Northern Oklahoma College approved a new capital campaign to raise funds for a new Athletic Training Education Center on the Enid campus at a recent regents’ meeting.
Regents also approved a Capital Project Agreement between NOC, Enid Public Schools, and the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation, Inc. for the Athletic Training Education Center and Failing Field renovation.
Vice President for Enid Jeremy Hise outlined the proposal that would cost $1.536 million for the athletic training education center and Failing Field renovation.
NOC has received $675,000 in P3 (Public-Private Partnerships) Funds for this project. The funding goes toward the athletic training education center classroom and lab space.  The P3 partnership includes Great Salt Plains, St. Mary’s and Enid Public Schools.
Hise said that Enid Public Schools are considering a $500,000 commitment for the project leaving a potential of $361,500 in needed funds. The Northern Oklahoma College Foundation approved the new campaign to raise the needed funds at its August meeting.
Hise said the new facility would not only provide opportunities for NOC Enid athletic training students but also meet the workforce needs for northwestern Oklahoma. He added that athletic trainers are challenging to find in rural areas but students in other health fields also would benefit from the education center.
NOC recently hired a new athletic trainer in 2024 but spent the previous year without an athletic trainer due to shortages in Oklahoma and nationally.
“This is definitely a workforce need,” Hise said. “We will be providing better opportunities for good careers for our students. It will also benefit Enid Public Schools, David Allen Memorial Ballpark, and the City of Enid.”
The new facility would include 783 square feet for the training room and 729 square feet for the classroom. The new facility would be 2,000 square feet total. Hise said the space is more than adequate for growth not only in the athletic training program but also to meet the needs of student athletes should NOC Enid add more athletic programs in the future.
Hise said that additional growth in the athletic training program is expected with the addition of the facility.
The current space for athletic training at NOC Enid is in the Mabee Center. The classroom space is 368 square feet and the athletic training room is 468 square feet. The athletic training space is currently down stairs in the Mabee Center with entry points being stairs or a ramp.
Hise added that NOC is applying for a grant that could help with funding for the project, if approved.
In other business, Vice President for Financial Affairs Anita Simpson provided the financial report for August and September.
The regents also approved five purchases of more than $25,000. They include 32 commercial washers/dryers for the residence halls at Enid and Tonkawa, $59,490.48; School Dude Annual Software, $30,927.22; Two Outdoor A/C Units, $32,348.00; Annual PowerFAIDS, Subscription, $29,392.44; and Sewer Line Repair in Enid, $55,500.00.
In administrator updates, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Shelly Mencacci reported that Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Process Technology received a $470,155.00 grant over the next five years from NASA. The project includes collaboration with identified partners to install and monitor environmental equipment.
Vice President for Development and Community Relations Sheri Snyder reported that NOC’s new website launched on Sept. 2 with site administrators receiving training videos for their individual pages this week. She also reported that the Renfro Lectureship Program featuring Terry Bradshaw on Oct. 9 is sold out.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Rick Edgington reported that summer enrollment was up 17% in head count and 21% in credit hour production. He said fall enrollment is at a 1% increase over last fall but there could be additional enrollment for L8 courses.
Vice President Simpson also reported that a long-range planning meeting will be held in October for the distribution of deferred maintenance funds. She said those funds are appreciated as they help NOC with existing facility maintenance.
Dr. Marsh Howard, Vice President for Stillwater, reported that NOC Stillwater participated in the Day of Caring in Stillwater. He also reported that he is working on a $5.9 million TSET Legacy Grant that if awarded, would fund the Athletic Training Education Center/Failing Field Renovation, Pond Renovation Project, and an Art Building Renovation converting it to a Family Resource Center, all at NOC Enid.
Vice President Jason Johnson reported that three NOC wrestlers are in Greece competing at the Beach Wrestling World Championships this week.
The next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 22 in Tonkawa at 2 p.m.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
