OSU-Okmulgee's summer graduation scheduled

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee will hold its summer 2007 graduation ceremony on Friday, Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Covelle Hall on the university’s campus.

More than 340 students will receive degrees. The guest speaker is Glen Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. The student response speakers are Charles Young, who is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Engineering Graphics & Design Drafting Technology, and Oscar Olivas, who is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Komatsu Heavy Equipment Technology.

Oklahoma State University System Interim CEO and President Dr. Marlene Strathe will address guests and students. Members of the Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University and the A&M colleges will congratulate the graduates. Dr. Linda Avant, OSU-Okmulgee executive vice president, will present the candidates for graduation. OSU-Okmulgee President Dr. Robert Klabenes, Strathe and members of the Board of Regents will confer the degrees and present the diplomas.

The academic divisions are hosting receptions before or after the graduation ceremonies. The times and locations of the receptions are listed below.

As chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, Johnson leads a state system comprised of 25 state colleges and universities, 10 constituent agencies, one higher education center, and independent colleges and universities coordinated with the state system. Johnson provides leadership on standards for Oklahoma higher education, courses and programs of study, budget allocations for institutions, fees and tuition, and strategic planning. He is responsible for an annual higher education budget of over $1.4 billion and the state endowment fund, with a market value of over $200 million.

After a national search, Johnson became the eighth chancellor of the Oklahoma state system in January 2007. Before assuming the role of chancellor, Johnson served as the 16th president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant for 10 years. Through his leadership, enrollment increased to maximum capacity, from 4,500 to 5,500.

Johnson served as director of Public Policy and Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Before his work at OU, Johnson served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1996 and was Speaker of the House from 1990 to 1996.

Johnson is an honors graduate of OU, with an undergraduate degree in political science and a Juris Doctor from OU’s College of Law. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at OU and received the Letzeiser Award as one of OU’s outstanding seniors.

Young, who is from Morris, plans to continue his education to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering. His future career plans include becoming an engineering instructor and a motivational speaker. Young currently works at FBS Engineering Company in Tulsa, where he started as an intern.

While a student, Young served a year as the national president of SkillsUSA, which allowed him to travel to 15 states to speak on behalf of the organization. Young was also very active on campus, including serving as a chapter reporter for Phi Theta Kappa, as a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and as a member of the American Design Drafting Association.

Young says the experience he gained as a student at OSU-Okmulgee is something he never would have obtained anywhere else.

“My educational experience at OSU-Okmulgee has not only changed my life but also affected everyone else around me," Young said. "Not only have I gained a college education, but it has also transformed me into a person ready to enter the workforce and be a productive employee. I now have the experience, knowledge, and connections to take on the world!”

Olivas, who is from Cananea, Mexico, earned an Associate in Applied Science from OSU-Okmulgee’s Komatsu Heavy Equipment Technology program. His employer in Mexico, Road Machinery Company, made it possible for him to come to Oklahoma to complete the program. Olivas says he took that as a way to achieve his dreams.

Olivas plans to continue to upgrade his skills and abilities through all the opportunities when he returns to work at Road Machinery.

Olivas and his wife, Lupita, have three children: Oscar Jr., Diana and Diego. Olivas says they supported him tremendously while he was earning his degree, and they inspired him to be a better person day by day.

Division Receptions
• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Department — A reception will be held in the lobby of the ACR Building from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
• Arts & Sciences Division — A reception will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Noble Center's first-floor lobby.
• Automotive Technologies Division — After graduation, a reception will be held in the Automotive Office and in the Collision Shop.
• Construction Technologies Division — A reception will be held in building 521, east of the Construction Division Chair’s office, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
• Culinary Arts Division — At 5 p.m., a reception will be held in the State Room Restaurant in the Hospitality Services building.
• Engineering Technologies Division — A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Engineering Technologies building.
• Information Technologies Division — A reception will be held at 6 p.m. in Room 8 (Sabre Room) of the Information Technologies Building.
• Orthotics & Prosthetics Division — At 5 p.m., a reception will be held in the State Room Restaurant in the Hospitality Services building.
• Visual Communications Technologies Division — A reception will be held at 6 p.m. in the Visual Communications building lobby.