Oklahoma State honors graduates during commencement ceremonies
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Oklahoma State University honored roughly 3,500 students during graduation ceremonies
Friday and Saturday in Gallagher-Iba Arena on the OSU-Stillwater campus.
OSU President Burns Hargis welcomed the graduates, their families and friends to the
university’s 139th commencement ceremony.
“Graduates you’ve done a lot for our university,” Hargis said. “We know you’re going
to be a big success. Congratulations, go Pokes and call your mom tomorrow.”
The OSU Pipes and Drums Band led the processionals into Gallagher-Iba Arena, where
graduation candidates were announced individually, photographed and presented an OSU
Commencement print while crossing the stage.
A hooding ceremony for Center for Veterinary Health Sciences students kicked things
off Friday followed by a commencement ceremony for the Graduate College. Four ceremonies
for undergraduate students on Saturday each featured a different OSU alumnus as speaker.
Jack Allen, chairman of Hub International CFR, an insurance brokerage, was the featured
speaker for the Spears School of Business graduation ceremony. He told the graduates
to focus on their natural talents instead of improving their weaknesses.
“I’m here to say don’t spend a lot of time working on your weaknesses. It will only
allow you to have much stronger weaknesses at the end of your life,” he said. “My
advice is to spend your time developing your natural talents every day … Once you
discover your natural talents you must answer only one question: What will I do with
my gifts? Graduates, I believe you will do great things with your gifts.”
Video replays of all six commencements are available online at ostate.tv.
Also Saturday, OSU Center for Health Sciences had its commencement ceremonies in Tulsa.
OSU-Tulsa will honor graduates on Monday, and OSU-Oklahoma City will graduate its
students on Sunday, May 19.
PHOTOS: https://flic.kr/s/aHskRcEJSv
CONTACT: Monica Roberts | Director of Media Relations | 405-744-4800 | monica.roberts@okstate.edu