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4th Quarter Health and Safety Training

This training is required for all employees and must be completed by the end of this quarter, June 30, 2012.

Online Instructions for 4th Quarter Health and Safety Training

OCCC Spring Commencement 2012

OCCC graduates, alumni, faculty, family and friends packed the Cox Business Services Convention Center Friday night for the 2012 OCCC commencement ceremony. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole delivered this year's commencement keynote address before several hundred OCCC graduates; approximately 1,700 qualified to receive their degrees or certificates.

The coveted President's Award for Teaching Excellence was granted to OCCC Professor Steve Morrow. Morrow holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Slippery Rock State University in Pennsylvania and a Masters degree in Education from Oklahoma City University. He served 14 years as an adjunct professor at OCCC before becoming a full-time professor of English eight years ago.

Outside the classroom, Morrow serves as a sponsor of the student organization, Advocates for Peace. Through this leadership, students have increased their understanding of what peace can mean for our world.

A colleague of Morrow's described him as one of the most loyal and dedicated faculty members at OCCC. They said Morrow constantly seeks ways to connect with students, motivates others in a positive manner and is recognized as a mentor and role model for not only students but faculty as well.

Another colleague commented that Morrow is passionate about all he does as a professor, whether it's in the classroom employing new methods of teaching, working with students individually outside of class, or sponsoring student organizations.

"This award is really recognition by colleagues and students of a person who models the very best in exceptional faculty," said President Sechrist. "I confess that it is always difficult to accept only one recipient from the many nominations received."

Morrow is constantly learning and views himself not just as a teacher, but also as a student - creating an environment in class that supports mutual intellectual development.

Congratulations Dr. Morrow.

Student Financial Aid Changes Effective July 1, 2012

Is high school for everyone? What about college? According to the United States Census Bureau, research showed that in 2010, obtaining a high school diploma was not the trend for 15 percent of Americans.

If you know someone within the 15 percent who has life experience as opposed to classroom experience, but would like to pursue a college education, OCCC wants to share new regulations recently made regarding college financial aid.

The government has announced that after June 30, students without a high school diploma or GED will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid and grants. These students will not be able to apply for federal financial aid to attend OCCC or any other institution of higher education.

Here are a few options:

Apply now: To obtain federal financial aid to attend OCCC without a high school diploma or GED, individuals should apply for admissions and financial assistance before the June 30 cutoff date.
Obtain your GED: OCCC admissions advisors can help students obtain their GED so they can pursue their college education with access to Federal assistance. OCCC offers GED classes for students of all levels at the college's Family and Community Education Center.

"If students are 'on the fence' about starting their college education, now is the time to decide," Jon Horinek, OCCC Recruitment and Admissions director, said. "Several state and federal higher education financial aid changes have recently been made that affect future students who have not received their high school diploma. Currently, students who do not graduate from high school or obtain their GED are required to take and pass the 'Ability to Benefit' test prior to qualifying for federal financial aid. After June 30, 2012, the 'Ability to Benefit' test will no longer be available. Students who are new to higher education after this date must have a GED or high school diploma to qualify for federal financial aid."

For more information about the new financial aid policy, please call the OCCC office of Recruitment and Admissions at ext. 7580.

College to Host Water Safety Fair May 19

Each year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports on the number of drowning and near drowning incidents in pools and spas between Memorial Day and Labor Day - the most likely time for such deaths due to the increased period of water recreation. As well, the International Life Saving Foundation reports that 1.2 million people around the world die by drowning every year, which is more than two persons per minute. From those statistics, more than 50 percent are children.

To help ensure this trend doesn't continue, OCCC is hosting a Water Safety Fair on Saturday, May 19 in the OCCC Aquatic Center from 1 to 4 p.m.

"Our goal is to make the general public aware of the simple safety steps to take around any body of water," said Roxy Butler, OCCC Recreation and Fitness director. "The more layers of protection you can put in-between your loved one and the water, the safer they will be."

Safety tips parents can expect at the Water Safety Fair include CPR training, sun safety, backyard pool safety, lake and boating safety, swift water safety and preparedness and more.

The event is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, Oklahoma Safe Kids Coalition, Oklahoma Lake Patrol, Oklahoma City Fire Department Water Search and Rescue Team, Country Leisure, Protect-a-Child and White Water Bay.

For more information on the OCCC Water Safety Fair, please contact Roxy Butler, OCCC Recreation and Fitness director at ext. 7425.

OCCC Named StormReady by NOAA

Recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), OCCC was recently named a StormReady College, indicating that OCCC has taken the extra steps to prepare for weather emergencies.

Being StormReady equips communities with advanced planning, communication, education, awareness and safety skills needed to save lives and property before, during and after a weather event.

Research shows that Americans cope with an average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, 1,000 tornados, and an average of 2 land-falling deadly hurricanes each year. The biggest weather threats to Oklahomans near OCCC include thunderstorms, tornados, winter storms and occasional flooding. As unpredictable as the weather is, don't discount the intense summer heat waves, high winds, wild fires and other deadly weather events.

According to NOAA, nearly 90 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather-related, accounting for around 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage.

"At OCCC, our priorities include not just providing the best education possible for our students but also ensuring that those students can pursue their studies in the safest possible environment," said Lisa Teel, OCCC Emergency Planning and Risk Management director. "The StormReady designation simply affirms that we are dedicated to protecting all individuals who have made OCCC their educational home."

In order to receive the StormReady designation, OCCC had to meet several criteria. Preparing for the StormReady certification was a team effort that included OCCC Emergency Planning and Risk Management, Campus Police Department and IITS.

The StormReady program originated in Tulsa in 1999. For more information about StormReady, or to view other communities and colleges with the StormReady rating, please visit www.stormready.noaa.gov.

Recreation Camps OCCC

Are you looking for activities your kids will enjoy during summer vacation? You're in luck. OCCC Fit Kids and Teen-Extreme camps are available throughout the summer. These activities are great ways to promote physical fitness, health, wellness and of course, fun.

Recreational and Fit Kids Camps Camp Rec Youth and Fit Kids Camps provide opportunities for campers to participate in recreational activities that are not specifically sports related. Campers will enjoy health and wellness activities such as indoor/outdoor group games, swim time and field trips that promote an active lifestyle.

An all day Fit Kids Camp is set for May 29 through June 1; the morning Camp Rec Youth and afternoon Fit Kids start on June 4. The camps will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude each day at 5 p.m.

Camp Rec Youth
Ages: six to 12 years old
Price: $45 per week
Times: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m

Fit Kids Camp
Ages: six to 12 years old
Prices: $45 per week; $65 per week w/ swim lesson
Times: 1 to 5 p.m.

All Day Fit Kids Camp
Ages: six to 12 years old
Price: $75
Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 29 to June 1, ONLY

Teen Xtreme
Beginning May 29, teens, ages 12 to 15 years old, will explore careers and focus on character development such as leadership and responsibility as they interact with service organizations including Feed the Children, the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ and other businesses within the community. Campers will receive volunteer/community service hours for their participation in community service projects as well as rewarding activities as we reflect on each week's accomplishments. This camp is limited to 15 campers per week.

Teen Xtreme
Ages: 12 to 15 years old
Price: $95 per week
$85 July 2-6
$5 weekly activity fee
$6 Teen Xtreme t-shirt (not required)
Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration Registration for OCCC camps has begun. Parents may register in person at the Recreation and Fitness office or over the phone with a debit or credit card.

For more information about this summer's Camp Rec Youth, Fit Kids Camp, and Teen Xtreme, or to sign up, please call the OCCC Recreation and Fitness department ext. 7860.

OCCC Foundation Honored at Fifth Annual ONE Awards

The OCCC Foundation was recently named a finalist for the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations Award at the fifth annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards in Tulsa.

The ONE Awards, hosted annually by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, is a celebratory event that honors nonprofits throughout the state for serving and inspiring their communities.

A total of eight agencies were named winners of their unique category of service, while 16 received finalist awards. The Oklahoma FFA Foundation was named the overall winner of the event and was awarded the $10,000 Charles Schusterman Award for Excellence. In total, nearly $150,000 was awarded to 24 of the state's top nonprofits.

Jennifer Harrison, director of development for the Institutional Advancement department at OCCC accepted the award on behalf of the OCCC Foundation; the Foundation was also awarded $5,000, most of which will be used toward student scholarships.

"Our board understands the hard work and dedication of this year's finalists," Joe Moran, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits board chairman, said. "We work directly with our nonprofits, which is why we are here to celebrate those accomplishments. Our board believes these organizations are most deserving of this recognition, and we are proud to honor them."

Of the nonprofits nominated from across the state, 24 were selected as finalists in one of eight categories of service. The winners in each category received $7,500, and the two other finalists received $5,000.

For more information about the ONE Awards and the winners and finalist in each category, please visit: www.oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org/Events/ONEAwards/2012.aspx

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