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NSU is experiencing changes and creating new beginnings, and students on campus are undergoing those changes along with the school.
Recent graduates of NSU are experiencing new beginnings as well. While they are not still on campus, NSU still plays a vital role in their lives. The experiences and education they received while at NSU is what they know when they graduate.
Classes, formals, parties and fun were all a part of their lives as students at NSU, but how is life for post graduates when the real world hits them hard and the ultimate college experience no longer takes over their lives?
Larry Gray graduated in May 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He loved every minute of his time at NSU. Although he is now a husband and a provider, he admits that he does miss college life a little.
“College was a great time and a once in a lifetime experience,” said Gray. “I was in the Lambda Chi Fraternity and I had an awesome time. Being in the fraternity helped me to learn how to deal with people both good and bad, manage time and look for the best in all situations.”
Nicholas Howk said life outside of college has not been what he expected at all, and he also misses old college times.
“I miss the college life at times because I took on a lot after I graduated,” said Howk. “I am married, have a full-time job, three part-time jobs and I am remodeling a house. I did not expect to be taking on all of these tasks after I graduated. I expected to get a job and start a life, but things are being held up a bit until my wife can finish school and our house gets finished.”
Howk graduated in May 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. Although things are not going exactly as planned, Howk is proud of his degree and the position he has received because of it. He works for the Muscogee Creek Nation as the editor for their weekly paper
Meghan Gray is hard at work at Armstrong Bank.
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While Gray and Howk both reminisce back on old times, they said they wouldn’t change their life now for anything.
“I work at Wal-Mart in Poteau as an assistant manager and I am always traveling back and forth. My life tends to get hectic,” said Gray. “It’s worth it though, because I am getting to work in a position that I enjoy.”
Howk said he feels he learned a lot at NSU that helped him prepare for where he is today in his life.
“Well, at NSU I learned that there are a lot of big fish in the sea and in order to succeed in life I would have to be willing to step up to any challenge that comes my way,” said Howk. “Maintaining this aggressive and competitive attitude is what helped me get to where I am. I had the ability to succeed in the world. All I had to do was put in some hard work to make things happen.”
Lacy Weber also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication in December 2006. She works at Bank of Oklahoma and feels that her job would never have been possible without the time she put in at NSU earning her degree.
“I felt like I was never going to graduate,” said Weber. “I was a working mother and college student at the same time, but I am so glad I graduated. Being a student at NSU gave me the desire and initiative to want to finish and I have an amazing job and life now because I did.”
Alison Hallum is another example of what an education at NSU can bring someone. She just received a job at the VA Regional Office in Muskogee.
“I honestly don’t feel that I could’ve gotten the job without my degree,” said Hallum. “They have had my application on file since April and I didn’t get an interview until after I graduated in May and they still asked to make sure I had finished my degree.”
She said NSU helped her prepare for life in many ways.
“The business department prepared me with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the business world,” said Hallum. “I am very thankful for that.”
Meghan Gray graduated in December 2005 with a bachelor’s in business administration and has had a very successful life since.
She was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and worked while she was in college and although she wouldn’t change anything about it, she admits that life after college is pretty great.
Gray works at Armstrong Bank in the bookkeeping department and is currently pursuing her teaching certificate.
“I have decided that I want to teach and without my degree it would not be possible to do that,” said Gray. “I didn’t know I wanted to teach 5 years ago, but I am lucky that I do have a degree and can still get my teaching certificate.”
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Photo by Ashley Russell-White |
