ROTC Returns to NSU with Classes During Winter Intersession

TAHLEQUAH, OK The Army Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program is back at Northeastern State University. Housed on the Tahlequah campus for more than 15 years, the ROTC program was withdrawn from the NSU curriculum in the early 1990s because of Army-mandated cutbacks. ROTC will begin offering classes during the December Intersession.

The return of the ROTC program to the Northeastern campus is welcome and well-timed, said NSU President Dr. Larry Williams. Northeastern is proud to offer a program that helps young men and women develop leadership, self-confidence, and team working skills.

Northeasterns articulation with the ROTC Program makes NSU a more attractive option for students who are looking for higher-education options in addition to a sound ROTC Program. The agreement also opens the door to existing NSU students who will have the opportunity to cash in on the leadership-based curriculum and scholarship opportunities.

A complement to a traditional four-year or graduate education, the completion of NSUs two-year ROTC program constitutes a minor in Military Science for any degree program. Combining textbook education with hands-on experience in the field, the ROTC program teaches students self-confidence, leadership, and team-building skills, giving its graduates the edge in the corporate world and beyond.

Students will have the opportunity to take introductory ROTC courses as freshmen and sophomores with no obligation. In addition, ROTC participants have opportunities for service as an officer and may be eligible for scholarships and other financial aid to defray the costs of their college education. Those who complete the program are also eligible for a job as a commissioned officer for the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

Dr. V. Lyle Haskins, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which hosts the ROTC program, was a faculty member when ROTC first made its home on the Northeastern campus in 1977. He believes the return of the ROTC program will broaden the professional opportunities available to NSU students, offering career options they would not have otherwise and giving them a leadership edge in the job market.

With the return of the ROTC Program, NSU will benefit, the Army will benefit, but it is the NSU students who will benefit most of all, Haskins said.

Major Richard Mayes, assistant professor of Military Science, is one of four officers who will begin preparing Northeastern students for military careers. Major Mayes said he has been very impressed with the amount of support and enthusiasm form the Northeastern community.

Any time you have a program started and then stopped, its hard to get the enthusiasm back. But at Northeastern it was always here, he said.

Mayes and his teaching staff plan to enroll at least 50 students in ROTC classes. Though its a lofty goal for other NSU-sized campuses, Mayes feels confident that the Northeastern communitys interest in the program will exceed other area programs.

NSU historically has produced as many commissioned officers as a larger university would. There is no reason why, past history reviewed, that NSU couldn't produce more commissioned officers than the University of Arkansas, Mayes said.

A probationary satellite of the ROTC operation at the University of Arkansas, the NSU-ROTC program is part of Northeasterns College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. NSUs ROTC Program is located in Haskell Hall across from the Placement Office. For more information about the ROTC Program or to enroll, contact Major Mayes at 918-456-5511, ext. 3050, or email him at mayes@nsuok.edu.

12/10/02

Published: 2002-12-10 00:00:00