State recognizes Southeastern for partnership with Durant, Denison schools Press Release Date: 5-6-2011 Gathering at the awards ceremony were, left to right, Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Dr. Larry Minks, President, Southeastern Oklahoma State University; Amanda Reynolds, teacher, Durant High School; Scott Bonnin, teacher, Durant High School; Neta Newton, teacher, Durant High School; Dr. Jason Simeroth, Superintendent, Durant Schools; Carrie Boetteger, counselor, Denison High School; Dr. Cavin Boetteger, principal, Denison High School; Kathy Hendrick, director of the Southeastern Center for Regional Economic Development; and the Honorable Dave Lopez, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University was among twenty-one business and higher education partnerships throughout the state recognized for their innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants. “Oklahoma’s colleges and universities are working to improve Oklahoma’s economic future by partnering with area businesses to provide our State’s workforce with expanded education and training opportunities. Through these efforts, students receive hands-on, career-related experiences that better prepare them for entry into today’s business world” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Higher Education provides the most efficient path toward a better trained workforce which in turn will strengthen Oklahoma’s position in the global marketplace.” Among the partnerships recognized was the one between the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Center for Regional Economic Development and the Texoma Regional Consortium for Durant High School in Oklahoma and Denison (Texas) High School. In this unique partnership, the Center for Regional Economic Development and the Regional Consortium designed the Real Life Math! pilot project to place local professionals in high school classrooms. “The program is a direct result of the region’s businesses wanting to retain our area youth, which will be the future workforce, and encouraging them to see math as a tool in excelling in school and the workplace,” said Kathy Hendrick, director of the Center for Regional Economic Development. To date, Real Life Math! has helped more than 420 students understand the relevance of what they’re learning in order to increase their interest and chances at success. Topics covered in the project include: Proportions and Ratios; Geometry; Math in the Production Environment; Math in Business and Entrepreneurship; and Understanding Credit. Due to the success of this program, five additional high schools have signed on for the upcoming year. “We are pleased to partner with the Durant and Denison Public Schools,” said Southeastern president Larry Minks. “Both of these school districts have been recognized for their outstanding educational programs. We look forward to continuing these type of collaborative efforts that directly benefit students.”
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