OSU Center for Health Sciences Honors Osage Medical Graduate
Press Release
American Indian Honoring Ceremony
Tulsa, Ok. –Thursday, May 6, 2021, the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Health Sciences held the American Indian Honoring Ceremony which included Piper Long, an Osage member, and 2021 Osteopathic graduate honored at the event.
Native American students across Oklahoma walked across the stage, shook hands, and received degrees they have worked very hard to obtain. The event took place in the Tandy Conference Center. There was a welcome given by Jacque Hensley (Kaw, Cherokee AIMS Director). They conducted a flag presentation as well by OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students with a flag song performed by Keenan Springer (Comanche). Dwight Pickering (Caddo, Otoe, and Kaw, Director of Kanza Human Development Division of the Kaw Nation) said a traditional prayer in honor of the ceremony. The Keynote Speaker was Brian Hail (Cherokee) who serves as the Deputy Director of OSU. Associate Dean, Dr. Kent Smith (Comanche and Chickasaw) formally recognized each Native American graduate from the AIMS Office.
Long, a former Kindergarten teacher at Daposka Ahnkodapi, graduated from her studies in Radiology and Diagnostics with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and was amongst the Native American medical students honored at the ceremony. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear was present and placed the golden graduation stole upon her during the formality. Dr. Smith placed a Pendleton blanket on Long during the final acknowledgment of both her academic success and her Native American legacy. She will be completing her residency training in Diagnostic Radiology at OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Long commented, “My academic experience as a Native American (Osage) student has been extraordinary. I have received an abundance of support from my Native American community throughout my educational journey. I am honored to have been the recipient of several Native American scholarships including the Indian Health Service Scholarship, Cobell Scholarship, and Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship. These scholarships have given me the financial support to achieve my educational goals while serving my community as a Native American Student Ambassador for OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
Five tribes were represented by the students at this event, including Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and our very own Osage Nation.
Other tribal leaders present on behalf of other tribal students included Principal Chief David Hill from the Muscogee Nation, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Governor Bill Anoatubby from the Chickasaw Nation, and other leaders from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
For more information about this event, contact the Osage Nation Education Department: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/education-department
Main Phone: 918-287-5300
For more information, contact: ON Communications Department
Office: 918-287-5599
Email: press@osagenation-nsn.gov
Tulsa, Ok. –Thursday, May 6, 2021, the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Health Sciences held the American Indian Honoring Ceremony which included Piper Long, an Osage member, and 2021 Osteopathic graduate honored at the event.
Native American students across Oklahoma walked across the stage, shook hands, and received degrees they have worked very hard to obtain. The event took place in the Tandy Conference Center. There was a welcome given by Jacque Hensley (Kaw, Cherokee AIMS Director). They conducted a flag presentation as well by OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students with a flag song performed by Keenan Springer (Comanche). Dwight Pickering (Caddo, Otoe, and Kaw, Director of Kanza Human Development Division of the Kaw Nation) said a traditional prayer in honor of the ceremony. The Keynote Speaker was Brian Hail (Cherokee) who serves as the Deputy Director of OSU. Associate Dean, Dr. Kent Smith (Comanche and Chickasaw) formally recognized each Native American graduate from the AIMS Office.
Long, a former Kindergarten teacher at Daposka Ahnkodapi, graduated from her studies in Radiology and Diagnostics with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and was amongst the Native American medical students honored at the ceremony. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear was present and placed the golden graduation stole upon her during the formality. Dr. Smith placed a Pendleton blanket on Long during the final acknowledgment of both her academic success and her Native American legacy. She will be completing her residency training in Diagnostic Radiology at OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Long commented, “My academic experience as a Native American (Osage) student has been extraordinary. I have received an abundance of support from my Native American community throughout my educational journey. I am honored to have been the recipient of several Native American scholarships including the Indian Health Service Scholarship, Cobell Scholarship, and Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship. These scholarships have given me the financial support to achieve my educational goals while serving my community as a Native American Student Ambassador for OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
Five tribes were represented by the students at this event, including Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and our very own Osage Nation.
Other tribal leaders present on behalf of other tribal students included Principal Chief David Hill from the Muscogee Nation, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Governor Bill Anoatubby from the Chickasaw Nation, and other leaders from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
For more information about this event, contact the Osage Nation Education Department: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/education-department
Main Phone: 918-287-5300
For more information, contact: ON Communications Department
Office: 918-287-5599
Email: press@osagenation-nsn.gov