Wilburton GEAR UP sophomores tour East Central University

Wilburton sophomore GEAR UP students recently toured East Central University in Ada. On the walking tour of the campus, students learned many aspects of campus life.

Students began the tour at the Memorial Student Union Complex that houses the bookstore, mailroom, and health services as well as the cafeteria. Meal plan options were discussed. The students were directed to the housing options of Briles Hall and Pontotoc Hall, as well as the Kinesiology Building as they were led toward the Linscheid Library. The students were also directed to Kerr Dome, Norris Field, the Baseball and Softball Fields, and the Soccer Field. Tour guides encouraged the students to attend the campus events since they are free to all students enrolled at East Central.

As the students walked through campus, guides explained classes that are offered in specific buildings such as the Education Building and the Physical and Environmental Sciences Building. Science Hall is the oldest building on campus and is the location for nursing, math, and theater classes. Horace Mann and Faust Hall are the locations for many general education classes. The students were led past the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center on their way to the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center which contains the fine arts classes, auditorium, and a recording studio.

Students continued to the Bill S. Cole University Center which has a snack bar, pool, McBride gym, indoor track, and workout facilities. The tour ended at the Memorial Student Union Complex where tour guides answered questions related to college majors and careers as well as student activities.

“College tours are an important part of Eastern’s GEAR UP program,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator Melissa Juarez. “They give the students a first-hand look at life 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 or educational in nature.


Wilburton sophomore GEAR UP students—Wilburton GEAR UP students touring ECU were Front Row: Mariah Wolfe, Emily Sells, Zach Sims, Ernest Doshier, Blake Garvin, Karley Anderson, Kelsey Miller, Maegan Fite, and Elora Brown

Row 2: Lawrence Wood, Charles Sorrell, Jennifer Montana, Alexis Allen, Lauryn Rader, Hailee Robinson, Kenzie Ezekiel, Tyler Crabtree, Kaycee Hollingback, Faith Aaron, Alexis Evans, and Chance Miller

Row 3: Dan’ni Starr, Dillon Ballard, Jordan Stanford, Ujayi Patel, Dylan Johnson, Tyler Holliday, Allie Sellers, Kelsey Knowles, Luis Gonzalez, Halea Timmons, Journey Dees-West, Sahrena Boyett, Hannah Gockel, and Tabitha Roldan

Row 4: Hailey Prock, Nathan Ivanoff, Ricky Morrow, Southern Cates, Nalen Williams, and Cutler Lacy

Back Row: Austin Seely, Dominick Thompson, Trey White, Levi Knight, Noah Babcock, Hunter Wright, Kenny Kelley, Robert Gill, Miguel Brown, Paige Meaders, Tanner Killingsworth, Skylar Hammons, Colton Wynn, Sierra Smith, Devon Cox, Ian Mooers, Gilles Goddard


Kenzie, Nathan, Lauryn, Jordan, Tyler—Wilburton sophomores Kenzie Ezekiel, Nathan Ivanoff, Lauryn Rader, Jordan Stanford, and Tyler Holliday stop to pose in front of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.


Tyler, Nealy, Emily, Kaycee—Wilburton GEAR UP students Tyler Crabtree, Nealy Williams, Emily Sells, and Kaycee Hollingback listen intently as the ECU tour guide discusses student housing options.