NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry opens new facility

NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry's new facility Image credit: Northeastern State University

The Northeastern State University (NSU) recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 78,000-square-foot Oklahoma College of Optometry facility, worth nearly $40 million, via a ribbon-cutting.¹ University leaders, tribal dignitaries, city and county leadership, state legislators, donors, students, and community members who attended the event were able to tour the building in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, according to a news release.

The new facility has opened just in time to see its first classes held in the fall semester.²

“This new facility that we celebrate is not the finish line—it's a starting point,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said in the release. “It is a launching pad for new research, stronger partnerships, and more care delivered to communities across Oklahoma and beyond.”

The 3-story facility will provide space and equipment for enhanced vision care access to underserved populations, in addition to expanded clinical and continuing education for students and optometric professionals.² The first floor is planned to be a dedicated clinical floor with 26 exam lanes, 4 conference rooms, 3 laser procedure rooms, 2 surgical procedure rooms, and several pretesting and special testing rooms. The first floor will also feature an optical dispensary, clinical waiting room, and front desk area. The second floor will comprise 2 classrooms, an auditorium that can also serve as a lecture hall, support offices, laboratory spaces, conference rooms, a spectacle fabrication lab, and a receiving and loading dock for eye care equipment. Finally, the third floor will hold faculty offices, administrative offices, student practice exam lanes, student study spaces, and the student lounge.³

“The $5 million investment Cherokee Nation contributed to NSU’s new College of Optometry is one of the most impactful contributions we’ve ever made in health care education,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr in the release.¹ “It supports hundreds of future optometrists and gives them hands-on training experience through the Cherokee Nation Health Services, where more than 40,000 annual patient encounters transpire. The continued collaboration between Cherokee Nation and NSU ensures that critical eye care will be delivered to our citizens, strengthening our mission to improve health and wellness for Cherokee families.”

The project broke ground 2 years ago and was inspired by a trip made by NSUOCO’s senior staff and faculty to other colleges of optometry in 2016. According to Dean of the College of Optometry Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO, the trip allowed for faculty and staff to develop ideas to advance eye care education and services in the school’s region.²

“It's been a long time coming,” Lighthizer said in a news release.² “We made those visits to see what their buildings were like and what they had designed, so we're 9 years in this process. It’s been a long road and a fun journey that culminates with the ribbon-cutting. The general feeling [in the college] is excitement.”

NSUOCO was founded in 1979 and has graduated almost 1110 optometrists across its 43 classes. Currently, 81% of practicing optometrists in Oklahoma are NSUOCO alumni. Additionally, students, residents, and faculty at the school are estimated to exceed 45,000 patient encounters this year at NSUOCO’s 11 clinic locations, in addition to producing more than 20,000 pairs of eyeglasses for patients.¹

“NSUOCO is truly a special place,” Nate Lighthizer said in the release.¹ “With expanded space and cutting-edge technology, we’re not only increasing access—we’re introducing new services, including a refractive surgery clinic, more contact lens and primary care clinics, and a new aesthetics clinic. This building reflects our deep commitment to growing and serving the people of Oklahoma.”

References:

1. A vision realized: NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry opens doors on nearly $40 million milestone facility. News release. Northeastern State University. July 29, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025.

2. NSU celebrates next chapter in vision care with new optometry facility launch – July 29. News release. Northeastern State University. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://nsuok.edu/RiverhawkNews/new_optometry_launch.aspx#:~:text=TAHLEQUAH%2C%20Okla.,Crafton%20Street%2C%20Tahlequah.

3. On the horizon: a new home for the Oklahoma College of Optometry. Full Scope. Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. 2024;2. https://optometry.nsuok.edu/_resources/documents/full-scope_2024-issue-2.pdf