Forty-five Canadian High School tenth and eleventh-grade GEAR UP students recently toured NSU (Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Students began the trip with a greeting and presentation from NSU’s RiverHawk Ambassador Patsy Spottedbird. During the presentation, Spottedbird discussed the application process, college entrance requirements, and scholarship opportunities for students wanting to become a NSU RiverHawks. Spottedbird provided students with information about NSU’s extracurricular programs and organizations on campus. Spottedbird talked with students about what it is like to live on campus and the benefits of getting involved with the different campus organizations. Spottedbird also provided students with a brief overview of NSU’s Muskogee and Broken Arrow locations and the programs offered at each location.
Next, students were led on a tour of the campus by RiverHawk Ambassadors Ashley Onyemechi, Morgan Foshee, Ainsley Hendrickson, and Madison Walters through various NSU campus buildings, including the Seminary Hall, John Vaughan Library, and Leoser Hall. During the tour, students were provided with information about the rich and unique history of NSU. The tour ended at the University Center, where they enjoyed lunch at the NSU Market Café, where they got to experience what it is like to eat on campus. Students reported their favorite part of the tour was learning the history of the college and its 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.

Stringtown GEAR UP Students tour Seminole State College
Twenty-six GEAR UP sophomores and juniors from Stringtown High School recently traveled to Seminole, OK, to tour the campus of Seminole State College (SSC). Caitlin