Mankiller to NSU Graduates: Optimism Key to Successful Future

Dr. Don Betz, president of Northeastern State University, presents the Honorary Doctor of Science to Wilma Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller delivered the NSU centennial commencement address during exercises in the Jack Dobbins Field House on Saturday.

TAHLEQUAH Highly successful people share the ability to remain optimistic in the face of lifes greatest challenges, Wilma Mankiller told Northeastern State University graduates on Saturday during the institutions centennial commencement ceremonies.

Optimistic, hopeful people view barriers and obstacles as problems to be solved and not as the reason to give up or turn back. Positive people never, ever give up, Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, told the standing room only crowd gathered in the Jack Dobbins Field House.

Americans, particularly Oklahomans, believe the future is bright, she noted.

Even with the serious economic problems we all face, most Americans feel confident that we can work our way out of our current situation, Mankiller said. And just look around you, at all the intellectual power, strength and energy of the graduating class assembled here today. How can we not be optimistic about the future?

Before addressing graduates in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Health and Science Professions, Mankiller was awarded the honorary Doctor of Science by President Don Betz, who called the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation a celebration of self-reliance, interdependence, collaboration, and service.

Wilma Mankiller is a woman of extraordinary accomplishments. She reflects in all that she does a belief that we are truly here to make a difference, Betz said.

Those in Northeastern States 2009 class represent the best graduates in Oklahoma, by demonstrating leadership through fulfilling clearly established goals.

Its quite possible that someone in this graduating class will become a scientist and perform medical research that will help cure debilitating diseases. Someone else here today may become an astronaut and leave their footsteps on the moon. And there may be someone in this class who will become a technology genius and help people across the globe, she predicted.

Noting the number of women graduates, Mankiller said societys attitudes toward the role of women through the years has shifted.

When I was the age of many of the graduates in this class, the role of women was very narrowly defined by society. We were not expected to run a major corporation, a major university, become a senator, a governor, or a principal chief. Its great to see so many young women in this class. Our society needs the intellectual skills and strong voices of both men and women to help solve societys most entrenched problems.

Individuals who are the most fulfilled look for opportunities to find solutions and help others, Mankiller said.

The happiest people Ive ever met, regardless of their profession, their social standing, or their economic status, are people that are fully engaged in the world around them. The most fulfilled people are people who get up every morning and stand for something larger than themselves. They are people who care about others, people who will extend a helping hand to someone in need or will speak up about an injustice when they see it.

Commencement ceremonies originally scheduled at Doc Wadley Stadium were moved indoors due to inclement weather Saturday. More than 1,800 graduates were eligible to participate in the institutions centennial commencement exercises, including 26 who received doctor of Optometry degrees from Oklahomas only College of Optometry.

Northeastern, founded as the Cherokee National Female Seminary in 1851 and as a state institution in 1909, will continue its centennial celebration through December. Mankiller noted the number of significant events that have taken place during the past year that pay tribute to the historic and contemporary connections between Northeastern and the Cherokee people.

This institution has a great intellectual history and this is a time of endless possibilities, she said. NSU's centennial commencement ceremonies continue on Monday, May 18, when Rep. John Sullivan will address graduates of the Broken Arrow campus at 7 p.m. in the Union Multipurpose Activity Center in Tulsa. Sullivan, a 1992 NSU graduate who holds a bachelor of business administration in marketing, has represented Oklahomas first congressional district since 2002.

5/16/2009

Published: 2009-05-16 00:00:00