Residence hall to open

A long time vision for the growth and development of Seminole State College becomes a reality today with the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Seminole Nation Residential Learning Center. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and open house at 2:30 p.m. today on the SSC campus.
The 56,000-square-foot residence hall is constructed to the northeast of the Roesler Residential Learning Center. The $8 million facility was designed to house 150 students and currently has 130 residents.
Today’s activities will begin with entertainment by Native American flutist Lewis Johnson of Wewoka. Johnson is a former Seminole Nation council representative. The Seminole Nation Honor Guard will present the flags in the opening ceremony, followed by the audience being led in the national anthem by SSC students Zach David and Kendall Kincade.
The Rev. Chebon Kernell of the First American United Methodist Church of Norman will lead the invocation and give a native blessing for the new facility.
Dr. Glen Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, will attend the grand opening and will introduce the chief of the Seminole Nation, Enoch Kelly Haney.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Steve Littleman of the Kiowa Tribe will perform a cedar ceremony, a traditional Native American custom.
Guests will be entertained by traditional stomp dancers and vocalists with SSC’s Permanent Issue student show band. Members of the SSC president’s leadership class will give tours of the facility.
Building for the Future
The building of the new student housing facility, and several other campus projects, has brought some long time plans for the college into reality.
The need for additional housing for SSC students has been on the college’s master plan for decades. The need was partially met when the Roesler Residential Learning Center opened in 2000.
However, the 82-bed Roesler facility was filled to capacity when it opened — and the need remained a pressing matter.
In September 2006, the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (ODFA), acting on behalf of SSC, issued revenue bonds for the construction of new residence hall.  This past spring semester, students moved into the housing facility.
Community Support
Since the launch of the Educational Foundation’s Capital Campaign in spring 2007, the college has had an outpouring of financial support from area business and individuals. In particular, the Seminole Nation pledged $250,000 to assist with the completion and furnishing of the new center.
In fall 2007, the Seminole State College Board of Regents voted to honor the tribe’s support of the project by naming the facility the “Seminole National Residential Learning Center.”
 “The individual and community support we have received through the foundation’s fundraising efforts has been overwhelming. Having so many great entities behind us helps make possible accomplishments such as the construction of this residence hall,” said SSC President Jim Utterback.
“The foundation has been instrumental in bringing these projects to life. Lead gifts from private donors such as SSC Founder Award recipients Jimmie and Marie Austin, Melvin and Jasmine Moran, and Dennis and Leilani Roesler have provided the necessary foundation for this growth,” he said.
For additional information about today’s event, or the college’s Capital Campaign, contact of the Office of the President, P.O. Box 351, Seminole, OK 74818,  or call 405-382-9200.