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Connors State College
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2013) |
Connors State College is a public community college in Warner and Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Key Information
History
[edit]The college was founded as an agricultural high school in 1908 and was quickly converted to a school of agriculture.[2]
When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, the Oklahoma Constitution specified that the state should have an agricultural school in each of the State Supreme Court Judicial Districts. These schools would be granted at least 80 acres (32 ha), and be overseen by Oklahoma's Board of Agriculture. In the First Judicial District, Warner, Oklahoma vied with Muskogee as the school location. Led by State Senator Campbell Russell, Warner residents donated 160 acres (65 ha) for the school and Warner won the competition. The school was named in honor of John P. Connors, the Board of Agriculture's first president.[3]
In March 1927, the Oklahoma Legislature made the school an accredited junior college and renamed it as Connors State Agricultural College. In 1941, the school was put under the oversight of newly created Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. In 1944, it was transferred to the Board of Regents for Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. It was again renamed as Connors State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1967.[3]
Campuses
[edit]The college has two sites, in Warner and Muskogee, Oklahoma. Connors State College Muskogee previously occupied the Charles Haskell building in downtown Muskogee. It closed in 2011, moving all classes to other properties in the area.[4] In 2015 Connors State College open a brand new building at its Port Campus in Muskogee.[5]
Academics
[edit]The school offers certificates and associate degrees.
Athletics
[edit]The Connors State athletic teams are called the Cowboys and Cowgirls. The college is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), primarily competing in the Bi-State Conference within the NJCAA Region 2.
Connors State competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer and softball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, rodeo and shooting sports.
Notable people
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2013) |
- Alan Hays - politician
- George Kottaras - professional baseball player
- Julio Lugo - professional baseball player
- Jordan Romano - professional baseball player
- Kayse Shrum - physician and academic administrator[6]
- Phyllis Yargee, Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor (2003–2007)[7]
Former faculty
[edit]- Marlon Coleman, politician and Baptist minister
Gallery
[edit]Connors State College, Warner Campus
-
Stone Student Union at Connors State College -
Fine Arts Center at Connors State College -
Classroom Building at Connors State College
References
[edit]- ^ "College Navigator - Connors State College". National Center for Education Statistics.
- ^ "Connors State College". www.connorsstate.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19.
- ^ a b "Connors State College." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. White, Jimmie L., Jr. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Staff, Journal Record (2014-12-12). "Connors State College sells Haskell building". Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "Connors State College Opens State-of-the-Art Facility". Connors State College Development Foundation. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ Wheeland, Christy (2013-10-23). "Shrum to be inducted into Connors Hall of Fame". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "Cherokee Council and Administration 2003-2007". cherokeephoenix.org. 2003-08-08. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
External links
[edit]
Connors State College
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
Founding and Early Development
Connors State School of Agriculture was established in 1908 by the Oklahoma State Legislature as one of three district agricultural high schools authorized under the state constitution to provide practical farm-life education in rural areas.[5][6] The institution was named after John P. Connors, the first president of the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture, which served as its initial governing body and played a key role in selecting the Warner, Oklahoma, site through local efforts including land donations of 160 acres by citizens.[5][6] The school's first session opened in February 1909 in temporary quarters at the Warner Public School Building, led by President J. A. Liner and four faculty members, with an initial enrollment of just 15 students.[5][6] This low figure was deemed unsatisfactory by the State Board of Agriculture, prompting threats of closure unless enrollment improved, as the institution's viability depended on demonstrating value through state legislative appropriations amid broader skepticism toward underutilized agricultural schools.[5] Survival hinged on emphasizing hands-on vocational training in agriculture, such as farm demonstrations, livestock management, and practical skills suited to Oklahoma's agrarian economy, rather than theoretical instruction.[5][6] Enrollment subsequently rose to 75 students by 1910, securing continued operation despite a renewed closure threat in 1912, which was resolved through community advocacy and legislative backing that underscored the school's role in addressing rural workforce needs.[5]Expansion and Institutional Changes
In 1967, the Oklahoma Legislature renamed the institution Connors State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, expanding its mandate beyond exclusively agricultural education to encompass applied sciences, in response to evolving regional economic needs for diversified technical training.[6][7] This change reflected legislative recognition of the limitations of a narrow farming-focused curriculum amid post-World War II industrialization and workforce shifts in eastern Oklahoma.[6] Concomitant infrastructural growth supported this broadening scope, with state-funded construction of McClarren Hall as a women's dormitory, an Administration/Classroom Building (later the Education Building), and the Student Union completed between 1962 and 1963 on the Warner Campus to accommodate rising demand for on-site applied programs.[5] In 1967, the Melvin Self Field House was erected, honoring the twelfth president, Dr. Melvin Self, and providing facilities for physical education integrated with agricultural and vocational instruction.[5][8] The 1970s saw further adaptations through campus restructuring, including the 1974 renovation of the Classroom Building and conversion of the gym into the Fine Arts Building, prioritizing practical facilities over ornamental expansions.[5] By 1976–1977, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education authorized initial off-campus extension classes in Muskogee public schools, formalizing regular offerings by 1977 to extend workforce-oriented courses—such as those in applied trades—to non-traditional students without requiring relocation, thereby enhancing accessibility while maintaining a focus on measurable vocational outcomes.[5][6][7]Modern Era and Recent Milestones
In the 1970s, Connors State College underwent significant infrastructure renovations on its Warner campus, including the restructuring of the Gym into a Fine Arts Building in 1974 and the construction of a thermostatically controlled greenhouse in 1978 to support its horticulture program, reflecting adaptations to enhance vocational training facilities amid evolving agricultural education needs.[5] Off-campus extension classes were approved in Muskogee public schools during 1976-1977, marking the initial steps toward broader regional access as a community-oriented institution. By 1988, the college received authorization to operate as a branch campus in Muskogee, offering lower-division courses and solidifying its role within Oklahoma's statewide higher education system under the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, which emphasizes cost-effective, accessible postsecondary options.[5] The 1990s and early 2000s saw further programmatic and infrastructural expansions, including the acquisition of 1,316 acres known as the Harding Ranch in 1994 and the completion of a 28,500-square-foot facility at the Three Rivers Port Campus in Muskogee in 1995, enhancing applied science and agricultural offerings.[5] In 2008, Connors signed the Orange to Green partnership with Northeastern State University, facilitating seamless credit transfer for students pursuing bachelor's degrees, while facility developments like the $2.2 million Muskogee West Student Services building in 2009 supported nursing program relocation and overall enrollment capacity. The college maintained its focus on self-reliant skill-building through vocational programs such as equine science, with indoor arenas added in 1981 and expanded facilities in the 1980s, adapting to rural Oklahoma's economic demands without reliance on expansive social programs. Reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission in 2010 for a full ten-year term underscored institutional stability.[5] Under President Dr. Tim Faltyn, appointed in 2011, Connors prioritized growth in degree offerings and student outcomes, aligning with its integration into the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges framework, which prioritizes affordable education—evidenced by in-state tuition remaining under $4,000 annually, with no increases announced for fiscal year 2023.[9] [10] Recent enrollment trends demonstrate resilience in a rural setting, with a 21.7% overall increase since 2022 to 2,133 students by fall 2024, including a 4.5% rise from the prior year and a 7.3% gain in full-time equivalents, countering broader rural depopulation patterns through targeted community college programming.[11] Graduation outputs have sustained vocational emphasis, awarding 719 degrees in 2023 and achieving a record-breaking number in the 2025 commencement, representing a 45% surge from the previous academic year, primarily in associate degrees suited to regional workforce needs.[12] [13] President Ronald Ramming announced his retirement in September 2025, capping a period of steady expansion.[14]Campuses and Facilities
Warner Campus
The Warner Campus, situated at 700 College Road in Warner, Oklahoma, functions as the main administrative and operational hub of Connors State College. Located in a rural agricultural community at the intersection of U.S. Highways 64 and 271, approximately 18 miles west of Muskogee, the campus spans a 365-acre site conducive to practical, field-oriented instruction in agriculture and related disciplines.[15][16] Core facilities emphasize hands-on learning, including dedicated agricultural laboratories and demonstration farms that support vocational training in farming techniques, livestock management, and applied sciences. Student housing options, such as the Millers Crossing Dormitory complex with amenities like a pool and recreational areas, provide basic on-campus accommodations tailored to commuter and residential needs. Additional infrastructure encompasses athletic fields, a field house gymnasium, and academic buildings focused on semester-based coursework.[17][18][19] The campus infrastructure accommodates the college's total enrollment exceeding 2,000 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 23:1 that enables personalized instruction for a predominantly local, working-class demographic in eastern Oklahoma. Operations align with standard two-year college semesters, prioritizing accessibility through affordable tuition and proximity to regional communities.[3][20]Muskogee Campus
The Muskogee Campus operates as a branch extension of Connors State College, primarily serving residents in the Muskogee area through lower-division coursework tailored to commuter students and local workforce needs, without replicating the Warner Campus's focus on agriculture, athletics, and residential programs.[5][6] Initially formed in 1962–1963 through the absorption of the financially struggling Muskogee Junior College—Oklahoma's first municipally funded junior college established in 1920—the branch provided an initial foothold for expanded access in the region.[2] Off-campus extension classes commenced in 1976–1977 using public school facilities, transitioning to dedicated spaces amid growing demand for accessible higher education in this more urban setting compared to rural Warner.[5][6] Legislative authorization in 1988 granted Connors exclusive rights to deliver such programming in Muskogee, formalizing its role as a cost-efficient satellite emphasizing applied fields over comprehensive institutional duplication.[5][2] Facilities remain modest and functionally oriented, prioritizing efficiency for non-residential operations across multiple sites totaling under 30,000 square feet of specialized space by the mid-1990s. The Charles N. Haskell Building, an eight-story structure donated in 1992, houses core administrative and instructional functions in the downtown area.[6][2] The Three Rivers Port Campus, developed on 42 acres acquired in 1994, features the 28,500-square-foot Ronald D. Garner Science Building completed in 1996 for laboratory and classroom use, supporting expansion without the scale of Warner's infrastructure.[6][2] A smaller Muskogee West Campus student services facility, built in 2009 for $2.2 million in partnership with Northeastern State University, accommodates relocated health programs, underscoring the branch's lean model geared toward regional accessibility rather than on-site amenities.[5] Program offerings center on select applied sciences and health-related fields, such as nursing, physical therapist assisting, and occupational therapy assisting, which leverage local demand and facilitate transfers or entry-level credentials for commuters.[5] These initiatives, including a nursing program shifted to the West Campus in 2009, enhance enrollment diversity by attracting urban-adjacent students uninterested in Warner's rural emphasis, thereby bolstering the college's overall fiscal sustainability through shared administrative oversight and reduced duplication of resources.[5][6] By the early 21st century, the dual Muskogee sites provided room for measured growth in these targeted areas, aligning with empirical needs for localized education in eastern Oklahoma without straining the primary campus's capacity.[6]Infrastructure and Resources
Connors State College's libraries on the Warner and Muskogee campuses provide access to instructional materials, information services, and collections supporting vocational curricula in areas such as nursing, physical therapy assisting, and agriculture, with multiple computers available for priority use in coursework.[21] These resources include study spaces and electronic access to aid skill acquisition in rural economic sectors.[22] The college operates dedicated computer labs tailored for practical training, including a 64-station facility in the Muskogee Nursing and Allied Health building for healthcare programs and various instructional labs on the Warner Campus, such as the 35-computer setup in Classroom Building Room 210.[23] Additional specialized areas encompass biology and chemistry labs with limited computer stations for hands-on vocational applications, alongside math and English labs supporting up to 30 users each.[23] Open lab hours facilitate flexible access to these tools beyond scheduled classes.[23] Information technology infrastructure is managed centrally, encompassing hardware, software, and technical support for platforms like Canvas learning management system and student email, ensuring reliable resources for faculty and students across campuses.[24] Security measures include 24-hour patrols, surveillance cameras in key areas, electronic locks, and the "Cowboy Alert" emergency notification system, with campus police responding via a dedicated line (918-463-6375).[25] The 2024 Annual Security Report documents low incidence of serious crimes from 2021 to 2023, primarily limited to 22-43 annual liquor law and 6-10 drug law disciplinary referrals, alongside no reported fires in residential facilities.[26] Physical plant operations handle maintenance to preserve functional, cost-efficient buildings aligned with taxpayer-supported priorities for workforce development.[27]Academics
Programs and Degrees
Connors State College awards Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, alongside certificate programs tailored for direct workforce integration or seamless transfer to bachelor's programs via articulated general education cores.[28] [1] These offerings operate on a semester system, prioritizing applied skills in high-demand sectors like agriculture and healthcare to match Oklahoma's rural economy, where such fields drive employment stability.[29] [30] Agriculture programs center on the AS in Agriculture, incorporating embedded certificates in agribusiness, horticulture, and equine operations, with coursework in crop production, animal science, and farm management to equip graduates for immediate roles in Oklahoma's $7.3 billion agricultural industry.[31] [32] Students complete hands-on requirements, such as livestock management labs, yielding job placement in practical trades where 90% of completers enter ag-related positions within a year.[30] [33] In health sciences, the AAS in Nursing and certificates for Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) emphasize clinical competencies, with admission based on standardized testing and prerequisites like anatomy.[34] [35] Allied health includes AAS degrees in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), featuring supervised clinical rotations that align with licensure exams and address statewide shortages, achieving 85-90% first-time pass rates and 89% employment in healthcare roles post-graduation.[34] [33] Additional certificates in applied trades, such as small business management and computer information systems, support entrepreneurial entry in rural markets, with program completion rates averaging 40-50% for cohort-based tracks and median earnings of $49,000 five years out, reflecting employability in non-degree pathways.[36] [37] In-state tuition of $3,792 annually enables broad access for low-income demographics, minimizing debt while funding vocational training that correlates with sustained regional job retention.[38][33]Enrollment Statistics and Student Demographics
As of the 2023-2024 academic year, Connors State College enrolled 2,617 students, with 811 (31%) classified as full-time and 1,832 (70%) as part-time, reflecting a student body oriented toward flexible, accessible education suitable for working adults in rural settings.[39] Fall 2024 headcount stood at 2,133, marking a 4.5% increase from the prior fall and a 21.7% rise since 2022, amid broader regional challenges like rural population decline in eastern Oklahoma.[3] The student demographics underscore a predominantly in-state population drawn from Oklahoma's rural counties, with 87% of enrollees residing within the state and representing 44 counties, alongside smaller contingents from 27 other states and 14 nations.[39] Approximately 42% identify as first-generation college students, and the average age is 25, with ages ranging from 14 (concurrent high school enrollees) to 67, indicating a mix of traditional and non-traditional learners motivated by vocational and transfer pathways.[39] Gender distribution skews female at 70%, aligning with enrollment patterns in community colleges serving regional workforces.[39] Racial and ethnic composition mirrors Oklahoma's rural demographics, with the enrolled population comprising 40.5% White, 25.5% Two or More Races, 19% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.96% Black or African American, 4.59% Hispanic or Latino, 2.72% Asian, 0.574% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 1.72% of unknown or other categories.[12] Retention rates for first-time, full-time students stand at 57%, while part-time retention is 39%, with an overall graduation rate of 27% within 150% of normal time and a 17% transfer-out rate, metrics typical for two-year institutions emphasizing practical, workforce-aligned programs amid economic pressures on rural students.[40][41] These figures highlight stability sustained by low-cost tuition and proximity to local industries, countering depopulation trends in the college's service area.[3]Faculty Qualifications and Academic Standards
Connors State College employs a student-to-faculty ratio of 24:1, which supports individualized instruction in its community college setting.[42][43] Faculty credentials adhere to standards set by the Higher Learning Commission, mandating that instructors for associate degree programs possess a master's degree in the relevant discipline or a related field, including at least 18 graduate credit hours in the teaching discipline.[44] For applied and vocational programs, such as those in agriculture and trades, qualifications emphasize practical industry experience, with instructors required to maintain current certifications and licenses to deliver up-to-date, hands-on training aligned with workforce demands.[45][46] This merit-based focus prioritizes applied expertise over purely theoretical advanced degrees, enabling effective preparation for regional economic sectors like farming and technical services. Academic rigor is demonstrated through student performance metrics, including consistent NJCAA All-Academic Team honors for athletes maintaining GPAs of 3.60 or higher, which underscores instructional effectiveness and resistance to grade inflation.[47] In July 2024, numerous Connors State student-athletes across sports, including baseball and soccer, earned these distinctions for cumulative GPAs meeting or exceeding the threshold, reflecting sustained high standards in coursework.[48][49] The college's academic policies further enforce these standards by requiring a minimum 2.0 GPA for degree completion and upholding credential verification through the Office of Academic Affairs.[50]Athletics
Athletic Programs
Connors State College maintains intercollegiate athletic programs as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2, with teams branded as the Cowboys for men and Cowgirls for women. The institution competes primarily at the NJCAA Division I level for team sports such as baseball, men's and women's basketball, softball, and soccer, while cross country programs operate at Division II. These offerings align with standard junior college athletics, providing structured competition for two-year students focused on skill development and physical fitness.[51][4] The athletic lineup includes men's baseball, basketball, soccer, and cross country; women's basketball, softball, soccer, and cross country. Rodeo, supported through the college's equine program, participates in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) with on-campus practices and scholarship opportunities, reflecting Oklahoma's agricultural emphasis. Programs integrate team training regimens that promote discipline and conditioning, often earning physical education credits toward degree requirements.[52][53] Facilities on the rural Warner campus support these activities, featuring baseball and softball fields, a fitness center, and rodeo-specific infrastructure including a 100 by 250-foot indoor arena, outdoor arenas, stall barns, and round pens for equine handling. Soccer home games are hosted at the nearby Hilldale High School stadium under a partnership agreement. Approximately 152 students engage in varsity athletics, with 88 males and 64 females, comprising a small fraction of the total enrollment exceeding 2,100 as of fall 2024. This level of participation sustains program viability without overshadowing academic priorities.[17][54][55][3]Performance and Achievements
Connors State College's athletic programs emphasize student-athlete academic performance alongside competitive results, as evidenced by consistent NJCAA All-Academic recognition. In the 2023-24 academic year, 26 student-athletes across baseball (12 honorees), men's soccer (10), and women's soccer (4) earned spots on NJCAA All-Academic Teams, requiring a minimum 3.60 GPA; nine achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs for First Team honors, 11 earned Second Team (3.80-3.99 GPA), and six received Third Team (3.60-3.79 GPA). The women's soccer team secured NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for the second consecutive year with a 3.49 GPA.[56] Athletically, the men's basketball Cowboys have posted notable successes, including the 1990 NJCAA Division I National Championship under coach Ed Stepp with a 36-2 record, the program's first and only title to date.[8] The team reached the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Championship game, their second final appearance, after advancing through the tournament with wins including 80-75 over John A. Logan and 80-74 over South Plains.[57][58] Additional basketball achievements include Region II and conference titles in 1951, 1952, 2009, 2015 (32-2 record), and 2017 (27-7 record).[8] In softball, the Cowgirls claimed the 2024 NJCAA Region 2 Tournament Championship under coach Bobby Foreman, adding to prior Region II titles in 1989, 1993, and 1996 (nationals fifth place).[8] Baseball produced an honorable mention NJCAA All-American in pitcher Twine Palmer for 2024.[59] Men's basketball has yielded multiple NJCAA All-Americans, including first-team selections like Elmore Spencer (1990), Cyrus Jones (1994), and Corlbe Ervin (2015).[8] These results reflect sustained regional competitiveness in NJCAA Division I, particularly in basketball and softball, contributing to player recruitment to four-year institutions.[8]Governance and Administration
Leadership Structure
Connors State College operates under the governance of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, a constitutional body established by Article XIII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution, which holds statutory authority for the supervision, management, and control of the institution alongside others in the system, including Oklahoma State University and Langston University.[60][61] Board members, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for staggered nine-year terms, ensure public accountability through oversight of policy, personnel appointments, and alignment with state higher education mandates under Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.[62] This structure ties institutional decisions to legislative priorities, such as efficient resource use and program relevance to regional agricultural and vocational needs. The president, appointed by the Board, functions as the chief executive, directing operational execution while reporting directly to the regents on performance metrics and strategic initiatives.[63] Key subordinates include the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who manages faculty, curriculum standards, and academic support services; the Vice President for Fiscal Services, overseeing budgeting, grants, and financial compliance; the Dean of Students, handling student affairs and athletics; and specialized directors for human resources, information technology, and institutional research.[64] This hierarchy prioritizes streamlined administration, with presidents historically selected for demonstrated expertise in educational leadership, often rooted in agricultural education or community college operations, to foster data-informed efficiency.[65] Curriculum and budgetary decisions follow a collaborative yet accountable process: proposals originate from academic and administrative units, undergo evaluation based on enrollment data, completion rates, and economic impact assessments, and require Board approval for significant changes, ensuring decisions reflect empirical needs over extraneous factors.[7] The Board's quarterly meetings and public agendas enforce transparency, linking institutional actions to state fiscal and performance accountability measures.Financial Operations and Funding Sources
Connors State College's primary funding derives from state appropriations, which totaled $6,608,252 in fiscal year 2024, representing a significant portion of taxpayer-supported revenue essential for operations in a rural Oklahoma context.[66] Net tuition and fees contributed $3,604,914 in the same period, reflecting low in-state rates of approximately $158 per credit hour (including $105 base tuition plus $53 in mandatory fees), or roughly $3,792 annually for full-time enrollment assuming 24 credits.[66][67] Federal and state/local grants added $6,719,366 and $2,968,736 respectively, often tied to vocational and student aid programs, while auxiliary enterprises such as housing and services generated $2,140,241.[66]| Revenue Source (FY2024) | Amount |
|---|---|
| State Appropriations | $6,608,252 |
| Net Tuition and Fees | $3,604,914 |
| Federal Grants and Contracts | $6,719,366 |
| State and Local Grants and Contracts | $2,968,736 |
| Auxiliary Enterprises | $2,140,241 |
| Other Operating Revenues | $286,080 |
| Total Revenues | $24,233,070 |