WILBURTON, Okla. – One hundred thirty-four students and guardians recently participated in a two-night three-day charter bus trip across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. The trip was sponsored by EOSC GEAR UP (Eastern Oklahoma State College Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), and allowed partner schools' students and their parents or guardians to tour colleges and universities they would not typically visit, the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and a behind the scenes career exploration at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO.
The tour began at Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) in Wilburton. Participants toured the campus and learned about programs and opportunities their local community college has to offer. EOSC is well-known for its athletic programs, agricultural division. The tour included a visit to the Meat Processing and Food Safety department and top-ranked nursing program. EOSC also offers classes at three other locations, making it accessible to many students in the southeast region of the state.
Participants visited the University of Arkansas (U of A) in Fayetteville, Arkansas. With 25,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 120 countries, The U of A has 10 colleges and schools offering more than 240 academic programs. U of A among only 3 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity.
On day two participants visited the College of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. College of the Ozarks is unique among higher education institutions in America with no tuition charged to students, all students work on campus, and debt is openly discouraged. Evolving from a high school, College of the Ozarks has become a thriving, four-year nationally recognized institution that is committed to a five-fold mission of encouraging academic, Christian, cultural, vocational, and patriotic growth in its students.
They also visited Ozarks Technical Community College-Table Rock (OTC) in Hollister, MO. The four-story Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center features both general education classrooms and state-of-the-art computer, science and nursing labs. The OTC Table Rock Campus offers general, technical, non-credit, and adult education and literacy courses for students planning to transfer to a four-year college and those pursuing a two-year degree program.
Next, they visited the Ancient Ozarks Natural Historical Museum which showcases the American West and civil war and astonishing collections of Native American artifacts and artwork as you journey through the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. They also experienced an unforgettable two-and-a-half-mile journey on an electric cart as they explored the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail.
Day three of the tour ended at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Students gained first-hand knowledge from professionals and leaders in the entertainment industry and learned what it takes to operate a theme park. Topics covered were Human Resources, Food and Beverage, Attractions and Safety, and Marketing. Students participate in a mock interview and learned ways to build a strong resume.
The purpose of the trip was to inspire students as well as parents and guardians to start thinking about the steps after high school as well as provide a deeper understanding of the various and unique degree programs colleges and universities have to offer throughout the states. The trip also allowed participants to get a first-hand experience of visiting colleges and universities they may never have had the opportunity to visit before high school graduation.
EOSC received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017 and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.
Tour 1 Group A
Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students and guardians begin Tour of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, a charter bus trip designed for parents and students to visit colleges and universities across the state, at Eastern’s Wilburton campus. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Laverne Caudill, Lucas Bond, Dakota Lyons, Alex Pickle, Weston Knowles, Hadley Dieters, Denise Quezada, Wade Pendergrass, Braydan Ward, Dara Self, (row 2) Bobbi Caudill, Chase Meckle, Parris Wingo, Rachell Jones, Jessica Jacobs, Saundra Sockey, Chelsea Craig, Laurel Blankenship, Allison Blankenship, Shaneese Nixon, Natalee Olds, Lindsey Spradley, (back row) Becky Meckle, James Voils, Angel Williams, Ronni Plank, Ethan Tolleson, Melissa Craig, Sara Skelton, Susan Skelton, Rhonda Nixon, Jadon Billingsly and Christina Billingsly.
Tour 1 Group B
Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students and guardians tour the Eastern campus during Tour of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri a charter bus trip designed for students and parents to visit colleges and universities across the state. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Kari Clingan, Rebecca Napier, Danna Bailey, Kasey Shamasco, Mariah Shamasco, Mia Rannebarger, Lili Rannebarger, Kassandra Rector, Nickolas Michael, Gage Cox, Asia Hall, Isaiah Hishaw, (row 2) Alyssa Strickland, Brooklyn Autrey, Brooklyn Cannon, Caleb Hatcher, Sarah Martinez, Spencer Salas, Kora Hagman, Rachel Hagman, Gracie Sam, Stephanie Bohanan, Joshua Michael, (back row) Teresa Dacus, Bo Dacus, Amanda Autrey, Jennifer Cannon, Melissa Hatcher, Maria Martinez, Moriah Tollett, Tiffanie Burchfield, Terry Grizzle, Whitney Grizzle and Rachael Michael.
Tour 2 Group A
Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students and guardians begin Tour of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, a charter bus trip designed for parents and students to visit colleges and universities across the state, at Eastern’s Wilburton campus. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Ashlyn Phillips, Piper Morris, Rainey Self, Aidan Wind, Christian Clifton, Gage Womack, Gus Stetson, Samantha Amos, (row 2) Cassandra Brown, Hailey Brown, Allissa Michael, Kimberly Michael, ZaCaaron Williams, Michelle Williams, Amanda Lanoy, Emilee Lanoy, Baylie Gardner, Tabitha Belicek, Hollie Peterson, Katelynn Smith, Becky Graham, Alxis Buckner, (back row) Sara Parsons, Travis Turner II, Brenden Earls, Dustin Wadsworth, Weldon Harrison, Hunter Jones, Angel Jones, Boone Downing, Kat Crase, Anthony Spiotto, Amanda Spiotto, Pyper Stalsworth, Taylor Garcia and Vinson Garcia.
Tour 2 Group B
Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students and guardians tour the Eastern campus during Tour of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri a charter bus trip designed for students and parents to visit colleges and universities across the state. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Darrel Richmond, Briar Thomas, Akira Clemmons, Shelby Jones, Mia Linares, Ruby Billy, (row 2) Kahlan Reeves, Breanden Gerdes, Camry Gilbreath, Danni Martinez, Andrew Pixley, Charli Robbins, Tanner Long, Derek Tullier, Donna Riddle, John Williams, Jasmine Neal, Maddyson Gragg, (back row) Jaci Reeves, Rhianon Gerdes, Danny Gilbreath, Jennifer Pixley, John Pixley, Joline Goforth, Loran Mayes, Jennifer Helt, Sheila Adams, Jeani Williams and JoAnn Raymond
