Morton named second Sequoyah Fellow
Published: 2014-01-24
Office of Communications & Marketing |Northeastern State University
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Dr. Neil Morton, tireless advocate for public education in Green
Country is the second individual honored as Northeastern State Universitys Sequoyah
Fellow during a reception Jan. 22. Neil Morton is someone I admire and I am pleased
he accepted our invitation to be our second Sequoyah Fellow, said Phil Bridgmon, NSU
Dean of Liberal Arts.
Morton began his career in education 58 years ago and has worn many hats. He has worked with head-start programs all the way to graduate programs. Mortons educational journey with Northeastern State University began in the 50s. He graduated with his bachelors degree in 1957 and masters degree in 1961. Morton went on to pursue his doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas in 1976, only to return to NSU as an employee in 1970.
Through the 60s Morton worked in public schools. His professional career with NSU extended from the 70s through the 90s. While at NSU Morton was an instructor, held director positions and even became the Dean of Continuing Education and Public Service in 1979.
Among all the prestigious titles Morton obtained at NSU, he gained even more outside of the university. From 1991-98 he was the mayor of Stilwell, Okla., superintendent for Stilwell public schools from 2000-04, and executive director, senior advisor, deputy executive and senior advisor of Cherokee Nation Education Services. He even managed to become president of Morton Company Educational Consulting, Inc., a company that assists with grant development.
His record of service to both NSU and the Cherokee Nation is marked with distinction and respect by his colleagues, said Bridgmon. His spring 2014 affiliation with the College of Liberal Arts will allow us to further develop the Sequoyah Fellowship program. He will also consult with our Cherokee and Indigenous Studies department and our Promise Scholars.
The first Sequoyah Institute Fellow was Wilma Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Morton was selected because he embodies the same values as Mankiller.
His presence will be an honor to all of us, and we will be the beneficiaries of his wisdom, said Bridgmon.