President Brett Matherly called the meeting to order.   Emmett Hudgins led the invocation. ROD Kim Benedict led the Club in the Pledge and the Four-Way Test.

 

Kim Benedict introduced her speaker for the day, Peggy Maher. She is the Director / CEO of the University Center of Southern Oklahoma.

 

Director Maher graduated from Dickson Schools and attended Oklahoma State University for her bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees.  She taught overseas, worked as the Director for the NASA Aerospace Education Services Project, and was a Senior Curriculum Specialist at Pearson.  She returned to Ardmore and previously served as the Interim Director of the University Center until her recent appointment as the permanent Director/CEO of the University Center. 

 

Director Maher shared some of her vision for the University Center.  The new nursing program via Langston University is now underway and more programs are planned for the future.  A Star Party was held this last year to introduce the University Center to more people.  UCSO receives about one tenth of the state funding that junior colleges receive so the only way to build facilities is for the money to be raised locally. 

 

A fund-raising campaign will commence in the near future to build an additional classroom building.  The first fundraiser will involve sponsoring individuals who will rappel down the side of the First Bank in Ardmore (June, 2019)