Wilburton 7th grade GEAR UP students recently toured Eastern Oklahoma State College. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a public community college, offering associate degrees and certification programs. The students visited the Music Department, Mountaineer Radio Station, the library, and Student Center.
Eastern Recruiter Karen Darby led the tour and spoke to the students about the importance of college and the opportunities that Eastern can provide because it is close to home and has a low student-to-faculty ratio.
GEAR UP students began in the Music Department in Pratt Hall where students walked through the band and choir rooms. Darby explained what to expect by being part of a college choir or band. She also informed them of various scholarships related to band and choir. They learned about music scholarships to help pay for college.
The next stop was the Bill H. Hill Library where Eastern Librarian Maria Martinez explained the importance of using a library and discussed the differences between a high school and college library. She also explained the various sections throughout the college library.
From the Library, students traveled to the Mountaineer Radio Station located in Baker Hall. The Mix 93.1 and 104.9 are the campus radio stations. Eastern students have the opportunity to get real life experience in the broadcasting industry by interning at the radio station. Wilburton students visited with Derek, “the Rowdy Ranger,” and saw the studio where the radio personalities produce the programming.
Along the tour Darby pointed out to the Wilburton students where various departments are located on campus.
Students ended the tour at the E.E. Tourtellotte Student Center where Darby talked about campus dining, the post office, student organizations, student housing, and the EOSC Bookstore. GEAR UP students had lunch on campus at the Coal Mine in the Student Center.
“College tours are a very important part of Eastern’s GEAR UP program,” said Education Coordinator Tara Martin. “They give the students a first-hand look at what it’s like to be on a college campus.”
The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural/educational in nature. In 2017, Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant and will serve over 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.
