The Communicator - 11/02/09
Posted on November 2, 2009
Filed under Communicator
In this issue, you’ll read:
OKC-GO Offers Spending Stress Relief…
Alumni Honored…
Saving Grace at OCCC…
Annual Halloween Carnival a Treat of a Time…
Walktober Results to be Announced…
This Week’s Training Sessions…
Get To Know…
Happy Birthday…
OKC-GO Offers Spending Stress Relief
A recent report by the College Board shows college tuition has been on the rise nationally despite a reduction in inflation. For students in Oklahoma City and Western Heights, relief from the cost of higher education comes in a free tuition package from OCCC each year. Through the OKC-GO program, students can attend OCCC next fall - tuition free.
Rallying together, OCCC Vice President Jerry Steward and Oklahoma City Public School Superintendent Karl Springer will join guidance and admissions counselors, students and the cheer squad from Oklahoma Centennial High School to celebrate the OKC-GO program. The assembly will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Oklahoma Centennial High School, 1301 NE 101 in Oklahoma City.
The OKC-GO program is exclusive to OCCC, and eligible students can attend for up to three years or 61 credit hours. Additionally, students will have access to learning labs, personal mentoring and leadership building opportunities - all for FREE!
Students who graduate from Western Heights or the Oklahoma City Public School District and start college at OCCC the same year are eligible for OKC-GO. The list below highlights the qualified schools: ASTEC, Capitol Hill, Centennial, Classen SAS, Dove Science Academy, Douglass, Emerson, Harding Charter, John Marshall, John Wesley, Northeast Academy, Northwest Classen, Pathways, Renew, Santa Fe South, SAVE Academy, Seeworth, Southeast, Star Spencer U.S. Grant and Western Heights.
OKC-GO does not cover the cost of books and fees; however, many students who apply will also be eligible for other types of financial aid. For additional requirements and fees, or more information about the OKC-GO celebration, please call (405) 682-7580, or visit the OCCC Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
Alumni Honored
Seven Oklahoma City Community College alumni were honored during the annual Alumni Hall of Fame ceremonies on Thursday.
The Alumni Hall of Fame is a prestigious annual award that recognizes a select group of OCCC graduates, showcasing their career and civic accomplishments over the years.
“OCCC alumni make outstanding contributions in their communities. We are excited to have played a role in the successes of our former students,” said Dr. Paul Sechrist, OCCC President. “We are pleased to honor our alumni for their career and civic accomplishments.”
Honored were:
• Christopher Burris, Metro Technology Center
• Teresa Davis, Dental Wellness Center
• Christina Makarim, Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic
• Eddie Manley, Oklahoma State Department of Health
• Shannon Nance, Oklahoma Heritage Association and Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum
• Mary Blankenship Pointer, UMB Bank
• Dee Porter, Texas State Department of Health
In addition, the college paid tribute to First Lady, Kim Henry and Regent John Massey with the Honorary Alumni Hall of Fame award.
Saving Grace at OCCC
Addressing a packed house, Nancy Miller, Oklahoma City native and creator/producer of TNT’s Saving Grace, spoke at a special reception in support of the soon-to-be-built 1,000-seat Performing Arts Theater at Oklahoma City Community College.
With a passion for writing, Miller said that her start in the television industry originated when she began writing from life experiences. “Every artist has an individual journey, said Miller. “If we are lucky enough, we get to practice our craft, and we all get there in a different way.” “I didn’t get there through majoring in theater, but I got there through things that happened that made me want to write,” she said.
Expressing her thoughts on the arts in Oklahoma and here at OCCC, Miller added, “I am thrilled to do whatever I can to help get the theater built on campus - for the drama students who can someday fulfill life-long dreams in the arts entertainment industry.” Miller said that the Visual and Performing Arts Center at OCCC is extremely important, and added that it was a “house of dreams.” “It’s a house where not only students can nurture their dreams, but they’ll study; they’ll study the dreams of other artists in plays or musicals or recitals,” she added. “All of us are touched by the arts - whether we’re driving in our car and hear a song - and it takes us somewhere. So to have a theater like this in Oklahoma City for these students is a gift I wish I would have had when I was younger.”
Miller, who attended Bishop McGuinness High School and graduated from the University of Oklahoma said that before she comes back home to Oklahoma to retire, she hopes to get one more TV series on the air. “I’d love to have a home here and keep my home in L.A. As a writer, you can write from anywhere. Running a TV show, I’d have to be in L.A. After one more series on the air, it would be great to move back home and write screen plays.” Miller said.
Annual Halloween Carnival a Treat of a Time
From Transformers to Star Wars and Hannah Montana to Cinderella, the stars were live and in person at OCCC’s annual Halloween Carnival on Friday. Also spotted were a number of black cats and witches, pirates, vampires and Spiderman.
The Student Life tradition was packed full of fun - trick or treat candy for everyone. The night was complete with face painting, snow cones, games and popcorn.
Walktober Results to be Announced
Join us to congratulate this year’s Walktober champions on Tues., Nov. 3 at noon in the main dining area in the College Union. Final results will be announced, and all employees are encouraged to stop by to congratulate the competitors.
Even though the month is up, individuals are strongly encouraged to continue on the fitness path. Walking groups are a great way to stay motivated, and fitness resources such as magazines and websites are packed with simple, fat-burning walking workouts to help you lose weight and get fit.
This Week’s Training Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s training programs.
Defensive Driving Course
Course Number: ENHS-1007
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Location: CU - CU2, John Massey Center
Presenter: Lisa Vaughan
Beginning Grant Writing
Course Number: WKPL-1021-001
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Times: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Swalwell, Joe L
Beginning Grant Writing
Course Number: WKPL-1021-002
Date: Thursday, November 5
Times: 3:00 PM-4:30 PM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Swalwell, Joe L
Using Web 2.0 Tools to Engage Millennial Learners
Course Number: TEC-1008-002
Date: Wednesday, November 11
Times: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
Location: CU - CU1
Presenter: Glenne’ Whisenhunt
GET TO KNOW…
Sara McElroy
Position:
Coordinator od Transfer and Academic Advising
Department:
Academic Advising
How long have you worked for OCCC:
1 Year
Family:
Jay, Husband; Kellen, 2 and #2 expected in April
Pets:
Zoey - A Kitty, and a recently adopted turtle named Tuck
Hobbies:
Family and Homework
Famous Favorite Saying/Quote:
“Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.”
- Gail Sheehy
Happy Birthday
Gary Phillips - 11/2
Alexandra Sitzman - 11/3
Jennifer Cochrane - 11/3
Lauren McElroy-Walls - 11/3
Emily Lewis - 11/4
Gary Dominguez - 11/4
Pam Simonds - 11/4
Brandon Wheeler - 11/6
Tim Green - 11/6
Traci Boren - 11/10
