Apryl Mock
News Editor
More than 100 people including students, faculty, staff and members of the community attended Southeastern’s Founder’s Day. The event was held Tuesday, March 5 in the Montgomery Auditorium and celebrated Southeastern’s founding in 1909.
Vicki Hudson, chair and assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation, served as the emcee.
The event started with the Southeastern Chorale performing the “Alma Mater” and “Hymn to the Gold and Blue.” Dr. David Norris, historian and professor emeritus, discussed the founding of Southeastern as a Normal School, or college for teachers.
Dr. Douglas McMillan, vice president for academic affairs, filled in for President Larry Minks, who was ill. He discussed the vision and future plans for Southeastern, which are to promote academic success and meet the demands of the 21st century.
Durant Mayor Jerry Tomlinson discussed the relationship between the Durant Community and Southeastern. He read a proclamation from the city and discussed the cooperation between Southeastern and the city of Durant.
The event then moved from the Montgomery Auditorium to the Glen D. Johnson Student Union for the Peach Cook-off. The judges were Amanda Scott, Southeastern Homecoming Queen, Leon Sherrer, lifetime member of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and owner of Sherrer’s restaurant in Durant, and Kenneth Furtado, chef of Sodexo.
There were two categories at the Peach Cook-off, pies and jellies/jams. Second and third place winners received a certificate and first place winners received a cutlery set.
In the pie category Teresa Owens, residence life facilities supervisor, won third. Kristie Luke, associate dean of academic records, won second and Billie Robinson won first.
In the jellies/jams category Dr. Kitty Campbell, chair of management and marketing, won third, Janna Cottingame won second and Janet Scribner, resource and referral specialist, won first.
Serving on the Founder’s Day committee were Dyanna Bowen, Cathy Conway, Ellen Hendrix, Scott Hensley, Vicki Hudson, Stephanie Makke, Charles Matthews, Ross Walkup, Susan Webb, Stacy Weger and Sadie Woodruff.