Two New Members Appointed to Board

Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed two new members to the Redlands Community College Board of Regents. Dr. Rhys Cole of El Reno will serve a seven-year term, succeeding Dr. Kent Carder. Lori Burns of Kingfisher will complete the remaining six years of the term left vacant by the resignation of Richard Ruhl.

Cole graduated from El Reno Junior College when his late father, Dr. Bill Cole, was serving as president. An El Reno resident and veterinarian, he operates a clinic in Piedmont and co-owns a clinic in Yukon.

“Being able to come back, to be a regent, to give back to a school that has given so much to my family is humbling and very much an honor,” Cole said. “I can remember my father held the regents in such esteem, so to have the opportunity to play a part in the decision making of the future of this college has me really excited.”

Lori Burns, a Kingfisher resident and science teacher in Dover, will be completing the remaining six years of Richard Ruhl’s term. She previously spent 21 years as an agricultural instructor and FFA advisor in Kingfisher Public Schools. 

“I am excited to join the Redlands Board of Regents,” Burns said. “I am looking forward to working with this team and see a great future for the college.”

Redlands President Bryant welcomed both regents to the board. “At Redlands, we are very fortunate to have an active and supportive board. I look forward to working with Regents Burns and Cole and the rest of our board to continue building on our strong foundation of providing an affordable, flexible education to our students.”