Four Southeastern students receive Harvey Foundation Scholarships

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
September 29, 2008

DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University President Michael Turner and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Greg Pyle announced today the award of scholarships to four Choctaw students at Southeastern by the OJ and Mary Christine Harvey Educational Foundation. Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year, half paid in each of the Fall and Spring semesters. The Foundation anticipates awarding additional future scholarships to Choctaw students.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and academic performance. Scholarship recipients must be full-time students and maintain a grade point average of 2.7 (C+) to retain a scholarship. The four scholarship awardees for the academic year 2008-2009 are Morgan McGee from Idabel, Ray Stephens from Caddo, Haley Grant from Durant and Brittany Snapp from Valiant.

The Harvey Educational Foundation was established to assist the education of academically capable students of low financial resources, especially Native Americans and other minorities. Among the more important reasons why the scholarships have been committed to Choctaw students at Southeastern, according to a spokesman for the Harvey Foundation, is the highly cooperative working relationship between the Choctaw Nation and Southeastern, the high number of Native American students attending the University, and the fact that Southeastern is a national leader in graduating Native American students. The latest data provided by "Diverse Issues in Higher Education" ranks Southeastern #1 nationally in percentage of Native American graduates among the top 20 degree-granting institutions.

Chris Wesberry, Coordinator of the Southeastern Native American Center for Student Success, noted that "These scholarships are truly making a difference. Many of the recipients would not be able to attend college if not for the generosity of the Harvey Foundation. The legacy of OJ and Mary Christine Harvey’s commitment to education will live on for many years."

Jo McDaniel, Director of Scholarship Advisement Program for the Choctaw Nation, stated similarly that "We are thrilled for the opportunity for our Choctaw students. The partnership between the Harvey Foundation and Southeastern will benefit Choctaw students for years to come."

All scholarship applicants must contact Jo McDaniel at 1-800-522-6170, Extension 2547, or www.choctawnation-sap.com.