Northeastern State University is set to recognize the accomplishments of more than 600 graduates during the fall 2023 commencement scheduled for Dec. 9 at the NSU Event Center.
The fall 2023 commencement will be a time of celebration for graduates with ceremonies for the College of Business and Technology and Gregg Wadley College of Science and Health Professions, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts will follow at 1:30 p.m.
Guests are welcome to attend in person or virtually. NSU will live stream commencement ceremonies for family and friends who are unable to attend.
The commencement address will be given by 2023 NSU Outstanding Young Alumnus Stephen Highers.
Highers graduated from NSU with a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2005.
After graduating from NSU, Highers served as central field representative for U.S. Congressman Dan Boren, where he planned and implemented the first Oklahoma Second Congressional District African American Business and Leadership Summit.
Under his direction, the Cherokee Nation Economic Development Trust Authority assisted over 425 community-based small businesses, creating approximately 1,800 community-based jobs. Highers comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and small business owners who fueled his passion for working with small businesses today. He is one of under 1,200 certified economic developers worldwide and has been recognized for his work as one of Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40.
Highers serves on the Tahlequah City Council and Tahlequah Hospital Authority and is on the board of directors for several other area organizations, such as Northeast Oklahoma Regional Alliance, Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, and the Lake Area United Way. He remains active with the alumni chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa and is a lifetime member of the NSU Alumni Association.
For more information regarding the fall 2023 commencement, visit www.nsuok.edu/commencement. To view the commencement ceremonies virtually, visit Facebook.com/NSURiverHawks.