Emerson Elementary School Principal Amber Maxwell (left) and OSU-Tulsa vice provost and dean of the College of Professional Studies Craig Freeman (right) unveiled a banner to an excited crowd at the partnership celebration ceremony.

OSU-Tulsa and Emerson Elementary School mark new Partnership in Education

Monday, September 16, 2024

Media Contact: Aaron Ross Campbell | OSU-Tulsa Communications Coordinator | 918-594-8046 | aaron.ross.campbell@okstate.edu

Officials from Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, Tulsa Public Schools, the Tulsa Oilers and the Oklahoma House of Representatives praised a new partnership in education between OSU-Tulsa and Emerson Elementary last week in the north Tulsa elementary school’s auditorium.

The partnership — part of the Partners in Education initiative by the Foundation for Tulsa Schools — is designed to unite OSU-Tulsa with Emerson Elementary School to enhance the education experience for Emerson students and encourage kids to go to college.

“I’m the first person in my family to go to college. The school I chose to go to was Oklahoma State University,” said Kathy Dodd, deputy superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools. “It all started at OSU, where I got all the help, all the encouragement and all the education I needed to get a degree. I didn’t know people from OSU when I was your age, but now you’re going to have relationships with people who are going to know how smart you are. They’re going to see you come to school every day and show up and show out — because this is a chance for you to really impress them with all that you know.”

“Tutoring, state testing, extracurricular activities, you name it. We are here for you,” said Nekki Reagan-Neeley, assistant vice president of OSU-Tulsa Community Engagement and Student Services. “OSU is a land-grant university. That means one of our missions is to bring education into our community. This partnership is living our values. Helping to strengthen our community through education is a top priority for us.”

In addition to the remarks and announcements from officials, the students received a show. Dozens of OSU-Tulsa faculty and staff attended the event wearing bright orange and sporting pom-poms to cheer and celebrate alongside the rows of students. The Emerson Step Team put on a performance that earned claps and cheers from their fellow students.

The Tulsa Oilers announced they would offer Oilers hockey game tickets each month to the classroom with the best attendance record, and that at the end of the year they would organize a hockey party for the class with the best attendance record overall, which was met with applause from the crowd.

Oklahoma House Representative Ronald Stewart, who serves the district containing Emerson Elementary and OSU-Tulsa, extended an offer to do whatever he can to help Emerson and all the schools in his district.

“We are proud of each and every one of you. If you’re here today, and you’re paying attention, you have already achieved a lot. Keep up the good work, keep doing the right things, and keep striving for success – all the way to Oklahoma State University,” Stewart said.

To learn more about OSU-Tulsa Community Engagement initiatives, visit tulsa.okstate.edu/community.