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CASC honors AES, Mitchell |
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
The highest honors awarded by Carl Albert State College and the CASC Development Foun-dation were given to AES Shady Point and Delores O’Guin Mitchell on Thursday.
AES Shady Point was inducted into the CASC Hall of Fame and Delores Mitchell received the Foundation’s Statue of Liberty Award at the annual Founders’ Evening: A Celebration of Giving at the Kerr Conference Center.
To be eligible for election to the CASC Hall of Fame, a person or entity must have made a significant contribution to the growth of CASC; or distinguished themselves through outstanding service to CASC; or made a difference in the lives of CASC students; or brought honor or distinction to Carl Albert State College.
Since its $480 million power plant opened at Shady Point in 1990, AES has been a major contributor to the growth of CASC.
AES Shady Point has been a key supporter of college functions and events such as the annual Coaches Golf Tournament, the Chili Cooking Contest and the Gold Dust Gala, contributing more than $200,000 to the CASC Development Foundation since the plant opened.
Under six plant managers – Bill Arnold, Dave McMillen, Randy DeWulf, Pete Norgeot, Leon Ballard and currently Ruben Soroeta – AES has been a constant friend to CASC, holding a seat on the Development Foundation each year and providing matching funds for contributions by its employees.
AES sponsored the CASC Vikings basketball program and donated a scoreboard in the fitness center. The company committed $75,000 for the AES Students in Free Enterprise Program, made a $30,000 contribution to the CASC Leaders Program, and most recently paid $25,000 that was paired with funds from Beverly McMillen toward the construction of a new dormitory.
AES Shady Point is one of the most profitable and safe industries in Oklahoma. The project has brought more than $48 million per year to the local and state economy and has employed about 100 local residents over 15 years without a lost-time accident. More than 2.8 million safe work hours have been logged.
For its great generosity toward the college, AES Shady Point bears the distinction of being the only corporation thus far inducted into the CASC Hall of Fame.
The Statue of Liberty Award is given to the individual who has been the outstanding Foundation benefactor for this year.
Delores O’Guin Mitchell has been a friend and key supporter of CASC for more than 20 years. A former CASC Regent and a spearhead of fundraising efforts, Delores is one of the college’s most dedicated contributors.
Delores is a key figure on the CASC Sallisaw Committee for Excellence, which each year raises funds for nearly 50 scholarships for area students. Delores is responsible for establishing scholarships for non-traditional students and is a trustee of the CASC Development Foundation.
A new e-Library constructed at CASC Sallisaw in 2006 bears her name. The CASC Board of Regents unanimously agreed that it was a fitting tribute to name a progressive center of student life for Delores, reflecting her love of students and innovation.
Delores O’Guin Mitchell was born in Linden, Tennessee. She graduated from Linden High School before attending Oklahoma State University where she completed her bachelor’s degree.
Delores was a school counselor and taught at three elementary schools in Oklahoma City. She then moved to Sallisaw, which would become her lifelong home. She was elected to the Sallisaw Board of Education in 1975.
Delores left the Board of Education when Governor George Nigh appointed her to the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents in 1978. Delores was the first-ever regent appointed from the Sallisaw area.
She raced and bred quarter horses and once was a part-owner of Sallisaw racetrack Blue Ribbon Downs. Delores’ love of quarter horses, which started with the purchase of a quarter horse and a Welsh pony for her four children, would eventually take her around the world.
She served as a regent for six years before becoming the first person ever appointed to the newly-formed Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission in 1983. After 11 years on the commission, Delores became the second-ever woman to chair the Association of Racing Commissioners Internation-al.
During her time with RCI, Delores toured racetracks around the world including those in Egypt, France, and the United Arab Emirates.
Delores organized the first Girl Scouts chapter in Sallisaw and was involved with the group for 10 years. She later earned her pilot’s license and joined the Arkansas 99s, a group of woman pilots founded by Amelia Earhart.
Delores has two sons, Dr. Mike Mitchell and Kelly Mitchell, and two daughters, Angela Tabor and Dr. Marcinda Mitchell.
Also at the Founders’ Evening, the Foundation honored groups and individuals who have risen to new levels of giving in the past year.
New members of the bronze category ($5,000 contributed to the Founda-tion) include Armstrong Bank, Dr. Rene A. Berglund, Jose and Heather Chavez, Evans and Miller Funeral Home, Inc., Deborah Herr, Lundy and Susan Kiger, Darali Mixon, Leroy and Bobbie Nolan, and Joe K. and Rita Thomas.
Those who have increased their giving to $10,000 and entered the silver category include Ron and Karen Lawson, Dr. Frederick and Marjorie Oliver, and Stacey Roberts.
New members of the $25,000 gold category are Russell and Belva Barber, and Blue Ribbon Auto Group (Buddy and Doris Spencer).
Green-Mitchell Nursing Homes ascended to the platinum level of giving ($50,000 contributed). |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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