NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry opens doors

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – On July 29, Northeastern State University leaders, tribal dignitaries, city and county leadership, state legislators, donors, students and community members gathered to celebrate a vision—in every sense of the word.

Hundreds braved the morning heat to witness a defining moment in health care education: the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of NSU’s new 78,000-square-foot, nearly $40 million Oklahoma College of Optometry facility. Attendees toured the space, which speakers described as not just a building, but a bold step forward in delivering life-changing vision care and world-class training for the next generation of optometric professionals.

“This new facility that we celebrate is not the finish line—it's a starting point,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “It is a launching pad for new research, stronger partnerships and more care delivered to communities across Oklahoma and beyond.”

President Hanley was joined by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., who emphasized the power of collaboration in turning the vision into reality.

“The $5 million dollar investment Cherokee Nation contributed to NSU’s new College of Optometry is one of the most impactful contributions we’ve ever made in health care education,” Chief Hoskin said. “It supports hundreds of future optometrists and gives them hands-on training experience through the Cherokee Nation Health Services, where more than 40,000 annual patient encounters transpire. The continued collaboration between Cherokee Nation and NSU ensures that critical eye care will be delivered to our citizens, strengthening our mission to improve health and wellness for Cherokee families.”

Founded in 1979, the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry has graduated nearly 1,110 optometrists across 43 classes. Today, 81% of practicing optometrists in Oklahoma are NSUOCO alumni. This year alone, students, residents and faculty are projected to exceed 45,000 patient encounters across NSUOCO’s 11 clinic locations—including producing more than 20,000 pairs of eyeglasses for patients, many of them Cherokee citizens.

“NSUOCO is truly a special place,” Dr. Nate Lighthizer, dean of the College of Optometry, said. “With expanded space and cutting-edge technology, we’re not only increasing access—we’re introducing new services, including a refractive surgery clinic, more contact lens and primary care clinics, and a new aesthetics clinic. This building reflects our deep commitment to growing and serving the people of Oklahoma.”

NSUOCO is one of just 25 optometry colleges in the U.S., and the only one with a formal tribal affiliation and specific focus on serving Native and rural populations. The new facility will support six additional clinics this fall and is expected to accommodate up to 2,500 more patients annually.

Speakers throughout the morning included past and present university presidents and deans, the Tahlequah Mayor, tribal, state and higher education leaders, students and philanthropic supporters—individuals united by a shared commitment to NSU, its communities and its impact statewide.

Their message was clear: when vision and commitment align, great things happen.

July 29 marked the beginning of that next chapter—for vision care, for education and for lives changed far beyond Tahlequah.

For more information about NSUOCO, visit optometry.nsuok.edu.

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