Southeastern students receive Harvey Educational Foundation Scholarships

Press Release Date: 10-27-2009

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University Interim President Larry Minks and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Greg Pyle have announced the awarding of scholarships to two Choctaw students at Southeastern by the O.J. and Mary Christine Harvey Educational Foundation.

Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year, with $2,500 paid in each of the fall and spring semesters.

The 2009 recipients are Jessica Gann of Hugo and Travis Dill of Bokchito. The Harvey Foundation now has six Choctaw students on scholarship since the program started in 2007.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and academic performance. Recipients must be full-time students and maintain a grade point average of 2.7 to retain a scholarship.

Gann is a sophomore majoring in Broadcasting. She enjoys playing piano, being a professional D.J., and spending time with her sister. She will be a part of the first generation of her family to graduate from college. She serves her community while working for the local radio station in Hugo.

Dill is a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of Rock Creek High School and has completed 30 credit hours. He is enrolled in 16 hours for the fall semester.

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 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 sixth among the top 20 degree-granting institutions.

Gann and Dill join fellow recipients Ray Stephens, Morgan McGee, Haley Grant and Brittany Snapp.

Stephens, Caddo, is a senior majoring in Occupational Safety and Health.

McGee, Idabel, is a junior majoring in graphic arts.

Grant, Durant, is a junior nursing major in the combined SE/ECU program.

Snapp, Valliant, is a junior majoring in communication, who works with the school newspaper, The Southeastern.

The scholarship students revived the Native American ritual of give-away when they presented a Southeastern blanket to Terry Minton, president of the Harvey Foundation. A give-away is nearly the reverse of the majority culture’s understanding of gift-giving.

Historically, in the Native American tradition, many nations/tribes have conducted give-aways when being honored. Instead of receiving gifts, the honorees present gifts to those who have helped them reach their goals.

Jo McDaniel, Director of the Scholarship Advisement Program for the Choctaw Nation, said, "We are so thankful for the O.J. and Mary Christine Harvey Foundation Scholarship. It is literally changing the lives of our Choctaw students. This educational opportunity would not be possible for several of the recipients without the support of this great foundation. We are also proud to partner with Southeastern on this particular scholarship. Southeastern’s support to our students is amazing."

Chris Wesberry, Coordinator of the Southeastern Native American Center for Student Success, said, "We are honored that the O.J. and Mary Christine Harvey Foundation has selected two additional scholars for the 2009-10 school year. We now have six recipients. This is a fantastic scholarship for our students."

"The six students receiving the scholarships are exceptional. Among them are presidents and vice presidents of student organizations, a writer for our Southeastern newspaper, a radio personality, a future Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, and a nursing student. All represent Southeastern well and we are proud of them."