TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, Northeastern State University alumnus, has been selected by NSU for the 2024 class of Centurions. Those recognized by NSU as Centurions embody strong leadership and community values.
Established during the 2009 Centennial Founders Day Celebration, the Centurion honor is awarded annually to members of the Northeastern State University family alumni, faculty, staff, and students, whether past or present who impacted the life of the nominator, the Northeastern community, or the public at large.
Deputy Chief Warner, 2009 alumnus, graduated from NSU with a bachelor’s in organismic biology. Warner later received his master’s degree in educational technology from East Central University.
“It was one of the best times,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “I started to get involved on campus and that was paramount to my success at the time. The faculty and staff at NSU were so memorable. My advisor at the time, Dr. Craig Clifford, was very honest and supportive of me. He told me what I needed to hear, and here we are today. I honed some leadership skills there as president of Pike Kappa Alpha and dealing with administrators of the time. That’s how I met Tahlequah Mayor Suzanne Myers and other great people who are still around today.”
The 2024 Centurion Luncheon will take place Wednesday, March 6. Deputy Chief Warner will receive his Centurion medal during the ceremony.
“As a student, when you look at the wall of fame, you don’t really know all these great leaders,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “An individual whom I look up to here, Cherokee Nation Secretary of Veterans Affairs S. Joe Crittenden, is a Centurion of NSU. Our Cherokee Nation Centurions are still doing great work out there. The status of Centurion pushes me forward to contribute; it raises the bar for me even more to be expected. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and we will all do better together.”