NSU Alumni Association awards 2010-11 Legacy Scholarships

(Tahlequah, Okla.)Four freshmen at Northeastern State University are recipients of the 2011-12 Legacy Scholarships, awarded through the Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni and Development.

Receiving scholarships for $1,250 are Elizabeth Jones of Muldrow and Breanna Thorman of Pryor. Jordan Landsaw of Hulbert and Lauren Rosson of Muskogee each received scholarships of $750.

The scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen with family who attended NSU in the past. Applicants must have a cumulative high school grade-point average of at least 3.0. Applications are reviewed by a committee drawn from the Alumni Associations board of directors. The committee determines the number of scholarships, the amounts to award and the recipients. This years committee was chaired by Barbara Abercrombie, director of human resources at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.

In the past, those applying for the scholarship could voluntarily write an essay, Abercrombie said. This year, we decided to require an essay about the importance of NSU to the applicants and to the persons naming them as legacies.

Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services, said the support and generosity of Alumni Association members, particularly those with life memberships, allows the association to offer the Legacy Scholarships.

A portion of life member dues provides a significant proportion of the resources that continue to build the Legacy Scholarship endowment, he said. This program fits squarely with the Alumni Associations mission, and the board of directors is thrilled to be able to deliver a tangible benefit that assists families of our alumni.

Johnson said the board chose the most qualified applicants from a tremendous pool of academic talent.

Its never an easy task for the committee to make these selections, he said. But these four stood out for their academic performance, extracurricular involvement and the thoughts they shared on their family members who preceded them at Northeastern."

Abercrombie, a 1993 graduate of NSU, said she was happy to assume the scholarship committee chair, but knew the task would be difficult.

There were a lot of choices to make because so many students applied, she said. We were thrilled with the number of applications, but that made the selection process tough. I believe the board made excellent selections and we look forward to these recipients enjoying success at NSU in the future.

For more information about scholarships offered at NSU contact the Office of Scholarships at 918-444-3472.