DECATUR, Ill. – Even though he grew up in Decatur, Oakley Tate ’26 never expected he’d end up at Millikin University. He imagined himself at a big university — until a campus tour changed everything. After meeting with a Finance professor who emphasized how Millikin faculty truly know their students and care about their success, Oakley realized this was exactly the environment he needed. Four years later, he says choosing Millikin became one of the most meaningful decisions of his life.
“He told me that (at Millikin), we learn people’s names. We care if they’re showing up to class. We care how they’re performing. That really resonated with me,” Oakley said. “That was something I think I really needed — people who notice you, who care about you.”
Now a double major in Accounting and Finance, Oakley is planning on graduating next spring. His academic focus shifted early on, thanks to an influential cost accounting course taught by Accounting Instructor Nicole Allen, whose teaching style sparked a passion for the subject. He’ll begin a full-time role in Assurance with Forvis Mazars in Decatur after graduation, following a successful summer internship with the firm.
Learning by Doing
Millikin’s Performance Learning model has shaped important parts of Oakley’s Millikin experience. As a Managing Partner for Millikin University Performance Consulting (MUPC), he led accounting operations and collaborated on client projects, including website development for local nonprofits and a new online portfolio platform supporting Millikin art students.
He also applied his growing skill set as a bookkeeper for the College of Fine Arts and, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program tax clinic, helped community members file their taxes and resolve complex tax return issues. These hands-on experiences strengthened his technical knowledge while building communication and professional skills he knows will serve him well as a CPA.
One of his most unique opportunities came through an Honors course on the Geopolitics of Technology, where Oakley and classmates spent the semester researching global best practices in technology education and cybersecurity. Their work culminated in a virtual presentation to Belize's Minister of Technology and other international officials.
“It pushed me to think differently,” Oakley said. “It wasn’t in my major, but it broadened how I see the world.”
A True Cheer Family
While academics and professional experiences shaped Oakley’s career path, cheerleading shaped his heart. Oakley joined the Millikin Cheer team as a first-year student after discovering the sport in high school, and it quickly became the center of his Millikin experience.
“Cheerleading might be my favorite thing about Millikin, hands down,” he shared. “It’s a built-in support system. I don’t think I would have enjoyed college nearly as much without the cheer team.”
As a co-captain, Oakley has helped guide the team both on and off the field. He describes the cheer program as a family — one that gave him confidence, belonging, and friendships that feel like siblings away from home. The team’s culture, he says, is defined by encouragement, accountability, and shared goals.
Competing at Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla, has been a highlight of his journey. The intensity of performing a two-and-a-half-minute routine on an elevated stage, with only two chances to get it right, has forged his resilience and trust.
“The adrenaline, the trust you put in your teammates, the energy of the crowd — there’s nothing like it,” he said.
Even during his final year — when he stepped back from sideline cheer to focus on academics — he continues training for Millikin’s national competition team and remains committed to strengthening the program for future generations.
“Cheer shaped who I am here,” he said. “It gave me purpose and people I can count on every single day.”
Oakley’s leadership, academic excellence, and campus involvement earned him the Scovill Prize, Millikin’s highest student honor. He first learned about the award during his first year and immediately set it as a long-term goal.
“It motivated me to keep my grades up, be a good teammate, and get involved,” he said. “I wanted to be someone who contributed to this campus.”
Looking back, Oakley says Millikin exceeded every expectation he had. He encourages future students to embrace the opportunities the University offers:
“Millikin is full of opportunities, but they’re only as good as your willingness to say ‘Yes.’ A lot of what I’ve done came from just being willing to try something new.”
