American Indian Graduate Center Welcomes New Board Member

Published July 2, 2019

Franklin “Hud” Louis Oberly Jr joins the Center for Native Scholarships

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) is proud to welcome

Franklin “Hud” Oberly Jr.

to its Board of Directors.

“As we work to help educate the future leaders in Indian Country, we must involve its current bright and shining leaders as well. Hud is a great example of a hardworking leader with vision, and we’re proud to have him,” said Angelique Albert, Executive Director of AIGC.

Oberly (Osage, Caddo, Comanche) is the Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Program at Sundance Institute where he manages artist relations, Indigenous/tribal community relations and creative input. Based in Los Angeles, Hud focuses on increasing representation of modern Native American and Indigenous people and their stories.

With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado – Boulder in Advertising and a minor in Business. Hud was a First Nations Scholar, White Antelope Scholar, Cobell Scholar, Osage Nation Tribal Scholar and a leader on campus as a CU-Boulder Student Ambassador. Previously, he has navigated the advertising industry in many sectors, all while specializing in social media. He has also served Indian Country in his roles at United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Inc. and taking part in programs with National Indian Education Association (NIEA), College Horizons, and Graduate Horizons.

“In my work I have made it a point to increase the visibility of modern Native Americans, and AIGC plays an integral role in giving today’s students the opportunity to be visible in the path to reaching their dreams,”   says Oberly, “and I look forward to helping students realize their full potential”

Hud acknowledges the support of his family in all of his endeavors and maintains close ties to his Oklahoma roots.  He makes annual trips home for the Osage In-Lon-Shka dances, Comanche Homecoming and to the Binger “Y” in Caddo County.  He is thankful for the many blessings in his life.

The American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)  is the largest scholarship provider to Native students in the United States. They award over $15 million in scholarships annually and have awarded more than $200 million in scholarships since its founding 50 years ago. AIGC empowers Native students from over 500 tribes in all 50 states through educational funding and other support services. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students are funded at any accredited college or university in the United States.