Forty-four Panama ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured NSU (Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Students were greeted by NSU’s Visit Program Graduate Assistant Bailey Rush and Tour Guides Cheyenne Johns and Emma Chasteen. Rush presented students with an overview of NSU, highlighting information on how to become an NSU RiverHawk! Rush shared NSU’s Freshmen College Entrance Requirements, such as taking the ACT, meeting a score of 20 or above, and the importance of your GPA (Grade Point Average) while in high school. After the presentation, students toured various buildings around NSU’s campus, including RiverHawk Wellness Center, Seminary Hall, John Vaughan Library, and Leoser Hall. The tour ended at the University Center, where students learned about the RiverHawk Shoppe, Cafe, and The Underground Food Court. Students enjoyed seeing a dorm room and The Chatterbox Lounge in Leoser Hall, while also learning the history of NSU’s Campus.
“College tours are an important part of Eastern’s GEAR UP program as they give students a first-hand look at life as a college student,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator, Bethany Hicks
The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP Program. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP Grant in 2017, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.