Durant, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new bridge on the Crooked Smile Trail overpassing Chuckwa Creek on Tuesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m.
(GOOGLE MAPS LINK TO CEREMONY LOCATION)
The event will be held at the trail’s southern terminus in the parking lot of the Visual and Performing Arts Center (1614 North 1st Avenue).
The bridge will connect the main campus with the rest of the Crooked Smile Trail and greatly enhance the safety of pedestrians and extends the total length of the trail to 1.75 miles.
Speakers at the event will include Southeastern President Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and past president of Southeastern Sean Burrage, Student Government Association President Addison McCortney, Durant City Manager Pam Polk, and Trace and Dena Sherrill, parents of the late Colton Sherrill, for whom Colton’s Run and the Crooked Smile Trail is named.
The new Chuckwa Creek Bridge connects the entirety of the Crooked Smile Trail to the main campus. Now at a length of 1.75 miles, the Crooked Smile Trail offers beautiful scenery on tree covered paths and small rolling hills. The path utilizes both concrete and natural paths and is named in honor of Colton Sherrill who was known as the boy with a "crooked smile". The addition of bridge and path is part of Durant’s Master Trail Plan.
The bridge was constructed and installed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation at minimal cost to the University and the city of Durant thanks to generous gifts from donations and grants.
About Southeastern
Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides an environment of academic excellence that enables students to reach their highest potential. By having personal access to excellent teaching, challenging academic programs, and extracurricular experiences, students will develop skills and habits that promote values for career preparation, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. Our over 6,000 students include 50% first-generation students and 28% students of Native American descent, with 82% receiving financial aid. Southeastern ranks amongst the most affordable schools in the region thanks to out-of-state tuition waivers and is proud of its exceptional affordable accredited MBA program, stellar aerospace and teacher education programs, and outstanding national ranking in graduating Native American students.
