OSU commencement ceremonies set Friday, Saturday

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students will be awarded degrees at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on May 7-8.

Three undergraduate ceremonies are set for Saturday, May 8, all in Gallagher-Iba Arena. OSU President Burns Hargis will provide a message to the graduates and a special highlight video will be shown.

OSU alumni and longtime supporters Frank and Carol Morsani of Tampa, Fla., will be awarded honorary doctorates during Saturday’s ceremony. These will be only the 17th and 18th honorary doctorates awarded at OSU.

A hooding ceremony for graduates of the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Master’s degree and doctoral degree recipients will be recognized at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 7, in Gallagher-Iba Arena, with a reception immediately following the commencement ceremony.

“This year’s graduates join a long list of successful men and women who call OSU their alma mater,” said Hargis. “Success defines who we are at OSU and we are confident our 2010 graduates are prepared to boldly go forward and find their own success.”

The first undergraduate ceremony will start at 9:30 a.m. and will recognize graduates from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the Spears School of Business. At 1 p.m., graduates will be recognized from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Human Environmental Sciences. At 4:30 p.m., graduates from the College of Education and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology will be honored.

The City of Tulsa Pipes and Drums will lead the Saturday processionals into the arena 15 minutes prior to the three undergraduate ceremonies. Candidates for degrees will be seated by college and will be individually announced, photographed and presented with an OSU commencement print while crossing the stage.

OSU’s newest graduates will join more than 200,000 alumni worldwide that include world, national and state leaders; renowned business leaders, educators, health and wellness practitioners, entertainers and sports figures.

It has been estimated that 60 percent of Oklahoma State University graduates choose to stay in Oklahoma and work to continue advancing this state to create even more opportunities for future generations.

“Oklahoma State University is a vital part of Oklahoma’s past, present and certainly its future,” said Hargis. “We expect a wonderful future for our newest graduates.”