**For Immediate Release**
Grants Support Student Success
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 11-02-05
by Laura Dahl
Goodwell, OK - Graduates of Oklahoma
Panhandle State University’s
Computer Information Systems (CIS) department have long
been recognized as top notch employees that possess a broad
foundation of computer knowledge, excellent communication
skills, and problem identification and solving skills.
Each semester, CIS courses fill quickly, compelling students
to wait for important and popular classes.
In order to expand this growing program,
OPSU sought funding through the Oklahoma State Regents
for Higher Education (OSHRE) Brain Gain Excellence grant.
During their meeting on October 27, 2005, OSHRE approved
OPSU’s five-year,
$685,342.00 grant. The grant will enable OPSU to develop
two new program areas: computer graphics and website data
management technology. The project will provide funding
for new courses as well as provide faculty with up-to-date
training and modern equipment capable of handling large
graphics and animation. The project will require an additional
faculty member, a classroom equipped with Apple Macintosh
computers to be used for graphics, an additional Microsoft
SQL server, and increased digital video capabilities to
handle anticipated increased enrollment.
Brain Gain 2010, implemented in 1999
by OSHRE, was designed to boost the percentage of Oklahomans
holding an associate’s
or bachelor’s degree to above the national average
by the year 2010. The plan identifies specific goals for
increasing the number of high school graduates who go directly
to college as well as increasing Oklahoma college and university
graduation rates.
OSHRE also funds Improvement Grants that are designed
to increase student retention. OPSU received $65,000.00
to continue an Improvement Grant that was funded last year.
The project provides peer tutoring and learning communities
and will also expand services to the Hispanic student population.
On behalf of the CIS faculty, Diane
Murphey, Dean of the School of Business and Technology,
said, “The Excellence
grant will allow us to offer students increased opportunities
to obtain advanced IT knowledge and skills. We are excited
to be recognized for a Program of Excellence by OSRHE and
look forward to working with them as we make an excellent
program even better.”
In addition, the Regents recently approved a grant totaling
over $116,000 to fund research for radio frequency identification
(RFID) cattle tagging products. Primary goals include educating
Oklahoma producers about the need for animal identification
and encouraging them to obtain premises identification numbers
for their operations. OPSU will offer training in proper
use of RFID systems and will provide research to assist producers
in determining the product that best suits the needs of each
operation.
As OPSU looks forward to its centennial
celebration in 2009, we have continued to improve educational
opportunities and are developing state-of-the-art programs
with the support provided by OSRHE. We are proud to be
a part of Oklahoma’s
higher education system and look forward to educating and
graduating students to help the state realize its goals.
|
