OSU recognizes spring 2012 graduates
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Oklahoma State University honored more than 3,000 graduates this weekend during five commencement ceremonies, including three undergraduate events Saturday that featured guest speakers Sir Ken Robinson and Vaughn O. Vennerberg II.
Robinson, an internationally-recognized educational innovator, and Vennerberg, known for his success in the oil industry and educational philanthropy, each received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of their personal accomplishments and service to society. OSU President Burns Hargis, OSU/A&M Board of Regents Chair Jay Helm and Graduate College Dean Sheryl Tucker presented the honorary doctorates, which are the 23rd and 24th presented in OSU history.
The OSU Graduate College held its commencement ceremony Friday night and the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences presented degrees Saturday evening. All five ceremonies were held before large crowds at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Robinson mentored the Oklahoma Creativity Project. Professor emeritus with the University of Warwick, he works with governments in Europe, Asia and the U.S.; international agencies; Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations. He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his service to the arts in 2003.
Robinson talked to graduates about living in a time of revolution fueled by technology imagined and created by human beings. “Life is not linear. It is organic and created,” Robinson said. “You may not wind up where you think you will today. Create your own life with your talents and passions.”
He also reminded graduates they are each unique and have the power to change their world. “A great education like you have received allows you to do that. As you travel through life, be wide awake to the opportunities around you, but don’t stop dreaming.”
An OSU alumnus, Vennerberg is a native of Midwest City, Okla., who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1976. He is one of the founding partners of Morning Star Partners and Morning Star Oil and Gas located in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the former president of XTO Energy Inc., which merged with ExxonMobil Corporation in June of 2010.
Vennerberg told graduates OSU prepared him well and said the university has a strong sense of community in which everyone “wants you to succeed.” He encouraged all graduates to go forward with a sense of entrepreneurship and the courage to take risks.
“As you begin your journey,” Vennerberg said. “Learn from others, there is no such thing as a self-made man. Help others and make a difference. And, care about a cause bigger than yourself.”
Saturday’s undergraduate ceremonies marked the 125th commencement at OSU and recognized degree recipients from six colleges: Arts & Sciences; Human Sciences; Education; Engineering, Architecture & Technology; Spears School of Business, and Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.
With this weekend’s commencements, OSU has graduated more than 245,000 students since the land-grant institution was founded in 1890.
COMMENCEMENT PHOTOS
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