Founder's Day commemorates NSU

By Kimberly Doyle

     An event to not only remember NSU but to also celebrate the creation of it is coming soon. On March 5, the NSU Student Foundation is organizing the second Founder’s Day 5K run. This event is filled with history and entertainment along with the celebration of NSU Founder’s Day.
     “The NSU Founder’s Day 5K run is one of the many events hosted on the NSU Tahlequah campus that commemorates the creation of Northeastern State University and pays tribute to the foresight of the Cherokee National Tribal Council,” said Eric Pool, a security engineer for NSU and the co-director of the Founder’s Day 5K run.
     The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 5 at the Centennial Plaza located on the south lawn of the Seminary Hall. Participants can pre-register online at http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~FD5K/sign_up.html . Wings members can sign up through the wings website at http://steps.cherokee.org/wings.aspx. The deadline to pre-register is Feb. 25 and the cost is $15 for one person and $30 for a three person team. For those who choose to register on race day, the cost is $20 for one person and $40 for a team. Awards will also be given to the top three finishers in both the male and female categories.
     The Founder’s Day run is not only a celebration but it is also a fundraiser as well. The committee is raising money for the NSU Student Foundation to help support student scholarship programs, student activities and university initiatives. The NSU Foundation has helped give students many opportunities to get involved and enjoy the college experience.
     In celebrating Founder’s Day, door prizes will be given after the race. Barnes and Noble and many other businesses around the Tahlequah area have donated different prizes. Joe Merenda, a live DJ, will also be providing music and entertainment for the event. Companies like Reasor’s and Oasis will donate food and fruit for the runners and Loves Bottling Co. will provide bottles of water. Even more food and entertainment is to be expected as well.
     “The main purpose of the 5K run is to bring the community, university, and surrounding areas together,” said Layna Austin, the committee chair of the Founder’s Day 5K run.
Anyone interested in participating or enjoying the festivities can visit the websites provided or visit www.nsugiving.com/studentfoundation . For more information contact Eric Pool at pooled@nsuok.edu, Amanda Jones at jonesam@nsuok.edu, or Layna Austin at austin02@nsuok.edu .