Northern Oklahoma College saved $230,000 as part of a state Refunding of Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Master Real Property Lease Series Agreement.
The announcement came at the NOC Board of Regents Meeting Wednesday in Tonkawa.
The savings comes from changing the lease schedule for bonds sold to construct Mavericks Residence Hall in Tonkawa and Jets Residence Hall in Enid in 2014. The cost of the projects totaled $10 million. The agreement for repayment of the bonds will be completed in 2034.
The financial report, presented by Vice President for Financial Affairs Anita Simpson, was approved by the regents.
In administrator updates, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Shelly Mancacci reported that 22 nursing students were presented their white coats in a ceremony in Enid on Oct. 15. The white coats signify the beginning of their clinical studies with various medical facilities.
Vice President for Development & Community Relations Sheri Snyder reported that the College has commissioned Yatika Starr Fields, Native American painter and muralist, to create another mural in the Cultural Engagement Center in the Pickens Learning Commons of the Vineyard Library/Administration Building. Fields has already completed two large murals in in the Learning Commons thanks to the generous private support from Hugh Pickens and the Pickens Museum.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Rick Edgington reported the final enrollment numbers for Fall 2024. NOC is up 2% in head count and 6% in credit hours production.
Jeremy Hise, Vice President for Enid, reported that Northern Encounter had an excellent turnout at their Oct. 9 event. The recruiting event for potential students and parents showcased the NOC Enid Campus. Future Northern Encounter events are set for Tonkawa (Oct. 23) and Stillwater (Oct. 30).
Vice President Simpson reported on health insurance rates for employees and also work on the Greenhouse at NOC Tonkawa through the NASNTI grant. The greenhouse is part of the Precision Agriculture Program.
Vice President for Stillwater Dr. Marsh Howard reported that NOC has been meeting with Oklahoma State University officials to continue to help redefine the partnership NOC has with OSU. He also said NOC will have a float in the OSU Homecoming Parade.
Jason Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs, reported the Criminal Justice Association won the Regional Conference and Competition Sweepstakes Championship in Texas in early October. The team is led by Criminal Justice Instructor Troy Cochran.
Dr. Mencacci also reported updates on NOC’s Strategic Plan.
The November BOR meeting is set for Wednesday, Nov. 13 at NOC Enid inside the Gantz Center (James Room) at 2 p.m.