Oklahoma ’s 100 Ideas Initiative officials presented yesterday a $12,500 scholarship to a University of Oklahoma student for a bold idea she submitted to improve education. Speaker Lance Cargill and University of Oklahoma President David Boren presented the winner of the program’s essay contest with her scholarship award in a check presentation ceremony at OU’s Alma Wilson Room in the Student Union.

Chosen from 130 contest entries, OU student Maggie Cochrane received the scholarship for her essay, “ Greener Schools , Greater Schools, Grander State .” In addition, Cochrane’s idea on how to improve the state will be published in the 100 Ideas Initiative book along with her profile.

Cochrane’s idea suggests the state combine the challenges of financing public education with those of preserving the environment. Through money-saving green projects and decreased energy usage, schools can redirect financing to educational programs and teachers’ salaries while students simultaneously learn about biology and conservation.

“By positioning itself at the forefront of the environmental awareness and the public education initiatives,” her essay reads, “ Oklahoma will become a model for other states in terms of its unmatched commitment to the nation’s children and the nation’s future.”

More than 3,400 citizens from across Oklahoma submitted their ideas for state transformation since the initiative launched in January 2007. The result will be a book of 100 of the best ideas. The book will be unveiled to the public on Jan. 29.

In commemoration of Oklahoma’s centennial year, 100 Ideas recently showcased the 2007th idea which was posted this week on their blog. The idea was submitted by Bobby Cleveland of Norman. Here is an excerpt:

“Golf courses can provide critical elements of habitat for amphibians, fish, mammals, birds, and insects. The use of better management practices, including buffer strips, natural growth and wetlands on golf courses, helps protect wildlife for future generations. Oklahoma should encourage the development of greener golf courses to improve our environment and protect wildlife.”

From the “100 ideas” newsletter:

“Stuart Jolly of Edmond thinks that we should reduce the number of school districts to one per county. That way, as Stuart puts it, “we can pay every teacher what they deserve and put more money in the classrooms where it should be and not in the administration.”

From the “100 Ideas” Newsletter:

“One of Oklahoma’s high school students believes our state should emphasize our passion and uniqueness by officially adding an exclamation point after our state’s name “Oklahoma”. The author of this idea agrees with former Governor, and 100 Ideas Co-Chair, George Nigh that Rodgers and Hammerstein had it right about our great state.”

The next IdeaRaiser for Oklahoma’s 100 Ideas Initiative will be hosted by the Oklahoma Education Association on Thursday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at Westfield Elementary School, 17601 N. Pennsylvania in Edmond.

The 100 Ideas Initiative is a non-partisan project designed to solicit the best ideas for Oklahoma’s second century. IdeaRaisers are public meetings designed to encourage input and discussion about those ideas and suggestions. To date, six IdeaRaisers have been held at locations throughout the state, and more are scheduled in the coming months.

100 Ideas Executive Director Thad Balkman said Thursday’s event has great potential for some fantastic ideas related to education and its importance.

“I think this IdeaRaiser, much like our higher education event earlier this year, can bring some great minds together to come up with some groundbreaking solutions in addressing education related issues and improving our overall education system,” said Balkman. “The OEA has been very helpful in organizing this event and we are looking forward to a productive evening.”

Rural Oklahoma will be the focus of an IdeaRaiser in Southeastern Oklahoma next week.

The event, slated to be held at the Eastern Oklahoma State College campus in McAlester will focus on issues facing rural Oklahoma and what ideas to improve those areas.

“We are excited to welcome Speaker Cargill and the 100 Ideas initiative,”

said Steve Smith, Dean of the McAlester campus. “We hope to have students, educators, small business owners and other interested citizens come and share their ideas to help chart the course of rural Oklahoma’s future.”Pittsburg County legislators, Senator Richard Lerblance, and Representatives Terry Harrison and Brian Renegar have been invited to participate.

RSVPs for the IdeaRaisers can be sent to rsvp@100ideasok.org or by calling 1-888-465-2007. Organizers encourage those interested in attending to RSVP.

100 Ideas Initiative Executive Director announced today that two IdeaRaisers are slated for this week.

The first event will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Fraternal Order of Police in Oklahoma City and will focus on public safety. The second IdeaRaiser, scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the State Capitol, will be held in conjunction with Mental Health Day and is slated for 2 p.m.

“These events give us an opportunity to discuss two very important issues to Oklahomans–public safety and mental health,” said Balkman. “I look forward to some productive discussions and ideas these individuals are sure to have.”

Hosts for the FOP event include the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association,Oklahoma Firefighters Association, the Oklahoma Chiefs of Police, Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, chairman of the Judiciary & Public Safety Committee, Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, chair of the Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee, Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, vice-chair of Criminal Justice & Corrections and Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, a former Tulsa Police Officer.

Hosts of the Thursday IdeaRaiser include Rep. Doug Cox, M.D., R-Grove, chair of the Public Health Committee, Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, chair of the Health Committee and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Oklahoma.