OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The College of the Muscogee Nation held its 13th annual graduation ceremony last month, graduating 30 students within the various degree programs at the Mvskoke Dome on April 22.
Dean of Academic Affairs Mekko Tyner wanted to thank the CMN graduation committee, Mvskoke Dome staff, Chief David Hill, Second Chief Dell Beaver, and the MCN National Council.
“For all their help and support for a successful graduation,” Tyner said.
Miss Muscogee Nation Claudia McHenry earned her certificate in the Mvskoke Language and gave the invocation for the special ceremony.
Tyner wanted to recognize graduate Aaron Wesley who served as the CMN Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa President, Vice-President of the Tribal Leader Circle and Vice-President of the Student Senate.
Wesley provided a passionate student response to his fellow graduates at the ceremony.
Student nominated Faculty of the Year with Tribal Services Instructor Matthew Yates being named this year.
Tyner said that the typical number graduates ranges from 30-40 graduates.
The student population is about 90 percent Muscogee, according to Tyner.
CMN has paved the way for Muscogee citizens to earn two-year degrees and other higher education opportunities.
According to collegtuitioncompare.com, graduation Rate at College of the Muscogee Nation is 27 % within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 54%, and the transfer-out rate is 4 %, as of August 31, 2021.
“When we look at the data there’s always room for improvement, but we are improving,” Tyner said.
Tyner believes that the pandemic caused some of those numbers to shift due to limited capacity guidelines as required by the Centers for Disease Control.
Tyner said the dorms have been closed during this time and the classrooms have been at half capacity.
“As we get fully opened, we will be able to reach more students,” he said. “We’re moving in the right direction.”
The ceremony can be watched on the CMN YouTube page.
