Northeastern State University Centennial Plaza was established on the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Northeastern as an Oklahoma Normal School dedicated to preparing teachers and based in historic Seminary Hall. It reflects an enduring commitment to teaching and learning that began there with the establishment of the Cherokee National Male and Female Seminaries in 1846. Its design expresses a lasting connection with Cherokee people and honors Sequoyah as a pioneering teacher who, through the Cherokee Syllabary, demonstrated the power of learning in shaping the lives of all peoples.