Rattan GEAR UP students recently toured Southeastern Oklahoma State University, “The Campus of a Thousand Magnolias.” Students were welcomed by University Admissions Counselor/Recruiter Sheridan Burns and Admissions Counselor and Transfer Recruiter Charles Jackson joined by SOSU seniors Cara Worsham and Callie Bryant.

Students began their tour at the Glen D. Johnson Student Union. Burns and Jackson led the Clayton students to the Paul Laird Field, the football stadium that was renovated with funding by the city of Durant sales tax.

Students were then taken to the horseshoe–shaped area of the campus around which most of the campus buildings stand. Students walked past Morrison Hall which was the first building built on campus in 1910. It was located in the middle of what was then a peach orchard.

Next the students were taken to the Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library They were given an overview of the numerous volumes of books and other resources that are available to Southeastern students which includes meeting and study areas.

Students strolled along the Magnolia–lined walkways past the Math Building, Fine Arts Building, Russell Building and John Massey School of Business. Students were given a brief overview of classes located in each building as well as degrees offered at SOSU.

Students viewed a dorm room in Shearer Hall, the premiere living facility at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The building houses more than 300 residents in apartment-style suites, with an adjacent outdoor volleyball court and half-sized basketball sport-court. Most suites have four separate bedrooms surrounding a living room space and kitchenette, equipped with a full sized refrigerator and built-in microwave.

“The students really enjoyed the tour of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The tour guides did a wonderful job of showing our GEAR UP students the facilities as well as answering the many questions our students asked,” LaDonna Baldwin Education Coordinator.

The tour concluded at the Glen D. Johnson Student Union with lunch in the cafeteria.

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 recently received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant and will serve over 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.