THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE
UCO graduates have invested in themselves, and MidFirst Bank continues to find new ways to invest in UCO. This year, we are providing a new opportunity for the December 2019 and May 2020 graduating classes.
One graduating senior will be awarded $20,000 to help launch the next phase of their life. One swipe of a UCO Debit Card is all it takes to win, and every swipe is another entry.*
For more details, visit midfirst.com/uco20k.
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issue
UCO President
Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
Adrienne Nobles (MPA ’19)
Editor
Sarah Neese (BA ’15)
Art Director
Craig Beuchaw (BA ’92)
Photographic Services
Daniel Smith (BA ’77, MEd ’93)
Alumni Records
Wendy Lackmeyer
One Central staffer shares his love of film and culture with the community.
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ON THE RISE
The School of Design looks to the future of serving students.
Members of the Central community organized a march for diversity.
A look at how UCO and its community met the changing landscape of COVID-19
ALL IN THE FAMILY
A mother-daughter teacher duo is bridging the gap between languages in Oklahoma City classrooms.
Student leader Christian Coleman works to give a voice to those who feel their voices aren’t heard.
Old North (USPS 098-220) is published twice a year by the University of Central Oklahoma, through the office University Communications, 100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034-5209.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Old North, University Communications of the University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034-5209. In compliance with Title VI and Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of The Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, and other Federal Laws and Regulations, University of Central Oklahoma does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap, disability, status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures; this includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.
This publication, printed by Southwestern Stationery & Bank Supply, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK, is issued by the University of Central Oklahoma as authorized by Title 70 OS 1981, Section 3903. 5,329 copies have been prepared or distributed at a cost of $6,088. 6/2020
...a magazine published by the University of Central Oklahoma for its alumni and friends.
A glimpse into students’ lives along the Liberal Arts South study stairs.
ALUMNI NOTES / IN MEMORY
“The People that Make Us ” — whether it be faculty, staff, students or administrators, UCO is made by and for people of all walks of life. This
of Old North celebrates just some of the many faces that make Central what it is.
Welcome to the new Old North magazine.
Central is built on the foundation of its first building, Old North, and this magazine is built on its legacy. After many years, we decided that a bit of fresh paint was in order.
While the importance of stories hasn’t changed, the way that you read them has. With wide-open spaces and photography-driven design, we want to let the stories speak for themselves.
Because without stories, there is no Central.
The story of Richard Thatcher, a Civil War veteran dedicated to bringing higher education to the prairie and founding the Territorial Normal School.
The story of Wei Chen, Ph.D., the dean of Central’s College of Mathematics and Science, who is dedicated to honing laser immunotherapy to help cure cancer.
The story of Celise Curry, a nontraditional student that overcame homelessness and became a teacher.
We know everyone has a story to tell, and our goal is to connect others with those stories. We may have changed a few things around here, but we haven’t changed our commitment and passion for storytelling. Like a solar eclipse, Central has many faces. We hope you like what we’ve done with the place.
Thanks for reading our stories. We’d love to hear yours.
Sarah Neese Publications EditorWhen you step foot on the UCO campus, the sense of something exceptional about it is palpable. It feels like the balance of peace and the swell of excitement, the honor of tradition and the pursuit of innovation, all of which is energized with the pulsing anticipation of possibility. This sense is guided by the beliefs and values we share as a community.
Never has the challenge been so great and this community so strong as it is today amidst the crisis of the global pandemic of COVID-19. It is said that you truly know a person’s character by how they respond to hardships. This semester has been filled with innumerable and profound challenges for every single person in the world. The members of our community have been tested with where and how they work and learn. The balance between their family lives and work responsibilities has been upended and the safety of their health has been endangered. But unwavering among them has been the commitment to our mission and each other.
From the moment this crisis was raised to our collective consciousness, people forfeited their vacations, weekends and time with family to thoughtfully address the health and safety of our community and the continuity of the learning environment. Long days, sleepless nights, thousands of communications among them and they showed up every day ready to do it all again for all of us. What appears effortless to our students and partners is the result of countless hours of preparation, design and intention dedicated by our faculty and staff. The people of UCO are what make this place special.
Each person that has embraced this community for a time has forever changed the shape of who we are. We have absorbed the influence of their contributions just as our purpose and passion have been impressed upon them. I invite you to read their stories and learn how they’ve touched the history and impact of the university in powerful ways.
Best wishes to you. Stay safe and be well.
Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar President
IF YOU WERE TO ASK members of the UCO community about Rogelio Almeida, coordinator for multimedia services in the UCO Office of Information Technology, they’d likely tell you about a technological problem that he’s helped them fix, about his undeniable work ethic or his contagiously positive attitude. However, Almeida is known in the greater Oklahoma City community for something other than HDMI cables and multimedia saves: his passion for culture and film.
It all started in the basement of El Nacional newspaper, located in Oklahoma City’s historic Capitol Hill. Almeida saw an opportunity to shine a light on Latino representation within the community, and he took it. And so, the Oklahoma Cine (OKCine) Latino Film Festival was born.
OKCine highlights Latino cultural influence by featuring Latino
filmmakers and their films, including short films, feature-length films and documentaries. Submissions have come from artists from around the United States, Mexico, Spain and South America.
The festival started small, showing just a few film submissions from the community on a single film screen in the El Nacional basement, but people were receptive.
In March 2020, OKCine hosted its sixth annual event, premiering at the newly remodeled Yale Theater in Capitol Hill.
“The festival was a huge success, screening more than 20 international films,” Almeida said. “This year, the festival featured international filmmakers from Spain, Brazil, Latin America and Mexico, as well as filmmakers from Texas and Oklahoma.”
In addition to showcasing Latin film talent, this year’s event featured
Class IV of the Youth Film Workshop. The film workshop spans five weekends and teaches high school students how to make a movie, including script writing, casting, lens selection, lighting, video editing, sound recording and post-production. The workshop is free and encourages students to use their creativity to incorporate Latino culture into their films. Almeida serves as one of the workshop’s instructors.
“This year’s film was called ‘Tomorrow,’” Almeida said. “It told the story of a family struggling through hard times and a daughter seeking to pull her family together.”
Almeida’s passion for the festival has only grown, motivating him to travel across the U.S. in search of ideas to support the event. OKCine Latino continues to grow as it gains recognition and support from the Oklahoma City community, and Almeida has no plans of stopping.
“It’s important because it’s a great platform to launch new talent at the Youth Film Workshops, bring international and local filmmakers together and bring awareness about the Latino community’s impact in our society and the arts,” Almeida said.
While Almeida makes a difference at UCO daily, it’s clear that his hard work and passion reach beyond the boundaries of Central’s campus, furthering the legacy of his culture and changing the surrounding community for the better.
WRITTEN BY BRENDAN MAXWELL
AS A LEADER IN DESIGN EDUCATION, UCO has created many “firsts” within Oklahoma, including becoming the state’s first and only School of Design, facilitator of Master of Fine Arts programs in design and illustration, and a National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation recipient.
Prospective students have taken notice of this excellence. Over the last five years, enrollment has increased by 3-5% each year, even as demographic shifts have reduced overall enrollment at universities across Oklahoma and the nation.
However, as a result of these increases in student numbers, the UCO School of Design has run out of
space, currently operating out of less than half of the square footage typically allocated for a school of this size, as defined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education allocation standards. Design classrooms and offices are spread across five buildings. Classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., due to limited availability of rooms. Often students share workstations, a practice that is not conducive to longterm success and is becoming untenable.
“We are currently out of space, and can no longer grow,” said Steven Hansen, M.F.A., dean of the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design. “Our aspirations are to be one of the best schools of design in the United States and to fuel the creation of Oklahoma City as a respected design hub in the western United
Until recently, moving to a larger building has been a far-off goal for many years. In January 2020, UCO announced that the former Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church and School had been designated as the new home of the School of Design. The property sits just across from the main campus on University Drive. The building offers 25,000 square feet, versus the 12,000 square feet the School of Design currently occupies, and allows the school to have students, faculty and equipment all in a single facility. The new School of Design will house classroom space, critique space, faculty offices, a makerspace, a print center, photography studios, an outdoor courtyard, a supply store and a design gallery.
“We will be able to schedule classes based on student needs rather than classroom availability,” said Amy Johnson, M.F.A., director of the UCO School of Design. “A single site will also enhance faculty communication and collaboration.”
Hansen echoed Johnson’s sentiments, adding “acquiring new space for the School of Design will benefit all our other programs, as well as open up spaces in the Library and Communication buildings for other academic units. We will finally have a bit of room to grow.”
The St. Mary’s project is the result of a 2016 property agreement between the church and UCO. The two organizations agreed to swap property in 2016. The congregation of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church agreed to exchange its three acres of property at 325 E. First in exchange for 23 acres of property near Broadway and Covell Road, plus $1.4 million.
The renovation to the building will require $3.2 million. Using university, College of Fine Arts and Design and School of Design funds, Central has pledged $2.1 million toward the restoration of the space.
However, that leaves a $1.1 million gap between allocated funds and the project’s completion. In order to close this gap, the school has announced the launch of its “Make Ready” campaign. “As a college, we have saved funds for these renovations over the course of the past three years internally and are hoping to augment those through fundraising and philanthropy,” Hansen said.
With the help of donor dollars, the school’s move to the new facility will boost enrollment capacity for the program, furthering its culture of excellence to a broader number of students. Since 2011, School of Design students and faculty have won more than 1,045 design awards from local, regional, national and international competitions, and with increased capacity, these numbers will continue to grow.
To donate to the capital campaign or for more information, contact Tami Jackson, College of Fine Art and Design development project coordinator, at 405-974-3783 or tjackson45@uco.edu.
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s BELOW INTERIOR COURTYARD rendering by
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INDOORS MEETS OUTDOORS IN THIS SPACE DESIGNED FOR COLLABORATION, STUDY AND NATURAL INSPIRATION.
IN AN EVER-CHANGING SOCIETAL LANDSCAPE, EACH GENERATION OF STUDENTS THAT COMES THROUGH CENTRAL’S DOORS REPRESENTS DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, IDEAS AND VOICES. CHRISTIAN COLEMAN, A HIGHLY INVOLVED MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMUNITY, IS ONLY ONE OF THESE MANY STUDENTS; HOWEVER, HIS DRIVE AND PASSION FOR MAKING THE VOICES OF HIS FELLOW STUDENTS HEARD IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY REASONS OLD NORTH DECIDED TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I’m a native of the eastside of Oklahoma City. I’m an international business student here at the University of Central Oklahoma, the vice president of the UCO Student Association (UCOSA) and the assistant regional vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I’m involved in Leaders of Tomorrow, PreLaw Society, the Black Male Initiative, Black Student Association and UCO Student Ambassadors. I’m also a student employee in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. My goal in life is to create better perspectives and opportunities for all people.
Q: You’ve clearly decided to make the most of your time at Central. Why did you decide to go to college?
A: I come from a two-parent household, but both of my parents didn’t finish college. They were able to provide a comfortable life for my siblings and I, but it was a grind. They worked long hours and full weeks to provide for us. My parents would make great executives of any company if the opportunity ever came. They have the drive, grit, social interaction and work hard. I decided to go to college because I didn’t want to be restricted like my parents because I don’t have a degree. That drives me to complete every semester and graduate for myself and my parents.
Q: What made you want to be an international business major?
A: For as long as I can remember my life has always been a reflection of the lessons learned in my community. A community that I love to my core. Growing up, I saw a lot of talented people never make it out and spread their talents across the world. People often were indirectly confined to their side of town or Oklahoma City. This made me want to see and work around the world.
Q: Why did you decide to run for UCOSA?
A: I value representation, because there needs to be someone voicing thoughts and concerns on behalf of the people even when they don’t see the value of it. The campus growth and development keeps me locked in and passionate, even when things seem to get hectic.
Q: You mention representation and the importance of people making their voices heard. Why do you feel this is important?
A: I believe that everyone is a stakeholder in society and should contribute their views and opinions. It’s when we voice our opinions and thoughts, that our minds expand to new heights. This is vital to the progression and sustainability of a growing and evolving world.
Q: So, in what ways do you try to make your voice heard?
A: I’ve always been the individual who’s never been afraid physically to speak up and out, but I’ve learned so much over my time in college. The vocal leader is important, but sometimes the loudest voices come from other approaches. I’ve worked to try to balance the two this year. In my opinion, the leg work sets up the stage for the vocal leader in many situations. I try to make my voice heard through physical actions and indirectly through background work.
Q: Why do you feel it’s so important to be a vocal leader for your peers?
A: I believe it’s important to be a voice for those who haven’t yet found theirs. I couldn’t ever accept the notion that I was the voice for my peers, but I can say that I’m willing to do the best that I can. The voice of the people can come from many different people with various leadership styles. I think the voice of the people should be an inspiration for the people to find theirs, whatever that may look like for them. The most vital aspect of being a
voice for the people is actually being the voice whenever it calls.
Q: In what ways do you try to help others find and use their own voices?
A: I think everyone finds their voice differently. This process comes slow for others and fast for others. It’s about pushing yourself to speak out in the way that works for you. I try to stay engaged in their process and to help find ways for them to use theirs. It’s a daily process that looks different for everyone.
Q: Where do you feel your voice and those of your peers are most needed?
A: I think they are needed in every conversation in every matter. We have great ideas and perspectives that may develop into ways to impact our current lives and the future. It’s time for us to begin to contribute to the progression of society as a whole.
Q: How can the campus community help to amplify the voices of your generation?
A: The campus community could contribute to amplifying voices by actively participating in helping them find their voice. We can host speakers and events that stimulate our ambition and push us to find our voice. This promotes innovative and fresh ideas to our university through new voices of our engaged scholars, and UCO would create a comfortable environment for students to find their voices in their respective fields of interest.
ON MARCH 10, 2020, STUDENTS AND STAFF from Central’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Asian American Student Association and Native American Student Association hosted an event on campus to show solidarity for students at the University of Oklahoma (OU) who were holding a sit-in demonstration on their campus. With additional support from UCO’s Diversity Round Table, the Black Student Association and Central’s chapter of the NAACP, the event gathered students, faculty, staff and administrators together for one cause.
As February 2020 came to a close, the OU Black Emergency Response Team – created by the OU Black Student Association in 2019 to respond to incidents of racism on the OU campus – encouraged people to gather at OU’S Evans Hall, dressed in all black, for a sit-in and hunger strike, after two separate university professors used racial slurs during class sessions in the weeks before. The demonstration lasted for three days.
As a result, the OU Solidarity UCO Transformation Demonstration was organized to support the activism of these OU students and to work toward change on campuses throughout the nation, including at Central.
In a message to the public, Savannah Anderson, president of UCO’s Diversity Round Table, outlined her hopes for the event.
“We are marching not only to show solidarity with OU students, faculty and staff but also as agents of change for the UCO campus as well,” she said. “We invite you to come dressed in all black to show your
support and commitment to the elimination of prejudice, racial bias and discrimination inside and outside the classroom. We, as student leaders, would like to see participation from all who are committed to working together to make our campus better.”
The event began at the Blue Tent near Broncho Lake, with students, faculty and staff members gathering at 11 a.m., dressed in all black. Campus community members created signs complete with powerful messages to carry during their walk around campus. A line of Bronchos made their way through Nigh University Center, around Broncho Lake and through campus to Chickasaw Plaza, just southeast of Old North, chanting a call and response along the way.
Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like. Show me what America looks like. This is what America looks like.
As the march arrived at Chickasaw Plaza, student leaders, including Anderson, called out to the UCO community to ensure that diversity is embraced throughout campus. Several cabinet members were present for the rally, including UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar, who supported students’ efforts to impart change.
“This is a moment when our actions must match our words,” she said. Anderson called for more action in the following months.
“This demonstration is only the beginning. We hope you will continue to engage with us to be the catalyst for dynamic and infrastructural change.”
WRITTEN BY SARAH NEESE, PHOTOS BY LAUREN BIERI, TANNER LAWS AND KT KING
IN FEBRUARY 2020, NEWS BEGAN CIRCLING the globe about a new virus – one that was spreading rapidly and disrupting daily life for millions of people. As the country and the campus began to feel the impact of the virus, UCO convened the COVID-19 Task Force, a group of administrators, faculty and staff tasked with managing the university’s response to what was soon to be named a pandemic. The situation rapidly evolved while Central’s faculty, staff and students were in the midst of spring break. Central was the first university in the state to announce an extension of spring break, in an effort to examine how best to prepare faculty and staff to potentially shift their classes to alternative delivery.
Following the extension of spring break, it became clear that more serious measures were needed to ensure the safety of the campus at large. On March 18, UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar announced that classes would resume with alternative delivery methods for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. While faculty and staff temporarily returned to work March 23, changes in state and city mandates, as well as guidelines put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, made it clear that all UCO nonessential employees would need to transition to telework.
As a result, President Neuhold-Ravikumar announced that, beginning March 26, the physical campus would close, and classes and services would transition online.
“As a Broncho parent myself, I would want to know that my child’s university is taking this crisis seriously,” Neuhold-Ravikumar said, in a letter to the Central community. “I am confident in telling you today that there is a groundswell of dedication and support on this campus to put the health and well-being of the members of the Broncho family at the forefront of our decisions.”
And through this same dedication and support, the UCO virtual campus opened, and classes, along with the majority of Central’s services, moved to alternative delivery.
As COVID-19 ramped up within the state, Neuhold-Ravikumar and the UCO Cabinet announced the extension of the campus closure through May 31, as well as the transition of May intersession classes and summer block I and II classes to online delivery.
“While working and taking classes from home may be extremely challenging for some of us due to circumstance, the projected statistics are a powerful reminder of why we took this step in the first place. Protecting you as you protect your families is of the utmost importance to us,” Neuhold-Ravikumar said, in a follow-up message to the UCO community.
“You continue to amaze me with your spirit and dedication despite the circumstances. We are so fortunate to be part of this caring community.”
During this unprecedented time in modern history, learning and working at UCO took on a new look. Offices and departments across campus mobilized in a new way, ensuring that the transition to a virtual presence was as smooth as possible.
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) ordered and provided a number of laptops, internet hot spots, webcams and headsets to support continued learning and telework efforts for students, faculty and staff. Additionally, OIT rolled out information on resources to aid in telework and classroom instruction, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and WebEx.
While faculty moved instruction to online platforms, creating new ways to teach their respective subjects, services across the university turned virtual. The Academic Advisement, Admissions, Bursar and Financial Aid Offices offered online appointments to continue helping students. The Broncho Education and Learning Lab began offering virtual peer-tutoring and supplemental instruction sessions.
In an effort to help those in need, the UCO Foundation began the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. The fund offered limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled students who were unable to meet expenses because of temporary hardship related to the pandemic.
At the time of this publication, the fund had raised more than $100,000, with the help of more than 250 donors and matching donor funds. The UCO Foundation matched $30,000; the UCO Student Association matched $10,000; the UCO President’s Office matched $10,000; and, each dean provided money from their college’s respective Annual Funds, totaling $13,000. Funds totaling $80,000 were awarded to 342 Central students, with more than 800 students having submitted applications for review.
Students in need ranged from single mothers and student workers who lost their jobs to international students with nowhere to go and students searching for alternative living arrangements.
“Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I have lost my job of more than two years. Being in the food service industry I am unable to go back to that job until this whole pandemic is over. I now have no
Although the library’s doors remained closed, library staff continued to offer online resources including electronic Interlibrary Loan requests, virtual research consultations, research guides, tutorials, database access and more.
To help offset the effects of social distancing and the drastic change in daily life, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being facilitated virtual walk-in hours and appointments, offering counseling services to help support students during this temporary new normal.
With the closure of Central’s campus, the majority of housing residents moved out of their dorms, with only those with no living alternative allowed to stay in campus housing. However, students both on- and off-campus encountered hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
income for food, rent, car payment, utilities and other basic needs. This money would be extremely helpful for being able to pay my upcoming rent and bills,” said one awardee’s application. “Being able to receive this scholarship would take a load of stress off my shoulders.”
Another awardee’s application echoed these sentiments.
“I am a single mother who recently lost her job of three years due to COVID-19. These funds would allow me to continue pursuing my dream education by allowing me to continue having internet at home for online learning for myself and my first grader. It would also provide a bit of relief for bills, allow me to figure out how to keep a roof over our heads and allow me a bit of financial help while trying to find a new job. Right now, I am unsure how I am going to balance what life has become. Being able to have a bit of relief for my son and me would be a huge blessing.”
For information on donating to the UCO COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, visit gift.uco.edu.
w HANDMADE AT HOME – UCO nursing sophomore Phoebe Barnes and Shelby Denney, a Central freshman on the nursing waitlist, have spearheaded efforts to sew fabric masks for medical professionals. In addition to Barnes being high-risk, both Barnes and Denney have highrisk family members and know the importance of effective protective measures. They also both want to become medical professionals themselves, which meant lending a helping hand was a no-brainer for the two nurse hopefuls. Using donated fabric and elastic, Barnes and Denney have made hundreds of masks while practicing social distancing at home. Pictured, Barnes sews one of many masks from home.
s SHARING SAFETY – Members of the UCO campus community stepped up to fill the need for medical supplies in local hospitals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, donating vital personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and nurses at INTEGRIS Health Edmond. Central’s Forensic Science Institute (FSI) provided masks, gloves, disposable lab coats and Tyvek suits, which are worn over clothing as a protective measure. Just days later, Director of UCO Emergency Management Norman Nieves and university staff from Central’s Departments of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management gathered and delivered 48 bottles of hand sanitizer, 400 N95 masks, 14 boxes of gloves, eight respirators, five boxes of 20 respirator cartridges, 60 safety goggles and 30 Tyvek coveralls.
A MOTHER & DAUGHTER ARE BRIDGING THE GAP IN THE CLASSROOM
WRITTEN BY RACHEL BAUGH, PHOTOS BY KT KING
CENTRAL ALUMNAE ALEXISS AND LINDA LOPEZ have experienced firsthand the challenges often faced by English-language learner (ELL) students and their families in local schools. Having grown up attending school in Mexico, Alexiss’ younger brother had trouble adjusting academically when the family moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, because he could not speak English at the time. “The school wanted to retain him, and I remember her telling me that this was one of the main reasons why she wanted to become a teacher someday,” said Linda, Alexiss’ mother. “She told me she wanted to help those students succeed that have a language barrier in the classroom.”
Prior to the family’s relocation, Linda taught at a Montessori school, a school that implements the Montessori Method of Education, which views students as eager to learn and capable of initiating their own learning when provided with the right environment. Soon after they arrived in Oklahoma, both Alexiss and Linda began careers as paraprofessionals at Hawthorne Elementary in Oklahoma City. After seven years as paraprofessionals, both Linda and Alexiss now are fully certified teachers with their own classrooms, thanks to a partnership program between the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Foundation and the University of Central Oklahoma.
The Bilingual Teacher Pipeline Program provides financial assistance for Spanish-speaking paraprofessionals working in OKCPS to receive their teaching degree, in an effort to help bring more bilingual teachers into the district, where nearly 54% of students are Hispanic. In return, the teachers must agree to dedicate three years of teaching to OKCPS upon completion of the program. Currently, 15 paraprofessionals from OKCPS are taking courses at Central through the Bilingual Teacher Pipeline Program.
“When our principal sent us the email asking if we wanted to join the program, I thought ‘Why not?’ I’m here anyways; I’m already doing this and love doing it, so why not take advantage of this program and do it for my future students,” Linda recalled.
Alexiss, who had already planned to attend UCO to complete her teaching degree, also found the program to be a perfect fit for her future plans. Both saw a need in their district for bilingual teachers and were ready to take action. In 2016, they began the program together – a journey that came with many late nights of studying and numerous hours spent completing homework, but also with the special chance to complete this milestone together.
“We took classes together and really leaned on each other a lot, which made the overall experience a lot better,” Alexiss said. “My mom was very dedicated to her education and would usually stay up later than me every night studying. She was a role model for me in the process.”
On December 13, 2019, Alexiss and Linda together became the first two graduates of the Bilingual Teacher Pipeline Program and received degrees in elementary education from Central. Only a few months later, they already are seeing the benefits of the program being displayed in their classrooms. Both teachers understand the struggles that ELL students and their parents often go through and are eager to be a resource for those families in their schools.
“My students have someone they can relate to, who they can talk to that understands them and their home life or what they might be going through and their culture. I think that’s a big plus for our community,” Alexiss said.
The mother-daughter duo credit the assistance and encouragement they received from UCO faculty and staff in the teacher education program as a main contributor to their success in the classroom.
“Our professors had high expectations for us and were very helpful. A lot of people don’t understand the importance of a strong education when it comes to teaching,” Linda said. “You are going to teach kids; you need the education classes. I don’t think you can truly work with and understand a child and know what they need if you have no background knowledge of teacher education.”
Now, having both completed a comprehensive education degree pathway, they feel that all of the hard work and stress of balancing work, school and their family life has paid off, thanks to the assistance from OKCPS and UCO. As Linda reflected on her entire experience, she said she would recommend the program to any paraprofessional who qualifies.
“My advice for anyone in this circumstance, like mine, who might be considering finishing their degree later in life, is just don’t give up. Believe in yourself; it is so worth it in the end.”
Editor’s Note: Alexiss and Linda Lopez were previously featured in a story, titled “Breaking Language Barriers,” in the Fall 2017 issue of Old North. To read the story, visit the “University Publications” section at www.uco.edu/ucomm.
“My students have someone they can relate to, who they can talk to that understands them...”
ALEXISS LOPEZ, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ‘19
AS PART OF THE NEW LIBERAL ARTS SOUTH WING, THE STUDY STAIRS, AS THEY’RE CALLED, HAVE BECOME A CENTRAL HUB FOR STUDENTS TO GATHER, STUDY AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER. OLD NORTH CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW STUDENTS ON THE STAIRS BETWEEN CLASSES.
v “I STILL HAVE another two years; I have three minors – French; women, gender and sexuality studies; and, pre-law. Psychology has always interested me. I was originally going to be a pre-med student here. And I was like, you know what? I don’t want to go to medical school. That’s another twelve years; I’m good.
Today, I’m tabling for the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center [The Center]. The Center is a resource on campus for students. We do all of the sexual health programming on campus, and we put on a ton of events. I’m in the LGBT community. It was really important to me that we have something like this on campus that’s for not just LGBTQ students but also other students who are interested in activism and things like that. We live in a really conservative state, where there aren’t as many protections for people. So having a place to go and make a family and have a place where you can go and have support is really important. It’s been proven that if you just have one support system, the suicide rate for the LGBTQ community drastically decreases by over half.”
- Katie Sargeant Psychology major
w “I’M FROM SULPHUR. I’m a freshman and moved here in the fall semester. My freshman year is going good; I kind of like it here. It’s coming from a small town to a big city. It’s a good environment. I graduated with 90 people. In my town, the only thing to do was back-road driving and Walmart. There’s just a lot more stuff to do around here. Sulphur is a very small-knit community. Everyone knew each other. But, I like it here. You get to meet new people and make new friends.
My parents graduated high school and never went to college. My mom always wanted to be a nurse. I always looked up to them, so that’s why I’m doing it.”
r “I’M FROM OKLAHOMA. I was born in Florida, but I’ve been through the education system in Edmond. I’m a string performance major. I’m also a double major in humanities, and I’m heavily involved with the UCO Medieval Society, which is one of my favorite things about this campus.
I got my hat in Colorado. I was actually up north of Boulder. I was
looking for a nice hat, and I was going around to all of these tourist shops. They had nice sport socks and nice little boutiques, but I wanted a nice durable hat. Finally, I found this hole-in-the-wall place, with this old couple running it. They helped me pick one out and size it. I wear it every day. It’s been all around the world with me.”
s “I GREW UP IN EDMOND, but I’m from Deer Creek High School. My dad was a criminal justice major, but he never really pursued it, and so, it really interested me. I wanted to pursue it and actually follow through with the major. UCO is close to home and I’m familiar with it. I knew they had a really good criminal justice program. Every time I talked to someone about my major, they told me UCO is the best place for that major. That’s when I was really like that’s where I’m going for college.”
- Sydnie Hamit Criminal Justice major
r “MY FAMILY HAS JUST ALWAYS STRUGGLED with substance abuse and addiction. I’m a transfer from Rose State, and when I transferred here, I just really liked the program. I grew up in Jones, Oklahoma – it’s a small town. For me, I was scared to come to a D-II school or a fouryear college, so that’s why I went to Rose State. And then, I realized that I wanted to go out and have the whole college experience.”
Just one year after opening its doors, the Donald Betz STEM Research and Learning Center garnered national recognition for its innovative design.
Interior Design magazine, an industry-leading design publication, named Central’s STEM building an honoree for its Best of Year Awards in the category of Higher Education. The Best of the Year design awards program highlights interior design from finalists across 137 design categories. This year, there were 609 finalists among all of the categories, chosen from a list of 2,638 buildings.
Oklahoma City-based Rand Elliott Architects, responsible for the building’s design, were honored for their work on the project. The design concept for the building unites the various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that work within the building together, including biology, chemistry, engineering, forensic science and nursing. Featuring moveable furniture and high-definition displays, The building was designed with collaboration and innovation in mind, allowing many of the building’s spaces to become flexible to each discipline’s needs.
a group of players took the field at Globe Life Park stadium in Arlington, Texas, to kick off the first game of the XFL’s Dallas Renegades. In the huddle of Renegades was Josh Crockett, a former UCO football player, who joined the XFL for
Crockett started from humble beginnings as a player for Bristow High School, a Class 3A high school in Bristow, Oklahoma. Following his graduation in 2013, he became part of UCO head coach Nick Bobeck’s first true recruiting class at Central.
Crockett played for UCO through the 2017 football season, finishing his college career with the Bronchos as sixth on the all-time list for both receptions and receiving yards. From 2014-17, he also made 18 touchdown receptions, just three shy of the UCO all-time record.
“We are very proud of Josh and his accomplishments,” Bobeck said. “Josh was a great kid to coach because he worked in all aspects of his life. If he wasn’t playing football, he would still be successful at whatever he chose.”
It’s this drive that led him to the XFL. However, the XFL isn’t Crockett’s first taste
In 2018, Crockett was signed with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, where he remained until May 2019. Following, he had a brief stint in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, based in Hamilton, Ontario,
The Dallas Renegades, part of the XFL West division, were one of eight total teams in the XFL, which marketed itself as a fan-first, ultraaccessible league that is “true to the game.”
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the XFL indefinitely suspended operations.
Crockett and his teammates were under the leadership of Bob Stoops – yes, that Bob Stoops, of University of Oklahoma fame – who served as the team’s head coach
WRITTEN BY SARAH NEESE
FOR MANY YEARS, Central has served as the only four-year public institution for higher education in the Oklahoma City metro. In order to help meet the evolving needs of the metro, strong connections between the UCO campus community and partners across the metro are imperative. In the area of legislation, however, the need for strong partnerships is greater than ever.
Partnership is the keyword for UCO Public Affairs, and for this arm of the university, connection begins right here on campus. The division works closely with Central’s three governing bodies: Staff Senate, Faculty Senate and the UCO Student Association. By coming together with these entities, Public Affairs garners a broader look at the way in which legislation impacts the UCO community. In collaboration with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Central helps convey to both federal and state legislators and policymakers the importance of higher education and, in turn, its funding.
But, why is higher education important, and what’s different about Central?
UCO’s presence within the community helps to advance the economic development of both the metro and the state. Central graduates directly contribute to the Oklahoma workforce. In fact, UCO students are 83% more likely to stay in the metro area, and have a job, five years after graduation, compared to their counterparts. They also accumulate less debt, as UCO student debt is lower than both the national and state averages. For every $1 of taxpayer money invested into higher education in the state of Oklahoma, there is a $7 return on investment. However, at UCO, that return on investment increases to $14.80 for every $1 invested.
“We’ve had a great relationship with UCO through the years and especially appreciate when we can partner directly. ACM@UCO and the rowing activities on the [Oklahoma] River are perfect examples,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.
Central provides the largest impact among regional universities in Oklahoma. UCO supplies 4,900 jobs, pays $170 million in employee compensation and produces more than $685 million in economic output. Additionally, UCO posted $29,766 in median annual earnings, higher than other regional-tier universities, as well as the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.
“We greatly appreciate our institutions of higher learning in the metro. They help to create a culture of learning and an educated workforce, both of which are integral to our progress,” Holt said.
While it’s clear that UCO students earn the tools to succeed, it’s not uncommon for them to be priced out of earning a degree, as state funding for higher education steadily declines. For the 2018-19 academic year, more than 1,500 students stopped attending, with more than 71% of those students being in good academic standing. The most common reason for dropping out? Money. Many of these students cited having problems juggling work with school, while also encountering financial hardship.
This is the heart of UCO Public Affairs’ mission. Through tracking legislation and maintaining strong relationships with major stakeholders, Central’s efforts to advocate for more funding never stop.
“Communication is critical,” said Laura Butler, UCO’s legislative liaison. “By sharing student stories, our goal is to help legislators gain a greater understanding of the student experience and highlight just how important every dollar is that goes into higher education.”
And you, the community, can help. UCO encourages community members to become civically engaged through legislative visits and civic engagement events to help spread the word about the university’s impact and the importance of greater funding.
“Policymakers shared it takes as little as seven times for a legislator to be contacted about a bill causing additional review,” Butler said. “That means just seven community members could make a meaningful difference. Advocating for our students and campus communities is advocating for the future.”
To learn more about Central’s community economic impacts or to engage with UCO Public Affairs, visit www.uco.edu/offices/publicaffairs.
r Flowers are a staple at many events, including weddings. However, when community efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 led to the cancellation of myriad events, many of event-designated flower orders were left with no place to go. Melissa Brumfield and Amanda Robie, with New Leaf
w The Accidentals, a UCO-based, a cappella, co-ed, pop group, created a “Quarantine Virtual Choir,” performing various songs together through the power of technology and editing. Their debut quarantine performance of The Beatles’
“Because,” arranged by Roger Emerson, garnered thousands of views, as the choir assembled their voices into one video. The group’s following video on their Facebook page also earned thousands of views, bringing a little togetherness into homes even from miles apart.
Florist, decided to do something positive with the unused flowers to bring joy to the community. After discovering that both hospitals and nursing homes were not accepting floral deliveries, Brumfield and Robie planted the flowers around several public art pieces throughout the community, including the “Touch the Clouds” installation on Central’s campus.
Instructions: Cut Buddy out and take him wherever you go.
Take your photo with Buddy and send them to alumni@uco.edu or post on social media with #buddytravels.
’87 Kenny Liles (BA ’87) and Donna Orcutt-Liles were married Sept. 14, 2019, in a ceremony at their home in Oklahoma City, with 70 guests and family present. Their combined family includes five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
’87 Jennifer Fowler Graham (BM ’87) recently performed at the Enid Arts Council Gala Feb. 28, 2020. During her career, Graham has performed on more than 85 movie soundtracks, including “Evita,” “Prince of Egypt,” “La La Land,” “Avatar” and “Jurassic Park.” She also has performed as a voice-over artist or vocal singer on TV productions such as “Glee,” “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Sex and the City” and “Boston Legal.” Her performances as a backup singer in professional recording sessions have included working alongside artists such as Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Dolly Parton, Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman. Graham recently moved back to Oklahoma, where she teaches at Oklahoma City University.
’93 D.J. Thompson (BAEd ’93) joined the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) in February 2020 as their nonprofit consultant senior manager. She previously served as a professional trainer for OKCNP from 2007-09. Thompson has a passion for helping nonprofit organizations be the best at managing their business in order to provide a product that is exceptional for the communities they serve.
’95 James Anderson (MEd ’95) was selected as a finalist in the search for superintendent of the Kuspuk School District in Aniak, Alaska. Anderson recently served as an educational consultant to the International School of Africa and the European Azerbaijan School, developing school programs, training teachers and taking the schools
through accreditation. Previously, he has served as the head of Westside Academy, in Detroit, and principal of Morrison Academy, in Taiwan, both independent parochial schools.
’01 James White (BBA ’01) has been promoted to Arvest’s mortgage production center sales manager in Tulsa. White joined Arvest in 2003 and has been part of its mortgage division since 2006. In his new role, White manages the production center’s sales team and is responsible for advising on an array of products for residential loans, among other duties.
‘08 Steve Dunn (MEd ’08) has been named a Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Dunn currently serves as the executive director of athletics for Broken Arrow Public Schools.
‘08 Timothy Hsu (BM ’08) now serves as the concertmaster of the Pueblo Symphony, as well as Colorado State University-Pueblo’s violin and viola artist-in-residence and its orchestra and chamber ensemble director. Over the course of his career, Hsu has received the Peabody Career Development Grant, the University of Iowa School of Music Travel Funds Grant and has won the Music Teachers National Association’s Young Artist Competition State Division.
‘10 Kayce Davis (BSEd ’10) was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year at Ranchwood Elementary School in Yukon, Oklahoma. She has been an educator at Ranchwood for six years, spending her first four years there as a first-grade teacher and her the past two years as a third-grade teacher.
‘10 Scott Tohlen (BS ’10) has been named director of government relations by The Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA). Prior to joining the OHA, Tohlen served as the Oklahoma government relations director for the American
‘10 Alyx Picard Davis (BA ’10) was named the next executive director of deadCenter Film. She has worked as deadCenter’s director of operations since 2013, as well as worked with the organization through many phases and in multiple capacities.
‘11 Susan Contreras (MEd ’11) was named as the 2019 Teacher of the Year at Russell Dougherty Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is the library media specialist and the technology specialist for kindergarten through fifthgrade students.
’13 Austin Foust, CPA (BBA, BS ’13) was one of 38 specialists honored as members of the 11th class of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Leadership Academy. Foust, an Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) member for four years, is a tax manager with Hogan Taylor LLP. Foust serves on the OSCPA’s Young Accounting Professionals Committee and is a 2018 OSCPA Trailblazer.
‘16 Valerie Williams (BFA ’16) joined Miller Architects in 2019 and has been selected for advanced training within the company.
‘17 Kateleigh Mills (BA ’17) rejoined KOSU in December as their Special Projects reporter, following a yearlong stint at KWBU in Waco, Texas. She was previously a news assistant and All Things Considered host for KOSU in 2018.
Mildred Irene “Millie” Estes (BSEd ’43)
Harold W. Crosley Sr. (BAEd ’55, MEd ’62)
Loretta Faye Cavett (BSEd ’57, MT ’61)
Virginia L. Minton (BSEd ’61, MT ’66)
Stanley “Stan” Lee Kelley (BS ’62)
Max Harrison (BS ’64)
Billy Ray Hoover (BS ‘64, MT ‘66)
Jane Long Rapp Scharnberg (BSEd ‘64, MS ‘68)
John Lindell Brock (BA ’65)
Ronald Lee Buckelew (BA ‘65)
Frances Marie May (BSEd ‘65)
Larry Bill Williams (BS ‘67, MBA ‘72)
Mildred Harden (BSEd ’68)
Billy H. Diggs (BS ’70)
Larry Reed (BA ’70)
Shirley Marie Brown (BA ’72)
Barbra Purtell (M.Ed. ‘72)
Bobby G. Bates (BBA ’73)
Wayne D. Epperson (BBA ‘74, MBA ‘77)
Michael B. Kaserman (BBA ‘74)
Anne Kinzer (Brown) Dougherty (MEd ‘77)
William Wayne “Buzz” Dorris (BS ‘81)
Trevlyn Anne Cross (BAEd ‘86)
Dixie Jean Day Pearson (BS ‘88)
Thomas Hedglen (MA ’89)
Marian Lee Smith (BA ‘89, MEd ‘93)
Clay Venning Tate (BS ‘89)
Wendell Allen Vandever (BS ’90)
Janice E. Day (MEd ‘92)
Carol Louise Cole-Frowe (BA ’94)
Joe Howard Hill (BS ‘94)
KristiLynn Wall (BSEd ’97)
Wanda L. Zin Foley (BS ‘99)
Thomas Denton Fox (MEd ‘06)
Jason McMurray (BFA ‘06)
Hyland Delores Barber
Edward Fortenberry, Ph.D.
Lt. Shirley Lanning
Carl Reherman (BA ’69)
Jim Stewart, Ph.D.
KJ Tullis, Ph.D.
Tiffany Wise
TARYN HANSEN WRITES ALUMNI NOTES/IN MEMORY. WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A BIRTH, WEDDING, ACHIEVEMENT OR OTHER IMPORTANT LIFE EVENT OF A CENTRAL ALUMNUS? PLEASE SEND ALUMNI/IN MEMORY NOTES, ALONG WITH ANY ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS, TO UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS, UCOMM@UCO.EDU, WITH “ALUMNI NOTE” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
K.J. Tullis, Ph.D., former associate dean for the College of Business died Jan. 17, 2020. Tullis began working for Central in 1995 as a professor in the Department of Management. During his tenure, he served as chairperson for the Department of Management, assistant dean, associate dean and program director. He retired from UCO in 2018.
Lt. Shirley Lanning died Friday, Feb. 14. Lanning’s career in law enforcement spanned more than 30 years, including service with the UCO Police Department from 1997-2014. In addition to Central, she worked as a public servant for the Oklahoma County Jail, U.S. Marshals, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department, and finally, for the Canadian County Sheriff’s Department.
OLD NORTH was lit up in blue as a symbol of support for health care providers and essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Daniel Smith.
100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034
uco.edu uco.bronchos UCOBronchos
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10th Annual UCO Jazz Camp
July 12-17
For more information: briangorrell@ucojazzlab.com
www.ucojazzlab.com
Summer Dance Workshop with Christian Von Howard
August 3-7
Youth, Teen and College/Adult Tracks available
For more information: ocae@uco.edu
ocae.uco.edu
