NSU presents Centurion medallion to Carrie Underwood

Country music superstar and Northeastern State University alumna Carrie Underwood received her Centurion medal from her alma mater before her Oct. 10 show at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

Underwood was named one of NSU's first 100 Centurions during the university's Founder's Day celebration on March 6, 2009. Ten more names were added during the 2010 Founders Day observance.

"We took the opportunity of her being nearby to arrange time to present her with her medallion," said Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services. "She is definitely one of the most influential people of NSU's first 100 years. We want to acknowledge her achievements and what she means to NSU."

Underwood achieved national fame when she won the fourth American Idol singing competition in 2005. Today, she is a five-time Grammy Award winner, the two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year and a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year. She is only the second woman to win the academy's Top New Artist, Top Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards during her career.

She has sold over 13 million albums worldwide and has achieved a total of 13 No. 1 singles; six of the No. 1s were co-written by Underwood.

Underwood returned to NSU after her American Idol victory and graduated magna cum laude in Mass Communication in 2006. She was also named Outstanding Senior for 2006 and inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame.

The Centurion honor is given to members of the NSU family alumni, faculty, staff and students, whether past or present who impacted the life of the nominator, the Northeastern community or the public at large.