CAMPUS Page 2 Campus Update January 2020 UPDATE January 2020 Pierson’s Perceptions We’ve just broken the seal Tribal gaming is subject of on the year 2020 and no mat- ter where you look you will find East Central University playing Anoatubby speech at ECU Student to study a semester in Spain positive roles in communities, Jacob Talkington, of Pauls Valley, will soon begin here at home and around the East Central University Distinguished world. Alumnus and Chickasaw Nation Gover- his nearly 5,000-mile journey to explore a new Celebrating science and medicine For starters, ECU’s event nor Bill Anoatubby will serve as keynote country and culture, all while continuing his stud- The annual Raniyah T. Ramadan Symposium took place calendar is loaded with exciting speaker for the ies there. He will January 22 on the ECU campus. Pictured, from left, are lectures and activities. We are annual Lou Watkins attend the University Suha Ramadan, Dr. Tawfik Ramadan, ECU senior Kay Woodring of Moore and Siham Ramadan. thrilled to have Cheryl Brown Lecture. 2020 of Extremadura in Henderson bring her family’s The impact of Lou Watkins Cáceres, Spain, this working legacy of racial equal- spring semester. Ramadan Symposium ity to our campus. Chickasaw tribal gaming on the Lecture Gov. Bill Anoatubby will be at Chickasaw Nation Because it is a sister ECU to discuss the positive and Oklahoma will school to ECU, he marks 8th year at ECU impact that tribes have on our be the topic for Anoatubby’s lecture, which can attend without Outstanding professionals in the neuroscience entire state. also features a luncheon. The lecture is having to pay extra field visited East Central University on January 22 Dr. Christine Pappas trav- scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February tuition. Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, a longtime For- for the eighth annual Raniyah T. Ramadan Sympo- eled to our nation’s capital with eign Languages professor at ECU, is director of two Legal Studies students for 4, at Foundation Hall inside ECU’s Chicka- sium. saw Business and Conference Center. the University’s Global Education program. She The Ramadan Symposium is named for the a once-in-a-lifetime experience helps students explore the world through academic of witnessing the impeachment The event is free, but reservations should late Dr. Raniyah Ramadan, who was a research trial of a sitting president. exchange opportunities. The experience of study- scientist in neuro-ophthalmology. The prestigious Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, See “Watkins” on Page 6 GOV. BILL ANOATUBBY ing abroad provides a student with a much better symposium was established and is sponsored by director of the Global Educa- understanding of different ethnic groups, cultures, Dr. and Mrs. Tawfik Z. Ramadan, parents of the late tion program, continues to help ECU group at philosophies, and traditions than a textbook or lec- Raniyah Ramadan. ECU students blaze academic Brown Henderson set to ture, Sukholutskaya said. “Our daughter had a belief in promoting science trails overseas. And Ada’s own impeachment Dr. Tawfik Ramadan continues deliver diversity lecture and research, especially in the neuroscience field,” Therapy dogs bring good vibes to finals to honor students working Cheryl Brown Hen- said Dr. Ramadan. “We do this because we feel trial of Trump East Central University’s Linscheid Library invit- in the field of neuroscience, derson, founder of the that we belong to ECU.” which of course knows no As the impeachment trial ed therapy dogs on campus for students to help Brown Foundation and The 2020 symposium featured presentations from boundaries. of U.S. President Donald J. relieve stress daughter of the man Dr. Andriy Yabluchanskiy, Dr. Shannon Conley, Dr. So no matter where you Trump unfolds, an East Cen- during finals week Mike Beckstead, and ECU student Kay Woodring. who led the fight for look, ECU is making a positive tral University contingent had in December. The Yabluchanskiy’s presentation was on “Vascular impact. Our graduates are am- racial equality in the the chance dogs are provided Heath and Memory.” Conley presented on “Mecha- bassadors and make it a habit public school system, to experi- by “A New Leash on nisms of PRPH2-Associated Retinal Degeneration: of improving the communities will deliver East Cen- ence part of Life” – a non-profit A Basic Science Approach to Studying Disease in which they find themselves. tral University’s Lou- Just remember, all those Tiger the historic organization in Okla- Variability.” ise Young Diversity tracks start right here. BROWN HENDERSON event first- homa City. There Beckstead’s presentation was “Decline in Do- Lecture at 6 p.m. hand. were two to three pamine Neuron Function Precedes Disruption of Thursday, February 20, in the Ataloa Theatre Thanks therapy dogs available to help soothe as many as a Neuronal Structure in a Progressive Mouse Model of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. to private hundred stressed students. The popular ECU cam- of Parkinson’s Disease.” Woodring presented on ECU’s Black Alumni Association co-sponsors donations provided through pus event has taken place each semester the week Dr. Katricia Pierson “Transient Brain Microstate Activation and Sensory the President’s Circle at ECU before finals for the past three years. President See “Diversity” on Page 4 Processing in Fragile X Syndrome”. East Central University See “Trial” on Page 3

580-332-8000 Call ECU at (580) 332-8000! Stay up-to-date on campus newswww.ecok.edu at www.ecok.edu! Campus Update January 2020 Page 3 Page 4 Campus Update January 2020 Composers perform Diversity Continued from Page 1 originals at concert the event with Louise Young. The event, scheduled to East Central University coincide with Black History Month, is free and open to presented the 14th annu- the public. al ECU Faculty, Students, Henderson is one of three daughters of the late Rev. and Friends Composer Oliver L. Brown, who in the fall of 1950 – along with 12 Concert in the Ataloa other parents in Topeka, Kansas, led by attorneys for the Theatre of ECU’s Hallie NAACP – filed suit on behalf of their children against the Brown Ford Fine Arts local board of education. Their case joined with cases Center on January 23. W.T. SKYE GARCIA from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, The event featured new D.C. on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. On May 17, and original compositions ECU alum Angela Mar- 1954, came the landmark decision known as Brown v. written by ECU students shall and ECU art major Board of Education. and local artists. Partici- Brooke Jackson-Holman Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark pating in the concert were provided visual inspira- case in which the U.S. Supreme Court Justices ruled Tommy and Casey Long, tion. unanimously that racial segregation of children in public KENNEDY HONORED WITH CAMPUS BENCH Kellan Brown, Jamie ECU instructor W.T. schools was unconstitutional. The case became one Rebecca Kennedy, who served as East Central University’s Davis, Zach Garcia, Tori Skye Garcia organized of the cornerstones of the Civil Rights movement and public information officer for more than a decade, reclines on a Davison, Zana Ebingha, the event, which conclud- helped establish the precedent that “separate-but-equal” bench dedicated to her years of faithful service. With Kennedy Kelly Gage, Preston Phil- ed with the presentation education and other services were not, in fact, equal at is her husband, Harrel, who also served many years at ECU. lips and Anna Tynsky. of scholarship awards. all. Brown passed away in 1961 before he could see the impact of the decision. Trial Henderson is the founding president of the Brown Continued from Page 1 Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Re- search, and owner of Brown & Associates, an education- and an admission ticket provided by U.S. Senator James al consulting firm. For an extended version of this story, Lankford of Oklahoma, a professor and two students please visit www.ecok.edu/news. flew to Washington, D.C. this week to witness part of the trial on Capitol Hill. Dr. Christine Pappas, who teaches Political Science and Legal Studies at ECU, accompanied students MiKayla Lott and Rain Rehbein to the extremely rare po- litical proceeding. President Trump’s impeachment trial marks only the third such event in U.S. history. Pappas and her students shared the event ticket, dividing observation time in the U.S. Senate chamber gallery. “That was probably the tightest security I’ve ever seen,” Pappas said. “They took everything you had on ECU goes to Washington you before you entered the chamber. You couldn’t even East Central University was well represented during President write anything down.” Trump’s historic impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate in Wash- Pappas also took the students to the National ington, D.C. Pictured, from left, are ECU senior Alex Benitez, Archives to view the original U.S. Constitution, paying U.S. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, Dr. Christine Pap- particular attention to Article Two that outlines executive pas, and ECU students Rain Rehbein and MiKayla Lott. branch power – which is at the heart of Trump’s im- Relishing victory peachment trial. President Katricia Pierson’s assistance obtaining pri- ECU Tigers Madison Rehl, of Edmond, Madison Nickens, of ECU student Alex Benitez of Healdton is currently vate funding for us,” Pappas said. “That and Senator Westville, and Maci Hanson, of Choctaw, celebrate a 69-59 interning in Lankford’s office as well, adding to ECU’s Lankford’s recognition of the educational importance of victory over Oklahoma Baptist University in December. As Tiger presence this historic week in Washington. these proceedings and his desire to bring students in to basketball heats up, spring sports are set to get underway. Visit “This trip wouldn’t have been possible without (ECU) participate. I appreciate them both so much.” www.ecutigers.com to follow your favorite ECU team!

580-332-8000 Give back at www.ecok.edu/donate! Follow all sports at www.ecok.eduwww.ecutigers.com! UPCOMING EVENTS Page 5 Page 6 PHOTO GALLERY ***ECU ATHLETIC EVENTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE!*** February 1 February 15 Online Graduation Application ​​Women’s Basketball at Oklahoma Baptist Opens for Summer 2020 1 p.m., Shawnee, Oklahoma Women’s Basketball vs. Harding Baseball vs. Southwestern (Double Header) 1 p.m., Kerr Activity Center 1 p.m., Ken Turner Field Men’s Basketball vs. Harding ECU Theatre Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam 3 p.m. Kerr Activities Center County Spelling Bee 7:30 p.m., Ataloa Theatre February 4 Student Organization Fair February 19 6 p.m., Stanley P. Wagner Ballroom 1st 5-Week Classes End

February 6 February 20 Last Day to Drop 1st 5-Week Classes Last Day to Drop 1st 8-Week Classes (w/ Guaranteed “W”) (w/ Guaranteed “W”) Women’s Basketball vs. Southwestern ECU Black Alumni Association & Louise Young Diversity Earning the degree 5:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center Lecture present: “Brown v. Board of Education, Erin Dempsey, right, received her diploma from ECU President Men’s Basketball vs. Southwestern The Legacy Continues” Katricia Pierson during the Fall 2019 Commencement exercises 7:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center 6 p.m., Ataloa Theatre inside the Kerr Activities Center on December 14. Dempsey, of ECU Skate Night Ponca City, graduated with a degree in Biology. February 7 9 p.m., Star Skate, Ada Baseball vs. Drury 12 p.m., Ken Turner Field February 21 Baseball at Southern Nazarene Holiday opera ECU senior Zana February 8 Noon, Bethany, Oklahoma National ACT Test Date Softball vs. Southern Nazarene (Double Header) Johnson Ebingha, Baseball vs. Drury (Double Header) Noon, Ken Turner Field of Kinta, performs Noon, Ken Turner Field ECU SCREENS presents ECU’s 10th Annual in the holiday pro- Foreign Film Festival Women’s Basketball vs. Northwestern 4 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center duction of “Amahl 1 p.m., Kerr Activities Center and the Night Visi- Men’s Basketball vs. Northwestern Teddy Bear Toss February 22 tors” in December. 3 p.m., Kerr Activities Center More than a dozen oversized plastic bags were stuffed with Softball vs. Southern Nazarene (Double Header) The ECU Depart- teddy bears thrown by visiting elementary school students Noon, Ken Turner Field ment of Performing February 11 during the ECU men’s basketball game against Randall Arts presented the Interscholastic Meet 8 a.m. February 23 University a few days before Christmas. The “Teddy Bear “Family Feud” opera, based on Beethoven at 250 Toss” event has proven a popular attraction and the stuffed 7 p.m., Stanley P. Wagner Ballroom Italian folk tales, 2:30 p.m., Ataloa Theatre animals that are collected are donated to a local hospital for twice in December. February 12 February 25 distribution to children in need. Last Day to Drop 1st 5-Week Classes Movie Night ECU SCREENS presents: “Small Island” 6:30 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center (National Theatre Live) 2 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center February 26 “Lift the Mask: Portraits of Life with Mental Illness” ECU FOUNDATION TURNS 50 IN FEBRUARY! February 13 4 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center Women’s Basketball vs. Southeastern (Black Out) 5:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center February 27 Men’s Basketball vs. Southeastern (Black Out) Women’s Basketball vs. Ouachita Baptist (Pink Out) 7:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center 5:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center ECU Theatre Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam Men’s Basketball vs. Ouachita Baptist (Pink Out) Watkins and numerous tribal businesses. of public interest at the local, state County Spelling Bee 7:30 p.m., Kerr Activities Center Continued from Page 1 7:30 p.m., Ataloa Theatre Under his financial leadership, and national levels. Watkins taught February 28 be made for the luncheon by the Chickasaw Nation became one Political Science at ECU from 1980 February 14 Baseball vs. Harding of the first tribal governments in the Spring 2020 Education Fair 2 p.m., Ken Turner Field contacting Dr. Christine Pappas at until 1991. 10 a.m., Memorial Student Union Ballroom ECU SCREENS presents ECU’s 10th Annual Foreign Film 580-559-5640. United States to be certified as an Serving as president of World Baseball vs. Southwestern Festival “Pain and Glory” (Spain, 2019) Anoatubby, a 1972 graduate of A-102 tribe, with superior ratings for Export Services Inc. and as a 2 p.m., Ken Turner Field 4 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center management and fiscal controls. “Ask Me About the World” ECU, was elected governor of the member of the Board of Regents 3 p.m., Bill S. Cole University Center Lobby February 29 Chickasaw Nation for the first time The lectureship honors Lou for the Oklahoma Agricultural and ECU SCREENS presents 10th Annual Foreign Film Women’s Basketball vs. Henderson State (Senior Day) in 1987 and has held that position Watkins, former chair of ECU’s Po- Mechanical Colleges, Watkins was Festival: “The Return of the Hero” (France, 2018) 1 p.m., Kerr Activities Center litical Science department. Its pur- 4 p.m., Estep Multimedia Center Baseball vs. Harding (Double Header) since. As governor, he manages honored as a member of ECU’s ECU Theatre Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam 1 p.m., Ken Turner Field more than 13,500 employees, more pose is to bring recognized author- Distinguished Former Faculty in County Spelling Bee Men’s Basketball vs. Henderson State (Senior Day) than 200 governmental programs ities to campus to address subjects 2019. 7:30 p.m., Ataloa Theatre 3 p.m., Kerr Activities Center

580-332-8000See all campus events at www.ecok.edu/calendar! See MANY MORE photos at www.ecok.edu/photo-gallerieswww.ecok.edu!