East Central University's first Homecoming king will be crowned Saturday [SEPT. 22] along with the traditional queen during a ceremony before the Homecoming football game.
The coronation ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. kickoff of the game between ECU and Midwestern State University of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Student organizations were asked to nominate men and women for the Homecoming royalty this year. The 26 candidates were required to have 30 credit hours at ECU and a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit a resume and an essay on why they should be selected. Candidates also were interviewed and the top seven were selected to be placed on ballots for an election on Wednesday [SEPT. 19].
The candidates include:
Brandon Banks of Shawnee, a sophomore majoring in biology/pre-medicine, represents Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He is treasurer, social chair and house manager of Phi Kappa Tau and was named the Outstanding Greek Scholar last fall. He is the son of Dr. Stephen and Cindi Banks.
James Brown of Cushing, a senior majoring in chemistry, represents the McNair Scholars Program. He is a McNair Scholar and co-chair of the CREW, ECU's student programming board. He is past president of the Society of Success and Leadership, vice president of the Chemistry Club and a member of the Math Club, Alpha Chi national honor society and NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. He is the son of James and Debbie Brown.
Jacob Bussell of Wakita, a junior majoring in accounting, represents Briles/Knight Hall. He is a member of the ECU men's cross country team. He is the son of Les and Gay Lynn Bussell.
Valeri Carter of Konawa, a sophomore majoring in biology/pre-dentistry, represents the Pre-Dental Club. She is th co-founder of the Pre-Dental Club and is a member of Tigers for Christ, Bio-Med Club, Chemistry Club and Chi Omega sorority. She is the daughter of Brent and Tammy Daniel.
Valerie Coerver of Ada, a senior majoring in biology/pre-veterinary medicine, represents the Dead Rat Society. She has been president of the Dead Rat Society for two years and is a member of the Tri-Beta/BioMed Club and the Native American Student Association. She is the daughter of Dr. Brian and Francine Coerver.
Jeremy Cumbie of Ardmore, who is completing a second bachelor's degree in criminal justice, represents Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He also has a degree in legal studies. He is external vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha, vice president and treasurer of the Interfraternity Council and a member of the Legal Professions Association. He is the son of Randy Cumbie and David and Jaymie Gores
Matt Dean of Ada, a junior majoring in biology/pre-dentistry, represents the Pre-Dental Club. He is a co-founder of ECU's Pre-Dental Club and is a member of the Honors Student Association, the McNair Scholars Program and the Dead Rat Society. He is the son of Linda Watkins and Delbert Dean.
Rocco DiMambro of Ada, a senior majoring in medical physics, represents the Chemistry Club. He is a member of ECU's Honors Program and secretary of the Society of Physics Students. He is vice president and secretary of Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society. He is the son of Bob and Cheryl DiMambro.
Montana Dugger of Weleetka, a junior majoring in criminal justice, represents Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He has been a member of the Oklahoma National Guard for five years and is earning his commission through ECU's GOLD Program. He served in Iraq in 2004-05, covering more than 3,000 miles on convoy security operations, completing electrical wiring and working with the Iraqi National Guard. He is vice president of finance for Sigma Tau Gamma and is the son of Glenda and Mark Dugger.
Amanda Edwards of Ada, a senior majoring in family and consumer sciences/retail merchandising, represents the Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She won first place in the Mohair Division at a Career Day in Dallas and is a member of ECU's tennis team. She is involved in the Art Club and three campus ministries, Baptist Student Union, Upper Room and Ztree. She is the daughter of Steve and Kathy Edwards.
Casey Greer of Oologah, a senior majoring in nursing, represents the Honors Student Association. She is president and past historian of the Honors Student Association, president of the Nurses' Christian Fellowship and public relations officer of ECU's Nursing Student Association. She is a member of Alpha Chi national honor society, College Republicans and the Oklahoma Nurses Association. She is the daughter of Mark and Crystal Greer.
Donna Hoehman of Ada, a senior majoring in elementary education, represents the Baptist Student Union. She has been on the BSU leadership team for two years and is a member of Alpha Chi national honor society. She teaches 4th through 6th grade at Morris Memorial Baptist Church on Wednesdays. She is the daughter of Odes and Becky Hoehman.
Charity Holder of Coalgate, a senior majoring in biology/pre-medicine, represents the Chemistry Club. She was one of the Top Ten Freshmen and is a Regents Scholar and McNair Scholar. She is president of the Bio-Med Club/ Tri Beta biological honor society, secretary-treasurer of the Dead Rat Society and vice president of the Honors Student Association and the Chemistry Club. She is the daughter of James and Pati Holder.
Bradley Horn of Atoka, a sophomore majoring in biology, represents the Honors Student Association. He is vice president of the Bio-MedClub/Tri Beta and is an ECU Junior Ambassador. He is the son of Brad and Rena Horn and Amy and Wade Sick.
Kendra Kersey of Norman, a senior majoring in early childhood education, represents Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She has been president of the sorority for two years and is a member of CREW, ECU's student programming board, and the Student Oklahoma Education Association. She was named a Top Ten Freshman. She is the daughter of Yvonne Kersey.
Stephanie McCarty of Ringling, a senior majoring in chemistry, represents the McNair Scholars Program. She is co-chair of the CREW, ECU's student programming board, and president of the Chemistry Club. She is a member of Alpha Chi national honor society, the Pre-Dental Club, Dead Rat Society and ECU's Honors Program. She is the daughter of Dewayne and Wetona McCarty.
Lee McElroy of Cromwell, a junior majoring in environmental health science, represents the Baptist Student Union. He was a member of the BSU Ministry Team last year and is the son of Michael and Sherry McElroy.
Alisha Morton of Minco, a sophomore majoring in kinesiology, represents Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She has had the highest grade point average in Alpha Gamma Delta for two years and has been the philanthropy and property liaison. She is a member of the Silent Friends Club. She is the daughter of Bill and Karen Burnett.
Valerie Navarro of Wichita Falls, Texas, a junior majoring in biology/pre-medicine, represents the Bio-Med Club/Tri Beta. She was the captain of the women's cross country team in 2006-07 and is involved with the Spanish Club, Honors Student Association, the Dead Rat Society and Habitat for Humanity. She is the daughter of Richard and Irma Navarro.
Amber O'Kelley of Sulphur, a senior majoring in art education, represents the Art Club. She has been the club's secretary and treasurer. She is a member of the Ada Artist Association, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Student Oklahoma Education Association, Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Astronomy Club. She is a sign language interpreter for Davis Schools and individuals. She is the daughter of Grady and Kathy Farnell.
Tamara Pacillo of Ada, a senior majoring in history, represents the Russian Club. She was the 2006-07 president of the Russian Club and is a member of Phi Alpha Theta and the ECU Honors Program. She received the LeMoine Crabtree Award in Russian last spring. She is the granddaughter of Tony and Mary Rose Buccino, Kathy Toriano, Pat and Patricia Pacillo and Jane Cogdil.
Rachael Pattison of Holdenville, a senior majoring in biology/pre-medicine, represents Chi Omega sorority. She is a member of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, chair of the CREW, ECU's student programming board, and is a member of the Honors Program, Alpha Chi national honor society, BioMed Club/Tri-Beta, Chemistry Club and Dead Rat Society. She is the daughter of Robert and Roberta Pattison.
Jennifer Sanchez of Allen, a sophomore majoring in English, represents Briles/Knight Hall. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority and is one of the founders and vice president of the English club, Literati. She is the daughter of Richard and Tammy Frederick.
John Sutrick of Sapulpa, a senior majoring in biology, represents the Dead Rat Society. He is a two-time Academic All-American in cross country, was named to the 2005 Lone Star Conference All Academic Team and was the 2006 LSC Academic Runner of the Year. He was a Top Ten Freshman and an ECU Male Athlete of the Year and received the ECU Cross Country "Runner" Award. He is a member of the Honors Student Association and the Bio-Med Club/Tri-Beta. He is the son of John and Anita Sutrick.
Spencer Ulm of Ada, a senior majoring in art, represents the Art Club. He is the son of Becky Farris and Jim Ulm.
Andrew Whitley of Ada, a senior majoring in biology, represents the Bio-Med Club/Tri- Beta. He is active in Bio-Med /Tri Beta and is president of the Ztree Leadership Team. He is the son of Brett and Nancy Whitley.
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