Tri County Tech is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the prestigious PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Program for Continuing Education (PCE) scholarship: Shelby Sturgeon and Angela Wooten, both students in TCT’s Practical Nursing program.

Shelby and Angela were nominated for this opportunity by their instructor and selected through a rigorous application process that is submitted to PEO International for approval. The PCE scholarship is awarded to women working to complete a degree or certification that will improve or enhance their skills, helping them secure meaningful employment. The scholarship is open to students in a wide range of fields of study, though careers in the medical field—particularly nursing—remain among the most popular choices for applicants.

Since its inception, the scholarship has helped countless women nationwide pursue their academic and professional goals. Tri County Tech has been a proud partner in this initiative, with 63 women from its Practical Nursing program receiving the PCE scholarship since 1999. Take Kathryn, a recent graduate of the school’s eleven-month Practical Nursing program. Kathryn, a single mother of three, came to Tri County Tech with a $13,000 debt from a private technical college and a low-paying pharmacy tech job. “I came from poverty and was going to be stuck there,” she shared.

Kathryn was able to graduate debt-free and is now a Licensed Practical Nurse, earning $48,000 a year. Kathryn’s success story highlights the transformative power of education, showing how support for women in vocational careers—like nursing—can break cycles of poverty and uplift entire communities. In total, PEO has contributed a total of $135,951 to support nursing students at Tri County Tech.

Tri County Tech has a long history of producing skilled healthcare professionals. Established in 1967, the school’s Practical Nursing program has graduated over 1,000 students, many of whom now serve their communities by working in clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and care facilities across the region. The PEO scholarship is integral in helping these students achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Based in Bartlesville, Tri County Tech serves students from Washington, Osage, and Nowata counties. Find out more about Tri County Tech’s Practical Nursing program.

About Philanthropic Educational Organization: The PEO Sisterhood is a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 125,000* women pursue educational goals by providing more than $432 million* in educational assistance, making a difference in women’s lives through six philanthropies and a foundation. PEO was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. This circle of kindred spirits, bonded by friendship and their enthusiasm for educational opportunities for women, eventually expanded to include women off-campus as well. Through membership, the PEO Sisterhood has brought together more than half a million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education.

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The Bartlesville Rotary Club has awarded a $1,000 grant to Tri County Tech’s FIRST Robotics Team 2165, supporting the team’s innovative approach to inspiring students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

FIRST Robotics Team 2165 unites students from Bartlesville �������� and Tri County Tech to tackle hands-on engineering challenges, including designing, building, and programming a competitive robot from the ground up. This transformative program equips students with technical skills, critical thinking abilities, and a collaborative mindset that prepares them for success in both education and future careers.

The $1,000 grant will help cover essential costs such as materials, tools, and travel expenses, ensuring that Team 2165 can participate in competitions that challenge them to push the boundaries of creativity and engineering. This contribution from the Rotary Club is a testament to the organization’s dedication to fostering educational opportunities that build stronger communities.

The partnership between the Bartlesville Rotary Club and Team 2165 highlights a shared vision of empowering young people to excel in high-demand STEM fields, contributing to the growth and success of the Bartlesville area and beyond.

Pictured with the check: Joshua Stewart, TCT Computer Repair & Networking Instructor; Dr. Dennis Grover, TCT Instructional Director; and Laura Jensen, George Halkiades, and Daniel Manning from the Bartlesville Rotary Club.

For more information about how you can support the Tri County Tech Foundation, please visit our giving page or contact us at Foundation@TriCountyTech.edu or 918.331.3214.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.

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The Bartlesville Community Foundation has generously awarded a $5,000 Service League Fund Grant to Tri County Tech’s FIRST Robotics Team 2165, supporting their mission to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

The FIRST Robotics program provides high school students with hands-on opportunities to design, build, and program robots, fostering innovation, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills. Team 2165 brings together students from Bartlesville �������� and Tri County Tech, offering participants an immersive learning experience that bridges the gap between technical education and competitive excellence.

The funding will be used to purchase materials, tools, and competition registration fees, enabling the team to participate in regional and national tournaments. The program plays a vital role in nurturing critical thinking and preparing students for high-demand careers while fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation.

The Bartlesville Community Foundation’s Service League Fund Grant exemplifies the power of community partnerships in creating opportunities for young people to thrive and succeed in STEM fields. The Foundation’s investment in programs like FIRST Robotics underscores their commitment to building a stronger future for Bartlesville and beyond.

* Pictured Left to Right:Champagne Kane, Foundation Coordinator and Laura Jensen, Bartlesville Community Foundation Executive Director

For more information about how you can support the Tri County Tech Foundation, please visit our giving page or contact us at Foundation@TriCountyTech.edu or 918.331.3214.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.

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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has recognized Wyatt Gerth, Creative Marketing Communications Instructor at Tri County Tech in Bartlesville, ��������, as the 2025 New Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award honors outstanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators who have demonstrated exceptional innovation in their classrooms, a deep commitment to their students, and a strong dedication to advancing CTE in their schools and communities.

Wyatt, known as “Mr. G” to his students, began his teaching career in 2019 at Tri County Tech, stepping into a pivotal role after the retirement of a long-time instructor of the school’s Graphics Communication program. Wyatt took the opportunity to revitalize the program by merging the existing curriculum with his own creative vision. This resulted in the creation of the Creative Marketing Communications program, which has since become a standout opportunity for students with a creative drive, offering them a pathway to explore marketing, communications, and design at Tri County Tech.

Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Wyatt plays a vital role in his local community. He actively serves on various boards and committees. His steadfast dedication to ongoing professional development, combined with his passion for mentoring students and contributing to the community, highlights his profound impact in the classroom and beyond.

Tri County Tech also congratulates Teacher of the Year, April Blackwell from Northeast Tech. Based in Bartlesville, Tri County Tech is driven by a vision to inspire success through life-changing learning experiences and a mission to provide superior training. Guided by their core values; authentic, fiery, honor, principled, and excellent, they define who they are as an organization serving students from Washington, Osage, and Nowata counties.

Based in Bartlesville, Tri County Tech serves students from Washington, Osage, and Nowata counties. Find out more about Tri County Tech’s high school programs here.

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Tri County Tech Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of The Lyon Foundation Legacy Scholarship, made possible through the generous support of The E.H. Lyon and Melody Lyon Foundation, Inc. This scholarship is specifically designated to support Nursing students enrolled at Tri County Tech, providing financial assistance to help alleviate barriers to high-quality technical training in the healthcare field.

Founded in 1972, The E.H. Lyon and Melody Lyon Foundation is a private, charitable corporation dedicated to supporting public religious organizations, charitable entities, and educational institutions. The foundation’s mission includes funding initiatives in vocational and technical schools and aiding institutions focused on education. With this Legacy Scholarship, The Lyon Foundation continues its long-standing commitment to strengthening communities by investing in the education of future healthcare professionals.

The Lyon Foundation Legacy Scholarship will assist Nursing students from Washington, Osage, and Nowata counties, enabling them to pursue careers in healthcare, an industry critical to the well-being of our community. This generous support aligns with Tri County Tech’s commitment to training the next generation of skilled healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages in the medical field.

For more information about how you can support the Tri County Tech Foundation, please visit tricountytech.edu/foundation/giving or contact us at Foundation@TriCountyTech.edu or 918.331.3214.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.

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The Tri County Tech Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the K. & Lalitha Vasudevan Memorial Scholarship for Manufacturing, an Emerald Legacy Scholarship created to celebrate the remarkable lives of K. Vasudevan, affectionately known as “Vasu,” and his late wife, Lalitha. This scholarship pays tribute to Vasu’s dedication to Bartlesville, his philanthropic efforts, and his deep patriotism.

Vasu, a respected figure in Bartlesville, was known for his unwavering dedication to community service and his generous spirit. With a “can-do” attitude and a tireless work ethic, Vasu’s contributions extended beyond his professional achievements, touching the lives of many through his mentorship and charitable endeavors. The scholarship, named in memory of both Vasu and Lalitha, reflects their shared values of education, service, and creating opportunities for future generations.

Kumar Krishnan said, “Sujatha and I could not think of a more deserving organization than Tri County Tech to honor Mom and Dad, especially since continuing education was such a high priority for both of them.”

The K. & Lalitha Vasudevan Memorial Scholarship for Manufacturing will provide financial assistance to Tri County Tech students pursuing manufacturing careers. This support will help equip aspiring professionals with the skills needed to succeed in this vital industry, ensuring that Vasu and Lalitha’s legacy of empowering others through education continues to inspire.

*Pictured Left to Right: Shelley Koster, Foundation Chair; Kim Smith, Chief Administrative Officer & Foundation Executive Director; Sujatha Krishnan, daughter of K. Vasudevan; Champagne Kane, Foundation Coordinator.

For more information about how you can support the Tri County Tech Foundation, please visit tricountytech.edu/foundation/giving or contact us at Foundation@TriCountyTech.edu or 918.331.3214.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.

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The Tri County Tech Foundation is thrilled to announce the success of the recent Swing for Students �������� Tournament, where generous sponsors and participants came together to raise $34,500 to support students’ education and emergency needs.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible sponsors: Ascension St. John Jane Phillips, ConocoPhillips, Arvest Bank, BOK Financial, Lindel Fields & Your Culture Coach, and Truity Credit Union. We also appreciate the support of Hillcrest Country Club, which provided a fantastic venue for this event.

“The weather was on our side, and it was a fantastic day! We were thrilled with the turnout and support for Tri County Tech Foundation,” said Champagne Kane, Foundation Coordinator. “Events like this make a real difference, helping us raise important funds for scholarships, emergency aid, and food assistance programs that empower our students.”

Congratulations to our tournament winners from Prosperity Bank: Ty Kent, Trevor Dorsey, Ross Novak, and Michael Robinson! Your skills on the course truly shone.

Kim Smith, Chief Administrative Officer & Foundation Executive Director, expressed her gratitude: ”Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors and participants, we turned a day of golf into life-changing learning opportunities for our students. We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and support for this event, and we look forward to hosting this again next year!”

Together, we are making a difference in the lives of students!

To learn more about our mission and how you can contribute, visit .

*Pictured Left to Right: Ty Kent, Trevor Dorsey, Kim Smith, Champagne Kane, Ross Novak, and Michael Robinson

About The Tri County Tech Foundation

Established in 1969, the Tri County Tech Foundation supports Tri County Tech students. Tri County Tech, ��������’s first CareerTech district, is committed to innovation and driving economic development, with locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance. For more information about how you can change the lives of others through a legacy fund, visit: .

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]]> 20726 /bpoc-graduates Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:30:07 +0000 /?p=20431 The Inaugural BPOC Academy Graduates Ten Dedicated Cadets On September 6, 2024, Tri County Tech and the Bartlesville Police Department proudly celebrated the completion of the Basic Peace Officer Certification (BPOC) Academy, a groundbreaking partnership designed to train and certify … Continued

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]]> The Inaugural BPOC Academy Graduates Ten Dedicated Cadets

On September 6, 2024, Tri County Tech and the Bartlesville Police Department proudly celebrated the completion of the Basic Peace Officer Certification (BPOC) Academy, a groundbreaking partnership designed to train and certify the next generation of law enforcement officers. This innovative program provided cadets with over 700 hours of comprehensive training delivered by active, local law enforcement professionals.

The goal of the Police Academy is to provide basic law enforcement education necessary to prepare candidates to meet and exceed all academic, technical, and behavioral requirements to obtain Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Peace Officer Certification. The BPOC Academy covers many essential training blocks, including legal studies, patrol procedures, investigations, firearm training, driver training, and more, ensuring the cadets are well-prepared to meet the field’s challenges.

In its inaugural class, the BPOC Academy welcomed ten dedicated cadets, all of whom successfully completed the program. The cohort included six cadets from the Bartlesville Police Department, one from the Ramona Police Department, one from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, one from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, and one from the Craig County Sheriff’s Office. This diverse group reflects the commitment of local law enforcement agencies to fostering community engagement and professional development.

Tri County Tech is dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs that meet the needs of the community. The BPOC Academy exemplifies this mission by offering a pathway for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement while ensuring that they receive hands-on training from experienced professionals.

Congratulations to the graduates, Elizabeth Anderson, Garrick Askew, Heather Carter-Bridendolph, Destiny Comiford, Jaden James, Coleman Langley, Tanner Lambert, Spencer Nichols, Myson Scott, and Coleman Wilson, and a special thank you to the local law enforcement officers for their dedication to the mission of ensuring our rights and freedoms by protecting life, liberty and property through an unwavering commitment to service before self.

The Workforce and Economic Development department at Tri County Tech offers customized business training designed to meet specific needs. Current offerings include courses in firefighting, CPR/First Aid, OSHA, small business training, and much more. To learn more, visit TriCountyTech.edu/Training.

About Tri County Tech: We’re one of ��������’s first CareerTech schools and have a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development since 1967. Our devotion to each other, our students, and the life-changing learning we provide fuels our pursuit of excellence. We call this the “Tri County Way.” We have locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Tri County Tech is part of the �������� CareerTech system, which offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts and operates on 59 campuses across the state. CareerTech plays a vital role in developing a world-class workforce for �������� employers and prepares ��������ns to succeed in the workplace, in education, and life.

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The Tri County Tech Foundation is pleased to announce that the Green Country Free Clinic (GCFC) has successfully fulfilled its million-dollar commitment to the Cindra Pribil Legacy Endowment. This significant milestone secures a Double Diamond level Legacy Scholarship endowment in honor of Cindra Pribil, the former founder and director of GCFC.

Mrs. Pribil has been a cornerstone of the community since GCFC’s inception in August 1990. Under her leadership, the clinic provided essential healthcare services to the uninsured, thanks to the tireless efforts of both medical and non-medical volunteers. The clinic saw its last patient in October 2022.

The completion of the time-consuming liquidation of GCFC’s fixed assets marks the culmination of its commitment to the Tri County Tech Foundation, ensuring the continuation of its mission to improve healthcare through the establishment of the Cindra L. Pribil, RN Practical Nursing Scholarship. Foundation endowments like this are essential to the growth and stability of the Tri County Tech Foundation, helping it meet the increasing demand for financial assistance among students.

Through this endowment, Mrs. Pribil’s legacy of compassion and dedication will live on, making a lasting difference in the lives of countless students and ensuring that no student is denied an education due to financial constraints.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance. For more information about how you can change the lives of others through a legacy fund, visit TriCountyTech.edu/foundation.

*Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Tammie Strobel, Tri County Tech Superintendent & CEO; Cindra Pribil, RN & Green Country Free Clinic Director; Dava Dye, MSN, MHA, RN, & Tri County Tech Practical Nursing Director; William Pierson, President of the Green Country Free Clinic Board of Directors; Kim Smith, Tri County Tech CFO & Executive Director of the Tri County Tech Foundation; Champagne Kane Tri County Tech Business Development Specialist

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The Tri County Tech Foundation is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Reheis Family Emerald Scholarship Endowment, generously funded by the Reheis family. This endowment will provide vital scholarships to deserving students, ensuring they have the financial support needed to pursue their educational and career goals. Gary Reheis, representing the Reheis family, shared his thoughts on the significance of this endowment:

The Reheis Family Emerald Scholarship Endowment will specifically support students by covering tuition, fees, books, and supplies. This endowment stands as a testament to the Reheis family’s dedication to education and their belief in the transformative power of learning.

The Tri County Tech Foundation remains dedicated to extending the reach of Tri County Tech, ensuring that no student is denied an education due to financial constraints. With the support of generous donors like the Reheis family, the foundation continues to make a significant difference in the lives of students throughout Washington, Nowata, and Osage Counties.

For more information about how you can support the Tri County Tech Foundation, please visit tricountytech.edu/foundation/giving or contact us at Foundation@TriCountyTech.edu or 918.331.3214.

About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is ��������’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, ��������. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.

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