Fall 2012 Issue
A NEW HOME FOR RSU PRYOR – Page 4 –
What’s Inside
Art on the Hill | Page 13 Hillcats at world series | Page 1 F A L L 2 0 1 2
Published by Rogers State University, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017. Produced by the Office of Public Relations. To contact the editor, call 918-343-7771 or send an email to: [email protected].
President Dr. Larry Rice
Director of Public Relations David Hamby RSU Accepted into NCAA Membership Process | Page 11 Public Relations Coordinator Jimmy Hart ➥ RSU President Dr. Larry Rice called the announcement a major milestone in the university’s recent renaissance. Public Relations Intern Monique Demarais
Assistant AD for Media Relations Sara Williams
Graphic Designer Randy Riggs
Rogers State University, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran Photo courtesy of Tulsa World courtesy of Tulsa Photo in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. This publication was issued by Rogers State University. A total of 12,500 copies have been printed at a cost of $12,575.00.
To view and download Stray Cats | Page 2-3 Hillcat Hero | Page 5 archived issues of On The Hill, please visit: ➥ Ten years ago, RSU awarded its first bachelor’s ➥ Bree Bedsworth Swant (A.A., '09) recognized for degrees. Where are those alumni now? volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. www.rsu.edu/onthehill
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hill Topics 1-4 HOMECOMING | Page 11 Hillcat Hero 5 November 9-10, 2012
Alumni News 6-7
Hill Shorts 7-9
Athletics 10
RSU People 12 Diamond Cats Reach Finals in First World Series Appearance Phillips Named VP for Development
Rogers State University has announced Maynard Phillips has joined the university as its Vice President for Development overseeing all university fundraising initiatives, planned giving, endowment, scholarships and alumni programs.
Before joining the university on July 2, Phillips most recently served as a Senior Principal and Resident Campaign Manager for Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners, a Chicago-based firm that is a national leader in fundraising campaigns and financial resource development. He managed capital ➥ The Hillcat baseball team played for the NAIA national championship. campaigns, specializing in the higher e Diamond Cats made a magical run in Against LSUS, Bargas tossed the complete- education and healthcare industry. their first appearance at the Avista-NAIA game victory as he fanned 18 batters and World Series in 2012, finishing as the national crushed the RSU single-game strikeout record Phillips has previously worked in runners-up as they fell in the championship of 11. e south paw was just one strikeout shy fundraising at Eastern Oklahoma State game to Tennessee Wesleyan. Ninth-seeded of the World Series record of 19. It was the first College Development Foundation and RSU quickly became a fan favorite in Lewiston, time in program history the Cats had topped Lubbock Christian University. Before posting three come-from-behind victories while the No.1 team in the country. entering the development field, Phillips had tallying a 4-2 record at the tournament. RSU more than two decades of management knocked off top-ranked and top-seeded LSU- Spainhoward garnered pitching victories over experience in the insurance and retail sectors. Shreveport and second-seeded Lee (Tenn.) en No. 8 South Carolina Beaufort and No. 7 Point route to the World Series title game. Park (Pa.). Baker dazzled the fans with web gem “At a time when state support for higher catches in the outfield along with a World Series education continues to decline, it's critical for RSU (49-16) compiled its winningest season batting average of .460 while driving in eight public universities to reach out to the private in program history. e 2012 squad was the runs. sector in order to maintain high levels of first Hillcat baseball team to reach the World service while keeping college costs Series and the first RSU athletic program to RSU ended the year as the biggest mover in affordable,” said RSU President Dr. Larry compete in a national championship game. the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Postseason Top 25 Rice.” Maynard Phillips brings to RSU an Poll, rocketing up 21 spots to No. 2, its highest exceptional background in both fundraising Juniors Eric Baker, Brandon Bargas and finish in the program’s seven-year history. and management, which I believe will serve Shawn Spainhoward were named to the World the university and its constituents well as we Series all-tournament team while Baker also move forward. I am excited for RSU friends received the tournament gold glove. and supporters to have the opportunity to work with Maynard.”
A native of Tushka in southeastern Ray Brown Retires Oklahoma, Phillips and his wife Debra have relocated to the Claremore area. Dr. Ray Brown, Vice President for Economic and Community Development and Director of the Innovation Center, retired from Rogers State University effective “RSU is experiencing an exciting era right June 30. He had been with the university since 1999 in various leadership capacities. now with record enrollments during the past He was a driving force behind the university’s initial accreditation as a four-year decade and new academic programs on the university and also helped create its Center for Economic and Community horizon,” Phillips said. “ere is a palpable Development and the Innovation Center, which fosters regional economic sense of the dynamic growth at each of the development and addresses educational needs of area business and industry. three RSU campuses, and it's an honor for me to work with the university's alumni and ➥ Story Continues on Page 4 friends to help advance this great university.”
HILLTOPICS | 1 RSU Launches Alumni Campaign to Find “Stray Cats”
In the spirit of the Stray Cats Campaign, we attempted to track down the RSU class of 2002, the first class to receive Rogers State University has launched an Alumni can visit the Stray Cats Campaign initiative to reconnect with alumni who have website – www.rsu.edu/straycats – to view lists RSU bachelor’s degrees. lost touch with their alma mater. e Stray Cats of lost alumni, separated by year of graduation, Here are their stories. Campaign will utilize the RSU website, social as well as a video promoting the campaign. media, direct mail and the ever-growing RSU Alumni also can update their information via a Dinesh Adhikari - Nepal alumni network to locate and welcome back form found on this page. Business Information Technology – lost alumni. Soware Development and Multimedia In 2011, the RSU “As RSU has rapidly Alumni Association Denish Adhikari earned an associate grown, maintaining contact switched to a charitable gi degree in computer science and a with all of our alumni has structure from a dues-based bachelor’s degree in business information become a challenge,” said model, effectively making technology from RSU. He planned to Marisa Littlefield, RSU every RSU alumni a pursue a master’s degree and was accepted director of alumni. “e member. All graduates are to the computer science graduate program Stray Cats Campaign comes eligible to receive a free at Oklahoma State University – Tulsa. at an important time, when the university has a lifetime membership card, the biannual “On wealth of exciting news to share with our The Hill” newsletter, the monthly “Hilltalk” Tragically, Denish was killed in a car alumni and an unprecedented number of e-newsletter, invitations to alumni social events, accident aer leaving work in December of benefits to offer them.” career development resources and other alumni 2003. opportunities and benefits. ------e Stray Cats Campaign will seek out lost alumni of RSU and its predecessor institutions For more information on the Stray Cats – Claremore Junior College, Rogers State Campaign or other RSU alumni activities, College and Rogers University – dating back to contact Littlefield at [email protected]. 1972.
Daniel Combs - Claremore, Okla. WATCH a short video Liberal Arts to learn more about the Stray Cat Campaign and how alumni can update Aer earning an associate degree in art their information. and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Daniel Combs chose to remain in Visit www.rsu.edu/straycats or scan Claremore. He has been married to his the QR code with your smart wife Mollie for more than six years. ey phone to view the video. met while Daniel was in school and they both worked at Wal-Mart. ey have three children.
“Living in Claremore, I have been able to watch the growth at RSU,” Combs said. “As one of the first bachelor’s degree alumni, it’s really been something to see.”
2 | HILLTOPICS Matt Ferrel - Claremore, Okla. Melinda Hoover - Laurel, Iowa Michelle Krueger - Stillwater, Okla. Applied Technology Applied Technology Liberal Arts
Matt Ferrel put his bachelor’s degree in Melinda Hoover earned her bachelor’s Michelle Kruger credits her liberal arts applied technology to work for companies degree in applied technology aer taking education with strengthening her creative like the Claremore Progress and Coldwell courses at the RSU campuses in Pryor and thinking and encouraging discipline and Banker aer graduation. Claremore. perseverance. Since graduating, her life has included teaching art to elementary school “Once I got my foot in the door at any “I was excited to hear about the students, traveling to Brazil to construct employer, I was able to show them what I groundbreaking for a new campus at the chapels for growing Christian congregations could do with my degree,” he said. “I was MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor,” she and pursing a broad range of interests. the one fixing computer issues and said. “I took some classes in Pryor and teaching people how to use emerging really enjoyed it. I think it will great for “I have increased my knowledge of, and technologies. e management skills I that community.” am continuing to learn more about, learned allowed me to lead projects and horticulture, nutrition and physical become a team leader or higher at every She married her husband William in fitness,” she said. “I am usually in the midst place I worked.” 2007 and soon aer moved to Laurel, of one or several creative projects involving Iowa. She became a Certified Pharmacy painting, redoing furniture, remaking Matt recently moved back to Claremore Technician in 2009. household objects or sewing.” with his wife, Abby, and their two ------daughters aer a stint in Minnesota. She and her husband Michael live in Stillwater with a son and a daughter. ------Kevin Peck - Tulsa, Okla.. Applied Technology
Aer graduation, Kevin Peck entered the management trainee program with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He spent more than seven years Camille Koster - Tulsa, Okla. with the company gaining valuable experience Social Science – Psychology and Sociology and participating in nationally recognized omas Howard - Orwell, Ohio training programs. While the work he did Business Information Technology Since receiving her bachelor’s degree in didn’t exactly align with his applied Social Science – Psychology and Sociology, technology courses, the general business Aer RSU, omas Howard earned a Camille Koster has made a career of helping education he received in RSU’s bachelor’s master’s degree through the Cyber Corps others reach their potential. A veteran of the degree program has served him well. program at the University of Tulsa. He U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, Koster now worked for the government in Maryland serves as Chief Operating Officer of Girls “e management teaching I received, for two years before being called into a Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma. She took that specifically from Dr. Bert Tollison, echoed second career. post in September of 2011 aer providing in every major decision I made as a leadership to groups such as AmericCorps manager,” he said. “His lessons on proper e son of missionaries, omas began VISTA, Rogers County Volunteers for management, including how to treat your training for the ministry while he Youth, Drug Free Communities and Two employees for maximum productivity and completed his government obligation. He Much to Lose, a state initiative to reduce high morale, set the stage for my successful officially became a minister in June 2011 underage drinking. management career.” and currently leads the congregation at Orwell Baptist Church in Orwell, Ohio. “I gained an immense amount of Peck said those same skills have knowledge and respect during my transferred well to his current position as a “I doubt I’ll ever be part of a church that education,” she said. “In my life, I attribute department manager for Jim Norton has a need to apply military-grade security success to a combination of hard work and Toyota in Tulsa. to their system but I have found a always doing what I love. RSU helped me happiness knowing I am where God wants fulfill those goals.” Help us find the 2002 Stray Cats! If me,” he said. you know any of the following, help Koster, who also earned a master’s us get in touch. omas is marred to Annie. e couple degree in Organizational Management has four daughters and one son. from the University of Phoenix, celebrated Crystal Jackson | Rob Kirkley Christopher Pierce | Gary Ramsey her 10th wedding anniversary in May and Cassie Shaw | Eric Welch has three children. Mikael Allen | Kambria Callentine Andrea Warren
HILLTOPICS | 3 RSU Breaks Ground on New Pryor Campus Ray Brown Retires – StoryContinuedomPage1
“For the past 13 years, Ray Brown has been a valued member of the university’s executive team and has provided unmatched leadership for both the university and area economic development efforts,” RSU President Dr. Larry Rice said. “We are extremely grateful for his dedication to this university and for strengthening northeastern Oklahoma’s business community.”
In 2002, Brown launched the Center for Economic and Community Development followed three years later by the Innovation ➥ Officials broke ground May 8 for the new RSU campus at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. Center, which provides incubator space, small business counseling, entrepreneurship Officials broke ground May 7 for the new RSU President Dr. Larry Rice said expanding training and economic development Rogers State University campus at the RSU’s presence in Pryor will better enable the initiatives. MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. university to meet its mission to educate and prepare students for making a difference in MidAmerica is providing funding for the 71- Mayes County and northeastern Oklahoma. acre site, facility construction, and site work to include all roads, parking lots, landscaping and “e new RSU Pryor campus will be well utility placements. MidAmerica and RSU will suited to meet the educational needs of Mayes enter into a long-term lease for the facility County residents. e expanded facilities also allowing the university to relocate its Pryor will uniquely position the university to campus to the industrial park. continue meeting the region’s economic development needs by partnering with e 38,400-square-foot building will be more MidAmerica and other regional business and ➥ Jeri Koehler named Director of the RSU than twice the size of the existing campus. e industry to provide a better educated Innovation Center. two-story facility will feature classrooms, workforce,” Rice said. computer labs, science labs, library, student RSU alumna Jeri Koehler was named lounge, food service and dining facilities, Dr. Leslie Rainbolt-Forbes, Chairman of the Director of the Innovation Center following bookstore, meeting rooms and a 150-seat OU Board of Regents that governs RSU, Dr. Brown’s retirement. auditorium to be used for classroom use and the announced that the facility would be named the general public, administrative and faculty “Sanders Mitchell Center” to honor the “As a member of the RSU family, Jeri has a offices and an outside patio area. leadership of its namesake. deep passion for the university and its programs, including the Innovation Center e RSU Pryor campus will join “By doing so, this signifies our immense that has been well-served by her strong Northeastern Technology Center and gratitude for your work on behalf of Rogers entrepreneurial background," Rice said. "She Oklahoma State Institute of Technology, which State University in Pryor,” she said of the has demonstrated success both in developing both operate branch campuses at the park. naming. “Further, it also aligns the university her own businesses and in helping others evermore with your legacy of excellence that has achieve their dreams of owning or operating “e partnership between MidAmerica and made an indelible mark on Pryor, northeast their own firm. We're proud to have one of RSU creates a critical mass of educational Oklahoma and the entire state.” our own leading the Innovation Center opportunities at the industrial park, which during its next chapter." enables us to retain current companies while Construction began in May with an also recruiting new well-paying, high-tech firms anticipated completion date in summer 2013. to the site,” said Sanders Mitchell, MidAmerica Classes will begin at the new campus during the administrator. fall 2013 semester.
4 | HILLTOPICS Bree Bedsworth Swant Fih-Grade Teacher and Big Sister
HILLCAT HERO World courtesy of Tulsa Photo ➥ Bree Bedsworth Swant, left, was recognized as Oklahoma’s Big Brother Big Sister of the Year for mentoring Michaelene. The pair are seen here window shopping during an outing in Tulsa. Bree Bedsworth Swant (A.A., Swant was matched up with Michaelene, “It’s such an involved career,” she said of known as Mikey, about three years ago. At the teaching. “I can’t believe how attached I am to my ’09) made a decision that would time, Mikey was eight. kids. I experience the ups and downs of fih grade impact both her life and the life with them. Some of them just need a little boost of “When I first signed up to become a big sister, I confidence, and a big brother or big sister could of another when she signed up was nervous because I felt like I had a huge really help with that.” to volunteer for Big Brothers Big responsibility,” Swant said. “But once I met her, it all became really easy. We connected and got along Swant says she can’t imagine a day that she and Sisters of Claremore. Little did really well from the start. Mikey won’t be sisters. e friendship they have she know that two years later she developed is something special that neither of “One of my favorite things about being Mikey’s them can see ending even when Mikey graduates would be named Oklahoma’s big sister is getting to experience firsthand the from high school and is no longer technically a 2011 “Big Sister of the Year.” changes that are happening with her. I get to see part of BBBS. her becoming more confident, interacting with en a third-year President’s Leadership Class kids more and doing better in school.” “Honestly, I feel like I have learned more from student at Rogers State University, Swant was her than she has from me,” explained Swant. “She’s motivated to be involved both on campus and in Mikey recently completed fih grade at Stuart incredibly mature, responsible, caring and strong. the community. Roosa Elementary. It was Swant’s first year to teach She has been through more than I will ever go fih grade at Justus-Tiawah. Both schools are through, but she still has a positive outlook on life “I feel like having the opportunity to be in PLC located in Claremore. and that has really impacted me.” and do things on campus really shaped me into the person I have become,” Swant said. “It got me “Sometimes we just sit and do homework excited to volunteer and be an active part of my together,” she explained. “I can help Mikey with community. RSU prepared me for my career as things she doesn’t understand, and at the same well as a full, balanced life outside of college.” time compare what I am teaching to what she is being taught at her school.” Swant said she immediately felt drawn to the program when Jessica Wilbourn, the BBBS area Swant sees firsthand in her classroom how many director, met with PLC to recruit volunteers. As kids would benefit from a big. Although she can the youngest of six siblings, Swant had always be supportive and believe in each of her students, wanted a little sister. She thought it was the perfect it’s oen outside of the classroom that they really opportunity to provide the support and need support. encouragement that her sister always had for her.
HILLCAT HERO | 5 -1990s- Kelli Minson – 1994 Erik Herrera – 2009 Kelli Minson currently serves as the county Erik is currently a relationship manager at assessor for Craig County. She and her Central National Bank. husband, David, have two children, Hannah, ------16, and Trenton, 12. Karin Kelley – 2006 and 2007 -2000s- Karin currently is an analyst for catering, convention services and park event Shannon Adcock – 2007 organization at Walt Disney World in Shannon is a senior tax accountant with Orlando, Fla. Samson Resources Corporation. She also ------Vivian Boyles – 1997 serves as treasurer of the Sedan Ranch Rodeo Vivian is currently the Testing Center Committee, treasurer of the Green Country coordinator at RSU, where she has worked Classic Ranch, and as a board member for the since 1991 and currently sits on the RSU Junior Ranch Rodeo Association. She has two Alumni Association Board. She and her sons, ages nine and five. husband have two children together, Crystal, ------22, and Robert, 20. ------Kelly Hicks – 1994 Kelly is currently the director of financial aid Carrie Neff – 2009 for RSU. She has one son, David, who serves ➥ Carrie&AmyNeff in the U.S. Marine Corps. Carrie graduated in May 2012 from Oklahoma State University with a masters ------degree in counseling. She currently lives in Tulsa and works as a mental health specialist Rachel Arnold – 2008 at Family and Children’s Services. ➥ RachelArnold&HaydenGafford Rachel currently serves as controller for -2010s- Freeman Products, Inc. in Broken Arrow. Paula Blalock - 2011 ------Paula is currently a volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, a position she took aer dedicating a year of service to Stephanie Titsworth Ingold – 1990 Americorps. She also is an active member of Stephanie serves as the instructor of library the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority Alumni. services for the college of education at ------Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus. She and her husband, Scott, have two Laura Greenlee – 2011 children, Ashley, 18, and Alexandra, 16. Laura is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting and financial analysis ------Ryan Floyd – 2009 from Northeastern State University. Jim Mertins – 2005 ➥ AllyssaWhite&RyanFloyd Jim is currently the chief engineer for RSU Ryan currently serves as worship pastor at ➥ Alumni News Continues on Page 7 Public TV and is certified with the Society of Church Plus in Jenks, which he helped found. Broadcast Engineers. He is a member of the He also is a member of the RSU Alumni Tulsa Outdoor Adventure Meet Up and plays Association Board. keyboard for the Oologah United Methodist Church. He has three children, Stephanie, 22, Rebecca, 18, and Jamie, 12.
6 | ALUMNI NEWS Gift to Establish RSU Shines in Masonic Institute Governor’s Cup for Student Competition Engagement, Transformative Learning Chris Sewell – 2010 ➥ ChrisSewell,RSUPowwow Chris is currently a full-time graduate student at the University of Tulsa. He serves as a counselor at the Rogers County Youth Shelter and also is an employee at the At Risk Youth ➥ RSU Governor’s Cup team advanced to semifinal round Crisis Stabilization Unit at the Community of the statewide business plan competition. Center. He is the author of “Indians of North Florida,” which was published in June 2011. A team of RSU students finished in the top ------five during the initial interview round of the ➥ Randall Rogers, Oklahoma Grand Master Mason, Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, the only presents a check to RSU and RSU Foundation officials Cecilia Swagger – 2011 undergraduate team to earn this distinction. Aer receiving Outstanding Graduate and to fund the establishment of a new student-focused campus institute. e team also was selected to advance to the Alpha Chi Honors Society recognition at semifinals of the Business Plan Competition. RSU, Cecilia is currently pursuing a master’s A generous gi from the Masonic Charity degree at the University of Tulsa. She also Foundation of Oklahoma will strengthen e RSU team won $5,000 for being shows dogs and has three champion Chinese Rogers State University’s programs to develop recognized as one of five Industry Category Crespids. students who are actively involved in their winners during the first round of team ------communities and committed to making a interviews. e other winners were graduate difference. student teams from the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa and two Representatives from the Masonic Charity teams from Oklahoma State University. Foundation presented RSU President Dr. Larry Rice and RSU Foundation Chair Carlene Michael Orr of Tulsa served as team leader, Webber with $100,000 during a Feb. 15 event with fellow members Lori Keough, Katrina Loy at RSU’s Centennial Center. e funds will be and Patrick Johnson of Claremore and Linsey used as an endowment to establish the Masonic Curtis of Collinsville. Loy and Curtis also are Institute for Student Engagement and student-athletes on the RSU Hillcats soball Transformative Learning at RSU. team. Allyssa White – 2012 ➥ AllyssaWhite&RyanFloyd e institute will create annual experiential Charles Atkins, instructor in the RSU School Allyssa is the youth pastor at Church Plus in programs that get students more involved in the of Business, served as the faculty adviser for the Jenks, which she helped found. community through both classroom studies and team. Atkins previously led two teams to the outside activities. e institute’s objectives are Governor’s Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, to advance students’ community involvement, respectively. In the latter year, RSU was the only cultural awareness, service learning and student regional university to qualify two teams for the research. semifinals.
For more information on RSU alumni, contact Marisa Littlefield Download it today at www.rsu.edu/RSUMobileApp at mlittlefi[email protected]. or scan the QR Code with your smartphone.
HILL SHORTS | 7 RSU Professor RSU Public TV Wins RSU Cheer Squad Named OSCPA’s National Awards Finishes Seventh Outstanding at National Accounting Competition Educator & OSCPA Scholarship awarded to RSU senior
➥ RSU Public TV staff receiving their recent Heartland Emmy awards are, from left: Dan Kara, engineer; Kevin Hoffman, audio; Sam Jones, managing editor; and producer/director Dale McKinney. ➥ The RSU Cheerleading team earned high marks during the national cheer competition. Rogers State University Public Television recently earned two national awards for its e Rogers State University Cheerleading original programming. Its award-winning team won seventh place honors at the National documentary, “Will Rogers and American Cheerleader Association’s College National Politics,” won the 2012 CINE Special Jury Competition on April 13 in Daytona Beach, ➥ Dr. Thomas Carment Award in the professional telecast non-fiction Florida. “People and Places” category over entries from Dr. omas Carment, professor of accounting ABC News 20/20, CBS Sports Network, is is the first time the Hillcats and O.D. Mayor Endowed Chair at Rogers State NBC's “e Today Show,” CNN, HBO and Cheerleaders, which consists of 17 cheerleaders University in Pryor, was named the 2012 others. e documentary also has earned a and one mascot, participated in the national Outstanding Accounting Educator by the Heartland Emmy, a CINE Golden Eagle competition. ey competed in the Coed Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Award, two Silver Telly Awards, one Bronze Intermediate division that included 17 schools, Accountants. Telly Award, a Gabriel Certificate of Merit and with no limitation on enrollment size or a New York Festivals International Television & athletics classification. e division was won by e award was presented at the annual Film Awards finalist certificate. James Madison University and included other Oklahoma Accounting Educators Conference in NCAA Division I schools such as the Stillwater earlier this month. He was awarded a In July, “Green Country Perspectives with University of Michigan (second place) and commemorative plaque and a scholarship from Sam Jones" earned a Heartland Emmy for an Iowa State University (10th place). the OSCPA to award to an RSU accounting episode providing a personal view of one student of his choice. family's encounter with domestic violence. eir performance at nationals was a 2 Entitled “Not In My Family,” the show featured minutes and 15 second routine of fast paced e scholarship was presented to Ashley a first-hand account of domestic abuse through displays of tumbling, stunting, dance and Simpson of Skiatook, who graduated in May the experience of Neile Jones, a television news motions choreographed to music. Teams are with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Simpson, anchor at KNWA in northwest Arkansas and judged on degree of difficulty, perfection of who also participated in RSU’s co-op program daughter of the show's host Sam Jones. e routine and overall impression. with ConocoPhilips and previously earned an episode is available for streaming at associate degree from Tulsa Community College, www.rsupublictv.org. A video of the performance can be seen at: will apply the scholarship to her pursuit of an www.rsu.edu/cheer. MBA from Oklahoma State University.
RSU Launches Pinterest Presence
Rogers State University has expanded its social media presence with a Pinterest account, found at www.pinterest.com/RogersStateU. Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo sharing website that allows users to collect and organize pictures of their own along with images found online, while linking back to the original source. It is currently the fastest growing social media site and almost a quarter of its users are 24 or younger, according to internet analytic firm ComScore.
“Pinterest allows us to tell the RSU story in a new way to our target audience,” said Jimmy Hart, RSU public relations coordinator. “It allows us to show prospective students, their parents and potential employees how beautiful our campus is, how vibrant the community is and how much excitement exists among our faculty, alumni and student body.” RSU pinboards currently focus on student life, athletics, Claremore, RSU alumni and a collection of striking university images.
8 | HILL SHORTS Tuberville Selected EMS-Paramedic RSU Becomes GRDA for Teaching Program Receives Partner in Program National Conservation and Accreditation Restoration
➥ Dr. Brenda Tuberville
Dr. Brenda Tuberville, Assistant Professor of ➥ RSU’s EMS-Paramedic program is among the region’s ➥ RSU’s partnership with GRDA created internship leading programs of its type. opportunities for RSU students, including Kaitlyn English and Humanities and Coordinator of Lunk of Adair who was featured in a Tulsa World article Developmental Studies at Rogers State Rogers State University announced its this summer. University, has been selected as one of 24 Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic participants in the Global Skills for College Rogers State University is now a Grand River program has received national accreditation Completion 2.0 project funded by the Bill and Dam Authority Partner in Conservation and from the Commission on Accreditation of Melinda Gates Foundation. Restoration, which will provide research and Allied Health Education Programs. learning opportunities for RSU faculty, staff Tuberville was selected from 150 educators and students. e CAAHEP voted on July 19 to award from around the globe to take part in GSCC, initial accreditation to the program aer peer which provides developmental writing and RSU will gain access to the state-of-the-art review conducted the group's Committee on math educators a chance to discover their own water quality laboratory at the Ecosystems Accreditation and the CAAHEP Board of teaching pattern and improve their practice Education Center on Grand Lake. Directors recognized substantial compliance through a networked community of expert with the nationally established accreditation teachers. She will join faculty from 2-year and In return, RSU faculty and students will standards. e initial accreditation status will 4-year institutions for a year-long professional conduct pertinent conservation and restoration last through on July 31, 2017. development experience. research endeavors within the Grand Lake watershed. CAAHEP is the largest programmatic e GSCC project involves designing and accreditor in the health sciences field. In developing an online faculty development “RSU's partnership with GRDA will provide collaboration with its Committees on system for community college developmental a tremendous hands-on learning opportunity Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits education instructors in mathematics and for our students, along with some very more than 2000 educational programs in 22 English. La Guardia Community College (NY) interesting research opportunities for our health science occupations. and Knowledge in the Public Interest, which faculty,” said Dr. Keith Martin, dean of the uses social media to build learning and RSU School of Mathematics, Science and RSU is now one of five accredited EMS leadership in education, lead this project with Health Sciences. programs in the state of Oklahoma, and the first support from e League for Innovation in the in Northeast Oklahoma. Community College, as the fiscal agent. Martin is currently engaged in research with GRDA that will provide data identifying “Beginning in January 2013, students seeking foraging corridors along Hudson Reservoir to be licensed as paramedics must complete principle tributaries used by the endangered their education with an accredited program,” gray bat. said Clem Ohman, Coordinator of the EMS program at RSU. “Our students always enjoyed GRDA has hosted seven summer interns the benefit of a program that meets or exceeds from RSU during the previous five years, the educational standards. Now it's official.” including Kaitlyn Lunk of Adair who was recently pictured in the Tulsa World as part of a More than 87 percent of RSU EMS students story covering GRDA's water quality pass the National Registry exam, compared to a monitoring efforts. GRDA has roughly 70,000 national pass rate of 64 percent. It also boasts surface acres of water under its control and one of the highest EMT-Intermediate pass rates monitors the waters of Grand Lake, Lake in Oklahoma. Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir on a regular basis.
HILL SHORTS | 9 RSU Accepted into NCAA Membership Long Named RSU Head Women's Basketball Coach
Rogers State University introduced Roxanne Long as its new head women’s basketball coach in July.
Long, who has served as the head women’s basketball coach at Texas Lutheran University for the past four years, becomes the second head coach over the RSU women’s basketball program. She replaces Amy Williams who spent five years at the helm of the Hillcat women’s basketball program and le RSU to become the head coach at the University of South Dakota, a NCAA Division I program. ➥ Athletic Director Ryan Bradley fields media questions following the NCAA announcement in June Prior to her stint at TLU, Long spent eight years e National Collegiate Athletic Association Upon completion of Year ree of the as a varsity head coach at the high school ranks in (NCAA) announced that Rogers State membership process, which is the provisional Texas. Long ignited her coaching career as a University has been approved for the Division II year, the Hillcats will gain full NCAA graduate assistant at Oral Roberts University membership process. membership and become eligible to compete for under Jerry Finkbeiner from 1998-2000. She was NCAA Division II Championships beginning as a three-year starter for the University of RSU President Dr. Larry Rice called the early as 2015-16. e Division II Membership Oklahoma and the team captain during her junior announcement a major milestone in the Committee annually determines if an institution and senior campaigns. Long earned a master’s university's recent renaissance. should move forward into the next candidacy degree in education from Oral Roberts University year, and it can require an institution to repeat a and received her bachelor’s degree in education “e move allows RSU to better serve both year if progress is not sufficient. from the University of Oklahoma. our student-athletes and the university, while also increasing the national exposure for both the “We are thrilled with the committee's decision university and the communities we serve,” Rice and anxious to begin the NCAA membership said. process,” said Ryan Bradley, RSU Director of Student-Athletes Athletics. “We believe RSU is a great fit for Graduate With its successful application for Division II NCAA Division II and we look forward to Membership, RSU will now enter into a three- establishing new rivalries and traditions with year transition period before earning full NCAA many of our peer institutions in the region.” Twenty-nine Rogers State University membership status. e Hillcats will continue as student-athletes received bachelor degrees at an active member of the Sooner Athletic RSU has enjoyed rapid growth in sports the 2012 commencement ceremony. Conference within the National Association of sponsorship since the launch of athletics in 2005. Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the 2012-13 e Hillcats joined the NAIA in 2005 when “e emphasis we as an athletic department school year while serving Candidacy Year One baseball and soball were implemented. RSU put on academics and graduating is highlighted with the NCAA. was accepted as a member of the Sooner Athletic with the academic achievements these former Conference in 2006 and added men's and student-athletes have accomplished,” said Dr. RSU has also been approved for membership women's soccer and men's and women's Brian Andrews, RSU Assistant Athletic in the NCAA's Heartland Conference, basketball in 2007. Men's and women's golf was Director for Student Development. “We are comprised of schools located in Oklahoma, added in 2009 and cross country was very proud of these 29 young men and women Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. Starting in the fall implemented in 2010. Over the last seven years in attaining their goal of a bachelor’s degree.” 2013, RSU will play a Heartland Conference the Hillcats have won 67 percent of their athletic schedule in all sports as it completes Second Year competitions, claimed four conference e student-athletes participated in the Candidacy. championships, produced 11 NAIA All- 100th RSU commencement at the Claremore Americans and made nine national tournament Expo and were members of the soccer, baseball, appearances. basketball, soball, cross country and golf programs. More than 100 student-athletes have now earned bachelor’s degrees from RSU since the inception of athletics in 2005.
10 | ATHLETICS Make Your Plans Today! Friday, November 9 ✓ The Hillcat Hacker Invitational www.rsu.edu/homecoming/hacker
✓ Bonfire and Pep Rally
Saturday, November 10 ✓ The Homecoming Game Day Celebration Tailgates, activities and more on the Expo Center Lawn
✓ Women’s Basketball vs. NWOSU ✓ Men’s Basketball vs. NWOSU ✓ RSU Homecoming King & Queen Coronation
For more information or to register for events, scan the QR Code or visit: www.rsu.edu/homecoming.
RSU HOMECOMING | 11 RSU PEOPLE
➥ The Oklahoma Military Academy held its annual reunion on campus in June. Pictured at ➥ Ardent Health Services President and CEO David T. Vandewater presented the 2012 the awards ceremony are, from left: standing, Maj. Gen. Timothy Malishenko, 2012 Herrington Lecture in February. At the conclusion of his remarks, he announced that reunion adjutant; Bill Ramsay, OMA Alumni Association president; Randy Vierling, Ardent would be establishing the Senator Stratton Taylor Nursing Excellence 2012 OMA Hall of Fame inductee; Joe Daniel, 2012 OMA Distinguished Alumni; Dr. Scholarship in partnership with Hillcrest HealthCare System. Vandewater, back row, Danette Boyle, executive director of the OMA Alumni Association; RSU President Dr. posed for photos with RSU nursing students and faculty following the lecture. Larry Rice; seated, Larry Lantow, 2012 OMA Distinguished Alumni; and President Emeritus Dr. Richard Mosier, 2012 recipient of the Lt. Gen. William E. Potts Award.
➥ The annual Bit By Bit fundraiser was held at Gilcrease Museum. Pictured are: Shirley ➥ The RSU Foundation Scholarship Auction helped raise about $75,000 during the Mardi Martin representing the Hille Foundation; Wanda Sanders, representing presenting Gras-themed event in April. Pictured are emcee Lori Fullbright from News on 6 and Key sponsor Overhead Door Company of Tulsa; Linda Barron, Bit by Bit director; Ellie Construction Vice President of Operations Tim Sortore and his wife, Jeri. Presenting Westfall, Bit by Bit participant; Leslie Westfall, Boots Goes To Gilcrease planning sponsors were Key Construction and Pelco Structural, LLC. committee chair.
➥ The RSU Foundation in January hosted its annual Pryor Scholarship Breakfast to ➥ The RSU Foundation’s Bartlesville Scholarship Breakfast was a big success again this support scholarship opportunities for area students. Pictured at the event are, from left: year. Pictured at the event are: Stan Baughn (left), director of community relations at Don Raleigh, Pryor Schools Superintendent, Lawana Downing, Allen Pease, and RSU Phillips 66, presenting Rogers State University President Dr. Larry Rice with a check at Foundation board members Martha Pease and Dana Lamb. the event held at the Bartlesville Community Center.
12 | RSU PEOPLE THIRD ANNUAL ART ON THE HILL Art Exhibits | Artist Demonstrations | Live Music | Food | Family Fun
FRIDAY SATURDAY September 28, 2012 September 29, 2012 Noon - 6 p.m. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Art on the Hillis a one-of-a-kind annual event, showcasing regional talent, including artisans of note from throughout northeastern Oklahoma and raises money to benefit student scholarships. e event also features outstanding works by area high school and college students. Prizes will be awarded for the winners.
is outdoor event is on the picturesque RSU campus in Claremore. Tented venues on the campus ART ON THE HILL lawn will offer visitors an opportunity to stroll through the art exhibits, experience live art Art Show & Sale • Art Demonstrations • Live Music • Food • Family Fun demonstrations, and enjoy music provided by guest musicians, the RSU Music Department, and SEPTEMBER 28!29, 2012 ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY other area ensembles. e event is free and open to the public. ➥ The Art on the Hill promotional poster features the work of RSU student Jordan Wong. For more information, visit www.rsu.edu/artonthehill or call 918-343-7740.
ART ON THE HILL | 13 Rogers State University 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd. Claremore, OK 74017
Change Service Requested
ON THE HORIZON
September October November ➥ Sept. 18 ➥ Sept. 22 ➥ Oct. 5 ➥ Oct. 26 ➥ Nov. 9 Constitution Day featuring U.S. RSU Alumni, “Movie on the Lawn,” “RSU Public TV 25th Anniversary Claremore Scholarship Fundraising Hillcat Hacker golf tournament on District Judge Claire V. Eagan at the on the Centennial Lawn. Gala,” at the Centennial Center. Breakfast at the RSU Centennial the RSU Claremore campus. Centennial Center. Tickets, Tickets, 918-343-7952 Center. Reservations, 918-343-7767. 918-343-7773. ➥ Sept. 28-29 ➥ Nov. 9-10 Art on the Hill art show and sale on ➥ Oct. 29 RSU Homecoming Celebration at the ➥ Oct. 13 Spring pre-enrollment begins at all ➥ Sept. 20-22 the Claremore campus. RSU Claremore campus. Destination RSU, annual college day RSU campuses. RSU Theatre, “Original Recipe.” for high school juniors, seniors and 10-minute plays presented by Student their parents on the Claremore campus. ➥ January Theatre Organization at the Baird Oct. 30 “RSU Alumni Social” at Red Robin in ➥ Hall, Performance Studio. ➥ Oct. 22-27 & Nov. 1-3 Jan. 14 Owasso. Spring classes begin at all RSU RSU Theatre, “The Legend of Sleepy campuses. Hollow,” at the Will Rogers Auditorium.
For more information, including times and locations, visit www.rsu.edu.