State briefs for May 24
SHAWNEE
OBU alumni fund campus therapy clinic
Oklahoma Baptist University alumni Ronald and Lou Kemp have donated $250,000 to establish an endowment for the operation of the new Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic on campus.
The clinic — on Kickapoo, just south of the art building and art annex — allows marriage and family therapy faculty and students to provide services to members of the OBU and Shawnee communities.
The Kemps have dedicated their lives to serving others, with the latter part of their careers working in the field of marriage and family therapy in their clinic in Missouri. Their investment was a way for the couple to support future generations of therapists.
OBU President David Whitlock expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire OBU community and announced the facility will be named the Ronald N. and Lou T. Kemp Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
OKLAHOMA CITY
Rose State, OCCC team up to save money
Two community colleges in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area announced a partnership to combine fiscal and educational resources Wednesday.
The partnership between Rose State College in Midwest City and Oklahoma City Community College is designed to create better services for students and alleviate some budget issues, according to a news release.
OCCC and Rose State will issue a joint request for proposals for campus food services for both campuses, which is expected to lower costs and provide better service for students. The two colleges also are jointly bidding on various goods and supplies, such as cleaning and paper products, to allow for volume discounts.
In addition, an exchange partnership has been established to offer French and Russian language courses for students at both campuses. Students needing language credit hours in French or Russian are now able to take these courses without the need to transfer colleges.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
FAIRFAX
New wellness center to be constructed
The Osage Nation broke ground Wednesday at the site of the new Osage Nation Fairfax Wellness Center, which is expected to be completed in 2019. The 4,609-square-foot facility will be next to the Osage Nation Language Center at 255 N First St.
The project is in line with two of Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear's goals — to develop a comprehensive health care system and to promote healthy communities through wellness initiatives and partnerships.
Funding for the site comes from a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Osage Nation also has wellness centers in Pawhuska and Hominy. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hominy's new facility is set for noon Thursday.
FROM STAFF REPORTS