Area College Students Share Experiences At State Capital
(Press Release 03-05-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

While students from across the state were telling their legislators how investing in higher education was an investment in Oklahoma students from one eastern Oklahoma school were sharing their stories how one rural community college in southeastern Oklahoma is making a difference in their lives.

Seven students from Eastern Oklahoma State College joined with other students, faculty and administrators representing state colleges and universities in Oklahoma City during Higher Education Day at the state Capitol Tuesday (Feb 27).

The Wilburton college students included student senate officers and presidential scholars representing Eastern students.

Eastern student senate president Justin Kennedy from Talihina told legislators it is important for small colleges to be recognized because of the outstanding one-on-one educational experience that is available for students.

“Students truly appreciate the many opportunities Eastern provides students and we believe that higher education will enhance the growth of Oklahoma,” Kennedy said.

State Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson said continuing funding for OHLAP or Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program which gives free tuition to students from state families who earn less than $50,000, if they take a college preparatory classes in high school, make good grades and stay out of trouble, remains paramount.

Wilburton sophomore and Presidential Scholar Brent Shouse said students are grateful for the commitment the state made last year recognizing the importance of higher education.

“Supporting funding for programs such as OHLAP helps students just like me attend college,” he said. “Without it many of us would not be able to go to college or later have large student loans to repay.”

Student Senate Secretary Jordan Mc Daniel said students of today are the future of Oklahoma.

“Being from the state of Arkansas, I am extremely impressed with this state and would not have been drawn to Oklahoma if it were not for the agriculture program at Eastern Oklahoma State College.”

All of these students believe in what higher education is doing “because they are experiencing it for themselves,” Leah McLaughlin vice president for student services and enrollment management said.

Eastern also hosted a luncheon at the Capitol with 50 to 60 people attending, including 13 legislators, the Chancellor of Higher Education and the State Labor Commissioner.

Area legislators included Sen. Richard Lerblance, Hartshorne; Sen. Kenneth Corn, Poteau; Sen. Jeff Rabon, Hugo; Rep. R.C.Pruett, Antlers; Rep. Ed Cannady, Porum; Rep. Brian Renegar, McAlester and Rep. Terry Harrison, McAlester.

Other Eastern students participating in the Higher Education Day included Justin Lowder, Wilburton; Amanda Wingo, Henryetta; Jenna Dale, Durant and Casi Dennis, Clayton.

Senator Richard Lerblance, left, visits with a group of Eastern Oklahoma State College students during Higher Education Day at the state capital last week (Feb 27). Students from the Wilburton college attending the all day event include from front left: Jenna Dale from Durant; Amanda Wingo, Henryetta; Jordan McDaniel, El Dorado, AR and Justin Kennedy, Whitesboro. Back: Casi Dennis, Clayton; Justin Lowder, Wilburton and Brent Shouse, Wilburton.

Representative R.C. Pruett, right, visits with a group of Eastern Oklahoma State College students during Higher Education Day at the state capital last week (Feb 27). Students from the Wilburton college attending the all day event include from front left: Jenna Dale from Durant; Amanda Wingo, Henryetta; Jordan McDaniel, El Dorado, AR and Justin Kennedy, Whitesboro. Back: Casi Dennis, Clayton; Justin Lowder, Wilburton and Brent Shouse, Wilburton.