Cameron professor to receive Oklahoma Medal for Excellence
T.K. Bhattacharya of Cameron University is the first professor to be awarded the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching specifically for teaching at a regional university of community college. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has scheduled its 23rd annual Academic Awards Banquet for May 16 in Norman.
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence presents Medals for Excellence annually to outstanding
Each honoree will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture.
A former business executive, Dr. Bhattacharya decided at age 40 to quit his career as a marketing manager to begin teaching. Through his pioneering courses in Portfolio Management I and II, students manage real money bond and stock portfolios funded by a $1 million line of credit from BancFirst. Profits from the bond portfolio have been used to fund the stock portfolio and other Cameron projects such as endowed lectureships. The classes culminate in a formal presentation to senior executives of the bank, stockholders and university officials.
Mid-America Christian offering Focus Fridays
High school students can experience campus life at Mid-America Christian University during Focus Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 27 and April 17 at the campus, 3500 SW 119.
Students will attend a chapel service, eat lunch, tour the campus with university students, learn about financial aid opportunities, make arrangements to visit a class and meet with professors.
Focus Fridays are open to high school juniors and seniors and their parents. Registration is free and students will receive a free shirt. To register, call (888) 436-3035.
Tim Henley
Southern Nazarene University holding Peer Learning Network session
Rita Murray will speak at the Peer Learning Network session from 8 to 11 a.m. Feb. 12 at Southern Nazarene University’s Brown Building Lecture Hall, 6729 NW 39.
Murray is the chief executive officer of Performance Consulting Group, an energy services company that specializes in implementing cost-efficient energy infrastructures.
The lecture is free for members of the Peer Learning Network and $40 for nonmembers.
Tim Henley
College Women’s Leadership Program
Undergraduate women attending Oklahoma colleges and universities are encouraged to apply for a five-day summer leadership program designed to encourage women to consider careers in politics and public service. Oklahoma women attending out-of-state institutions also are eligible for the program.
The eighth annual National Education for Women’s (N.E.W.) Leadership Institute, designed to encourage women to consider careers in politics and public service, is scheduled May 19-23 at the University of Oklahoma Norman.
Sponsored by OU’s Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, N.E.W. Leadership is part of a national training network created by the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University. Participants will gain skills in community organizing, public speaking, leadership, team building, negotiation and conflict resolution.
“They also will meet Oklahoma women office holders, public administrators and local activists, spend time at the Oklahoma Capitol and attend a reception celebrating female political leaders,” says Katie Fitzgerald, program director.
About 30 undergraduate women from diverse backgrounds will be selected for this year’s program. Students interested in politics and leadership are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is March 5. An online application and additional program information are available at the N.E.W. Leadership Web site, www.ou.edu/carlalbertcenter/leadership.
Paint the Town Black and Gold
Cameron University students are working with Lawton-area businesses to “Paint the Town Black and Gold.” Fort Sill and Lawton-area businesses will be asked to demonstrate their support of Cameron in a variety of ways: by flying a CU flag, offering discounts for CU students, distributing athletic schedules and event information, selling CU merchandise, and participating in Spirit Fridays by encouraging their staff members to wear Aggie apparel or black and gold.
“We have an amazing university,” said Lawton junior Julianne Moini. “We want to give everyone in the community an opportunity to show their Cameron pride, whether they’re an alumnus, member of the faculty, student or community member.”
For more information, call Jennifer Holland, dean of student services, at 580-581-2244.
Oklahoma Christian University names honors program director
Oklahoma Christian University announced Scott LaMascus will serve as the honors program director during the 2009-10 academic year.
LaMascus taught in the university’s language and literature department the past 10 years.
“He will bring tremendous experience as well as a great love for OC and its students to this new role,” Allison Garrett, vice president for academic affairs, said in a news release.
LaMascus also will serve on a committee that will review the structure of the university’s honors program.
Tim Henley
Oklahoma Christian University announces partnership with Project Impact
“This was our first financial seminar and we were very fortunate to have space to meet in,” executive director Terrene Bell said in a news release. “We can really do a lot more when we have help from the community.”
The university agreed to provide meeting space for the organization and donate two laptop computers to help the children with their technology training.
The children will also receive free admission to the basketball games, and members of the Kappa Sigma Tau club will serve as their mentors.
Project Impact combines mentorship with technology training, cultural awareness and economic empowerment,
Students voluntarily apply for admittance into Project Impact and churches and state agencies recruit participants.
Tim Henley
OSU-OKC is holding a military seminar
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City will have College Veterans Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 on the third floor at the student center, 900 N Portland Ave.
The guest speaker will be William H. Brown, of Oklahoma City Veterans Center’s Global War on Terrorism Outreach.
Brown will speak about the services offered to veterans to help them have a smooth transition from military life to civilian life.
Participants also will learn about the G.I. Bill and earning college credit for military services.
For more information, call Loretta Hatchett at 945-8692.
Inauguration/First Day at OU
News of inauguration events Tuesday at the University of Oklahoma had been slow because school had been out for winter break. But word has arrived of a few watch parties on campus that have just been organized. Anyone wanting to check out the inauguration of President Barack Obama while visiting OU can consider:
* A watch party sponsored by Native American Studies inside Ellison Hall, 633 Elm Ave., scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
* A free viewing of inaugural activties at Meacham Auditorium inside the Oklahoma Memorial Union, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
* Inauguration watch party in the Hall of Fame Room inside Gaylord Hall, 395 W Lindsey St., also starting at 10:30 a.m.
– By Staff Writer James S. Tyree
2009 K20 Winter Institute
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the ninth annual K20 Winter Institute, which will bring people from education, government, business, and non-profit agencies together to examine and discuss ways to prepare students for the modern and future workplace.
The institute is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 2501 Conference Drive, in Norman. It’s open to anyone from any discipline who is interested in learning about advances in education.
Participants can attend any number of 60 sessions, and the registration cost including lunch is $25. To register, see the session titles and schedule, or for any other information, visit http://k20winterinstitute.com or call 325-1267.
– Staff writer James S. Tyree
