Southeastern student chosen to study abroad as Brad Henry Scholar

Press Release Date: 12-14-2010

DURANT, Okla. – Brea Jones is looking forward to the spring semester – it’s just that her travel plans have changed.

Instead of studying in Durant, the Southeastern Oklahoma State University junior will be spending time in the country of Wales. Jones, a math education major from Dickson, Oklahoma, is among a group of students from Oklahoma's regional universities who have been named Brad Henry International Scholars. The group will spend the spring 2011 semester participating in an international study program at Swansea University in Wales.

The future teacher is proudly continuing her family’s legacy of education at Southeastern. Both of her parents – Brad and Sherri – are Southeastern graduates. Brad is a retired middle school principal, while Sherri is the computer technology coordinator and teaches computer classes at Dickson High School.

In addition, grandparents Kelwyn and Eurith Ellis and great-grandparents Floyd and Ethel Ellis attended Southeastern.

"Teaching is what I’ve always wanted to do," Brea said.

She will be taking math classes and also probably an ESL (English As A Second Language) course in the spring. The group will also have the opportunity to visit historical sites in Wales and Britain.

"I think it will be very beneficial for me to go over there and see what their schools are like," Jones said. "There will be a very diverse group of students there. Teachers today must adapt to different cultural backgrounds, and I believe the experience in Wales will assist me greatly in this process."

At Southeastern, Jones is a member of the Honors Program and she was involved in the Chorvettes Stageworks Company as a freshman. She is a member of the SE Math Club and also a member of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries Women’s program. Jones has also served as a student-teacher/tutor in the Learning Center, assisting students in math.

The international study program was established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in June 2008. The State Regents provide a $10,000 stipend for students selected to participate in semester-long study or research programs affiliated with Swansea University. Academic credit for these programs will be awarded by Oklahoma regional universities.

"We are grateful to Gov. Henry and the state regents for establishing this program," said Southeastern president Larry Minks. "Southeastern has been fortunate enough to participate in this international study program for three years in a row. We believe that Brea is very deserving of this educational opportunity and she will also be an outstanding representative for Southeastern and the region."