Northern Oklahoma College Regents met in the newly christened James Room at NOC Enid, following a luncheon honoring former Regent Keith James of Pond Creek for his 20 years of service. A plaque at the entrance of the room bears James’ likeness and recaps highlights of his career as an NOC Regent. (photo below)
Kristi Orr, mathematics instructor, presented the program showcase, saying that the number of mathematics majors is increasing, with 50 majors currently enrolled, most of whom plan to major in engineering at Oklahoma State University. “We have added co-requisite courses that are working very well and will help NOC to be on the forefront,” she said. She reported that three students had been selected to visit the NASA facility in Houston in this summer.
NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans discussed the $1.75 million federal grant recently awarded to the college as a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution to improve technology and extend educational access. Additionally, the grant objectives will be to locate a cultural center in the library building at Tonkawa and improve online services available to all students.
Dr. Rick Edgington, vice president for enrollment, reported a total of 135 summer graduates had received 143 degrees. According to preliminary figures for fall enrollment, retention rates from last spring are 85.91 percent for Tonkawa and 81.47 percent for Enid. Total enrollment and total credit hours have decreased slightly, down 1 percent compared to figures one year ago.
New faculty this fall are Wendy O’Neill and Cecil Phibbs, mathematics at Enid and Stillwater respectively, Abigail Mace and David Toelle fine arts, Tonkawa and Enid, respectively; Florence Head, nursing, Tonkawa; Troy Cochran, criminal justice, Tonkawa, and Randy Sloan, business.
New Tonkawa coaches are Juan de Dios Castillo, women’s soccer; Lauren Robb, assistant, women’s soccer; Colman Stephens, assistant, baseball; and William Dyer, assistant, men’s basketball.
Anita Simpson, vice president for financial affairs, presented July and August financial reports, monthly purchases and allocation requests for the Regents’ approval.
Other items approved by the Regents included adding a private room rate for single occupancy in Jets and Mavericks residence halls; approval to negotiate the purchase of property adjacent to the Enid campus; the deletion of the Associate in Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology; and acceptance of the FY2016 Internal Audit Report from Nate Atchison of Finley & Cook, PLLC, which was a clean report. NOC Regents Chair Tom Dugger complimented the Finance Department on the audit’s outcome.
The Regents also approved the NOC Grants and Contracts policies manuals; the Open Records Policy update and a change of the March 22 meeting location to Stillwater to coincide with events for the NOC/OSU Gateway Program that day.
Attending the meeting were regents Tom Dugger, Stillwater, chair; Jeff Cowan, Ponca City, vice chair; Stan Brownlee, Enid, secretary; Linda Brown, Ponca City, member; and Chad Dillingham, Enid, member.
The next meeting is set for October 19 at NOC Tonkawa.
Official minutes of the NOC Board of Regents prior meetings are available online at www.noc.edu.
Northern Oklahoma College Regents and former Regents honor Keith James, Pond Creek, for his 20 years of service to NOC. Standing at the entrance of the newly christened James Room in the Hallie G. Gantz Student Center at NOC Enid are (l-r) Stan Brownlee, Enid; Jeff Cowan, Ponca City; Board of Regents Chair Tom Dugger, Stillwater; Linda Brown, Ponca City; former Regent James; Chad Dillingham, Enid; and former regents Lynn Smith and David Trojan, Enid. The James Room will be used for Board of Regents’ meetings. (Northern Photo by John Pickard)
