University Of Tulsa, Choctaw Nation Form Partnership

Associated Press

TULSA, OK -- The University of Tulsa and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma have formed a partnership aimed at helping improve the academic achievement levels of tribal members.

TU President Steadman Upham says the partnership will include efforts by TU to reach out to Choctaw students as early as the eighth or ninth grade through the Durant-based tribe's Scholarship Advisement Program. The partnership will provide a four-year scholarship to eligible entering freshmen and transfers who are members of the program.

It also will include additional assistance in seeking outside scholarships for tribal members, free tutoring for Choctaw students and support for the growth of the TU Native American Student Association.

Choctaw Chief Greg Pyle says the partnership is a holistic approach to helping Choctaw students achieve more in the classroom.