OSU holds fall commencement ceremonies
Saturday, December 18, 2010
OSU alumnus and successful business executive Jerry Stritzke was the featured speaker during two undergraduate ceremonies Saturday. Stritzke is president and chief operating officer at Coach, a leading American designer and manufacturer of luxury lifestyle handbags and accessories. Approximately 1,300 undergraduate students received degrees.
Stritzke told graduates their degree would transform them and urged them to focus on the "idea of becoming." He offered three suggestions.
"Have a point of view; what do you want to do, what kind of spouse and parent do you want to be," he said. "Second, it is important you have great aspirations. I hope you will think big and aspire to change the world. Finally, have courage and take risks."
Drawing on his own experiences, Stritzke told the newest Oklahoma State graduates they will hear over and over again that they are not qualified. He told them to have courage and aspire; to ask good questions, be a good listener and to be a problem solver.
Graduate College commencement was held Friday evening, with around 500 students receiving masters or doctorates.
The latest graduates join more than 200,000 students who have earned degrees from Oklahoma State since it was founded in 1890 and made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world.
