OSU celebrates 150th commencement
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | news@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University celebrated a historic milestone with its 150th commencement ceremonies on May 9-10 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The ceremonies marked the first commencement presided over by OSU President Jim Hess, who was named the university’s 20th president earlier this year. The event featured Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Kyle Hilbert, a proud Cowboy alumnus, as the keynote speaker.
Hilbert, who represents House District 29, became the youngest House speaker in Oklahoma history at age 30. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and his MBA from OSU, where he served as Student Government Association president. Since his election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Hilbert authored more than 40 bills signed into law, championing infrastructure improvements, education funding reforms and greater budget transparency for the state.
The 150th commencement not only celebrated the achievements of the 2025 graduating class but also reflected on OSU’s rich legacy as a land-grant institution.
The university was created on Christmas Eve, 1890, when Territorial Gov. George W. Steele signed legislation establishing Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Payne County. Classes began on Dec. 14, 1891, inside the Stillwater Congregational Church, as the fledgling college had no buildings, books or formal curriculum. By 1896, OAMC celebrated its first six graduates.
Over the decades, OSU grew alongside the state it served. Following World War II, enrollment surged, Veterans Village housed returning service members, and athletics thrived under legendary coaches like Henry Iba and Edward Gallagher. In 1957, OAMC officially became Oklahoma State University for Agriculture and Applied Science, signaling a broader academic mission.
Expansion continued as OSU established campuses in Okmulgee, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and the Center for Health Sciences. Recent years brought record-breaking enrollment numbers, including a historic freshman class in 2024 and a combined Stillwater and Tulsa enrollment of more than 26,000 students.
Today, OSU continues to honor its land-grant mission, striving to become the nation's preeminent land-grant university. Across its five campuses and through its Extension offices and experiment stations in every Oklahoma county, OSU advances groundbreaking research, strengthens Oklahoma’s workforce and serves communities worldwide.
From six graduates in 1896 to more than 5,000 annually today, the small college on the prairie has grown into a global leader, rooted in tradition but reaching toward a bold future.
Discussing an issue that could be applicable at every OSU commencement, Hilbert spoke to the Class of 2025 about the importance of integrity and doing the next right thing throughout the rest of their lives.
“Changing the world doesn’t always mean having a million Instagram followers or building a rocket ship,” Hilbert said. “Most of the time, it’s as simple as doing the next right thing, showing up for people, doing a good job, even when no one is watching, staying true to your values even when no one is clapping. Don’t let the noise fool you. What the world calls these small things are often the most important.”
He continued to encourage students to work hard in whatever career they choose and use the values they learned at OSU throughout their lives.
“Your degree is important. It represents knowledge, skill and perseverance,” Hilbert said. “At OSU, we believe in the Cowboy Code. Things like loyalty, hard work and integrity. These aren’t just old-fashioned words; they’re the foundation of a meaningful life.”
Among the many memorable moments of the weekend was a unique and touching milestone within the OSU community. Dr. Ed Kirtley, associate dean in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, had the honor of hooding his son, Jerome, who earned his Ph.D. in Management of Information Systems from the Spears School of Business.
“I could not be more proud of Jerome,” Kirtley said. “He worked full-time while he pursued his education. Now, for me to have the honor of recognizing him in this way means the world to me. I get to honor him as a faculty member, and more meaningful to me, I get to honor my son for his accomplishment and for achieving his dream. I feel like I have a little part in that dream.”
Jerome reflected on his journey and the challenges he overcame with his father’s encouragement.
“While pursuing my master’s after the military, one of my graduate instructors asked if I’d be interested in pursuing my Ph.D.,” he said. “I really enjoy thinking about all of the different ways you can approach solving a problem and being able to do something about solving real-world problems through research.”
“This experience has been the most mentally and psychologically challenging thing I’ve had to tackle in my life. I saw everything my dad went through to achieve his lifelong goal of earning his Ph.D., and he was always there to encourage me to keep going — and that helped me through some of the toughest parts of this journey. He and I are similar in many ways, so I knew he understood the struggles and joys of crossing that finish line and getting that degree.”
Saturday morning’s exercises recognized students from the College of Arts and Sciences. The afternoon consisted of ceremonies for the Spears School of Business, the College of Education and Human Sciences, and the Ferguson College of Agriculture.
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate College, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, and College of Professional Studies held their ceremonies on Friday.
OSUIT held its ceremony on April 18. OSU-Tulsa will hold its commencement ceremony on Monday, while OSU-Oklahoma City held its graduation on Friday.
The OSU Center for Health Sciences and OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine held its ceremonies Saturday at the Mabee Center on the Oral Roberts University campus.
All commencement ceremony videos can be found on the OSU YouTube page.