State Regents recognize OSU partnerships
Thursday, May 5, 2011
State Regents recognize OSU partnerships
State Regents for Higher Education have selected three Oklahoma State University business and higher education partnerships among the 22 recognized this year for their innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce. The three include OSU and DARP Processing, OSU Institute of Technology and the College of the Muscogee Nation, and OSU-Oklahoma City and Chesapeake Energy Corp.
"Oklahoma’s colleges and universities are working to improve Oklahoma's economic future by partnering with area businesses to provide our state’s workforce with expanded education and training opportunities. Through these efforts, students receive hands-on, career-related experiences that better prepare them for entry into today’s business world” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Higher Education provides the most efficient path toward a better trained workforce which in turn will strengthen Oklahoma’s position in the global marketplace.”
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program highlights successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and further cultivates the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.
Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships for current students of the institutions to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.
State Regents provided the following outlines on the three OSU partnerships being recognized this year:
Oklahoma State University and DARP Processing – DARP first contacted OSU’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) in July 2009 and expressed a need to understand and comply with federal poultry processing regulations. Due to the very complex nature of these federal regulations, the FAPC provided ongoing assistance until processing operations began in September 2009. Subsequent training and technical assistance in food safety regulations has been delivered and continues to date. Additionally, the FAPC assisted with DARP’s membership in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative, as well as providing a preliminary drop-off point for product deliveries to Stillwater-area customers. These marketing venues create business opportunities for Oklahoma poultry producers in niche′ markets.
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and the College of the Muscogee Nation – The partnership between OSUIT and the College of the Muscogee Nation has included professional development and training for tribal employees, summer programming for youth, business assistance and various economic development projects. In 2003, OSUIT obtained support from the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes in Muskogee to establish a Native American college in Okmulgee, College of the Muscogee Nation. The college opened in 2010 and is accredited through OSU, with OSUIT providing class space, faculty, curriculum, publications, public relations support and ongoing consultation. Consecutively, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation provides faculty expertise in the Muscogee language and culture, Native American history, tribal services and casino gaming operations.
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City and Chesapeake Energy Corp. – The Saturday Farmers’ Market on the OSU-OKC campus is a popular auxiliary activity conducted by the Agriculture Technologies division. Upon hearing the need for a mid-week, off-campus farmers’ market location three years ago, Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon wholeheartedly committed to a sponsoring role. Arrangements were made for the OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market to open on a company-owned parcel of land near the Chesapeake campus. The market provides patrons with an opportunity to take home some of the freshest food in Oklahoma, straight from the fields of our farmers and ranchers who, in turn, make a positive financial impact on local economies from the produce and goods sold at the market.