“It feels like home!” 

With a big smile on her face the words of Pei Thompson came straight from the heart when asked what she enjoys most as a student at Northeastern State University. “When I started looking at where to go to college, I knew that I wanted to find a place that was close to home and a school that offered things that I enjoy most,” explained Thompson, a 2021 Fort Gibson graduate who was the drum major in her high school band. “The fact that NSU has a really good opportunity to major in Music as well as in Education was the perfect fit for me.” 

Playing the mellophone as member of the NSU marching band who is currently midway through her second year on the Tahlequah campus as a Music Education major, Thompson likes the school spirit at NSU spreading across campus. 

“I absolutely love the environment of being in the NSU pep band especially at basketball games. It’s definitely loud and wild – it’s exhilarating. The spirit band likes creating a home court advantage for the RiverHawks!” In addition to her involvement in student activities including the “Good Yule” where students share their musical talents in the spirit of the Christmas holidays, Thompson also admits the size of the college makes learning fun. 

“In both my major studies and in my general education classes, the class sizes are a definite plus. It allows every student the opportunity to bond with our professors, said Thompson, who continues to maintain a 4.0 grade point average. “It’s like family where everyone helps everyone. The dorm life also offers me an opportunity for personal freedom.” 

Altogether, Pei Thompson is glad that she chose Northeastern State University and encourages everyone to find his or her pathway to success as a college student on the Tahlequah campus. “The people and the community make the difference. Whether you’re in the classroom or anywhere on campus and around Tahlequah, everyone wants you to succeed and will go out of their way to help you.”