“I’ve had the best time of my life…making memories playing golf with a team that was more like my family and at the same time, NSU created opportunities for me to walk right down the fairway toward completing my degree and opened the doors to my desired career and success.”
As Nina Lee completes her collegiate career as an award-winning athlete on the women’s golf team at Northeastern State University, the reflection as she looks in the mirror brings a smile to her face.
“I’ve felt at home since the first day I came on campus,” said Lee, a 2018 graduate from Collinsville High School where she was the Class 5A state champion her senior year. “Not only has it given me the opportunity to play the game I love, the chance to travel and play with my teammates, NSU has helped me to make friendships that will last for life.
The fifth year senior has left her mark as a RiverHawk golfer including All-MIAA first team honors this year as well as recently named to the Women’s Golf Coaches Association Division II Central Region team. Known to her coach and teammates as “captain of the team”, Lee admits she’s had plenty of support, on and off the golf course.
“Our golf teams, women and men, do everything together…6:30am runs that brought us all together; the workouts, practices plus the team activities off the course bonded us as a family,” said Lee. “It’s also been a big win-win experience thanks to my professors and the other students on campus. Together we’ve built a connection where everyone goes out of his or her way to help with whatever needs you have as a student. It’s what makes NSU so special to me because everyone is interested in your success.”
Graduated with a degree in Health and Human Performance, Lee will remain on the Tahlequah campus as a graduate assistant for RiverHawks golf while completing her Masters degree in Health and Sports Science on her way to a career in dentistry.
“Coming here has opened so many doors of opportunity for me. I would tell anyone if you want a place to call home, a place where everyone cares about you and your success, NSU is the place to be.”
