by Ashley Strehl, Editor-in-Chief
The last time that Northwestern saw a first lady on campus was in 1937, when First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated the Jesse Dunn Building. That will change today.
First Lady of Oklahoma Sarah Stitt will be on campus today starting with the showing of the documentary “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope” at 11 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. This will be followed by a panel discussion that will include: Charita McOsker, LPC, program manager for Northwest
Center for Behavioral Health; Amber Maier, LPC, Northwest Family Services; Sarah Sherman, MCP, LPC, LADC, director of outpatient services at Northwest Center for Behavioral Health; and Dr. Chan Hellman, director of the Hope Research Center at OU-Tulsa. Stitt will be the panel moderator.
Among the discussion panel will be Taylor Randolph, NCC, LPC, LADC, and instructor of psychology at Northwestern in Enid. Even though this is psychology-based, he encourages students in all walks of study to participate. Randolph also immersed himself more in “Resilience” by speaking to the authors.
“I would encourage people interested in nursing, or anyone in the medical or physical sciences as well,” Randolph said. “When I spoke to the authors, they were more interested in the medical side of things. It’s really more of a public awareness thing.”
The Potts Family Foundation released a statement on Eventbrite.com saying: “This award winning, one-hour documentary delves into the biology of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the science of Hope. Now understood to be one of the leading causes of everything from heart disease and cancer to substance abuse and depression, extremely stressful experiences in childhood can alter brain development and have lifelong effects on health and behavior. Fortunately, there are programs, services and strategies that can minimize, mitigate and/or prevent the negative consequences of childhood trauma. The child may not remember but the body remembers. Your mental/brain health is inseparable from your physical health. The first hour will focus on the film and the second hour will feature the panel discussion.”
This will be the fourth stop on Stitt’s Raising Resilient Oklahomans Hope Rising Tour.
“The data has shown that it really influences each one of us,” Randolph said. “Childhood trauma actually predicts the likelihood of people experiencing one of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. I think that this will give those attending a better appreciation of humanity.”
Those interested in this event should register by 11 a.m. at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-screening-hope-rising-tour-with-first-lady-sarah-stitt-tickets-89134755453.