From left, OSU-Okmulgee culinary arts students Michelle Cox, Dane Beam and Holly Lambrecht, Student Ambassador Chris Fox, OSU-Okmulgee President Bob Klabenes, OSU-Okmulgee Hospitality Services Division Chair Scott Galloway and Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce Director Dale Young watch OSU-Okmulgee Chef/Instructor Rene Juno cut the red ribbon during the Grand Opening of OSU-Okmulgee's State Room Restaurant and Culinary Arts Laboratory.
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OSU-Okmulgee Hospitality Services faculty, staff and Culinary Arts students thanked individuals, businesses, foundations and industry partners for assistance in renovating the State Room Restaurant and Laboratory during a donor appreciation dinner on Friday. The dinner was held in conjunction with the restaurant's grand opening and dedication.
"Fundraising can be difficult in these tough economic times," says OSU-Okmulgee President Bob Klabenes. "We appreciate the effort of each individual in the completion of this project, which is of great benefit to OSU-Okmulgee and the Okmulgee Community."
Officials at the school say the campaign brought in over $500,000. Funding for the renovation came from the Sam Viersen Family Foundation, Inc., Citizens Bank and Trust Co., Okmulgee, AEP/Public Service Company of Oklahoma and ExxonMobil Corp. First National Bank and Trust Company of Okmulgee spearheaded a successful $15,000 matching-fund drive, to which several individuals, associations and organizations contributed, for 30 table and chair sets to furnish the restaurant. Tulsa architect John Sanford rendered the restaurant's new design, and the college's Physical Plant staff provided the labor and expertise to complete the project in time for Fall 2003 classes.
"Our Culinary Arts Technology enrollment has increased nearly 70 percent in two years," says Hospitality Service Division Chair Scott Galloway. "Completion of the State Room Restaurant gives our students much needed space and a beautiful new lab that will help them practice their skills in fine dining food preparation, service and management. It also gives the Okmulgee Community a fine dining establishment unequaled in the area."
The Foundation's Senior Vice President for Development, Wayne King and his wife Mary
