NSU Announces Oustanding Alumni for 2011

The Northeastern State University Alumni Association will recognize five alumni as part of NSU’s homecoming celebration, “Truth, Justice and the Northeastern Way.” The 2011 outstanding alumni honorees will be honored during halftime of the Oct. 15 football game against Harding University at Doc Wadley Stadium.

This year’s honorees are former educator and lifelong volunteer Mary Battenfield of Tulsa, actor-playwright Joe Sears of Austin, Texas, and past educator and legislator Dr. Barbara Staggs of Okmulgee, Distinguished Alumni; country music star Carrie Underwood of Nashville, Outstanding Young Alumna; and former state attorney general Drew Edmondson of Oklahoma City, President’s Award for Community Service.

In addition to being recognized during the homecoming festivities, these exceptional NSU alumni will be formally honored during the 14th annual Emerald Ball on Dec. 10. For more information about homecoming events and the Emerald Ball contact the NSU Alumni Association at (918) 458-2143.

Click here to learn more about each honoree

Alumni Association Encourages College Colors Day Participation

In observance of College Colors Day, the Northeastern State University Alumni Association encourages students, faculty, staff and alumni to sport their green and white on Sept. 2.

The association is asking people to post pictures of themselves in NSU apparel on either the university's Facebook page or Alumni Association’s Facebook page.

“We want everyone who loves NSU to get involved in the fun and encourage their co-workers to participate as well,” said Tina Frazier, stewardship coordinator for alumni and development. “When uploading photos, we ask that everyone in the pictures be accurately identified.”

Those submitting images have a chance to win one of 20 pairs of tickets to NSU’s Oct. 14 homecoming event, the Keetoowah Casino Come Home to the Dome presented by the Alumni Association. The event is at the Indoor Practice Facility at Doc Wadley Stadium from 8 p.m. – midnight. Admission is $10 per person.

“We will also be giving away other Alumni Association gifts to those who post the most creative pics or rally the most participation at their workplaces,” Frazier said.

Those seeking new NSU apparel can visit the Branscum Alumni Center for Home of the Redmen and NSU Alumni T-shirts. NSU gear can also be purchased at the RiverHawk Shoppes in the University Center on the Tahlequah campus and the Administrative Services building at Broken Arrow.

College Colors Day celebrates collegiate traditions and spirit by encouraging people to wear apparel promoting their favorite college and universities throughout the day. Since first observed in 2005, the day has grown to include thousands of organizations and millions of individuals participating annually by donning their team colors and sharing in their college spirit with friends and colleagues.

Visit the College Colors Day website for more information.

NSU Hosting Reception in D.C.

As part of State Chamber of Oklahoma’s annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., the Northeastern State University Alumni Association is hosting an alumni reception at The Liaison at Capitol Hill.

The come-and-go reception is Sept. 12 from 5-7 p.m. EDT.

“This reception is for NSU alumni attending the fly-in and those living in the D.C. area,” said Jerry Cook, director of community and government relations. “We invite them to attend this informal gathering and establish contacts with each other.”

NSU, a member of the state chamber, will be represented by interim president Martin Tadlock, Mark Kinders, vice president for university relations, and Cook. However the fly-in will include many NSU alumni, including Matt Pivarnik, executive vice president for the Tulsa Metro Chamber, and Danna Fowble, vice president for federation and grassroots development for the state chamber.

“Many Northeastern graduates go on to successful careers in economic development,” Cook said. “The numbers merit this reception.”

The reception is in conjunction with the chamber fly-in, which facilitates discussion between Oklahoma’s congressional contingent and leaders in business, industry and public works.

Click here to learn more about this event

Northeastern Unveils Lineup for 26h Galaxy of Stars Series

The Sequoyah Institute at Northeastern State University proudly announces the season lineup for its annual Galaxy of Stars Series. This year the programs return to their traditional venue, the newly renovated NSU Center for the Performing Arts.

“This season will be very special as we celebrate 26 years of success with this remarkable series,” said Amber Cowan, Galaxy of Stars director.

The series begins Oct. 25 with a performance by Chamber Orchestra Kremlin at 7:30 p.m. The orchestra was formed in 1991 by Misha Rachlesky and has earned national and international recognition as one of Russia’s leading ensembles.

Other Galaxy of Stars performances for 2011-12 include Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey on Nov. 18, A Time for Christmas on Dec. 2, The Freddy Cole Quartet on Feb. 11, Embraceable You: The Music of George Gershwin on March 9 and The Blanks on April 13. All shows are at the NSU CPA at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and prices remain unchanged from last season. Individual ticket prices are $20 for adults, $18 for NSU Alumni Association Members, $16 for NSU employees and seniors 60 and over, $10 for students and $6 for NSU students. Season tickets for all six shows are four times the individual price, and a “Favorite Four” package is available for three times the price of individual admission. To reserve tickets call (918) 458-2075. For more information visit the Sequoyah Institute.

Tony Henry Presents Battenfield-Carletti Lecture

Restaurant professional Tony R. Henry delivered the Battenfield-Carletti Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture at Northeastern State University on Wednesday, August 31, in the Webb Center Auditorium. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session and was open to the public.

Henry, who attended NSU from 1988-90, has more than 13 years experience as president or shareholder of Oklahoma restaurants including Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Oklahoma Joes BBQ, Full Moon Café, In The Raw Sushi and Rave Review Catering Company. He also has 10 years experience with night clubs such as Ivey Lounge in Tulsa and SKKYBAR Ultra Lounge in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district. His company also manages the beverage operations for Brady Theater and Diamond Ballroom.

Established in 2002 through the NSU Foundation by Dr. Harold Battenfield and Dr. John Carletti, the Battenfield-Carletti Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series invites two NSU alumni entrepreneurs each year to speak to students on the Tahlequah campus. The purpose of the lecture series is to demonstrate to NSU students the ways in which successful entrepreneurs identify new opportunities for creating value and translate imagination into action to exploit those opportunities.

Tahlequah 'Leading the Way" with CNG Station

Saying that Tahlequah is "leading the way in this nation," U.S. Representative John Sullivan joined members of Northeastern State University and the Northeast Oklahoma Public Facilities Authority to announce the opening of a new Compressed Natural Gas fueling station on August 18.

NSU President Martin Tadlock, who also serves as the chairman of NOPFA, opened the proceedings by praising the joint partnership.

"As a public university, Northeastern State University has an obligation to partner with others to reduce our carbon footprint and to take action that creates a more sustainable way of life for residents of the communities we serve," Tadlock said. "We will continue to look for ways to do those things as sustainability and reduction of our carbon footprint is a priority component of our strategic plan. It is the right thing to do.

The CNG station is located on the western Highway 51 loop near West Choctaw Street and the Tahlequah Business and Industry Park. The fueling station will be operational 24/7 with credit card access for public use and fleet operations. When the station opens, it is expected to sell CNG for $1.08 a gallon.

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