Southeastern Student Union Receives $700,000 Gift From Choctaw & Chickasaw Tribes

Press Release Date: 04-28-2006

The announcement of the largest single gift – $700,000 – to the new Student Union at Southeastern Oklahoma State University was made Friday morning in a special signing ceremony on the campus.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma are each giving $350,000 to the new $14.5 million Student Union, which is scheduled to open this fall.

“This is indeed an historic day at Southeastern Oklahoma State University,” said Southeastern President Dr. Glen D. Johnson. “The citizens of Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State University are fortunate to have partners such as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Statewide, through their compact agreements and gaming revenues, these Native American tribes have greatly supported education, health care, and transportation. This support has been directed by the leadership provided by Chief Greg Pyle of the Choctaw Nation and Gov. Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation. Today’s gift is another example of the commitment the Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation continue to make to higher education and the future of Oklahoma.”

The Choctaw Nation gift of $350,000 will fund the Choctaw Nation Lecture Hall/Classroom, the Choctaw Nation Computer Lounge, and the Choctaw Nation Federal Program Suite, to be located on the second floor of the union.

“The Choctaw Nation is pleased to be a partner with the Chickasaw Nation and Southeastern Oklahoma State University for the betterment of students in higher education,” said Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle. “Together, we can achieve a great deal that will benefit our students and citizens for many years to come. We are proud to support the building of the new Student Union at Southeastern and are excited about the future.”

The Chickasaw Nation gift will fund the Chickasaw Nation Student Services Suite and the Chickasaw Nation Computer Lounge, to be located on the third floor.

“It is our honor to be a partner in improving all aspects of the higher education endeavor,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “There is a bright future waiting for students throughout Oklahoma who have the talent, the perseverance and the drive to achieve their college degrees. These students are tomorrow’s leaders.”

The University’s goal is to raise $2.8 million in private funds for the student union; to date, approximately $1.6 million in private funds has been raised, leaving a remaining goal of approximately $1.2 million. Friday’s announcement is the latest in a number of partnerships between Southeastern and the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations:

• In 2002, an agreement was signed among the Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University regarding the funding of the renovation of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Residence Halls and the implementation of an academic advising plan that focused on the recruitment of Native American students at Southeastern.
• The Choctaw Nation and Southeastern received a $965,000 grant last year from the U.S. Dept. of Education to support new scholarship opportunities for Native American students at SOSU.
• The Chickasaw Nation has also proved to be a valuable partner in a number of key educational initiatives. The Nation is supporting Southeastern’s academic counseling and advising programs, which assist students in making career decisions which will benefit them for the rest of their lives. They have supported the John Massey School of Business through enhancement of faculty positions, assistance in achieving accreditation, and helped in developing the Native American management option.

“The tribes’ gift four years ago to renovate our residence halls and provide academic advisement to our Native American students was the catalyst for what has now turned out to be a $63 million construction program underway at Southeastern Oklahoma State University,” President Johnson said.

Among those joining President Johnson, Chief Pyle, and Gov. Anoatubby at Friday’s signing ceremony were State Regent John Massey, Regent Ann Holloway, chair of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges; Sen. Jay Paul Gumm; Durant mayor Jerry Tomlinson; Vice President for Student Services Sharon Robinson; and Student Government Association President Wayne Janoe.

Taking part in Frdiay’s signing ceremony were Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby, Southeastern President Dr. Glen D. Johnson, and Choctaw Chief Greg Pyle.