Oklahoma State University recommends posthumous degree for MBA student

Friday, December 5, 2008

Christopher Collingsworth’s twin daughters are scheduled to graduate this month
 
(MIAMI, Okla., December 5, 2008) -- The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents gave approval Friday to award a posthumous degree to Christopher J. Collingsworth, a Coweta graduate student who died in September.

Collingsworth’s twin daughters, Charlotte and Samantha, both management seniors in the Spears School of Business and 2005 graduates of Broken Arrow High School, are both scheduled to receive their bachelor’s degrees and would have been joined by their father at this month’s graduation ceremonies.

“It is appropriate to honor Mr. Collingsworth with a posthumous degree,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “At the time of his unexpected death, he was in his final semester of the MBA program at OSU. He was on track to graduate in December with an impressive grade point average.”

The request to award a posthumous degree was made by Dr. Sarah Freedman, dean of the Spears School of Business, and the request has the full support of Dr. Gordon Emslie, dean of the Graduate College.  The action now goes to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for consideration.

If approved by the State Regents, the posthumous degree will be presented on behalf of the university to the family of Collingsworth during graduate commencement on Dec. 12, 2008.