On the third floor of Okmulgee High School, tucked away in a space once filled with equations and teenage chatter, now sits a sanctuary of history, pride and Bulldog spirit – the Okmulgee Alumni Room.
This fall marks the 10th anniversary of the Alumni Room’s grand opening – a project born from a quiet determination to preserve the stories, symbols and soul of Okmulgee Public Schools. Thanks to the vision and tireless efforts of Jan Colombin, a proud 1969 OHS graduate and former principal, the once-unused classroom has transformed into a place where generations can reconnect with their roots.
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The seeds of the Alumni Room were planted long before the doors opened in 2015. Back in 1997, Colombin began collecting pieces of Bulldog history when he received a championship football that had been donated to the school. That one item sparked a realization so much of Okmulgee’s rich past was at risk of being forgotten, destroyed, or tossed away.
Colombin started gathering artifacts, storing them at his home, and later secured a dedicated room at the school – coincidentally, the very room where he once learned Algebra under the watchful eye of teacher Shelby Ray. That classroom would become the heart of a growing museum of Okmulgee’s legacy.
— A Labor of Love
Turning the space into what it is today took years. Old yearbooks, 16mm football films, letter jackets, cheerleading uniforms, graduation programs and band instruments poured in from alumni and families. Much of the work fell to Colombin, but he didn’t do it alone.
His prayers for help were answered when Sherry Lewis (OHS Class of 1965) and Mary Oliver stepped in. Together, the trio catalogued, sorted, cleaned and displayed the mountains of memorabilia. Display cases filled with photos and artifacts began to tell the Bulldog story in vivid detail. Neal’s Furniture contributed a couch and chairs, giving the space a warm, living-room feel – inviting visitors to linger, remember and reconnect.
One of the most poignant additions was a sack of old *Torchlight* yearbooks and a 1947 State Championship team-signed football found at a garage sale – reminders of a time when the town rallied behind its team, and pride echoed from Harmon Stadium to the halls of OHS.
— From Film Reels to Facebook Memories Social media has played a major role in keeping the Alumni Room alive in the public eye. Since 2014, posts have documented the room’s evolution from the first rescued 16mm film reels to photos of class visits, throwback Thursday tributes and alumni reunions. These online glimpses have sparked renewed interest in Bulldog heritage and inspired others to contribute.
It’s no surprise that when Tulsa’s KOTV covered the Alumni Room in October 2015, the story resonated far beyond Okmulgee County. As reporter Rick Wells put it: “Every school should do this.”
— Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future While much of the memorabilia spans from the 1950s through the 1970s, more recent graduates are stepping up to contribute. Former and current students alike see the room not just as a time capsule, but a tribute to what it means to be part of the Bulldog family.
As Colombin once joked, “People ask what I’ll do if I run out of room here. I tell them I’ll run for school board – then I can get a whole building.”
And maybe he should. Because the Bulldog spirit isn’t shrinking. It’s growing.
Earlier this year, Principal Amanda Adams, student leaders including Emma Mitchell and Leadership Advisor Kindrik Cunningham rolled up their sleeves and joined Colombin in restoring the Alumni Room. Years of wear and neglect – even vandalism – had threatened the collection. But these young leaders stepped in, proving that pride in Okmulgee’s legacy hasn’t faded.
“This is a legacy worth protecting,” Adams said. “We’re grateful for Jan’s dedication, and our students have shown that they’re just as committed to honoring our past as they are to building our future.”
— Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog
The phrase rings true on every wall and display case in the Alumni Room. Every photo, every band jacket, every championship medal whispers the same message: This is your story. This is your school. You are still part of it.
Okmulgee may have seen challenges in recent years, but within the walls of the Alumni Room, one thing is certain – the only way is up. And it’s going to take those who truly believe in Okmulgee Public Schools to keep that spirit alive.
Let this be a call to all who once walked the halls of Okmulgee High: Come back. Bring your class reunions. Visit the room. Share your stories. Bring your children and grandchildren. Help rekindle the pride that has always been a hallmark of this town.
Colombin remains grateful to all who have donated, contributed and supported the cause – from former students to civic groups, including the Rotary Club, which helped shine a light on the project. Special thanks also go to the leadership class and Principal Adams for breathing new life into the room.
If your class reunion is on the horizon, consider making the Alumni Room a part of your celebration. Contact Jan Colombin or Okmulgee Public Schools to arrange a tour. You might find your photo on the wall – or discover a story you never knew.
Because this room isn’t just about the past – it’s about the legacy we leave behind and the pride we carry forward.
Go Bulldogs – yesterday, today and always. – There are three scholarships given each year to deserving students, thanks to the Okmulgee Alumni Room: The Jake Goodin Memorial Scholarship, Okmulgee Alumni Room Scholarship and the Herman Brown Memorial Scholarship. Though Herman wasn’t an OHS graduate, he bled red and black as he covered everything Okmulgee as editor of the Okmulgee Times. All three of his children graduated from OHS at the top of their class. Sadly, he passed away in January 2017.
If you would like to donate to continue the various scholarships, contact Colombin for more information.
