Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby will address East Central University graduate candidates for the 2016 fall semester on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. in the Kerr Activities Center.
There are 210 candidates for bachelor’s degrees and 99 for master’s degrees.
Anoatubby, an alum and 1972 graduate of ECU, has served as governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987. His effective leadership has led to ongoing growth within the tribe.
When Anoatubby took office as governor, the Chickasaw Nation had only 250 employees. Today, it employs nearly 14,000. The financial conditions of the tribe have been improved tremendously. Funding for tribal operations has grown exponentially. Tribal assets have grown twentyfold.
His leadership not only spurred the financial growth and success of the Chickasaw Nation, but his influence has also helped preserve the proud history and culture of the tribe. Anoatubby’s efforts have led to a cultural and language renaissance among the Chickasaw Nation, including the construction of the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, a state-of-the-art campus which celebrates the legacy of the Chickasaw people while serving as a supreme learning tool.
Led by Anoatubby’s efforts, the Chickasaw Nation has been a generous friend to ECU, donating funds for the construction of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center, which houses the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business. The most recent gift led to the financing of the Chickasaw Plaza at Koi Ishto Stadium.
In his role as chief executive of the Chickasaw Nation, Anoatubby has made education, jobs, health care, preservation of the environment and business development as priorities in his governorship, all of which have sustained success and growth.
Prior to becoming Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Anoatubby served as the first Lieutenant Governor from 1979-1987. He has been active in tribal government since 1975. His previous positions include director of tribal health services, director of finance, and special assistant to the governor and controller.
Anoatubby earned his degree in accounting from ECU in 1972. He was named ECU Distinguished Alumnus in 1995.
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