Each year, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma spotlights student achievement with the Honors Convocation and Minerva Awards ceremony. This spring, faculty, students and staff members presented departmental, athletic and creativity awards to dozens of students during the annual event, held April 6 in the USAO Student Center Ballroom.

After a welcome by USAO President Dr. John Feaver, guests were entertained by the USAO Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Jan Hanson, professor of music.

Lori Underwood, director of student activities and leadership programs, served as emcee for the event and recognized members of the university’s five honor societies for the academic year.

Image

Horizontal Image: 

Photo Credit: 

Randy Talley

Photo Cutline: 

The USAO Concert Choir performs during the Honors Convocation and Minerva Awards ceremony April 6. Faculty, students and staff members presented departmental, athletic and creativity awards to dozens of students during the annual event.

Drivers near the busiest intersection in Chickasha are the targets of a drive-by shooting – of marketing messages from the University of Science and Arts, that is.

Partnering with the City of Chickasha, USAO has built an elaborate multimedia message board, at the corner of Fourth Street and Chisholm Drive, that will share college and community information 24 hours a day to drivers in the busy corridor. According to the state highway department, more than 25,000 vehicles a day pass by that intersection.

As part of USAO’s agreement for easement with the City, the 4x13-feet electronic message board will deliver community messages as well as campus events. Local community groups, including all nonprofits, are invited to submit their messages for consideration to media@usao.edu.

Image

Horizontal Image: 

Photo Credit: 

Randy Talley

Photo Cutline: 

A new electronic marquee delivers messages to drivers at the busy intersection of Fourth and Chisholm in Chickasha. Partnering in this project is the college, the USAO Foundation and the City of Chickasha. From left are Mayor Greg Elliott and USAO President John Feaver. The sign was made possible by a generous grant from the Craig Foundation through a special agreement with the City that requires community involvement. Community groups who want to share their messages and events are welcome to submit ideas to media@usao.edu.

When the 22nd class of Leadership Oklahoma met for the first time, a familiar face to the Chickasha area was a part of the respected state group. Mike Coponiti, vice president for business and finance at USAO, was named to the Leadership Oklahoma class last year.

In addition to Leadership Oklahoma, Coponiti serves as chairman of the 2009 Chickasha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the USAO Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a 1992 graduate of USAO.

“This is a huge honor,” Coponiti said. “To be considered for this program is one of the greatest compliments I have ever received. I hope to represent USAO and the community of Chickasha well among the fine people in this program. I am one of many Chickasha people who have been selected in years past.”

Image

Verticle Image: 

Photo Credit: 

Kellie Driscoll

Photo Cutline: 

USAO’s Mike Coponiti will graduate next month from Leadership Oklahoma. He joined a class representing 21 Oklahoma communities that includes administrators, executives, writers, dentists, optometrists, educators, small business owners, state officials, judges and tribal officials.

So intertwined is her life with the college that her memoir about this institution is subtitled, “A Love Story.” Sharing pieces of her life, global travels and passion for teaching, Dr. Ingrid Shafer recounted her personal and professional journey during the spring commencement ceremony at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma on Friday night.

Shafer concluded a 41-year career at USAO as she addressed 142 graduating seniors and their families at the ceremony April 17. Shafer retires as professor of philosophy and religion and Mary Jo Ragan Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Image

Horizontal Image: 

Photo Credit: 

Marcie Price

Photo Cutline: 

Concluding a 41-year career at USAO, Dr. Ingrid Shafer told 142 graduates, their friends and family “that it is not folly to pursue the impossible dream and that love is stronger than death.” Shafer told of her own story of growth and change and how her history was intertwined with the story of the college. More than 1,500 people attended Friday night’s commencement in two ceremonies. Shafer is a professor of philosophy and religion and Mary Jo Ragan Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at the college.