Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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Robert J. Duncan, Ph.D., president of Bacone College and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith shake hands at the recent announcement of the formation of the Cherokee Nation School of Information Technology at Bacone College.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Bacone College and the Cherokee Nation have combined forces to launch the new Cherokee Nation School of Information Technology, which is scheduled to open this summer.

"This is a win-win situation for both Bacone College and the Cherokee Nation", said Dusty Delso, education director for the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation School of Information Technology will be housed on the Bacone College campus in Muskogee, but technology core courses will be completed on-line via the Internet. Students can complete this associate’s degree program in three years or less.

"This is a great degree program", Delso said. "The job market is good and many of the courses can be completed from home, so it’s perfect for stay-at-home moms or anyone who may not want to attend traditional classes."

"The historical educational mission of providing education to Native Americans is core and central to Bacone College", said Robert J. Duncan Jr, president of Bacone College. "To finally establish a school in a relationship with a tribal partner is a major step forward in our future."

The Cherokee Nation is providing $30,000 for the school, the program director, and the textbooks. Bacone College will provide classroom facilities, instructors, and full scholarships for 15 Cherokee Nation citizens enrolled in the program.

"We are proud to have a working relationship with Bacone College", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "One of our goals it to help citizens of the Cherokee Nation to achieve economic independence. Education is a very important key to accomplishing that goal. We look forward to working together with Bacone and Dr. Duncan to see this goal realized."

Cherokee Nation tribal citizens who are interested in enrolling in the Cherokee Nation School of Information Technology can contact Dale Miller, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2383) for more information. Anyone else who would like to enroll should contact Bacone College, phone: 888-682-5514.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org