NSU Hosts Educational Forums Leading To Presidential Inauguration

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University will host several forums exploring issues related to the future of the state in the week leading up to the inauguration of Dr. Don Betz as the 17th president of the venerable institution.

Global Business and Economic Development will be held on Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. on the Broken Arrow campus, 3100 E. New Orleans. The evening will feature a robust panel discussion on the state of international business and education, challenges and opportunities in Green Country.

Panelists include Eric Zhang, founder and managing partner of Access China Trade Services Company, Barry Clark, director of Global Business Services at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Mike Lybarger, president of Total Valve Systems Inc., Mary Philpott, dean of Workforce Development and Career Programs at Tulsa Community College, Bob Hogrefe, co-founder and president of Access Optics LLC, and Dessie Apostolova, director of International Trade Offices for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The forum will be moderated by Dr. Jon Shapiro, professor of marketing.

Health Care Challenges in Eastern Oklahoma is set for Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Muskogee campus auditorium, 2400 W. Shawnee. Regional leaders in health care will discuss educational and professional development needs in emerging health care hubs of Eastern Oklahoma.

Moderated by Dr. Tim McElroy, dean of the NSU Muskogee campus, the forum will feature panelists Dr. Martin Venneman, dean of the NSU College of Science and Health Professions, Dr. Donnie Nero, president of Connors State College, Thomas Stiles, superintendent of Indian Capital Technology Center, Mark Roberts, president of Muskogee Community Hospital, Melissa Gower, group leader of Cherokee Nation Health Services and Government Relations, Rudy Klopfer, associate director of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, and Steve Mahan, chief executive officer for Muskogee Regional Medical Center.

Building Sustainable Communities in Eastern Oklahoma will take place Wednesday, April 29 at the NET Building Auditorium on the Tahlequah campus at 7 p.m. Presenters will discuss regional practices in creating sustainable communities in the environmental, economic development and social realms.

Moderated by Dr. David Lewerenz, assistant professor of Optometry at NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry, the forum will feature panelists Ken Purdy, Tahlequah mayor, Ed Fite, administrator for the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, Dr Mia Revels, NSU Professor of Biology, and Tom Elkins, administrator of Environmental Programs for the Cherokee Nation.

A student community picnic will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 5 p.m. in the gazebo north of Seminary Hall to celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Betz. The inauguration ceremony will take place Friday, May 1 at 2 p.m. on the lawn at Seminary Hall. All forums and the inauguration are free and open to the public.

4/9/2009

Published: 2009-04-09 00:00:00