NSU Takes Lead over UCO in Alumni Membership Challenge

Northeastern State University has pulled into the lead over the University of Central Oklahoma as the competition heads into the final weeks.

NSU and UCO have been competing in the President’s Cup Alumni Association Membership Challenge since October to see which group could enroll the highest percentage of new members from July 2010 to the end of June 2011.

UCO held the lead through the fall semester and early part of spring 2011, but over the past few weeks, NSU saw a spike in new alumni association enrollment, pushing it into the lead.

“We have about a five or six point lead on UCO, based on percentage growth,” said Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services at NSU. “We’ve increased a little more than 30 percent in new members since July 1.”

A good portion of the new members are recent graduates.

“We’ve done a couple of big pushes, one with new grads, and we got a good response to graduating seniors signing up,” Johnson said. “We’ve just started communicating a whole lot more about the importance of membership, including added membership benefits. Just every chance we get, when we have a minute, we’re talking about membership.”

The alumni associations contest will run through June 30. The association with the largest percentage growth will win the cup.

Redmen Heritage Wall Nears Completion

Honoring the students who created a legacy of athletic and academic excellence as the Redmen, Northeastern State University is nearing completion on Redmen Heritage Wall.

Tim Foutch, vice president for operations and an ’81 graduate of NSU, said the construction project is “60 to 75 percent” complete and that nearly all concrete work is finished.

”We have some stairs on the west side that must be completed, then the concrete construction will be done,” he said. “We also have lighting on order. We will install retro-style lighting reminiscent of the period that the stadium was built.”

The wall has received financial support from several campus and alumni groups, including NSU Rugby, Fast Forties, Nifty Fifties, Lambda Chi Alpha, and the President’s Leadership Class. These groups will be honored with etched bricks, paver stones, or a bleacher plaque incorporated into the project.

“The wall, in so many ways, reminds us of the history of this university in all of its forms and the great history of this institution as the home of the Redmen,” said NSU President Don Betz.

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Alumni Association Introduces RiverHawks Legacy Program

To introduce children and grandchildren to the history and traditions of Northeastern State University, members of the NSU Alumni Association may now participate in the RiverHawks Legacy Program.

The program is for children from birth to age 16. Those enrolled will be familiarized with Northeastern and welcomed as part of the NSU family. RiverHawks Legacy is an extension of the baby bib program offered to NSU alumni who are welcoming new family members.

"It’s never too early to expose our members’ kids to the Green and White," said Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services. “We’ve seen this in the overwhelming popularity of our free baby bib program and felt adding to the offering only made sense.”

RiverHawks Legacy is a free program available exclusively to annual dues-paying or lifetime Alumni Association members. Throughout their early years, beginning as an infant and at ages 5, 8, 12, and 16, legacies will receive free RiverHawk branded gifts mailed to the Alumni Association member’s address.

"Depending on the age milestone, the children will receive gifts such as a lunch bag, a Frisbee, or a cinch bag," Johnson said. "We will send a visor, key ring and tire gauge to those attaining driving age."

Members who wish to participate can call the Office of Alumni Services at (918) 458-2143 or email alumni@nsualumni.com.

The Alumni Association advances the interests and welfare of NSU through lifelong commitment and support by its alumni and friends. The association promotes positive interactions between alumni and the institution through activities, events, services and communication. All graduates, former students and others interested in NSU are eligible for membership.

For more information about the RiverHawks Legacy Program visit the Future RiverHawks page.

Registration for the Alumni Association is available online on the Alumni website.