When Billie Cruz walked across the stage to receive her diploma, it was one of the most memorable days in her life. Cruz was one of two OU-Online students awarded cash prizes for their winning essays in Ottawa University-Online’s first annual “Tell Us Your Story” contest. The money was to be used for travel expenses associated with attending one of OU’s five graduation ceremonies across the nation. Cruz walked on May 11 during OU-Arizona’s commencement ceremony at North Phoenix Bapt

Stephone Cotton would be lying if he said it was easy. Cotton, a 2012 graduate of The College, said he had to overcome a number of obstacles in order to earn his business administration degree. “There were a billion things,” said Cotton, who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Even though his sister, Dorvonda Payne ‘12, was also attending OU, he had a difficult time with his extended family being so far away and with the new college atmosphere. “I struggled a lot with relations

“What’s your degree in, Daddy?” An innocent question from his daughter sent Fred King on a mission to complete a journey decades in his past. In 1975, King came to Ottawa University from his home outside Miami, Oklahoma. He was among the first members of the Ottawa Tribe to attend OU. But education was not a priority in his life—marriage and full-time employment simply took precedent over earning his bachelor’s degree. He returned to his hometown to be a police officer like his

Veronica Mascaro understands the meaning of the word persistence. She has been playing the flute since the third grade, performing all over the United States and the world. She currently performs in three professional orchestras and is part of a flute and classical guitar duet. She coaches chamber music in the United States and in Europe. She’s an assistant conductor for a youth orchestra. She has served as a presenter of master classes in the Czech Republic, Madrid and Spain. But perhap