David Coleman will return to OCCC at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, to lecture on the topic of his newest book, “Making Relationships Matter,” in CU 2 and CU3 of the College Union.

Known nationwide as the Dating Doctor, Coleman will speak about the five stages of relationships, the characteristics of healthy relationships, who is in control in relationships, and so much more.

“He provides advice about relationships and dating and marriage, but he also provides information about relationships between a parent and a child, between friends, all types of relationships,” said Jill Lindblad, coordinator of Service Learning and Student Life Programs.

From scholarships, loans and Pell grants, students across the state have options to turn to for financial relief and now, one more may be added to that list.

State Sen. John Sparks has proposed legislation that would make all full-time higher education students exempt from state income taxes.

Numerous attempts to reach Sparks by phone and e-mail went unanswered but in a recent press release, he acknowledges the hardships students may face while attanding college and also being in the work force.

A federal hearing on how to fix problems with roads and bridges drew some of the state’s political leaders to campus on Feb. 24.

The U.S House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a field hearing on ways to reduce regulations on road and highways in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said she glad the meeting was held at OCCC.

For veterans using the Chapter 33 Montgomery G.I. Bill to attend college, there is good news and bad news.

The good news is that changes in the bill will result in benefits that stretch out for a longer period of time.

The bad news is that monthly Basic Housing Allowance will only be paid during the time periods when veteran students are actually attending classes. The new rules take effect Aug. 1.

Before he found a job he liked enough to stay with for 39 years, Physics Professor Steven Kamm worked his way through a variety of positions — cutting lawns, cleaning pools, working in a camera shop, a dry cleaners, and while in college, he worked for Douglas Aircraft as an errand boy, then eventually as a draftsman.

Kamm also earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering at University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in Ergonomics at the University of London. In addition, he completed all the necessary coursework for a doctorate at the University of Oklahoma, but didn’t complete the degree.

Born in Santa Monica, Calif. in 1944, Kamm said he has done a great deal of traveling in his 66 years.

“I spent four years as an Officer in the U.S. Air Force, where I earned the rank of captain, and spent time in Vietnam and London.”

Seven students from OCCC received awards in various categories from the Oklahoma Broadcasting Education Association.

Brandt Warner, Drew Stone, and Owen Pickard took home second-place awards while Matthew Coffey, Chavon McMillian, Casey Akard and Bonnie Campo each placed third.

Gwin Faulconer-Lippert, broadcasting professor, said the projects submitted to the OBEA are class projects.

“When I’m choosing the candidates for audio submissions, I listen to and review all the projects from the past year.

Dave Lopez, OCCC Board of Regents member, has recently been appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Mary Fallin.

“He brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to the job and I’m happy to have him serve in my cabinet,” Fallin said in an e-mail.

“Dave is going to join an experienced and diverse cabinet dedicated to moving the state of Oklahoma forward.”

Lopez said he is honored to have been chosen for the position.

“ … (I) look forward to working with her to grow our economy and bring more jobs and opportunities to our state,” he said.

A free debate open to the public will allow participants to consider their positions on separation of church and state — the distance between organized religion and the governmental entity.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a non-partisan educational organization that promotes the separation of church and state as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans, according to their website.

UPDATE: On Feb. 22, House Bill 1551, the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act, failed to pass the Oklahoma House of Representatives Common Education Committee. The vote was 9-7, according to an article published in The Oklahoman Feb. 23.

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Warr Acres) has introduced a bill that some believe would hobble science departments in the presentation of their subject matter if it passes through the Legislature and is signed by the governor.

In an e-mail interview, Kern said House Bill 1551, the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act, is not about religion, but about science and what makes for the best science education.

The college will open the next two Sundays to allow students to make up work missed due to the recent snowstorms which swept the state.

From noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 27, OCCC will open its doors to faculty and students who want to make up time lost during the school closings. The library and most learning labs will be serving students.

President Paul Sechrist said the extra hours should give students and faculty a good opportunity to catch up.