Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Savage Yearbook (Durant, OK)

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‘uture Begins With Progress Rural Enterprises, Aviation Move Into New Building | Formal dedication ceremonies, in- luding an open house, were held for the ‘new facilities of Rural Enterprises, Inc., «nd SOSU’s Aerospace Operations. | Joseph Swanner, an Ecomonic ‘Development Administrator from the Austin regional office and Dr. Bill ')3radford, a former member of the Board if Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, were ‘pecial guests for the program. | Dr. Leon Hibbs, university president, served as master of ceremonies. Leroy Jackson, an aide to Third istrict Congressman Wes Watkins, was xeynote speaker and was introduced by steve R. Hardy who is president of Rural tnterprises, Inc. Watkins was originally designated as che speaker but was detained in ‘Nashington, DC to ramrod passage of everal water resource development ills. Jackson pointed out the imaginative ural enterpreneurship programs en- risioned by Watkins to build new yusiness and job opportunities all across ‘he Third Congressional District now had |. home at the Durant Industrial Airport | ! and University Aerospace facilities. When Watkins first envisioned the rural entrepreneurship concept, which Rural Enterprises, Inc., is implementing, he determined the organization needed a permanent facility for an industrial innovation center with capabilities for product evaluation and development, a prototype laboratory, and anincubatorto nurture small business start-ups. After the Rural Enterprises develop- ment program began, Watkins personally traveled to the regional office of the Economic Development Administration in Austin, Tex., to give officials there a full briefing on the job-building concept behind the REP and to encourage them to fund a facility to house the organization’s innovation center program. EDA officials were impressed with the program and committed toa public works project to fund the facility, Jackson said. As EDA funding was limited to 60 percent of projects costs, an ally was recruited in Dr. Hibbs. The university needed a facility to house its growing aviation program at the Durant airport. SOSU and other supporters provided the required local funding for the building project. The complete financial package was provided by state funds from SOSU, EDA’s grant, a contribution from the City of Durant and funding from the office of the Governor. Highway funding took care of the road access for the facility. Outcome of this multiplicity of funding is a $1.2 million facility with 29,000 square feet of usable space. Congressional aide Leroy Jackson of the Third Congressional District (above) looks over some products of the Rural Enterprise, Inc.’s line. Dr. Leon Hibbs, president of Southeastern, and regent Don Carpenter of Durant (left) check out one of the planes in Southeastern fleet. The aerospace (aviation) department is one of the nation’s pioneer projects at the University and College level. The new facilities allow for increased enrollment. (Photos courtesy The Denison Herald)

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Parent’s Day Termed Success by Participants Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity (right) has a booth manned by John Phillips, Mark Fitzgerald and James Effinger. Kari Gumm, Gary Scott, Peggy Thompson and Terry Matlock (below) register a parent at the Student Senate’s table. Laura Stinson, Kelly Labeth and Juliet Cathey of Auxiliary Services (below right) sell tickets to the barbeque luncheon. Dr. Kathleen Meadows (bottom left) handles inquiries about the home economics department. Visitors (bottom right) gather around the American Chemical Society’s magic show.

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The World’s Our Future Southeastern’s future lies in the world surrounding each of us. Every autumn, the campus takes notice of this by sponsoring an international bazaar and fair to honor the world’s students. The annual International Bazaar and Food Tasting took place November 27 in the ballroom. The event was jointly sponsored by the Student Senate and the Office of International Programs. During the morning and afternoon the ballroom was open to visitors who saw displays set up by students from seven countries. Students from South Vietnam had beautiful souvenirs and artifacts left to them from their homeland. Greek students brought some tapestries and ceramics that came from home. Mexican nationales had a wide display of photographs of their country’s beautiful countryside. They also had sombreros and shawls that made viewers drool with envy. Those from Thailand had marvelously colored remembrances along with beautiful metal urns and candlesticks. A lovely painting also graced their display. Although Pakistani students at SOSU are men, they brought along many items that characterized the beauty and elegance of their native land. Colombia students swept the crowds attention with a huge wallhanging that was historical and colorful. Bangladesh displays caught the flavor of their homeland and its unique history. RResy Each country’s display was set up in a manner which projected an image of that country. Paintings, arts and crafts, pamphlets advertising tourist at- tractions, maps, slide shows, jewelry, clothing, toys and dolls were among the items on display. Many customs in those countries were talked about by the students working in booths. The foreign students were very eager to talk about their respective countries and teach visitors about their customs. Attendance during the afternoon was limited, but the ballroom was packed for the food-tasting event. Although different, the food was definitely first-rate. After the food-tasting, the enter- tainment was provided by dances performed to music from the respective countries. The foreign student associations are to be congratulated on an excellent presentation. HRILEND oe Macrame’ hangings and wall decorations (top) highlighted the Pakistani booth. A ceremonial urn and candles set (above left) added to the Bangladesh display. Thailand’s display (above) drew a large crowd. Opposite page: Colombian students (top) displaye! a historical banner of the new world’s discover’ Mexico (bottom left) had large hats and mar} photos. Colombians (bottom right) also showe other native crafts.