ADA, Okla. – On Oct. 25, 2005, East Central University was visited by a historic guest speaker in former president of the Soviet Union and global political leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.

Under the leadership of ECU professor and Director of Global Education, Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, the ECU and Ada communities came together in a monumental effort to facilitate and fund the visit of one of the most prominent global figures of the era.

Raising more than $100,000 from a wide network of donors across ECU and the City of Ada was only one of many challenges. Sukholutskaya formed a committee of dedicated professionals to assist with raising funds as well as prepare the logistics, such as accommodations and a level of security that was unheard of at ECU, or in Ada, at the time.

"When Gorbachev came to ECU, it was eye-opening,” said Jonnathon Hicks, ECU alumnus and current chair for the department of Geography and Government at Blinn University in Texas.

Hicks, who was 18 at the time of Gorbachev’s visit, recounts the monumental moment as defining for himself and for his community, “Not only was this figure of modern history speaking, but it put ECU on the map for me. This small-town college bringing in such an important speaker was such a win for the organizers, and it reinforced my certainty that I was at the right university."

Gorbachev, who filled ECU’s Kerr Activities Center to capacity with hundreds of additional attendees spilling out of the building, delivered a 45-minute speech with a 45-minute Q&A after. The primary topic of discussion for the event was perestroika, the policy of restructuring or reforming the economic and political system of the former Soviet Union, and glasnost, a form of governmental openness and transparency initiated by Gorbachev. He also dedicated time to discuss how putting an end to global poverty is crucial for world stabilization and ending terrorism.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Alvin Turner, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at ECU during Gorbachev’s visit stated, “I think it’s important to understand that Mara was discouraged by others, including me, every step, at least until the halfway point…but she persisted despite discouragement. Her persistence was the key element that made it work.”

Turner also credited Dr. Duane Anderson, former ECU Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Harrell Kennedy, former ECU Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Dr. Judy Parker, The Chickasaw Nation and others for playing crucial roles in the accomplishment.

In honor of the 20-year anniversary of this momentous moment in ECU and Oklahoma history, an event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in the Estep Multimedia Center inside the Bill S. Cole University at 6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. An agenda for the event, which will include presentations on who Gorbachev was and first-hand accounts of his visit to ECU, will be released closer to the event.

For those who attended the 2005 event and would like to share stories, memories or photos, contact Sukholutskaya at 580-559-5293 or email msukholu@ecok.edu.

Cutline: Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya walking with President Mikhail Gorbachev and his translator.

-ECU-