art gallery.

4 4 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November 2008 Halloween Costume Dance

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6 6 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November 2008 Belles Basketball Game Schedule Day Date Opponent Location Time Sat Nov 8 Independence C.C. Seminole 1:00 Tues Nov 11 Coffeyville C.C. Seminole 6:00 Thurs Nov 13 Univ of Arkansas-Ft. Smith Seminole 6:00 Mon Nov 17 Northeastern Okla. A&M Miami 6:00 Nov Independence Classic Independence, KS Fri Nov 21 Coffeyville C.C. Independence, KS 2:00 Sat Nov 22 Independence C.C. Independence, KS 6:00 Tues Nov 25 Carl Albert State Poteau 6:00 Mon Dec 1 Connors State Seminole 6:00 Thurs Dec 4 Eastern Oklahoma State Wilburton 6:00 Tues Dec 9 Bacone JV Muskogee 6:30 Wed Jan 7 Univ of Arkansas-Ft. Smith Ft. Smith, AR 6:00 Sat Jan 10 Northeastern Okla. A&M Seminole 2:00 Thurs Jan 15 Carl Albert State Seminole 6:00 Tues Jan 20 Connors State Warner 6:00 Thurs Jan 22 Eastern Oklahoma State Seminole 6:00 Mon Jan 26 Western Oklahoma State* Altus 6:00 Mon Feb 2 Northern Okla.-Tonkawa* Seminole 6:00 Thurs Feb 5 Northern Oklahoma-Enid* Enid 6:00 Mon Feb 9 Murray State* Tishomingo 6:00 Thurs Feb 12 Western Oklahoma State* Seminole 6:00 Thurs Feb 19 Northern Okla.-Tonkawa* Tonkawa 6:00 Mon Feb 23 Northern Oklahoma-Enid* Seminole 6:00 Thurs Feb 26 Murray State* Seminole 6:00 NJCAA Region II Tournament - March 5-8, Shawnee NJCAA National Tournaments: - March 17-21, Salina, KS Support our Belles and Trojans this season!

7 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November Trojan Basketball Game Schedule Day Date Opponent Location Time Sat Nov 8 Independence C.C. Seminole 3:00 Tues Nov 11 Coffeyville C.C. Seminole 8:00 Thurs Nov 13 Univ of Arkansas-Ft. Smith Seminole 8:00 Mon Nov 17 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Miami 8:00 Nov Independence Classic Independence, KS Fri Nov 21 Independence C.C. Independence, KS 8:00 Sat Nov 22 Labette C.C. Independence, KS 1:00 Tues Nov 25 Carl Albert State Poteau 8:00 Mon Dec 1 Connors State Seminole 8:00 Thurs Dec 4 Eastern Oklahoma State Wilburton 8:00 Tues Dec 9 Coffeyville C.C. Coffeyville, KS 8:00 Wed Dec 17 North Lake Irving, TX 4:00 Tues Dec 30 Scrimmage-Carl Albert State Seminole TBA Jan 2-3 Three Rivers Classic Poplar Bluff, MO Fri Jan 2 Mineral Area Poplar Bluff, MO 5:00 Sat Jan 3 Three Rivers Poplar Bluff, MO 7:00 Wed Jan 7 Univ of Arkansas-Ft. Smith Ft. Smith, AR 8:00 Sat Jan 10 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Seminole 4:00 Thurs Jan 15 Carl Albert State Seminole 8:00 Tues Jan 20 Connors State Warner 8:00 Thurs Jan 22 Eastern Oklahoma State Seminole 8:00 Mon Jan 26 Western Oklahoma State* Altus 8:00 Thurs Jan 29 Redlands C.C.* Seminole 7:00 Mon Feb 2 Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa* Seminole 8:00 Thurs Feb 5 Northern Oklahoma-Enid* Enid 8:00 Mon Feb 9 Murray State* Tishomingo 8:00 Thurs Feb 12 Western Oklahoma State* Seminole 8:00 Mon Feb 16 Redlands C.C.* El Reno 7:00 Thurs Feb 19 Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa* Tonkawa 8:00 Mon Feb 23 Northern Oklahoma-Enid* Seminole 8:00 Thurs Feb 26 Murray State* Seminole 8:00 NJCAA Region II Tournament - March 5-8, Shawnee NJCAA National Tournaments: - March 17-21, Hutchinson, KS

8 8 Seminole State College COLLEGIAN/ November 2008 SSC News Shorts... Fitness Training Women s Basketball Coach Rita StorySchell shows SSC faculty how to properly use the College s new weightlifting equipment. The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Division with assistance from Head Softball Coach Kristina McSweeney, Collegiate Office Program Coordinator and Government Instructor Bill Knowles, and Assistant Basketball Coach Valerie Boothe - hosted the fitness center colloquium on Oct. 28 to inform SSC faculty and staff of proper equipment usage and to spark interest in use of the fitness center. Earlier the year the College implemented an Employee Wellness Plan to encourage good health. With supervisor permission, personnel are allowed up to 2 hours per week to exercise on campus utilizing the athletic facilities. Test Time SSC students listen to test instructions from Assessment Coordinator Larry Vickers on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Approximately 200 students took the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) Test given in the Haney Center on campus. An important part of the SSC assessment process, the academic test is designed to measure general education foundational skills typically attained in the first two years of college. The CAAP Test consists of five objective test modules - writing skills, mathematics, reading, critical thinking, and science. It is administered annually to students who will have 45 or more credit hours by the end of the fall semester. This is the third year that Seminole State College has used the CAAP Test for this part of its assessment procedure.