Centennial Events

The Centennial Countdown began at the NSU Community Picnic on August 20, 2008 with the official launch of the NSU Centennial on the 100th anniversary of Founders Day, March 6, 2009. NSU will host many events in honor of this historic time in our history, and everyone is welcome to join in the fun and excitement.

2008

August 20
Community Picnic
Kick off the Centennial Countdown at NSU’s community picnic. This free community event will include food, a number of fun activities, introductions from various NSU Alumni and Friends, and a performance by South 40.

August 29
Carrie Me Home to NSU
This Centennial Countdown Tribute to Carrie Underwood will feature NSU Downtown Country. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. on Beta Field, Tahlequah campus.

September 13, 3 p.m., NET Auditorium
Centennial Lectureship
Elizabeth Eckford, one of the African American students known as the Little Rock Nine, led the way for desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957 at the age of 15. Eckford will share her story in the first of three lectures planned throughout the year.

September 14, 2 p.m., Center for the Performing Arts Barbara McAlister Concert
Internationally acclaimed opera singer Barbara McAlister returns to NSU to join members of the NSU music faculty and other friends for a performance celebrating the contributions of the Cherokee National Female Seminary.

October, 7 p.m., every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Haunted Seminary Hall
The Haunted Hall is a guided ghost tour focusing on the history and the hauntings of the oldest liberal arts institution this side of the Mississippi. The history is centered around Florence Wilson, who served as principal for twenty-six years and may still be around in some form or another today. In fact, legend has it that if any person walks by the old pillars at night then Flo is watching from that moment on. All ages welcome; $5 a person. All proceeds go to the Graduate Student Association to help pay for conference fees. There are NO gimmicks, masks, or special effects, all ghosts encountered on this tour are real. Bring your camera, you may even capture evidence of one.

October 8, 9:30-10:30 a.m., UC Rosebud Room
Living History Fashion Show
Oklahoma Historical Society members will model historical period-clothing while attendees listen to live music and enjoy an elegant brunch and tea. Everyone interested in Oklahoma history, as well as NSU history, is encouraged to attend. If interested in attending please call Dana Eversole at 456-5511, ext. 2891.

October 8
Happy 100th Birthday to Thelma Parker

October 9
Thelma Parker 100th Birthday Celebration
Thelma Parker, an icon of Tahlequah and the NSU community will be honored with a day of celebration. An afternoon reception, followed by an invitation-only family dinner and honorarium presented during the Sequoyah Institute presentation of Irvin Berlin’s "I Love A Piano" will conclude the day-long celebration.

November 1
Sequoyah Institute Centennial Show
A special night of entertainment with an NSU alum is planned for this evening. Watch for more details.

November 18, 2-4 p.m., John Vaughan Library - Tahlequah, Special Collections
Honor Your Authors Reception
Full-time NSU faculty authors will be honored at the Library with autographed copies of works on display.

December 4
Lights On
An annual event to kick off the holiday season, this free community event will include holiday stories, caroling and visit from Santa Claus. The night will be capped off with the lighting of Seminary Hall.

2009

January 22, 2 p.m., NET Auditorium
Centennial Lectureship
Mark Pinsky has covered religion for the Orlando Sentinel since 1995 and is the author of several books examining religious context in pop culture including “The Gospel According to Disney” and “The Gospel According to ‘The Simpsons.’" NAB with host a screening of “The Simpsons Movie” prior to Pinsky’s lecture, the second in the series.

February 13
NSU Sweethearts Event
Many students have met and married their sweethearts while roaming the campuses of Northeastern. This special event is chance for them to return to the place they may and share their stories of eternal romance.

March 6
Founders Day
The official launch of Northeastern’s Centennial Celebration, Founders Day commemorates the day the Oklahoma legislature authorized the purchased of the Cherokee National Female Seminary and the surrounding land to establish Northeastern State Normal School. The day will include numerous speakers as well as the unveiling of the Sequoyah Statue in the center of Centennial Plaza. Activities begin at 2 p.m.

March 25, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rozell Ballroom in the UC
the LARRY ADAIR lectureship series
Beyond Green: Sustainability for NSU's 2nd Century Jessy Tolkan, executive director of Energy Action Coalition and Power Shift '09 will be the featured speaker. Free to all students, faculty, & staff. Lunch will be served at noon and is available to students, faculty, & staff who attend the lecture. (Courtesy of the Larry Adair Lectureship Series Committee.) This is an NSU Civic Engagement Week activity.

April 13-16
Second-Annual GANN (Great American Nothing Better To Do Housing Appreciation Week)
GANN is a Spring fling week providing different student activities every day (Monday through Thursday) for residence hall students. Planned activities include a Jell-O slip-n-slide, bed races, and a street fair.

April 15-18
37th Annual Symposium on the American Indian
This year the Symposium commemorates Northeastern State University's history as a leading educational institution nationwide among American Indians, and the theme is "Legacy: 1909 – 2009." Many presenters who have unique ties to NSU will be featured. The week's festivities will include a pre-Symposium film series featuring the work of American Indian filmmakers, actors and producers, and the Annual NSU Alumni Powwow and Style Show, hosted by the American Indian Alumni Association. The only one of its kind nationwide, the Annual Symposium on the American Indian began in 1973 to recognize the institution's historic roots and provide a forum for discussion of Native American issues. Visit the Symposium web site.

April 18
Centennial Lectureship
Larry Coker, the former head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes and a graduate of Northeastern, is currently serving as a television analyst for ESPNU. He will talk about his experiences in college football during the final lecture of the series.

April 2009
NAB Spring Concert
NAB will host a special concert in the spring. Watch for details.

May 1 2009
Inauguration of Dr. Don Betz
Join the faculty, students, and staff of NSU on the Tahlequah campus for the Installment Ceremony of Dr. Don Betz as the 17th president of our institution.

July 2009
Summer Camps
Four different educational camps are scheduled from July 6-31, running Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Topics include visual arts, performing arts, science and nature, and a bookworm camp that will concentrate on literature. The camps are separated into two age groups, one for third- through fifth-grade students and another for sixth- through eighth-grade students. All camps will take place on the Tahlequah campus.

September 2009
Coffee Table Book Release
A special reception is planned for the “NSU, 100 Years of Memories” during April to commemorate the release of the book, which chronicles NSU’s 100-year history through photos. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the RiverHawk Shoppe in the University Center.

Founders Day

This historic occasion on March 6, 2009, marked the official opening of Northeastern State University's Centennial Celebration.

View the Centennial Plaza and Sequoyah Statue.

Centennial Video