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Chalk artist Jules Barker of Chickasha works on a chalk butterfly as part of the Art at the Rock chalk art campaign to promote awareness of the Rock Island Arts Festival fundraiser this weekend at the Leman and Louise Spoon residence. More than 30 individuals have volunteered their time to promote the first-ever arts festival in Chickasha.
Discussion
New Collegiate Math
Four years often turns into 6 for college students
A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute notes “fewer than 60 percent of students graduated from four-year colleges within six years.” That number is too high, said Dr. John Feaver, president of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Feaver thinks more than 60 percent of area college students graduate within six years.
“With two comprehensive research doctorals, regional institutions and two-year community colleges, the lowest graduation rate is among community colleges because the student population has wide motives for going to school and many don’t intend to earn a degree.”
Still, Feaver does not discount the need to focus on student retention. Not in the least. USAO is, in fact, taking steps to make sure retention is improved.
To focus on student retention, USAO is reorganizing itself administratively.
“Enrollment management is responsible for contacting potential students, recruiting students, orienting and advising students and for overseeing counseling of students through to graduation from part A to part Z,” Feaver said. “A lot of kids are coming here because their families, who historically looked to private institutions, are looking at public schools because of the lower costs. But they expect the same services and for us to look after their youngsters and that’s what we’re doing.”
Feaver said he thinks most students appreciate being looked after.
“It adds to their success,” he said. “I think they appreciate that we’re interested in their success and that we provide support when they need it. I look on success in the classroom as a return on an investment.”
The report states: “While student motivation, intent and ability matter greatly when it comes to college completion, our analysis suggests that the practices of higher education institutions matter, too.”
Feaver said USAO historically did not have a good graduation rate because of it’s liberal arts mission.
“Students came because it was nearby,” said Feaver. “They needed a community college or a regional institution like Cameron in Lawton or Southwestern in Weatherford for specialized degrees and were disappointed with liberal arts.”
Graduation rates were historically low, at about 30 to 40 percent, but they are now climbing into the 40 percent range consistently.”
Feaver said USAO has raised its academic standards and that liberal arts colleges provide “a broad-scale education rather than specialized degree programs.”
“We can’t compete with two-year colleges,” he said
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
