Presidential Events
Representatives from Southeastern assist with the Families Feeding Families program in Durant.
DURANT, Okla. – Giving back to the community is a phrase that is used frequently in this day and age. Southeastern Oklahoma State University has been a proud member of the Durant community for more than 100 years, and the University understands the importance of community involvement.
In his role as assistant vice president for academic affairs and instruction, Dr. Bryon Clark, tracks Southeastern’s civic engagement efforts, and in doing so, has collected some impressive numbers.
According to Clark, during the 2010-2011 academic year, more than 760 individuals from Southeastern (students-faculty-staff) completed, collectively, approximately 30,000 hours of community service activity.
And while those may be impressive numbers, Clark points to another figure – 28,495 – the estimated number of individuals who were served through the University’s involvement – as the most important statistic of all.
Southeastern president Larry Minks is well aware of these volunteer efforts, and has witnessed many of the efforts first-hand.
"We emphasize to our students the responsibility they have to be productive citizens,” Minks said. “This includes being an active participant both on and off campus and contributing to the betterment of society. At Southeastern, we are fortunate to have a culture among our students, faculty and staff that fosters assistance to those in need. Our campus community understands that they can make a difference in the lives of others, and this is reflected by their willingness to volunteer their time and effort in meaningful ways."
In the past, assistance has been provided by the Southeastern family in times of disaster – tornadoes, fires, etc., -- but there are also ongoing efforts such as blood drives, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, volunteer income tax assistance program, theatrical workshops, tutoring, and Special Olympics, to name just a few.
Another well-known program that Southeastern has been involved with in Durant is "Families Feeding Families (FFF)."
This program was founded in 2003 by Tish Burkhalter, her husband Brian and their children, with the support of the community.
FFF is a working kitchen providing daily hot meals at no cost to those in need.
Tish, a Durant High School and Southeastern graduate (’10), took over FFF after her husband became ill in 2009 and became director in 2010. She was recognized for her efforts with the 2009 Frank Newman Leadership Award, which honors outstanding civic leadership.
"This is a way of life for our family," she said. “We believe in serving in every aspect of our lives. We believe in the importance of providing and assisting as the need arises.
"Southeastern has become an active participant with the Families Feeding Families community kitchen program," Burkhalter said. "Various groups, classes, University students and faculty have integrated Families Feeding Families and the Hope Chest community closet volunteer opportunities into individual class schedules.
"The University is active not only in physical volunteering, but also in opportunities regarding various donation needs such as food and clothing."
Families Feeding Families acts as a clearinghouse through which the food industry and community may donate food and other goods. FFF strives to provide nourishment for the physical hunger people experience, as well as the emotional and spiritual hungers so many people experience on a regular basis.
The FFF kitchen is located in the former George Washington Elementary School, 314 East Main Street in Durant. It is open for dinner between 4:30-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The menu includes a main course with a vegetable or two, bread and desserts or cookies and drinks each evening.
Southeastern’s Dr. Charla Hall, professor of psychology, is also very involved in the Families Feeding Families program.
"I take a group from Southeastern to serve and clean up at Families Feeding Families on the second Tuesday of every month," Hall said. "I have been doing this for about three years. Groups vary from month to month, and have included academic departments, student organizations, the President’s office, and some of my classes.
"Many times it is a mixture of staff, faculty, students, alumni and family members. This is my favorite because people with different connections to the University have an opportunity to work with one another while making a difference in our larger community."
Other programs include Food 4 Kids supplemental food program; Back 2 School Backpack program; and the Gideon’s Gift Christmas Adoption program.
Each year, the Presidential Partners award scholarships to Southeastern Students who meet the exceptional qualifications of the Partners. In 2011, the chosen students were Robert Jacob, nominated by the John Massey School of Business; Brea Jones, nominated by the School of Arts and Sciences; and Emily Rose Garrett, nominated by the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
Presidential Partners
Members of the Presidential Partners program have generously donated to support Southeastern's scholarship program and the projects of the Office of the President. Your membership provides unrestricted funds, which allow Southeastern to make progress that is impossible in any other way. If you would like to join over 60 Partners for fun and a good cause, please use this form to tell us your wishes. You are also welcome to call Kyle Stafford in University Advancement at (580)745-3079, or stop by the Welcome Center.
Read more about Presidential Partners here.
Community invited to Campus Tree Lighting Ceremony for Dec. 1
DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will begin the holiday festivities on Thursday, Dec. 1, with the Campus and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The community is invited to join in the celebration.
The fun starts at 5 p.m. with the Chorvettes caroling at the Magnolia House (on the corner of N. 6th Avenue and University Boulevard). Santa Claus will make an appearance and everyone is encouraged to bring their children.
A special treat will be the reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Southeastern’s Dell McLain, chair of the Art, Communication and Theatre Department. Cookies and cocoa will be served.
Southeastern’s Brass Ensemble will perform on the front lawn at 5:45 p.m. in conjunction with the lighting of the 31-foot-tall Blue and Gold Southeastern Christmas Tree.
University’s 90th annual Candlelighting scheduled for Dec. 5
Candlelighting will be held on Dec. 5 in Montgomery Auditorium.
DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will celebrate the holiday season with the community by hosting the 90th annual Candlelighting ceremony and concert on Dec. 5.
The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. in Montgomery Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
Candlelighting is the oldest tradition at Southeastern, with its origins dating back to Dec. 18, 1921.
Featuring the Southeastern Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Dr. Stacy Weger, this event offers community members, university students, faculty and staff, the opportunity to come together to begin the celebration of the Christmas season.
Titled "A Christmas Tapestry," the concert will feature a wide variety of sacred and secular music for the season. Music will range from Randol Bass 'Gloria, originally written for the Boston Pops Christmas, to the Christmas music of Irving Berlin. With the full use of lighting, organ, and brass orchestration, the concert should prove exciting to singers and audience alike.
The Symphonic Choir will be joined by the Southeastern Brass Ensemble and members of the Southeastern Jazz Ensemble, Brian Walker, conductor; members of the Percussion Ensemble, Dr. Marc White, conductor;, and Dr. Mary Ann Craige, organist.
Candlelighting is supported by the Southeastern Cultural and Scholastic Lectureship Fund and the Department of Music.
For more information, call the Department of Music at 580-745-2088.