Southeastern Oklahoma State University students collect for a photo after attending the 10th Annual Native American Graduation event.
Oklahoma Universities honor graduating Native students
By Brandon Frye
Choctaw Nation
Native American students across Oklahoma walked across stages, shook hands, and received the degrees they have worked so hard for this month. Oklahoma Universities went above and beyond to recognize our Native students while celebrating alongside them as they move into the next phase of their lives.
SOSU holds 10th annual Native American Graduation ceremony
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) hosted the 10th annual Native American Graduation recently in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. The 2014-2015 Southeastern graduating class consists of 227 Native American students from Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Comanche, Citizen Band of the Potawatomie, Creek Nation, Kiowa, Osage, Ponca, Seminole, and Miami tribes.
Tribal representatives from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation, along with University faculty and staff, were present for the event. Dr. Bryon Clark, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Graduate Dean, welcomed the guest speaker, James Parrish.
Parrish, Executive Director of Education for the Choctaw Nation and a graduate of Southeastern, reminded graduating students of their unique purpose with three important words – “you are special.” Parrish acknowledged the important role of the supporting staff from tribal programs and the Native American Center for Student Success at Southeastern for their assistance in helping the students achieve their academic goals.
The Choctaw Nation Higher Education Program attended the ceremony and gifted Choctaw students with their own book of Choctaw Hymns. Debbie Vietta, Scholarship Officer with CNHEP, said “as part of the Choctaw Nation Higher Education Program, we were happy to support tribal members at the Native American Graduation Ceremony.”
The Native American Center for Student Success on campus at Southeastern supports students with scholarships, grants and tribal resources. The retention services contribute to Southeastern being ranked 6th nationally for graduating Native American students with bachelor degrees.
“The ceremony and reception is most important for the graduates to feel celebrated for their academic success, ” said Chris Wesberry, director of the Native American Center for Student Success. “We are proud of their accomplishments and enjoy recognizing each student’s achievement.
OU celebrates graduates with American Indian Academic Achievement event
Oklahoma University (OU) hosted the American Indian Academic Achievement Celebration, an annual event aimed at recognizing the success of the university’s Native students, on May 8.
The American Indian Student Life Office and the OU American Indian Advocacy Council planned and hosted the event, offering appreciation and community among all Native graduates of the college.
Many American Indian students, including 13 Choctaw soon-to-be graduates, collected to share the experience of reaching this milestone.
Among them was Heather Dalke, who carried the Choctaw tribal flag for the opening of the OU graduation commencement.
“I am super excited to be graduating from the University of Oklahoma and honored to be carrying my tribe’s flag during commencement,” Dalke said. “I could of not have done this without the help from my tribe through scholarships and other services that are provided for its members.”
Felicia Manning, a Choctaw who is also graduating from OU, said she attended the American Indian Academic Achievement Celebration because it was a good opportunity to represent her tribes and make her family proud.
“American Indians have overcome many obstacles, so I think it is great and important for us to be receiving recognition for our success,” Manning said.
OSU celebrates graduates with Native American Graduation Ceremony
The Native American Student Association at Oklahoma State University (OSU) hosted a Native American Graduation Ceremony on April 26.
Graduates were honored with stoles provided by the OSU Native American Faculty and Staff Association and the OSU American Indian Alumni Society.
There were 48 Choctaw students who graduated from OSU this spring with bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.