Thirty-eight Eufaula High School eleventh-grade GEAR UP students recently toured NSU (Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Students began the tour with a greeting and presentation from NSU’s presentation speaker Braydin Ballard and tour guides Ashley Onyemechi and Jaci Nixon, who are all current NSU students.
Ballard presented students with an overview of NSU, highlighting information on how to become an NSU Riverhawk. Ballard discussed how NSU has 56 exceptional undergraduate and 25 graduate degree programs to choose from and different scholarship opportunities available. Ballard provided students with information about NSU extracurricular programs and organizations on campus. Ballard talked with students about what it’s like to live on campus and the benefits of getting involved in on-campus organizations. Ballard touched on all three NSU campuses in Oklahoma, discussing the Tahlequah, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow campuses-explaining what each campus offers and the benefits of each campus.
After the presentation, the students toured various NSU’s campus buildings, including RiverHawk Wellness Center, Seminary Hall, John Vaughan Library, and Leoser Hall. Students enjoyed the tour while learning the history of NSU’s campus. The tour ended at the University Center, where the students learned about the RiverHawk Shoppe, Market Café, and the Underground Food Court. After the tour, the students enjoyed lunch at the NSU Market Café, where they got to experience what it is like to eat on campus.
Some of the GEAR UP students said they are considering becoming an NSU Riverhawk. Some of the students’ favorite parts of the tour were learning the college’s history and buildings.
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.
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