First National Bank and Trust of Okmulgee President Nevyle Cable, right, presents a $15,000 check to OSU-Okmulgee President Bob Klabenes, center, and Hospitality Services Division Chair Scott Galloway.
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First National Bank and Trust Company of Okmulgee has presented OSU-Okmulgee with a check for its $15,000 restaurant furniture challenge grant. The fundraising campaign matched donations for 30 table and chair sets for the newly renovated State Room Restaurant on the campus. College officials say the campaign brought in over $48,000.
“This was quite a meaningful commitment on the part of First National Bank and our many supporters in the Okmulgee and Tulsa area,” says OSU-Okmulgee President Bob Klabenes. “In these tough economic times, fundraising can be difficult and we really appreciate the efforts of Nevyle Cable and his group in building support for the State Room project. The way the community responded is a real moral boost for our faculty and staff. We are grateful that so many of our Okmulgee supporters helped us complete a project that will benefit both our students and the community.”
The furniture fundraiser capped a yearlong renovation project that included a complete redesign of the restaurant by Tulsa architect John Sanford. The college’s Physical Plant Services staff provided all the labor and expertise to complete the project in time for 2003 Fall Semester classes. Funding for the remodeling and construction came from the Sam Viersen Family Foundation, Inc., Citizens Bank and Trust Co., Okmulgee, AEP/Public Service Company of Oklahoma and ExxonMobil Corp.
“We’re glad we could be a part of this worthwhile effort,” says First National Bank and Trust of Okmulgee President Nevyle Cable, “This helps make the Hospitality Services program more attractive to prospective students, and it is already seeing results in increased student enrollment. That’s good for the college and good for our community.”
Hospitality Services Division Chair Scott Galloway says completion of the State Room Restaurant renovation gives Culinary Arts students at OSU-Okmulgee a beautiful new instructional lab. “The lab will help students hone their skills in fine dining food preparation, service and management,” said Galloway. “It also offers a top quality restaurant option to the Okmulgee Community.”
The college is planning a grand opening set for Friday evening, October 17, and will be sending out invitations to the donors who helped complete the project.
Furniture sponsors include Bob and Julia Alexander, Tom and Judy Alexander, Rick and Judy Allison, American Exchange Bank, Howard and Janet Armstrong, Bama Food Limited Partnership, Bob and Nila Barnard, Bob and Doris Brewer, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Inc. – Dick Stubbs and Tina Stubbs, Bryan Close, Covington Aircraft, Jim and Ann Halligan, Fred and Kellie Harlan, Jack and Alice Harlan, Bob and Jeri Klabenes, Frank and Betty Kubicek, Lurline Mabrey, Margie McKinnon, Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Office of the Principle Chief Supreme Court-District Court, Oklahoma Farmers Union, OSU-Okmulgee Business Affairs, OSU-Okmulgee Alumni Association, OSU-Okmulgee Chef Faculty, OSU-Okmulgee Retirees Association, OSU-Okmulgee SkillsUSA-VICA Club, OSU Technical Branch Federal Credit Union, George and Ilene Schupp, Glenn and Janet Shoaf, Robert H. Stotts and Thelma I. Webb.
OSU-Okmulgee is a public, state-supported, technical institution committed to increasing the potential and productivity of the people it serves. Thirty-three programs of study lead to Associate in Applied Science degrees, and four programs of study lead to an Associate in Science transfer degree. The campus is known for its hands-on technical education, its world-class equipment and its unique partnership with industry.
For more information about the State Room Restaurant Grand Opening and Donor Appreciation call Rex Daugherty, 293-4966. For more information about OSU-Okmulgee call 918-293-4636 or 1-800-722-4471. Information is also available online at www.osu-okmulgee.edu.
