Three Navajo Students to Graduate from C.W. Post

May 5, 2003 - Four years ago, Christie Cooke, Luauna Nez, and Wendolyn Begay ventured away from their Navajo reservation in Window Rock and Ganado, Arizona to attend the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville. On May 11, the three will graduate with bachelor’s degrees, ready to take their places in the world as the college celebrates its 45th Commencement exercises.

Volleyball was a major factor in bringing the three to the campus. They were recruited to join the team by the coach who knew of the young women through another student on the team who hailed from the same Arizona town they did. "Volleyball is something we all loved to do," said Cooke, but campus life was a big change from life on the reservation.

"The first year was probably the hardest," says Nez, who is graduating with a bachelor of science in elementary education. "We were struggling emotionally, our families weren’t here and we had to adapt to a whole new world. We depended on each other. We became each others’ family."

"I was hesitant to come at first," says Begay, a pre-med student who is graduating with a bachelor of science in biology. "But I knew I wanted to explore the world outside of the reservation. So I said ‘Why not New York?’"

Cooke, who will be graduating with a bachelor of arts in English, has been working on her personal memoirs. The project, which started as part of her applications to graduate school, is about growing up on a reservation and things meaningful to her. She’s been accepted into graduate Creative Writing programs at both Columbia University and University of Arizona.

"I am so grateful for the experience," says Nez, who will be continuing her education at C.W. Post as she studies toward a master’s degree in literacy education. "It was a good experience for all of us," Begay agrees, as she prepares to take her medical school boards in August.

Graduation will be a tribal reunion of sorts for the three. All have members of their immediate families coming to share in their special day. "C.W. Post was a great school for us," says Cooke. "The people here nurtured us and helped us. We all grew with the school."

Begay, Cooke and Nez will be among more than 1,600 students who will don their caps and gowns on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, 2003 for 45th annual commencement exercises of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus has awarded more than 85,000 degrees in its 49-year history, through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. For additional information, call the Office of Public Relations at (516) 299-2333.