NSU alumni make Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list

Each year Oklahoma Magazine names 40 recipients for its 40 Under 40 award. The magazine aims to spotlight Oklahomas hardest working young professionals, who are bringing youth, creativity, determination and drive to the state of Oklahoma.

This year's award recipients included three NSU alumni: Amber Fite-Morgan, Stuart Ashworth and Andy Langston.

Amber Fite-Morgan

Amber Fite-Morgan, who currently serves as NSUs general counsel, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from NSU in 2002 and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa.

Fite-Morgan, a Muskogee native, spent much of her time at NSU involved in various activities such as Northeastern Student Government Association, where she served as president from 2001-02, Oklahoma Student Government Association, Delta Zeta sorority, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, PanHellenic, Order of Omega, and Rho Theta Sigma. She remained active in various organizations at TU, and has continued as an involved member of numerous societies, organizations and clubs related to her professional career.

Through these various organizations Fite-Morgan has been able to demonstrate a strong commitment to her community. She believes that her strong work ethic, her passion for higher education, and her understanding that the responsibility to make Oklahoma a better place falls on each citizen, were key components in her nomination for this recognition.

Fite-Morgan was also recognized as one of the National Center for American Enterprise Developments Native American 40 Under 40 early this year. This award is given annually to those who have made significant contributions to the profession as well as their communities.

Much of Fite-Morgans successes as a young professional she attributes to opportunities she was given at Northeastern State University.

My NSU experience prepared me for both my career as well as life outside of my profession, she said. Through my interactions with fellow students, professors, and administrators and involvement with student organizations, I gained communication and leadership skills that cannot be taught. I learned a lot about myself during my tenure at NSU, and faced challenges that made me more confident.

When asked what key piece of advice she had for young professionals in Oklahoma, Fite-Morgan expressed that finding what a person loves and doing it is most important.

Do not be afraid of failure and take risks. Be brave. Networking is a must, and most important, believe in yourself.

Stuart Ashworth

Stuart Ashworth earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance with an emphasis in Financial Planning from NSU in 2010. He later earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa as well. At TU, he received a certificate in Native American Law, and currently serves as the staff attorney for Cherokee Nation Businesses.

A Tulsa native, Ashworth believes that the most important thing that an individual can do is contribute to his community and state by voting, being vocal about issues and always being in contact with his or her elected officials. He takes extended time and effort to research candidates, know the issues and use his vote where it matters.

This challenging mindset is one that Ashworth learned during his time at NSU, where he was a member of the Native American Student Association and served as president of the American Indian Business Leaders.

I greatly enjoyed the challenging teaching styles of the professors at NSU. Many of my professors required us to work on collaborative projects. This provided me with some creative problem-solving experiences and gave me the skills essential to establish priorities and compromises when necessary. I gained confidence in my decision making, and I have applied these skills to real-world problems while practicing as an attorney, he said.

Ashworth specifically attributes much of his success both in school and as a professional to Drs. John Yeutter, Denise Deason-Toyne and Ken Jones, who he said consistently inspired him to push himself harder and strive to achieve great things.

Although Ashworth has seen many great moments in his life, he sees teamwork and collaboration and the subsequent respect they have brought him as some of his most prized successes.

Success is not always determined by how hard you work as an individual. Getting ahead in life should never be driven by the idea of individualism and putting yourself ahead of others, he said. Teamwork and joint collaboration are more important than anything. Work well with others in your lifes endeavors, and at the very least, your will end your life with respect and close friends by your side.

Andy Langston

Andy Langston, a 1999 General Psychology graduate of NSU, went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Mid-American Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.

Langston spent the early part of his career in the banking industry before joining Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos. He has held various senior operational management positions within Creek Nation Casino properties, and officially filled the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2014.

Along with Fite-Morgan, Langston was also recognized as one of the National Center for American Enterprise Developments Native American 40 Under 40 early this year.