I was an All State H.S. All American FB player from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, playing on Coach Chuck Bowman's first recruiting class FB Team. We were 1967 NJCAA National Champions. I Was drafted into the U s Army in 1968 serving in the Viet Nam War. I attended University of Central Oklahoma (Central State University then) Playing for once NEO Coach Gary Howard on Football and Wrestling Scholarships after the war. Like many, many others Norse Alums . . . NEO and Coach Chuck Bowman was a God send for me during a very difficult time in my life. I'm currently Coaching Football and Wrestling at Tulsa Hale H.S. finishing my 46th year in education. I Coached three State Champ Wrestling and two Football Championships. Hopefully we've influenced many young men because of NEO's influence on me. THANKS "NEO GOLDEN NORSE"

This place was the best decision I made in my life! It’s a very big part of who I am today.

Loved campus life, cheerleading under Archie Gwartney. Good memories of football, basketball and baseball games. 1967 national football championship trip by bus. Dorm parents David and Gay Ferguson were always helpful, with David photographing campus life, many of those pictures being included in the yearbook. First scheduled baseball game in spring 1968 was cancelled because of a giant snowstorm, snow up above my knees. Dorm life rule was to be in your room by 7:00 unless you had a pass to the library. Dresses for girls was the norm, before slacks/jeans were permissible for attending classes. Always enjoyed seeing Bruce G. Carter walking through campus. I look back at those two years with fondness and precious memories.

Choosing to attend NEO was such a wonderful decision. After growing up in the small town of Minco, Oklahoma, NEO gave me the opportunity to really spread my wings. After becoming a Norse Star, I met lifelong friends who are still an integral part of my life to this day. The memories are priceless and we continue to make them each and every time we get together. Go, Go, NEO!

Played on Coach Bowman’s 1969 undefeated National Champion football team then transferred to University of New Mexico and earned bachelors degree. Later attended University of Oklahoma earning a masters and doctorate. Retired as a full professor from University of Central Oklahoma.

Graduated Tulsa East Central in Spring 1972. Started at NEO A&M in Fall 1972. Played Football and ran track. I know the stadium and associated Sports complex areas very well (great improvements since 1974 too). Lived in Dyer Hall and graduated in Spring 1974. Greatly enjoyed campus life and the related student activities. The most gained values were my associated studies and educational accomplishments including math and science pre-requisites. I have always been thankful for the smaller classroom instructions and the personal interests by the NEO A&M faculty toward their students to succeed. I was fortunate to be able to transfer majority of courses at NEO A&M and completed a BS in Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas (1976). After graduation worked for Weyerhauser Company in SW AR and SE OK. In 1979, began working for Arkansas Power & Light which later became Entergy Services which is an investor-owned electric utility in AR, LA, MS & TX. Worked various Environmental Resource positions of responsibility involving my Agriculture and Science backgrounds. After 42.5 years of service, I retired early part of January 2022. I remain busy on part-time basis as a Contract Consultant, Registered/License Forester and Private Pilot/Aerial Patrols & Recognizance. I will always be proud of my home state and very appreciative of my past education (especially NEO A&M) and the personal knowledge gained from family, friends, co-workers, and mentors. If opportunity exists or ever develops to provide a presentation to support any related matters at NEO A&M, please keep my name active in your Alumni Files. "Once a Norseman... always a Norseman"!

I was a Norse Star (1 year) and cheerleader (2 years) at NEO and I loved it from day one. A favorite memory of mine is running the players on the field and I slipped and fell. Two players right behind me scooped me up and carried me all the way to the sidelines without missing a beat! I also worked at the college switchboard part=time and it was located in the admin/library building so everyone would stop and say hi on their way to the library. The dorms were over crowded my first year and myself and three friends were allowed to live in the student apartments right behind the dorm. As freshmen, we sweet talked Mr. Hudspeth into letting us live there. It was great, as we had a kitchen and we once made 17 cakes there for the basketball players. Another special thing for me was being the homecoming queen for the 69’ team and their winning the national football championship. The team, cheerleaders, Norse Stars and the band all went to Savannah for that special game. Dr. Carter was a huge supporter and how he got the money to send us all, I will never know. As cheerleaders, we traveled to the out of state games with Dean Angle and Mr. Gwartney in the college station wagons along with their wives. Great times, great memories and I wish students today could have the fun and relationships that we had with the faculty and staff. It was like one big family.

I'm from Jay, Oklahoma. I went to NEO in the fall of 2015 and graduated in the spring of 2017. I was part of the 2016 Horse Judging team. After NEO I attended OSU and received my bachelor's in Meat Science and a Masters in Food Safety. After I completed my Masters, I worked at Tyson Foods in the prepared food division as a sanitation supervisor for 1 year before accepting a position at J-M Farms as the Quality Assurance Director.

I was a 3 year member of the baseball team due to a medical redshirt year. I was a member of the 1989 Junior college world series team and a reciepient of the Carl Rigny award for outstanding achievement in academics and athletics in 1991. I went on from NEO to play baseball for East Central OSU and graduated with a BA in 1993 while holding an officer position with Alpha Phi Sigma (National Criminal Justice Honor Society). I then started my law enforcement career in Louisiana as a Game Warden for 3 years then transitioning into a Narcotics task force agent for 12 years. I then left law enforcement to take a corporate HSE & Security position with Team Industrial Services,the largest oil field service company in the US for 11 years. I have also been a Pro Staff affiliate of Bass Pro Shops/Cabelas for over 20 years conducted outdoor shows, seminars, and training. I am currently a safety focal point at the Shell Oil Company refining and chemical facility in New Orleans. I am currently married to an amazing women with 3 beautiful children and live outside Baton Rouge Louisiana.

I enrolled at NEO after having taken 8 years off from school and starting a family. I was told throughout school by teachers to never attempt college, as I wouldn't make it. So, I was obviously nervous about going back to school, but my orthopedic surgeon at the time stated that I needed to leave my job as a tour guide in Branson and find a job where I could sit occasionally. I always wanted to be a a teacher, so this was my catalyst. I chose NEO because of its small size and the fact that my wife attended there as well and could show me the ropes. I started in the summer and willingly took on 12 hours, just to see what I could do. I made a 4.0 that semester. From there, I joined 9 clubs, holding offices in most (don't so that. It's a bad idea). I was tapped for Phi Theta Kappa early on. I graduated in December 2003, and was selected for the Oklahoma All-State Academic Team with one other NEO student (only 29 were selected statewide). I went on to MSSU for my Bachelors in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education, graduating magna cum laude. After that, I earned my M.Ed. at American InterContinental University, and I am currenlty working on my dissertation for an Ed.D. in Special Education with NorthCentral University. (Having aged since then, I am now a political independent, so don't judge my club choices).

My journey at NEO A&M was a transformative chapter marked by academic excellence, spirited enthusiasm, and a passionate pursuit of knowledge. From the moment I stepped onto the campus grounds, I was enveloped by a sense of belonging that only a close community can provide. NEO A&M's intimate size fostered an environment where everyone seemed to know everyone else, creating an atmosphere that transcended the traditional student experience. Professors weren't just educators; they were mentors invested in our success, and classmates quickly became lifelong friends. The small community at NEO A&M became the cornerstone of my college experience. It meant more than being a face in the crowd; it meant being an integral part of a family. Whether engaging in campus events or cheering on the sideline with my team at sporting events, the bonds formed in this close-knit community were genuine. The small community, with its friendly faces and shared experiences, provided a foundation that empowered me to explore, learn, and grow. Throughout my two years at NEO A&M, I earned the distinction of being on the honors list, a testament to my intellectual curiosity. NEO A&M served as the foundation for my academic journey, sparking my passion for education and laying the groundwork for my future aspirations. It was during these formative years that I discovered my calling to become a professor, recognizing the profound impact that educators can have on shaping the minds and futures of their students. Beyond the academic realm, I brought my contagious energy to the cheerleading squad, uplifting the spirits of both fellow students and the entire campus community. My involvement in cheerleading not only showcased my athleticism but also demonstrated my ability to work collaboratively in a team, embodying the values of unity and school pride. My time at NEO A&M was a transformative journey, not just academically but personally. The lessons learned and experiences gained at NEO A&M have undeniably set the stage for a future filled with intellectual pursuits, educational impact, and a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. Armed with a strong academic foundation, a spirit of resilience, and a burning desire to make a difference in the lives of others through education, I am now on the pathway to pursuing a Master's and will be graduating May of 2024, poised to continue my journey as a dedicated scholar and aspiring professor. NEO A&M became not just an educational institution but a home away from home. It's a chapter of my life that I look back on with fondness, appreciating not only the education I received but the genuine connections that made NEO A&M feel like more than just a college—it was a community that became an indelible part of my story.

Won football championship as a freshman.

Played on the basketball team my first year and then played intramurals my second year. Made many great life long friends while I was there!