OSU-Okmulgee's Summer Graduation Scheduled
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
(Okmulgee) – Oklahoma State University - Okmulgee will hold its Summer 2007 Graduation
Ceremony on Friday, August 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, Dr. Marlene 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.
About Glen Johnson, Chancellor, Oklahoma State System of Higher Education
As chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, Johnson
leads a state system comprised of 25 state colleges and universities, ten constituent
agencies, one higher education center and independent colleges and universities coordinated
with the state system. Chancellor Johnson provides leadership on matters relating
to 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 in excess of $1.4 billion as well as the state
endowment fund, with a market value over $200 million.
Johnson became the eighth Chancellor of the Oklahoma state system in January 2007
after a national search. 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. Prior to his work at the University of Oklahoma, 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 the University of Oklahoma, with an undergraduate
degree in political science and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma’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.
About Charles Young
Charles Young is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Drafting. Charles,
who is from Morris, plans to continue his education to earn a bachelor’s degree in
an engineering field. His future career plans include becoming an engineering instructor
and a motivational speaker. Charles currently works at FBS Engineering Company in
Tulsa, where he started as an intern.
While a student, Charles served a year as the national President of SkillsUSA, which
allowed him to travel to 15 states to speak on behalf of the organization. Charles
was also very active on campus, including serving as 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.
Charles 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 it has affected everyone else around me. Not only
have I gained a college education, it also has transformed me into a person who is
ready to enter the workforce and be a productive employee. I now have the experience,
knowledge, and connections that I need to take on the world!”
About Oscar Olivas
Oscar 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. Oscar says he took that as a way to achieve his dreams.
Oscar plans to continue to upgrade his skills and abilities through all the opportunities
when he returns to work at Road Machinery.
Oscar and his wife Lupita have three children: Oscar, Jr., Diana and Diego. Oscar
says they supported him tremendously while he was earning his degree, and they inspire
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 first floor lobby.
• Automotive Technologies Division – A reception will be held in the Automotive
Office after graduation. A reception will be held in the Collision Shop after graduation.
• Construction Technologies Division – A reception will be held in the building
521, east of the Construction Division Chair’s office from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
• Culinary Arts Division – A reception will be held in the State Room Restaurant
in the Hospitality Services building at 5:00 p.m.
• Engineering Technologies Division – A reception will be held in the lobby of
the Engineering Technologies building at 5:30 p.m.
• Information Technologies Division – A reception will be held at 6 p.m. in the
Information Technologies building, Room 8 (Sabre Room).
• Orthotics & Prosthetics Division - A reception will be held in the State Room
Restaurant in the Hospitality Services building at 5:00 p.m.
• Visual Communications Technologies Division – A reception will be held in the
Visual Communications building lobby at 6:00 p.m.
About OSU-Okmulgee
Oklahoma State University - Okmulgee is known for its hands-on technical education,
world-class equipment and active partnerships with industry. Degree programs are
developed according to emerging educational and labor market needs. Seventeen programs
of study lead to Associate in Applied Science degrees, three programs of study lead
to Associate in Science transfer degrees, and three programs lead to Bachelor of Technology
degrees - Information Assurance and Forensics, Instrumentation Engineering Technology
and Civil Engineering Technology. Through frequent advisory board meetings, corporate
partners make significant contributions to curriculum, faculty improvement, equipment
acquisition, internship experiences for students and employment opportunities for
graduates. OSU-Okmulgee also promotes economic development among small Oklahoma firms
by providing training and assistance with technology deployment, financing, bidding
and purchasing procedures.
For more information call 918.293.4678 or 1.800.722.4471. Information also is available
online at www.osu-okmulgee.edu.