Editing Northeastern State University

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Short description|Public university in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, US}}
{{Redirect|Northeastern State|the former administrative district of Nigeria|North-Eastern State}}
{{For|universities with a similar name|Northeastern University (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Northeastern State University
 | image                  = Northeastern State University seal.png
 | image_size             = 200
 | former_names           = Northeastern State Normal School (1909–1921)<br/>Northeastern State Teachers College (1921–1939)<br/>Northeastern State College (1939–1974)<br/>Northeastern Oklahoma State University (1974–1985)<ref>{{cite web |title=OUR HERITAGE |url=https://www.nsuok.edu/heritage/default.aspx#:~:text=Our%20history%20as%20a%20state,held%20on%20September%2014%2C%201909. |website=nsuok.edu |publisher=Northeastern State University |access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref>
 | motto                  = {{Lang|chr| ᎦᏟᏐᏗ. ᎢᏅ ᎠᎾᎩᏍᏗ.}} ([[Cherokee language|Cherokee]])
 | motto_lang             = Cherokee
 | mottoeng               = Gather Here. Go Far.
 | established            = {{start date and age|1909|03|06}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/NSUsHeritage.aspx |title=NSU's Heritage &#124; Northeastern State University |access-date=September 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906063644/https://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/NSUsHeritage.aspx |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | parent                 = Regional University System of Oklahoma
 | president              = Rodney Hanley
 | provost                = Carla Swearingen
 | academic_staff         = 325
 | students               = 8,548 (Fall 2014)<ref name="ncahlc.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1625/|title=Higher Learning Commission |work=ncahlc.org}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 7,418 (Fall 2014)<ref name="ncahlc.org"/>
 | postgrad               = 1,130 (Fall 2014)<ref name="ncahlc.org"/>
 | city                   = [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma|Tahlequah]]
 | state                  = [[Oklahoma]]
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{coord|35.925100|-94.967542|region:US-OK_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = {{convert|200|acre|km2}} (Tahlequah)
 | colors                 = NSU green and gray<ref>{{cite manual |url=https://www.nsuok.edu/_resources/documents/Graphic-Standards.pdf |title=Northeastern State University Graphic Standards |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref><br/>{{color box|#008265}}&nbsp;{{color box|#343434}}
 | athletics_nickname     = [[Northeastern State RiverHawks|RiverHawks]]
 | mascot                 = Rowdy the RiverHawk
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division II]] – [[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association|The MIAA]]
 | website                = {{url|www.nsuok.edu}}
 | logo                   = Northeastern State University logo.svg
 | logo_size              = 250
}}

'''Northeastern State University''' ('''NSU''') is a [[public university]] with its main campus in [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma]]. The university also has two other campuses in [[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]] and [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] as well as online. Northeastern is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Oklahoma as well as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning west of the [[Mississippi River]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=NSU|access-date=February 20, 2008|url=http://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/OurCampuses.aspx|title=General Information|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828040356/http://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/OurCampuses.aspx|archive-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref> Tahlequah is home to the capital of the [[Cherokee Nation]] and about 25 percent of the students at NSU identify themselves as [[Native Americans in the  United States|American Indian]].<ref name="EOHC-NSU">Agnew, Brad. ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''. "Northeastern State University."[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NO014.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119150758/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NO014.html|date=November 19, 2012}}</ref> The university has many courses focused on Native American linguistics, and offers [[Cherokee language]] Education as a major.<ref>{{cite web|author=+ auElement.html() + |url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/10/02/nsu-cherokee-nation-partner-train-and-hire-language-instructors-157146 |title=NSU, Cherokee Nation Partner to Train and Hire Language Instructors - ICTMN.com |publisher=Indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com |access-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref> Cherokee can be studied as a [[second language]], and some classes are taught in Cherokee for [[first language]] speakers as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/language/chr|title=Cherokee |work=Ethnologue}}</ref>

==History==
On May 7, 1851, the [[Cherokee Nation (19th century)|Cherokee Nation]] founded the '''Cherokee National Female Seminary''' at Tahlequah, the same year that it opened a male seminary in its territory. This was after its [[Indian Removal|removal]] to [[Indian Territory]] and part of its building institutions to support its future.

On March 6, 1909, after statehood, the State Legislature of [[Oklahoma]] passed an act providing for the creation and location of '''Northeastern State Normal School''' at [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma]] for the training of teachers. For this purpose, it purchased from the Cherokee Tribal Government the building, land, and equipment of the Cherokee Female Seminary.

In 1921, the name was changed to '''Northeastern State Teachers College''' as it had expanded to a full four-year curriculum.<ref Name="EOHC-NSU" /> In the 1950s Northeastern emerged as a comprehensive state college, broadening its curriculum at the baccalaureate level to encompass liberal arts subjects and adding a fifth-year program designed to prepare master teachers for elementary and secondary schools.

With addition of graduate-degree programs, in 1974, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized changing the name of the institution from '''Northeastern State College''' to '''Northeastern Oklahoma State University'''; in 1985 it authorized a change in name to Northeastern State University. In 1979, NSU opened its College of Optometry.<ref Name="EOHC-NSU"/>

In the early 21st century, NSU is the fourth-largest university in Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=NSU| access-date=February 20, 2008 | url=http://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/NSUsHeritage.aspx
|title=About NSU |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080128160906/http://nsuok.edu/about/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = January 28, 2008}}</ref>  On March 6, 2009, NSU celebrated its centennial with Founders Day celebrations.

===Presidents===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*Albert Sydney Wyly, 1909
*Frank Redd, 1909–1911
*Frank E. Buck, 1911–1912
*W.E. Gill, 1912–1914
*George W. Gable, 1914–1919
*William T. Ford, 1919–1923
*Monroe P. Hammond, 1923–1935
*J.M. Hackler (acting), 1935–1936
*John Samuel Vaughan, 1936–1951
*Louis H. Bally (acting), 1951
*Harrell E. Garrison, 1951–1970
*Robert E. Collier, 1970–1977
*Elwin Fite (acting), 1977–1978
*[[W. Roger Webb]], 1978–1997
*Larry B. Williams, 1997–2007
*Kim Cherry (interim), 2007–2008
*[[Don Betz]], 2008–2011
*Martin Tadlock (interim), 2011<ref>{{cite web |publisher=NSU| access-date=September 14, 2011| url=http://www.nsuok.edu/News/Story/1459/Default.aspx| title=Tadlock named as NSU interim president}}</ref>
*Steve Turner, 2012–2023
*Rodney Hanley, 2023-present
{{div col end}}

==Tahlequah campus==
The Tahlequah campus, which spans over {{convert|200|acre|km2}}, was developed on the grounds of the [[Cherokee Female Seminary]]. The original building for the seminary is now used as Seminary Hall, an academic building. The campus has numerous classroom, laboratory, residential, and athletic facilities. In recent years the university constructed a $10 million Science Center, funded by a bond issued by the university.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=NSU| access-date=January 28, 2008 | url=http://www.nsuok.edu/News/Story/147/Default.aspx| title=Grand Opening Set For NSU Science Center}}</ref>

NSU offers 69 undergraduate degree programs, 18 graduate degree programs, and 13 pre-professional programs in five colleges (Business & Technology, [[Liberal Arts]], Education, Optometry, and Health & Science Professions). The student-to-faculty ratio is 26 to 1, and in the Spring of 2008 the total enrollment for the Tahlequah Campus was 6,216.<ref name="Opening Enrollment Data">{{cite web| title=Opening Enrollment Data| publisher=NSU| url=http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~assessment/Opening| access-date=April 8, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> There is also a distance-learning program, by which students who cannot attend the university due to work or family obligations can complete courses via the Internet or videoconferencing.
[[Image:Seminary Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Seminary Hall]] [[Image:NSU Net Lab.jpg|thumb|right|The W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center]]

==Athletics==
{{Main|Northeastern State RiverHawks}}

{{See also|Northeastern State RiverHawks football|Doc Wadley Stadium}}

The Northeastern State (NSU) athletic teams are called the RiverHawks.<ref name="RiverHawks">{{cite web |publisher=NSU| access-date=January 27, 2008| url=http://www.nsuok.edu/News/Story/175/Default.aspx |title=It's Official – It's the NSU RiverHawks}}</ref> The university is a member of the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] ranks of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA), primarily competing in the [[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association]] (MIAA) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year;<ref>{{cite news|last=Corbitt|first=Ken|publisher=[[The Topeka Capital-Journal]] |title=Newcomers add strength to rugged MIAA|url=http://cjonline.com/sports/2012-08-23/newcomers-add-strength-rugged-miaa|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=September 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Toppmeyer |first=Blake |url=http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/homepage/x41620181/Commentary-What-a-16-member-MIAA-would-mean |title=Commentary: What a 16-member MIAA would mean - Maryville, MO |publisher=Maryville Daily Forum |date=July 6, 2010 |access-date=August 2, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110714043806/http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/homepage/x41620181/Commentary-What-a-16-member-MIAA-would-mean |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Toppmeyer |first=Blake |url=http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/homepage/x84678274/MIAA-adds-2-more-on-horizon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714043950/http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/homepage/x84678274/MIAA-adds-2-more-on-horizon |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |title=MIAA adds 2, more on horizon - Maryville, MO |publisher=Maryville Daily Forum |access-date=August 2, 2010 }}</ref> while its men's soccer team competes in the [[Great American Conference]] (GAC). The RiverHawks previously competed as an [[NCAA Division II independent schools|NCAA D-II Independent]] during the 2011–12 school year; in the D-II [[Lone Star Conference]] (LSC) from 1997–98 to 2010–11; and in the [[Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1974–1997)|Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference]] (OIC) of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA) from 1974–75 to 1996–97.

NSU competes in 11 intercollegiate sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, golf, soccer, softball, spirit squads and tennis.

===Accomplishments===
In 2003, the men's basketball team won the [[2003 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division II National Championship]], beating [[Kentucky Wesleyan College|Kentucky Wesleyan]] 75–64.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=1531225 |title=Redmen go 9-for-14 from 3-point range in second half - Men's College Basketball - ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=March 29, 2003}}</ref>

===Name change===
Northeastern State University announced on May 23, 2006, that they would be dropping "Redmen" and selecting a new mascot. The change was made proactively in response to the 2005 [[NCAA Native American mascot decision]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=NSU| access-date=January 27, 2008| url=http://www.nsuok.edu/News/Story/112/Default.aspx| title=NSU Announces Plans to Find a New Mascot}}</ref> The university announced its new athletic name as the RiverHawks on November 14, 2006.<ref name="RiverHawks"/>

==Campus life==
[[File:Iguana Cafe.jpg|thumb|right|The Iguana Cafe, right next to campus.]]

===Campus organizations===
There are several campus organizations such as NAB (Northeastern Activities Board), NSUSF (Northeastern State University Student Foundation), and NSGA (Northeastern Student Government Association) that provide alternate activities, usually free of charge for students to enjoy on campus. The NSGA is the official organization to represent the students of NSU.  The purpose of the NSGA is to establish a representative student government and to provide a forum for student's views and ideas for the purpose of promoting and representing the students of NSU.  RHA caters to on-campus residents and hosts such annual events as "Welcome Week Luau," Freshman Move-in Day, Mardi Gras, and "Resident Round-up".

====Greek life====
Northeastern State University has several fraternities and sororities located on the Tahlequah campus.

===Jazz Lab===
Created in 1993, the Jazz Lab is the site of the jazz program offices and classes. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a major in Jazz Studies and has two student jazz ensembles, as well as several different combo groups ranging in style from [[Jazz fusion|fusion]] to [[Latin jazz|Latin]] to [[Straight-ahead jazz|straight ahead]]. The NSU Jazz Ensemble performs with regional, national, and international guest artists at the Jazz Lab every year. 

== Branch campuses ==

=== Muskogee ===
NSU's [[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]] campus was opened in 1993 as a {{convert|27700|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility located on {{convert|23|acre|m2}}. The campus offers upper-level and graduate courses in education, business, general studies, nursing, and industrial management.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=NSU |access-date=October 8, 2008 |url=http://www.nsuba.edu/about/othercampuses.html |title=Other NSU Campuses |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725201333/http://www.nsuba.edu/about/othercampuses.html |archive-date=July 25, 2008 }}</ref> In 2001 the NSU Muskogee opened the Mike Synar Center in honor of [[Mike Synar]], former U.S. Congressman from the 2nd District of Oklahoma from 1979 to 1995.  The Mike Synar Center is a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility that is used for offices and classrooms.  The center also houses the Master of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for the campus.

=== Broken Arrow ===
NSU's [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] campus was opened in 2002 with a little over 1,000 students.  Funding for the campus came from a one-half percent sales tax which was approved by Broken Arrow voters. The first phase of the campus included an administration building, a maintenance facility, and two classroom buildings.<ref name="The NSUBA Campus">{{cite web |publisher=NSU |url=http://www.collegebound.net/college-university/article/northeastern-state-university-broken-arrow/4402/ |date=1996–2012 |title=Northeastern State University - Broken Arrow |access-date=July 24, 2012 |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830085208/http://www.collegebound.net/college-university/article/northeastern-state-university-broken-arrow/4402/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2004 the campus began a $26 million expansion made possible by [[Tulsa County|Tulsa County's]] [[Vision 2025]], which also funded Tulsa's new [[BOK Center]]. The expansion doubled the size of the campus and also allowed room for up to another 5,000 students. It also added a library along with science and classroom buildings. Construction was completed in the fall of 2007.<ref name="The NSUBA Campus"/>

==Notable alumni==
{{main|List of Northeastern State University alumni}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Oklahoma}}
{{commons cat}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://goriverhawksgo.com/ Athletics website]
* {{College-navigator|207263}}

{{Northeastern State University}}
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{{Colleges and universities in Oklahoma}}
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[[Category:Northeastern State University| ]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1851]]
[[Category:Education in Cherokee County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tahlequah, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Education in Muskogee County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Education in Tulsa County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Optometry schools in the United States]]
[[Category:Cherokee language]]
[[Category:1909 establishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:1851 establishments in Indian Territory]]