Sean Burrage, incoming president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, is joined by former Choctaw Nation Chief Greg Pyle, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. (Photo by ZACH MAXWELL)
Sean Burrage welcomed as 20th Southeastern president
Massey family and tribes host reception honoring incoming school president
By ZACH MAXWELL
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
DURANT, Okla.– The Choctaw and Chickasaw nations joined the Massey family in welcoming Sean Burrage as the 20th president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University during a Monday reception in Burrage’s honor.
A standing-room crowd of several hundred people gathered at the Choctaw Event Center to welcome Burrage, who stepped down as a state senator from the Oklahoma City area to return to Southeastern.
“I’m now in higher education and dedicating myself to this cause,” Burrage said. “I promise to work for you and with you all to move this university forward.”
Several leaders offered positive remarks to welcome Burrage, including Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, State Regent John Massey and the event emcee, Greg Massey.
Elected officials from across Oklahoma were in attendance, as well as several leaders from state colleges and universities. Burrage officially began his term as Southeastern president on July 1.