OSU-OKC Recognized for Business Partnership
Twenty-two business and higher education partnerships throughout the state were recently recognized for their innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.
OSU-Oklahoma City was one of the recognized institutions.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate 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 partnership with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.
“To improve Oklahoma's future, we need higher education and businesses to develop successful partnerships and training programs. Through these partnerships, students receive hands-on, career-related experiences and better preparation for college,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “With these partnerships in place, Oklahoma can better train future employees and strengthen its position in the global marketplace.”
The 2010 OSU-OKC partnerships is:
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and Total Environment Inc. – The collaboration between OSU-OKC and Total Environment resulted in a building campaign for the new Agriculture Resource Center at OSU-OKC. The company sponsored a 1,900-square-foot, state-of-the-art landscape graphics and design studio used for instruction in landscape graphics and design, computer design, irrigation and drainage design, and bidding and estimating. The owners of the Edmond-based landscape service business, Ty and Shelly Hartwig, employ more than 200 people, many of whom are OSU-OKC horticulture students. Total Environment’s decision to support instruction in horticulture education not only strengthens their bond with the university but also supports the growth of the nursery and landscape industry in Oklahoma.
For details and to see all 22 partnerships, visit www.okhighered.org/news-center/EDCprogram2010.shtml.
Media Contact: Ben Hardcastle
Office: 1.405.225.9346
Mobile: 1.405.640.9672
bhardcastle@osrhe.edu
