2023 Class of President’s Leadership Class graduation celebrated

Southeastern Oklahoma State University celebrated the graduation of the 2023 class of the President's Leadership Class in an annual ceremony this week.

The nineteen (19) PLC graduates have completed the first and most intensive year of the program. The freshman year experience includes course requirements, campus involvement, community service, and participation in student organizations and leadership conferences and academies.

The 2023 PLC class has completed over 800 of individual hours service to the campus and Durant community, and has been recognized for academic honors, selected for campus programs such as the Savage Storm Leaders, True Blue Ambassadors, and Upward Bound and elected to leadership positions in Student Government and other organizations.

2023 PLC Graduates are:

Evan Ballinger, an occupational safety and health major from Whitesboro, Texas. He is active with Baptist Collegiate Ministries, 5AM Club, Pickleball Club, American Society of Safety Professionals, and serves as the vice president and co-founder of the SE Cornhole Club. Evan was recently selected as an Upward Bound mentor and as a Super Savage Leader. He represented SE during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol, the 2024 SE Safety Olympics Team, and the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy. He has been honored at the Freshman Success Reception and named to the President's Honor Roll. Evan volunteered with Colton's Run, Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service, and the Safety Career Fair.

Kyler Drake, a communication major and music minor from Davis. He is employed by KSSU Campus Radio and The Campus Note. He is active with Choral Union, SE Chorvettes Show Choir, and the Green Bandana Project. He is a gamecaster for the SEsports Team. Kyler was elected to the Student Government Association and has been selected as a Savage Storm Leader. He represented SE at the Oklahoma Student Leadership Retreat and the Oklahoma Student Government Association Spring Congress. Kyler has volunteered as a flag runner for SE football with the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Oklahoma, the Pregnancy Center of Bryan County, Colton's Run and Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service. Kyler was named the 2023 Big Man on Campus.

Rhayan Earl, a health and human performance major from Arlington, Texas. She is a member of the Savage Storm volleyball team and is employed by the athletic department. She was recognized by her coach for having the most potential and as one of strongest players in the weight room. She has been actively involved with the Black Student Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Oklahoma, with basketball concessions, and numerous Southeastern events.

Jose "Armando" Garcia, an accounting major from Colbert. He has been actively involved with Baptist Collegiate Ministries, SE Soccer Club, 5AM Club, and the SE Cornhole Club. Armando was recognized during the Freshman Success Reception and was named to the President's Honor Roll. He represented Southeastern at the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy. Armando volunteered for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service, Colton's Run, Safety Career Fair, Homecoming, and the Harvest Festival.

Jesse Gardner, a fisheries and wildlife major from Boswell. He is the president and a founding member of the SE Cornhole Club. Jesse is active with Pickleball Club, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and the 5AM Club. He has been selected as an Upward Bound Mentor and Savage Storm Leader. Jesse represented Southeastern during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol, the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy and during the National College Cornhole Championship on ESPN. He volunteered as a flag runner during SE Football, Colton's Run and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service.

Colby Gray, a computer science major from Milburn. He has been active with Choral Union and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Colby is a gamecaster for the SEsports Team. He was recognized during the Freshman Success Reception and was named to the President's Honor Roll. He represented Southeastern during Oklahoma Student Leadership Retreat and Higher Education Day at the State Capitol. Colby volunteered with the Safe Trick-or-Treat Halloween Haunted House, running flags during SE Football and Colton's Run.

Mary-Catherine Hallmark, a psychology major from Durant. She has been active with the Baptist Collegiate Ministries and the Residence Hall Association. Mary-Catherine represented SE during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol. She volunteered with Colton's Run, Homecoming, and the Safe Trick-or-Treat Haunted House as a team leader.

Tessa Jinkins, a criminal justice major from Savoy, Texas. She is active with Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Line Dancing Club, Color Guard, and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. She has been selected as a Savage Storm Leader, and an Upward Bound Mentor. She has recently been elected as vice president of finance for her sorority. Tessa was recognized during the Freshman Success Reception. She has volunteered for the Safe Trick-or-Treat Haunted House, Domestic Violence Vigil, Hot Dog Howdy, Curriculum Contest, Distinguished Alumni Reception, Harvest Festival, and the Alpha Sigma Tau Easter Egg fundraiser.

Savannah Lemons, a speech pathology major from Marietta. She is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, where she serves as the sisterhood chair and community service chair. She is also active with the Association of Semi-Political Students. She was recognized at the Freshman Success Reception and was elected to the Student Government Association. Savannah represented Southeastern at the Oklahoma Student Leadership Retreat.

Tyler Long, a general business major from Ponder, Texas. Tyler is a member of the Southeastern Basketball Team, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Cornhole Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was recognized at the Freshman Success Reception and was named to the Dean's Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll. He has volunteered for Colton's Run, SE Block Party, SE LIVE, Special Olympics, the Haunted Trail, and Harvest Festival.

Kyle Maynard, an aviation major from Little Elm, Texas. He is active with SEsports, the Chess Club and Women in Aviation. He represented Southeastern during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol and the Oklahoma Student Leadership Retreat. Kyle completed his "solo" flight this year. He has volunteered with Colton's Run, Safe Trick or Treat Haunted House and Homecoming.

Brianna McCain, a nursing major from Piedmont. She is a member of the Southeastern Cheerleading Team, which recently placed eighth in their division at the NCA Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla. She volunteered with numerous university activities including serving as a lead for the Safe Trick-or-Treat Haunted House project.

Kira Meaders, an early childhood education major fromChecotah. She has served as the vice president of the Residence Hall Association, directs social media for The Campus Note and has a radio show on KSSU. She was recognized at the Freshman Success Reception and received the Inspired to Teach scholarship. She represented Southeastern at the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy. Kira has volunteered with the Safe Trick-or-Treat Haunted House, Harvest Festival, Colton's Run, Hot Dog Howdy, Springapalooza, Prospective Teacher's Academy, Homecoming, and the Distinguished Alumni Banquet.

Audrey Moles, a psychology major from Tecumseh. She is employed by the Medical Center Pharmacy. She has been active with the Residence Hall Association serving as president. She represented Southeastern at the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy. Audrey has volunteered for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service, Colton's Run, Harvest Festival and SE LIVE. She served as a co-chair on the Safe Trick-or-Treat Haunted House.

Karissa Nixon, from Henrietta, Texas. She has been actively involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. She is a member of the Southeastern Track and Field Team where she has twice broken school records. Karissa was recognized during the Freshman Success Reception and was named to both the President's Honor Roll and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Karissa has volunteered with Colton's Run, the SE Career Fair and Special Olympics.

Tanasia Randle, a political science major from Marietta. She is an active member of Choral Union, Chorvettes Show Choir, and the Green Bandana. She was elected to the Student Government Association. She has represented Southeastern during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol, the Oklahoma Student Leadership, and the Oklahoma Student Government Association Spring Congress. She has volunteered as a flag runner at SE Football, Colton's Run, Be A Hero Run and the Fall Festival.

Harlie Smith, an English education major from Bennington. She is an organizational leader for Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and served as student chair of the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy for the Alumni Legacy Leaders. She volunteered with Colton's Run and SE Tailgates. She is employed by the SE Development Office and Petsense. Harlie has recently been elected to the Student Government Association for 2024-25.

Colours Starsick, a music education major from Marietta. She is an active member of the Choral Union, Southeastern Marching Band as Color Guard, and the SE Chorvettes Show Choir. Colours has represented Southeastern during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol and the Oklahoma Student Leadership Retreat. She has volunteered at numerous campus events and for Colton's Run. She is employed by KSSU Campus Radio.

Ashlyn Vasquez, a marketing major from Newcastle. She is a member of the Southeastern Cross Country Team and the Track and Field Team, who was named to the cross country regional team. Ashlyn was recognized during the Freshman Success Reception and named to both the Dean's Honor Roll and the Athletic Honor Roll. She represented Southeastern during Higher Education Day at the State Capitol, the Choctaw L.E.A.D. Academy, and the Women's Athletic Symposium. Ashlyn has volunteered with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service, Special Olympics, Haunted Trail, Harvest Festival, Hot Dog Howdy, SE LIVE and the Gold and Blue Gala.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.