Eastern Experiences Busy Summer
(Press Release 07-28-08)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Each year as the spring semester ends in May at Eastern Oklahoma State College, the question arises as to what will be happening on campus ‘till the students come back in the fall.

According to the Wilburton community college Dean of Students, Dr. Sally Davis, there isn’t much free time before a whole new group of activities arrives on the campus beginning with the Kiamichi All Star camp Memorial Day weekend and the activities continue until the fall semester and classes begin August 12.

“The vacation is short-lived. Davis said.  “By Memorial Day weekend the campus opened its doors to over 12 summer camps throughout the summer bringing students aged 12-70 from all over the state and nation.

“During that weekend in May (Memorial weekend) Eastern began it’s summer with the Kiamichi All-Stars who came from all over eastern Oklahoma to practice and compete in baseball, basketball and softball.

“After that the summer started with Gear-Up which brought more than 250 junior high age students for over 10 days participating in a variety of activities where they learned and just had fun.  The campus pool was also open to water aerobics classes four days a week and county swimming lessons as well as open swim days.  There were several basketball and cheerleading camps conducted for area grade and high school age students.

"The Children’s Theatre workshop also made a big splash with over 30 local elementary age students learning the craft of acting, stage management, stage supervision, lighting and sound,” she said.

Davis said Eastern hosted the 35th year of the Choctaw Nation Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs for the next six weeks.

“This brought students to study and learn college level courses and hone their basic knowledge skills of reading, writing and math.  They also participated in an All-Sports Day hosting other Upward Bound programs across the state to participate in sports from Volleyball, to table tennis, diving, swimming, softball and baseball.  They closed their time here with a special trip to San Antonio Texas,” Davis said.

Agriculture, horticulture, livestock management and meat science were also topics high school students from across the state came to study in the college environment during Aggie Summer camp. “The camp invited over 75 students to participate, learn and have fun in a college environment living in the dorms and eating in the cafeteria,” according to Davis.

“Eastern will complete its summer of camps by hosting for the 21st year ‘The Singing School’ where over 250 people from small children to the elderly made Eastern their home for seven days beginning July 18. They studied the art of vocal music without the use of instruments, practiced and performed for the campus and each other. They’re also be here to swim, learn computers, take classes in tourism and enjoy Southeastern Oklahoma. Car tags from Alabama to Nebraska were seen on the campus.”

Davis says Eastern has had a busy summer with 12 special camps, construction of a new student center on campus coupled with normal summer school at the community college. Student Services staff has also been preparing for the return of  more than 300 students to their housing facilities for the beginning of the fall semester and student orientation when the dormitories open and orientation begins August 10.