SE, city of Durant receive Economic Development partnership recognition

Press Release Date: 05-07-2010

DURANT, Okla. – The city of Durant and Southeastern Oklahoma State University have been recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Partnership Program.

Twenty-two business and higher education partnerships throughout the state were recently recognized for their innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses, internships for current students of the institutions to work at the partnering businesses, faculty externships with the partnering businesses, and/or enhancement of the partnership with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.

"To improve Oklahoma's future, we need higher education and businesses to develop successful partnerships and training programs. Through these partnerships, students receive hands-on, career-related experiences and better preparation for college," said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. "With these partnerships in place, Oklahoma can better train future employees and strengthen its position in the global marketplace."

Southeastern and Durant were honored for their partnership that resulted in the construction of a multi-sports complex, the Bloomer Sullivan Arena, and renovations to the Paul Laird Football Field.

A ceremony to recognize the partnership award recipients was held April 27 at Langston University-Oklahoma City. Representing Durant at the event were mayor Jerry Tomlinson and city manager James Dunegan, while University president Larry Minks and director of the Southeastern Center for Regional Economic Development Kathy Hendrick represented Southeastern.

"As a university, we are fortunate to have such a wonderful working relationship with the city of Durant," Minks said. "Working together is a win-win situation for our students and the community as a whole. We look forward to continuing strong partnership opportunities with the city."