Elks Lodge installs new officers

City of Edmond & UCO officials celebrate the EV charging station opening at Campbell Street & University Drive.

City of Edmond & UCO invite users to new charging stations

The City of Edmond and the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) recently celebrated the opening of six new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in the community.

The Level 2 charging stations are free to use by the public and were funded through just over $50,000 in grants received from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

The public locations each include two chargers and include: Mitch Park (behind the large pavilion), the Service-Blake Soccer Complex, the City First Administration Building in downtown, and at two UCO Visitor Parking Lots. The station at the soccer complex is only available during soccer events, and a schedule can be viewed at http://edmondsoccer.com. All Edmond locations can be found using the station locator tool at https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_p oint.

“Electric Vehicles reduce emissions and save you money. The grant partnership was made possible because of a common interest in providing these amenities to Edmond residents and students. These sites are also powered by 100% domestic wind energy through Edmond Electric and the OMPA. The current plan is to have the last station at the new Tennis Center installed in August 2020, but the other stations are open and ready.” said Phil Jones, City of Edmond Sustainability Planner.

“UCO has long been committed to infrastructure upgrades that encourage sustainability. We’re happy to partner with the City to implement EV infrastructure for students, faculty, staff, and visitors who drive electric, and continue our tradition of promoting sustainable initiatives on campus and in our students’ lives,” said Eric Hemphill, Manager of Sustainability and Alternative Transportation at UCO.

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PHOTO PROVIDED New Elks Lodge officers, include, front row from left, Robert Prest, Greg Ruch, Joann Moorehead, Mark Wheaton and Bill Milam. On the back row are

Shari Scott, D.J. Boyce, Jerry Crytzer, Ed Burt, Gerald Hulsey, John Yater and Twila Bourlon. Edmond Elks Lodge installs new slate of officers

The Edmond Elks Lodge #2578 celebrating their 42nd anniversary, installed their 2020-21 officers and presented annual awards at the Lodge earlier this month. Outgoing Exalted Ruler, Scott McDaneld presented the following awards:

Officer of the Quarter awards went to Shari Scott, Mark Scott, Mark Wheaton and Twila Bourlon. Officer of the year was Ed Burt and Elk of the year was Jerry Crytzer. Mark Wheaton, Chairman of the Board and Les Cummings, Past Exalted Ruler, presented the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award to Past Exalted Ruler, L.D. Maxwell. This award is given to recognize an Elk for their long-term dedication to the Lodge and the Elk principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity.

The Officers for the year are: Joann Moorehead, Exalted Ruler, Greg Ruch, Leading Knight, Mark Wheaton, Loyal Knight, Mark Scott, Lecturing Knight, Ed Burt, Esquire, John Yater, Chaplain, Shari Scott, Secretary, Twila Bourlon, Treasurer, Bill Milam, Inner Guard and Robert Prest, Tiler. New trustees this year are Gerald Hulsey, Past Exalted Ruler and Jerry Crytzer.

Stan Wagnon named UCO Athletic Director

The University of Central Oklahoma announced last week a special homecoming in the works as Stan Wagnon – following in the footsteps of his father – will be named Athletic Director effective Aug. 24. Wagnon "I am happy to announce that Stan Wagnon will be joining us as our new Athletic Director," UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar said. "Stan is a long-time Broncho and has a love for UCO that runs deep. His leadership and energy are going to inject our athletic department with excitement and pride."

Wagnon, an Edmond native, earned his bachelor’s degree from Central in 1995. His father (Skip) served as director of athletics from 1986-2003 following a 15-year stint as head athletic trainer. "As I think about UCO athletics and my story it really was my first love growing up," Wagnon said. "I didn't want anything else than to see the Bronchos play. To be able to go to school there and start working there as a student and then to go off in my career and learn everything that I did and now, to be able to come back and apply all that. This means so much to me and my family. To me, to my wife, to all of my family. This is very special and I'm looking forward to it. "To have had the opportunity to work in the athletic department as a student in the sports information office," Wagnon said. "That opportunity really set the stage for me professionally. I learned how to tell the story of the student-athlete. And that has been a big part of my career. I look forward to working with the student-athletes at UCO and I hope to give them every opportunity I had to be a part of something special and to be a part of something that gives them a head start in life."

An press conference to introduce Wagnon will be planned for later this month.

An introductory press conference will be planned for later this month.

Wagnon returns to UCO after a 25- plus year career in athletics. After working in the UCO sports information office as a student, Wagnon had stints in the same role at Midwestern State, where he received his master’s degree, and Tarleton State.

Wagnon moved from Tarleton to the NCAA Division II’s Lone Star Conference office and eventually served as commissioner. He spent 11 years in that role before moving to the same post at the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference, where he has served since July 2016.

Wagnon is active in the NAIA governance as a member of the Conference Commissioners Association (CCA). Currently he is serving as Vice Chair of the Council for Student-Athletes, as well as a member of the National Coordinating Committee and NAIA Student-Athlete Experience Task Force. At the SAC, Wagnon has grown the league’s membership, offered new conference championships, and developed a corporate partnership program.

At the Lone Star Conference, Wagnon’s most noteworthy accomplishment was creation of the Lone Star Football Festival, held annually at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The event generated nearly a half-million dollars back to the conference office.

Throughout his career, Wagnon has emerged as a national leader in intercollegiate athletics. He has served as Chair of the NCAA Division II Nominating Committee and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional Advisory Committee. He also served on committees for the D2 CCA and College Sports Information Directors of Association (CoSIDA).

Mackenzie Goings and family J.J. Ruff and family Character Council awards seniors scholarships

Since its inception in 2015, the Character Council of Edmond has sought high school seniors who exemplify good character in their daily lives. In the application process, the Council asks seniors to choose one character trait and to write a 500-550 word essay on how they demonstrate this trait. The Council uses the 36 character core words recognized by Strata Leadership for both their Champion of Character word of the month and the scholarship program.

The Council recently recognized their 2020 scholarship recipients, Siva Aravindan (Santa Fe); Mackenzie Goings (Memorial); and JJ Ruff (Memorial) with a drive by visit complete with yard signs and photos.

Siva Aravindan selected the character trait of discipline, choosing behaviors to help me reach my goals for his essay. He wrote; “Changing yourself in any manner or to any degree requires discipline. My life revolves around this premise. I’ve seen firsthand what the lack of discipline does to a person and this has given me a certain respect for the trait.”

While attending Memorial High School, Siva has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar, as well as, a member of the Varsity Soccer team. Siva also volunteers at National Honor Society events, at the Hindu Temple in both Oklahoma and India, and shares his love of physics and math with younger students.

Siva concludes his essay by saying, “I learned from myself and now strive to continuously better myself in hopes of

Siva Aravindan and his family

a better future.” Siva will be attending University of Oklahoma, majoring in both math and engineering physics, two subjects that were his favorites in high school.

In her essay, Mackenzie Goings wrote about the character trait endurance, the inner strength to withstand stress and do my best. After a long bout with a chronic illness, Mackenzie writes; “Whenever I am exhausted and feel I cannot continue, I remember to utilize endurance and keep going to make a difference.”

Volunteering is one of Mackenzie’s greatest passions. She serves as an ambassador in Edmond Women’s Club, Oklahoma Hall of Fame Teen Board member, and Edmond Public Schools Foundation Ambassador. While at Memorial, Mackenzie has been active as class president, National Honor Society

member, yearbook designer and DECA.

Mackenzie ends her essay, “I am always reminding myself to stay strong and to continue in whatever is overwhelming me. Endurance gives me the encouragement to keep going even when times are tough.” She wrote these words in early March, words that would benefit us all today! Mackenzie will be attending the University of Central Oklahoma majoring in Community and Public Health with a minor in Leadership.

Our third recipient, JJ Ruff picked the character word, determination, overcoming obstacles in order to reach my goal. In his essay, JJ writes; “What I love about being so determined, is that it bleeds into other core character traits. Because of my determination to be successful, I have become very disciplined in my actions and eating habits. Similarly, my determination to be positive influence in my community has allowed me to become a very dependable, loyal teammate and friend.”

JJ has excelled in the classroom and on the football field at Memorial High School. He is a National Honor Society member, Student Council senior class representative, and on the leadership council of the Fellowship of Christians Athletes. JJ was a team captain both his junior and senior year on the varsity football team, as well as, a member of the varsity track team.

After overcoming injuries in his junior year, JJ writes, “This determination to come back stronger than before has enabled me to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as I enter college.” JJ will be attending Wheaton College on a football scholarship majoring in Applied Health Science with plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

Let’s celebrate all Edmond high school seniors who have made many adjustments this year but continue to make a positive difference in our community. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Character Council of Edmond. Your generous support will be used to help fund the character scholarship program for Edmond high school seniors. Please contact the Council for more information by visiting their website at www.edmondcharacter.org or by mailing your contribution to the Character Council of Edmond P.O. Box 392 Edmond, OK 73083-0392.