Faith, Community & Education
April 6, 2012
Norman 2012 VISION
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Antioch Community Church Norman’s philosophy: keep it simple By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript
Antioch Community Church Norman is a relative newcomer to the community – it was launched locally in spring 2009 with a special calling to impact the University of Oklahoma as well as the community in which it is nestled – but its lead pastor and other members believe that Norman is on its way to becoming an epicenter of teaching, training and planting of churches all over the world. The Norman church plant is one of nearly 50 in more than 20 nations as well as many more throughout the United States planted by the original Antioch Community Church, which was founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas. Chris Bennett, Antioch’s lead pastor, welcomes members of the community to visit their church for one of their services, including this Sunday’s Easter service (please see accompanying article), to learn what it has to offer. He also welcomes visitors to the church’s website – www.antiochnorman.com – to research their basic beliefs, vision, and core values, as well as testimonials and additional information. A sampling follows. Basic beliefs: • The Bible is the inspired, authoritative, living, externally reliable Word of God • There is one God who has revealed himself as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that He is the Father, creator of all things visible and invisible • Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son, came into the world to reveal the Father that man was created by a direct and immediate act of God Core values: “Love God. Love one another. Love the lost. Love the city.” Process: Antioch takes a simple approach to church philosophy; the idea is that the simpler the process, the easier it is to remember and replicate. Antioch has established a simple process of 1) encounter (create an environment where individuals can encounter the
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presence of God), 2) Disciple (equip people to become disciples of Jesus through life-giving relationships, 3) Serve (mobilize each person to serve
(empower individuals to impact the Earth through their unique gifts and vocational callings). Upon joining the Antioch communi-
You’re invited! Easter Program to Pose Question: What Now? Antioch Community Church Norman Lead Pastor Chris Bennett invites members of the Norman community to join members in a special Easter observance, scheduled at two times – 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – at Norman’s historic Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St. “Are you looking for good news that is helpful and actually makes a difference in your life? God is a perfect Father and He wants to show you the amazing plans He has for your life and give you relationships that bring your life joy and freedom,” Bennett said, adding, “If you are tired of religion and are truly wanting to know who Jesus is and discover the incredible plan He has for your life, come join us this Sunday.” The Easter program will pose the question: “What now? In light of what Jesus has done for us, what is our response?” Child care and special children’s programming will be available. For more information, please visit www.antiochnorman.com.
God and others through volunteering and short-term missions) and 4) Impact
ty, members are invited to join one of several “Lifegroups” – small-group
gatherings, including those for youth and college students, which serve as the basic building blocks at Antioch. Ranging from eight to 15 members, these groups are designed to facilitate community, personal growth and evangelism. Lifegroups meet weekly in homes across the city for a time of fellowship, worship, discussion and prayer. Of course, Antioch also offers Sunday morning services. Expect expressive worship, with contemporary, fresh songs; and accurate teachings of God’s word. Children are an integral part of Antioch life, and the church offers fun and interactive Bible teaching and worship weekly. This is a paid advertorial by Antioch Community Church.
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Norman 2012 VISION
Healthy rituals take hold in community each spring The dozens of brightly dressed cyclists gathered in a corner of the Brookhaven Village parking lot were ready to put a winter of pent-up cycling behind them one Tuesday night this past month. They were there for the first Bicycle League of Norman Tuesday night ride. Two days later some came to the 405 Bicycle Shop and Reaves Park for one of two Thursday night sponsored rides. Then others came back for a Saturday spin. Cycling has a healthy following in Andy Rieger this community but Executive Editor it still trails running and walking for exercise. At nearly every hour of the day, you can find neighbors walking and running. This time of year seems to bring out the best of healthy intentions. Some that have walked the mall, home treadmills or the indoor tracks venture outside as the temperatures rise. A group of runners meets at 5:15 nearly every morning in the parking lot of the Cleveland County Family YMCA. It’s 15 minutes before the Y even opens for the day. There’s a line waiting for it to open. At the hospital’s health club, some private ones and even the scattered boxing and martial arts gyms, it’s the same story. Fitness has become a ritual for many families. They will help bend the trend of poor health and
obesity in our state. Oklahoma ranks 48th in overall health and 43rd in child well being. In Norman Public Schools, more than 30 percent of students in Pre-K through fifth grade are considered overweight or obese. It’s not just adults, too. Nearly a third of our students in pre-k through fifth grade are considered overweight or obese. Type 2 Diabetes is becoming an issue in elementary schools with students needing insulin shots. If changes are not made, Oklahoma is on course to become the nation’s most obese state by 2018. Some speculate it could come even earlier. There are a few bright spots. Cleveland County was just named the state’s healthiest county. That’s a good start but the bar is set pretty low. According to the rankings, residents of Seminole County have more than twice the number of premature deaths than residents of Cleveland County. According to the rankings, the five healtiest counties of the state are Cleveland, Texas, Canadian, Payne and Beaver. The five counties in the poorest health, starting with least healthy, are Seminole, Greer, Kiowa, Love, and Harmon Counties. Our county’s health department has initiated a County wide Health Improvement Plan recently released addressing three priority areas that include: tobacco prevention, obesity reduction, and child health.
INDEX FAITH Norman is a community of faith as evidenced by its many houses of worship. As the city continues to grow and prosper, congregations are growing as well. Many find themselves in need of a larger worship space and are buying land and building new churches. BridgeView United Methodist Church is one of the congregations. PAGE 10
COMMUNITY From vibrant volunteerism to a multifacility library system to abundant outlets for health and recreation, Norman has so much to offer the residents of Cleveland County. PAGE 5, 11, 14
EDUCATION The University of Oklahoma is a major presence both nationally and locally, encompassing thousands of undergraduate and graduate students on three campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa and including premier research facilities and world-class museums among its many assets. PAGE 12
ADVERTISER INDEX Animal Emergency Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Journey Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Antioch Community Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 First Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
McFarlin United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . .13 Spaulding Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Goodwill Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16
St. Mark Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Havenbrook Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ON THE COVER
n Clockwise from upper left: Animal Emergency Center, First Baptist Church, Goodwill Industries and Havenbrook Funeral Home. Photos by Kyle Phillipls / The Norman Transcript.
Next up: Arts & Entertainment
Norman 2012 VISION
COMMUNITY
Annual volunteer event allows OU students to pay it forward
Big Event: The History The Big Event began at Texas A&M University in 1982 when student leaders saw a need to give back to their surrounding community of Bryan-College Station — a community that continually supported their university. Joe Nussbaum, vice president of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M took the initiative to make others aware of this need, and after a passage through the student senate, The Big Event was born. After 24 successful years, The Big Event is now an annual event at more than 60 major universities across the nation. The program has not only seen tremendous national growth since its beginning, but also tremendous local growth at the University of Oklahoma. OU held its first offical Big Event in the spring of 1999, after it was adopted by the University of Oklahoma Student Association, the official student government of OU. Along with many other major universities, The Big Event has become a prominent and lasting tradition at OU and continues to grow each year. Source: bigevent.ou.edu.
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By Hannah Cruz Transcript Staff Writer
Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo
Then OU freshman Caroline Scott clears an area where flowers will be planted at Roosevelt Elementery School during the 2011 Big Event.
With 150 organizations receiving assistance this year from 5,735 volunteers, the University of Oklahoma’s 13th annual Big Event has truly earned its name. Every spring more 5,000 volunteers from OU students, faculty and staff, disperse across Norman and the Oklahoma City area for one day of service. This year’s event will be April 14. “OU’s Big Event is a special day for both the University and the entire metro area community,” OU President David Boren said “Each year, thousands of our students give their time to serve local charities and organizations. “I’m very proud of the way they represent their university,” Boren said. With the goal to help those who help others, Big Event Chair Rachel Tyrrell said the event assists nonprofits, churches, school and other community oriented organizations to complete tasks that need man power. The event is a completely student-run service project that allows students to pay forward the support the community gives them, she said. Gilbert Magdaleno with Arts Council of
Oklahoma City said last year was the organization’s first time receiving help from the event. Volunteers benefit from the experience as well, Tyrrell said. She first got involved with the event her freshman year, and has been hooked ever since. “I think it’s really given me a passion that I don’t think will burn out when I leave OU,” she said, referring to her hopes to go into nonprofit management upon graduating from OU in May. Helping so many in the community comes at a priceand wouldn’t be possible without generous community corporate sponsorships, organizers said. Besides providing labor for organizations, the event is able to supply materials organizations need but cannot afford. Between the event coordinators, volunteers, sponsors and jobsites, the event’s rapid growth is headed in the right direction, said Jeff Moseley, vice chair of jobsite relations. “This year with Big Event it’s definitely bigger than it’s ever been. We have more volunteers than we’ve ever had. We have more spots for jobsites for volunteers to go to than we’ve had in the past. It’s just a reflection of all the hard work we’ve done as a team of getting all the word out to the community.”
Blue Ribbon awards benefit teachers, students, community By Joel Pruett Transcript Staff Writer
Facilities of Norman Public Schools have been named national Blue Ribbon Schools nine times since 1987, and district educators said the award recognizes not only teachers, but everyone involved in the educational process. “We are very proud to be recognized for the hard work of our faculty, staff and, most importantly, of our students,” said Peter Liesenfeld, principal at Longfellow Middle School.
“Our kids were really proud of their accomplishments.” Although Liesenfeld was not the school’s principal at the time his school received the district’s most recent Blue Ribbon — in the 20102011 school year — he said students and teachers worked hard to achieve the accomplishment, though they didn’t do anything for the award that they wouldn’t do in a normal year. Mandy Woodford, the school’s gifted resource coordinator, said the school took advantage of a number of opportunities to prepare stu-
dents for success on the tests. “One of the things that we did was the way we used assessments, we would have collaboration time,” Woodford said. “The teachers would review that material and look at how they could improve instruction.” Gail Richardson, math coordinator and math intervention specialist at Longfellow Middle, said the district made use of data pulled from testing benchmarks at the collaborative teacher meetings, which showed teachers which lessons were not up to par. With this information, Richard-
son said, teachers formed small groups three times a year which studied a particular testing standard. With strategies like this, teachers not only worked to improve their instruction, but also to engage students in the learning, the educators said. Although testing scores are influential in becoming a Blue Ribbon School, Liesenfeld said measurable student testing performance isn’t the only thing that’s being recognized. “A Blue Ribbon indicates overall accomplishment of the
school process,” Liesenfeld said. “We’re looking at a lot of different initiatives that speak to the whole student.” And he said that high testing scores and associated awards benefit not just those directly involved with the educational process, but also . The fact Norman Public School’s students can go through “a train of high-performing schools,” a number of which have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, Liesenfeld said, might be impressive for families looking for a school district.
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First Baptist Church moving into a new season of life and growth By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript
While continuing to cherish its rich history and traditions, the First Baptist Church of Norman in the beginning of the 21st century just isn’t what it used to be – it’s more. Under the leadership of Pastor Wade Smith, who celebrates five years of ministry this June, the church has moved into what he calls a “new season of life, growth, and vibrant community and ministry.” After a period of contemplation and discussion, the church reworked its mission statement, which can be stated succinctly as: “To Love People, Teach the Word, and to Live the Journey as Followers of Christ.” To better understand the journey that led to this point, it’s helpful to know something of the church’s local history and the role it has played in the community it calls home. Established on Oct. 27, 1889 – only months after the official beginning of the Oklahoma Land Run and years before statehood – First Baptist Church filed and received its articles of organization from the Territory of Oklahoma “for the purpose of disseminating the word of God and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” On Jan. 22, 1893, the church dedicated its new sanctuary at the corner of Webster and Comanche. As the church moved through the 20th century, Smith said, First Baptist was characterized by strong, consistent pastoral leadership through the ministries of E.F. “Preacher” Hallock, who served for almost 46 years, and Dr. Lavonn Brown, who served for 29 years. Under their leadership, Smith said, “First Baptist became a leader in student work, denominational life and international missions.” Beginning in 1979, an added emphasis was placed on the physical well-being of its members and the community. The Family Life Center was dedicated that year, which included a fitness center, bowling alley, basketball and racquetball courts, and multipurpose rooms. Additionally, community sports leagues, summer camps, outreach events, and ministries were launched, furthering First Baptist’s longtime involvement in the community. During the past decade, First Baptist has further extended its outreach and ministry efforts to another segment of Norman residents. Under the leadership of Vickie Riggs, senior adult minister, First Baptist launched efforts to provide temporary or longer-term assistance. A food pantry and
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If You Go
First Baptist invites the public to celebrate the miracle of resurrection and the victory of Christ over death this Easter Sunday for a joyous day of worship. The church’s Easter celebration is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 211 W. Comanche St.
a clothes closet were established, and a “Bikes and Bible” ministry was formed to provide basic transportation to those in need. Church members began offering Sunday lunches for anyone seeking a hot meal and fellowship; today, as many as 150 people partake of Sunday lunch any given week. And recently, First Baptist Church Norman extended an invitation to the broader Norman Christian community to join together in a day of service. To find out more about the “To Norman With Love” project, which this year is scheduled for April 21, visit www.fbcnorman.org. As the church moves forward into the new decade, Smith said, “the First Baptist family has called a staff of ministers who love the local church and who offer creative
and dynamic ministries to equip and challenge its members.” First Baptist “is committed to developing dynamic ministries for children, youth, college students and adults of all ages,” Smith said, noting that the church has made a commitment to be a “multigenerational community of faith that celebrates the generations and looks for ways to engage and bring the generations together.” Uncommon Love, IRON Men and GALS are programs offered by the church to help its members discover meaningful discipleship and ministry. Additionally, First Baptist supports regional, national and international trips for ministry and missions, which have taken participants as far away as Europe, Africa and the Far East.
Recognized in the “Best of Norman” lists for 2009 and 2010, First Baptist offers meaningful worship for church-goers who prefer to keep things more traditional, and for those seeking a more contemporary vibe. Sundays offer two choices: a “Classic” service – designed around traditional worship elements, with a choir, organ music and orchestra engaging the congregation in traditional hymns and classic and modern sacred music – in the sanctuary, dedicated in 1950, and the LifeSong worship, featuring contemporary Christian worship music and lyrics. The latter is held at Common Ground on Main Street. Smith noted that First Baptist makes its beautiful campus and facilities available to Norman and area groups, centers, schools and others needing a convenient and safe place to hold meetings and other gatherings. First Baptist also recently added a playground to enhance its children’s ministries and to serve Norman children and their families. Also as part of its expanded public offerings, First Baptist has adopted a long-range campus plan to update and enhance its facilities and to strengthen its long-term commitment to the downtown Norman community. Plans call for improvements to educational areas, a facelift for the Family Life Center, a new elevator tower to provide easier access to the offices and educational space in the east wing, and a new staircase leading to the sanctuary from the Comanche Street entrance. “First Baptist values the history and tradition of its Baptist roots,” Smith said. “It values the unique combination of the doctrines of Believers Baptism, Local Church Autonomy, Priesthood of All Believers, Religious Liberty and Biblical Authority. It celebrates the opportunities to cooperate and partner with others for Kingdom purposes. “First Baptist,” he said, “is a vibrant faith community that celebrates its diversity in Jesus Christ.” He added, “I am blessed to serve as the pastor at First Baptist Church, a historic church that is enjoying a season of renewal that is strengthening our community, deepening our worship and enhancing our service to others. We are sensing and experiencing the presence of God in life-giving and transforming ways. Join us on our journey to discover what it means to be the presence of Christ to each other and to our community.” This is a paid advertorial by First Baptist Church.
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Norman 2012 VISION
FAITH
Methodist congregation ready to continue with new facility By Shana Adkisson The Norman Transcript
Members of BridgeView United Methodist Church have been patiently awaiting a new home. And soon, they hope to have their dream come true. In 2006, church members purchased 30 acres of land on Indian Hills Road, with hopes to open a new church by 2012. But with every project, there are bound to be some bumps in the road. But the Rev. Sheri Lashley sees the light at the end of the tunnel. “We are in the last stages to getting everything set. People are standing on the yard line saying ready, set, go,” Lashley said. Lashley adds that she hopes to see a groundbreaking ceremony by the end of this year and that the church is just insuring that they have all of their ducks
in a row before going through with the construction. BridgeView started as a United Methodist Church on the west side of Norman in 2000. The church later found renting a space — even if they could have found one — was too expensive, which led the determined congregation to meet in the cafeteria of Truman Elementary School. But the congregation grew and, in 2002, the church reached its 100-member mark. It was then that the “little church that could” was able to charter and officially become part of the United Methodist Church. The church, now housed in a strip mall at 900 24th Ave. NW, sits on a little more than 6,000 square feet. Phase one of the new facility will be 18,252 square feet. The church will be in the Moore school district but in Norman city limits.
COMMUNITY
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Norman’s library offers much more than books By Christian Potts For The Transcript
With more than 700,000 books, DVDs, periodicals and downloadable items as part of its collection, the Pioneer Library System offers a variety of resources one typically would expect from the library. But the library system that serves Norman as part of its three-county area goes well beyond that, through its programming, outreach efforts and general involvement in the communities it serves. The Pioneer Library System provides library services in Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties, through 10 branch libraries and eight Information Stations in rural communities. Anyone who lives, works, attends school or owns property in the three-county area is eligible to have a library card free of charge for themselves and their immediate family. That means that wherever they live, when they come to the library, they have access not just to the public computers and materials under that roof, but anything in Pioneer’s collection. PLS transfers items between its libraries six days a week to quickly get a reader what they are seeking. While access to books and a quiet, cool place to read them is a part of the library, so too are the variety of programs offered for all ages. During June and July, PLS libraries open their doors for programming options nearly every day of the week. The 2011 Summer Reading Program saw more than 10,000 children, teens and adults sign up to participate, and thousands more beyond that number come through the doors of the 10 branch libraries during their busiest time of the year. Another staple of library programming is the annual PLS Big Read. Each spring, the library centers several weeks of programming and events on a noted work of literature. The 2012 selection, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan follows such works as Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon,” John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” While these events garner a lot of
attention, the library’s programming schedule runs year-round. In the previous fiscal year, more than 163,000 people attended about 5,500 programs put on at PLS branches. More than 20 book discussion groups hosted by PLS libraries meet monthly, including several tailored specifically teens or even tweens in the 8- to 11-year-old range. And Story Time is a staple at all PLS libraries. Throughout the system, about 30 to 35 programs a week for children are offered, ranging from the musical Melody Hounds programs in Norman and Blanchard to Baby and Lapsit Story Times for the youngest of library users and their caregivers to a number of outreach Story Times in communities, including Norman staff conducting a weekly Sooner Mall Story Time that draws around 75 guests each week. PLS continues to look to the future with continuing expansion of its online resources. The PLS Virtual Library branch has more than 22,000 downloadable eBooks and audio books, which are available for download to a number of eReaders, including the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Sony Reader, as well as other mobile devices such as a Smartphone or an MP3 player. The library system subscribes to several online databases, such as Ancestry.com for genealogy researchers, Reference USA and BusinessDecision for small business entrepreneurs or Brainfuse for students and homework help. The Norman, Moore and Noble libraries also offer in-person homework help for school-age from volunteer tutors during the school year. And the PLS Literacy Department is in tune with the needs of adult literacy, with volunteer tutors working with both English as a Second Language students as well as native speakers who need help with their literacy skills. The Pioneer Library System operates branch libraries in Blanchard, McLoud, Moore, Newcastle, Noble, Norman, Purcell, Shawnee, Southwest Oklahoma City and Tecumseh. Each of the libraries is open seven days a week.
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Norman 2012 VISION
EDUCATION
Transcript File Photo
The Seed Sower marks the entrance to the University of Oklahoma’s South Oval. Student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1, and the average class size is 31, but the sense of closeness and even nurturing generated by the university can be witnessed by visiting its main campus in Norman on almost any given afternoon.
The University of Oklahoma is in a class of its own By Caitlin Schudalla Transcript Staff Writer
To attempt summing up the University of Oklahoma in a single sentence or even series of adjectives would not do it justice. Statistics, national recognition, even campus photographs provide only a glimpse of what an incredibly remarkable institution OU is. It is a major presence both nationally and locally, encompassing thousands of undergraduate and graduate students on three campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and including premier research facilities and world-class museums among its many assets. The Princeton Review named OU among the top 10 public universities nationwide for academic excellence and cost for students, and the school holds the nation’s number one spot for freshman National Merit Scholars, per capita at a public university. Yet, in the midst of its overwhelming size and scope, OU’s sense of community is so strong that referring to its students, faculty, staff and administrators as a “family” is entirely accurate. Student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1, and the average class
size is 31, but the sense of closeness and even nurturing generated by the university can be witnessed by visiting its main campus in Norman on almost any given afternoon. Sidewalks are colored with chalk announcements advertising the thriving activity of the school’s 150 student organizations, faculty and administrative offices are housed in the heart of the campus next to class buildings,many of which are historic, and students themselves can be seen studying, sharing lively discussions or even attending class in the campus’s many gardens and green spaces. Much of this atmosphere of intellectualism and community is the result of the historic leadership of President David L. Boren and his wife, Molly Shi Boren, who, in their nearly 18 years at OU, have brought the university dramatic expansion and improvement on many levels. From such massive projects as creating the university’s South Research Campus (including the National Weather Center) to more intimate changes like rejuvenating campus gardens and horticulture, the campus • See UNIVERSITY, Page 13
By the numbers: OU’s impact $1.5 billion Total university-related operating expenditures $262 million Sponsored research expenditures $639 million Estimated wage and salary income generated in FY2011
$391,000 Patent reimbursement venue $366 million Off-campus expenditures by students and visitors (includes museum and athletic events visitors)
$42,681 Estimated number of jobs generated annually by university, student and visitor expenditures
$1.5 billion Construction expenditures on the 3 campuses over the past 12 years
$348 million Approximate federal, state and local taxes associated with OU economic activity
$54 million Estimated university contribution to local government (via tax dollars)
— Source: From the University of Oklahoma 2012 Economic Impact Report
EDUCATION
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OU tops in research, innovation Here are just a few highlights of the impact the University of Oklahoma is having. • In 2011 OU Health Sciences Center was ranked 37th nationally in total research funding from the National Institutes of Health, considered the gold standard for research. • The US Department of Interior selected OU as the South-Central Climate Science Center, a site for one of eight regional climate centers in the nation. Opening in Spring 2012 on the South Research campus in Norman, the Center will use existing weather resources to project climate and manage federal lands, natural resources and wildlife. • An OU team was recently awarded a $10.7 million grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an educational video game training intelligence analysts • In 2011, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration selected OU for a cooperative research agreement which is projected to bring up to $75 million in federal funds and 160 new jobs to the uni-
University • From Page 12 itself is a great indicator of how Mr. and Mrs. Boren have made the overall benefit of the university family a well-established priority with far-reaching results. Under President Boren, the university has seen the inception of 20 major new programs including the Honors College and the College of International Studies, and a quadrulpling of private endowment — growing from $504 million to over $1.5 billion. The Borens also exemplified dedication and close involvement with the university by restoring and reinstating the historic Boyd House — across the street from campus — in 1997 as OU’s presidential residence. The growth and success of the university extends well beyond its campuses, enriching local communities economically, educationally and culturally. Sponsored research expenditures at OU generated an estimated $639 million
versity to advance weather radar, storm prediction and climate research. • The Institute of Child Development in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education offers young children specially-developed hands-on learning activities to study and create new ways to help students develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively and physically. • In 2011, the university community donated an estimated 15,000 pounds of foodstuffs to Governor Mary Fallin’s Feed Oklahoma Food Drive through the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank • OU Community Health Clinics provide free health care to local uninsured and underserved patients while also giving hands-on training to medical, nursing, pharmacy and social work students, culminating in approximately 11,000 hours of community service in 2011. • In one year, the university’s George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center educated an estimated 20,000 children and 44,000 adults through a multimedia program offered at the state wildlife expo and middle schools around the state.
in local wage and salary income, and the university generates an estimated $7.65 impact for every $1 appropriated by the Oklahoma legistlature. OU’s K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal is a statewide research and development center, generating a collaborative effort between local school, community and university entities to create new innovations in education, serving 900 schools and 97 percent of Oklahoma’s school districts. The university also provides local cultural enrichment through a plethora of fine arts performances each year, bringing world-class musicians, directors, writers and performers to the university. The University of Oklahoma is truly a place where people come together to achieve great things. It’s a many-faceted entity with a national and global footprint, but its greatest and most lasting effect will be on the past, present and future lives it brings together here in the state of Oklahoma, and the extraordinary community it has forged through continued educational excellence and service.
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COMMUNITY
Norman 2012 VISION
Community sports a variety of recreational activities By Michael Kinney Transcript Sports Writer
Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo
The city parks are a good place to enjoy quality time with man’s best friend.
Recreation options around Norman Lake Thunderbird Lake Thunderbird State Park provides visitors a lakeside getaway while still within easy reach of cityattractions and services. It features 1,874 Park Acres, 6,000-Acre Lake Thunderbird, 447 campsites, assigned Campground, nature trail, horse Stables, swimming beach, boating, a bike trail and fishing. Lake Thunderbird is located at 13101 Alameda Dr,. 13 miles east of Norman on Highway # 9 from I-35. Thunderbird@onenet.net 360-3572 Park Office, Thunderbird@OklahomaParks.com Bowling Centers Sooner Bowling Center 550 24th Ave NW Open 11 a.m.-Midnight S-Th and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. F-S, 360-3634 www.soonerbowl.com Cleveland County Family YMCA 1350 Lexington Avenue Norman, OK 73069 405-364-YMCA (9622) 405-364-9799 fax Golf Courses Cobblestone Creek Golf Club, Cobblestone Course 1350 CObblestone Creek Drive 9 holes over 1,530 yards with a par of 27 (Public) 872-2582
Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club 1 Par Dr 325-6716 18 holes over 7,380 yards with a par of 72 (Public) Belmar Golf Club 1025 E Indian Hills Rd Norman, OK 73071-7944 364-0111 18 holes over 6,578 yards with a par of 70 (Private) The Trails Golf Club 18 holes over 6,602 yards with a par of 70 (Private) 3200 S Berry Rd (360-1920 Westwood Park Golf Course 18 holes over 6,153 yards with a par of 70 (Municipal) 2400 Westport Dr Norman, OK 73069-6336 (405) 292-9700 Perfect Swing Family Fun Center 1900 Ann Branden Blvd miniature golf, driving range 360-1800 Andy Alligator's Fun Park 3300 Market Place 321-7275 mini-golf
Norman has one of the most vibrant biking communities in the state. Whether it's individuals and families taking advantage of the area bike trails or the annual Norman Conquest, the city has become a haven for avid cyclist. The Bicycle League of Norman has weekly group rides on Tuesday and Thursdays during the spring season. The organized rides are grouped into ability levels. Riders must wear helmets. More information is available at www.bicycleleague.com. • Every night during the summer, the fields at Reaves Park are full. Softball players from around Cleveland County converge on the fields for a little competition and exercise. Adult league softball is just one of the activities Norman has to offer residents throughout the year. From the cities parks and recreation department to the YMCA, Norman is a treasure trove of fun and fitness. • The Norman Parks & Recreation Department offers both youth and adult sports during the year. Everything from youth baseball, softball, basketball, golf and tennis can be found at one of the many park venues spread throughout the city. • The City of Norman Recreation Center’s also offer an After School Care for children in afternoon kindergarten through fifth grade. The After School Program runs from after school until 6 p.m. each day school is in session. The program provides homework time, indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts and movie time. Participants at Irving and Whittier Recreation Centers will arrive by NPS buses from Washington, Kennedy, Truman and Jackson Elementary schools. Staff from the 12th Avenue Recreation Center will walk participants to the center from nearby Eisenhower Elementary. The Cleveland County Family YMCA covers more than 78,000 square feet and includes a large health and well-being center with Cardio Theater, free weights and cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, stairmasters, bikes, a 25-yard, 10-lane pool with diving board and slide. The Fam-
Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo
Keeping it cool is easy at any of the city’s pools or splash pads. ily Y features a variety of aerobic and fitness programs from yoga to zumba. "Everything we do at the Y is designed to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve health and well-being and motivate people to support their neighbors and the larger community," YMCA officials said. One of the oldest and bigger groups is the Norman Youth Soccer Association. They offer competitive and recreational soccer for youth and adults. The NYSA vision is to encourage, promote and stimulate interest and participation in the game of soccer by organizing recreational and competitive soccer teams; developing our players, coaches and referees; promoting sportsmanship; maintaining proper playing facilities; and operating in a financially responsible manner. Lake Thunderbird and Little River State Park have multiple uses. The lake covers about 6,000 acres of surface area. The park takes up 8,000 land acres inside the park boundaries. The state park has designated hunting areas for deer archery season. Water fowl hunting also is allowed. Slips are available to rent at either the Calypso Cove Marina and Little River Marina.
Norman 2012 VISION
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Goodwill: providing a hand up, not a hand out By Jerri Culpepper
Goodwill’s Environmental Commitment
Special for the Transcript
Many of us have visited a Goodwill store or two. They’re a great place to find gently worn clothing and used appliances, general household items, books and more. Many others of us have donated clothing, furniture and other items to Goodwill, knowing they will go to others who need or want them more than we do. In donating to Goodwill, we not only benefit from the tax relief such donations provide, but derive satisfaction knowing our unwanted items won’t end up in a landfill. But did you know that Goodwill – which traces its origins back to 1902 and its introduction to the Sooner State in 1936 – also offers a plethora of programs to assist people who are un- or underemployed or otherwise in need of a helping hand? Chris Daniels, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma Inc., recently shared the Goodwill story with Norman Transcript readers, noting, “We want people to think of us as more than the place where they drop off their donations.” Brief History The Goodwill “philosophy” is traced to a Methodist minister, Edgar J. Helms. In 1902, he arrived in his new parish on Boston’s south side – an area populated by European immigrants, who for the most part were jobless, unfamiliar with the English language, and quickly running out of any money they had brought with them – as well as hope. Helms turned to the city’s more upscale neighborhoods for help, going door to door and collecting goods for his parishioners in burlap sacks. However, he found them too proud to accept charity. His solution? He put them to work repairing and cleaning the donated items, which he then sold to pay for their training and wages. This simple, yet elegant,
Did you know? Buying “recycled” blue jeans from Goodwill saves the planet 2,900 gallons of water (water that is required to produce a new pair). That’s just one example of how Goodwill is a leader in environmentally conscious efforts. Some other examples: In 2004, Goodwill Industries International joined forces with Dell to create a top-tier, technology recycling program called “Reconnect.” Goodwill uses the proceeds from these recycled computers and computer parts to help support their mission and put people to work. Last year, GICO recycled approximately 10 million pounds of donated goods, including computers, clothing, plastics, shoes, Styrofoam, paper and glass. In 2011, GICO was honored with the Top Nonprofit Recycling Program award, given by Metrecycle during its America Recycles Day. Photo Provided
Jessica is one of the individuals currently employed in Goodwill’s retail stores. idea – of giving a hand up, not a hand-out – is what gave rise to the modern-day Goodwill. In 1936, Oklahoma publisher E.K. Gaylord joined forces with many prominent Oklahoma City residents to introduce Goodwill into Oklahoma. Originally known as Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, it later changed its name to Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma Inc., or GICO. Career Development and Training When you purchase items at a Goodwill retail store, you are helping to fund Oklahoma’s largest nonprofit employment training service for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Since 1936, GICO has been helping people with disabilities and others who face barriers to employment, including those with little education or work experience or who do not have the resources to seek employment. (For example, lack of funds to purchase appropriate interview or work clothes.) The program has helped numerous
individuals regain self-sufficiency – and with it the pride that comes from drawing a paycheck – but others benefit as well: notably, taxpayers and employers. “We focus on the individual, not the situation,” Daniels says. “We’re actually going to help people get prepared to walk through the door and gain employment. Today, it takes more than just knowing a job is out there. We work with people to help them become better prepared for competitive employment.” One way that GICO assists those needing help finding a job is through its Job Connection Center, an employment resource center that is available to the public at no cost to them. Participants walk away with a stronger work skill set, new career goals and a brighter future for themselves and their families. And with each successful job placement, GICO strengthens the community and local commerce by producing skilled, hardworking employees. One of the center’s recent graduates is “Shirlene,” a GICO contract services employee, who
remarked, “I tried a lot of temp agencies, but didn’t like it. I like working. I earn a decent paycheck and I can see my three grandkids more. I feel better.” In addition to the Job Connection Center, public donations to Goodwill fund the following career development services and training programs: Environmental Technician Training, the focus of which is to assist job-seekers in their efforts to gain basic employment skills and knowledge, including job search planning, interview preparation and resume development. Recycle Technician Training, which educates participants on the components and opportunities available in the “green industry.” Vocational Training, specifically targeting those with disabilities, in which clients work with a job coach to learn appropriate workplace behaviors and receive specialized job training. Work Adjustment Training, targeting high school seniors and juniors with disabilities, in which participants are given opportuni-
ties to participate in activities aimed at easing them through the transition from high school to the office. Goodguides Mentoring, a mentoring program for at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 17 in which mentees are exposed to topics that help prepare them for higher education and career exploration. Your donations also make good “green” sense, since donated items are no longer landfill material. By its very nature, Goodwill was a forerunner of today’s green trend: it has been recycling, reusing and repurposing donated goods since its inception. With the help of donors, volunteers and advocates, Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma is working to give “A Hand Up … Not a Hand Out.” You can help by donating your recyclables and gently used goods to a store near you, or by shopping at a Goodwill store. For more information, call (405) 236-4451. You can also “Like” Goodwill on Facebook. This is a paid advertorial by Goodwill.