Spears School of Business Dean Ken Eastman congratulates fall graduating senior Francesca “Marie” Spillman at a special celebration Nov. 13 for the school's undergraduate seniors who have or will graduate in 2020. Spillman was honored by being chosen to wear an orange gown at the celebration.

Spears Business celebrates 2020 graduates

Monday, November 16, 2020

The Spears School of Business held a special celebration November 13 at the Business Building on the Oklahoma State University campus marking the graduation of 2020 undergraduate business students and featured Spears Business Dean Ken Eastman congratulating each graduate. Celebration participants were required to remained socially distanced and masked as a precaution against COVID-19.

“We are very pleased to honor our graduates in this way to compliment the virtual commencement that will be held this year,” Eastman said. “We are all disappointed that it is not safe to hold a traditional ceremony, but the pandemic cannot diminish the significant accomplishments of our students. We are proud of the resiliency you have shown and celebrate this milestone in your life.”

Graduating Spears Business students were divided into groups to allow for three different times for the celebration to take place throughout the day. Students, representing fall, summer and spring 2020 graduates, were each given recognition cards and pictures were taken with the dean with each student receiving a complimentary photo.

For Joey Hoecker, a marketing and economics double major from Edmond who graduated in May, coming back was a little bittersweet.

“I love OSU and really miss it,” she said. “But I’m glad we got this one-last hurrah since graduation was cancelled in the spring. I’m happy being back in the Business Building and finally able to bust out the cap and gown.”

Halle Bair, a marketing major from Tulsa who also graduated in May, said the Spears Business celebration is appreciated.

“I’m really glad the school set up something like this for us,” Bair said. “We’re making the best of what we’ve got.”

The celebration attracted more than 70 students. Because the event was limited to invited graduating students, the celebration was live streamed in order to allow family to watch.

MEDIA CONTACT: Terry Tush | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-2703 | terry.tush@okstate.edu