The Masonic Foundation of Oklahoma donated $50,000 to Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) to provide funding opportunities for the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) and The Leadership Council (TLC). The donation took place at a press conference held on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the OCCC College Union.
The gift creates an endowment on behalf of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma and the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma. The contribution will fund leadership retreats and workshops, leadership curriculum and materials, civic engagement and service learning trips for both the PLC and TLC.
PLC at OCCC is a 2-credit hour course designed to develop and enhance leadership skills and knowledge for a select group of students. The course explores the personal, interpersonal, organizational, and social dimensions in the greater context of leadership. The primary goal is to develop self-aware, ethical, and principle-centered leaders with the ability to think critically, apply a proven process for decision-making, and communicate effectively. Students are selected for the course based on merit and an application process, and the course is taught by OCCC President Jerry Steward along with Director of Student Life Erin Logan.
TLC at OCCC consists of students who lead the various student clubs and organizations at the college. TLC has general meetings every two weeks during the semester. These meetings present the opportunity for student voices on various student issues and concerns to be heard.
“Both the President’s Leadership Class and The Leadership Council offer our students the opportunity to explore and engage in leadership on our campus and in the community,†says President Jerry Steward. “This gift will expose these students to even greater possibilities not only for their education, but for future endeavors.â€
OCCC serves more than 28,000 people each year. The college offers a full range of associate degree programs that prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions while other degree and certificate programs prepare students for immediate employment in a variety of fields. At OCCC, students receive a quality education with small class sizes, dedicated teachers and leadership opportunities. Students can choose from more than 80 major fields of study and participate in any of the 40+ clubs and organizations and attend events such as the annual Arts Festival Oklahoma. For more information about OCCC, visit www.occc.edu .