THE "OSU CONNECTION"

Over the years, the Life Center and Oklahoma State University, located within walking distance, have developed a partnership which has enhanced the experiences of Center Participants and college students alike.  Opportunities which exist as a result of that partnering include the following:

Speech and Memory Therapy

This service is provided in cooperation with the O.S.U. Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic.  Each semester graduate clinicians provide therapies at the Center aimed at maintaining and improving memory and cognitive function or other communication processes.  This mutually-beneficial program enables students to gain valuable experience in assessment and therapy techniques while Participants benefit from the application of the techniques.  

Therapeutic Recreation Adaptive Aquatics Program

This program is a joint venture between the Life Center and the O.S.U. Leisure Science Department.  This one-day-a-week activity during the spring and fall semesters matches 10 – 12 Participants and an equal number of O.S.U. Therapeutic Recreation students and their supervisor at a local in-door pool, where the warm water provides therapeutic benefits to Participants, and “hands-on” experience provides educational experiences for the students. 

Practicum, Internships, and College Work Study

The Life Center provides an excellent setting for field experience and training for selected college degrees and career tracks, such as Sociology, Human Environmental Sciences, Gerontology, Therapeutic Recreation, and Speech Pathology.  In addition to college credit and volunteer opportunities, employment opportunities are available to students who qualify for the College Work Study Program.                

Intangibles

The regular inclusion of motivated, energetic, and youthful college students in the Life Center’s program complements one of the Center’s goals, which is to provide an atmosphere of community and wellness.