For Antonius “Tony” Karlin, a mostly online student at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, learning has extended far beyond the virtual classroom.

Karlin, a professional studies student, recently earned the Royal Silver Certificate of Achievement from the American Society for Quality, becoming the first recipient of the honor.

The award recognizes sustained participation in ASQ events, requiring attendees to accumulate points over time through professional development experiences.

“Each event gives me points, and after a few years, I reached the total needed,” Karlin said.

Karlin’s path to the award began in a simple, personal way. His father, an ASQ member, first introduced him to the organization and encouraged him to attend events.

“The main reason I got in was my dad,” Karlin said. “He’s a member, and he just kind of brought me along.”

What started as a tagalong experience quickly turned into an opportunity for exploration and growth. Over the course of attending more than two dozen events, Karlin gained exposure to a wide range of industries and practices. From touring facilities to seeing processes up close, each event offered a new perspective.

“They’re sort of diverse and unique,” he said. “One I went to recently was at a brewery. I got to see how they made their beer, all the machines and how they worked. They even let me taste some of the ingredients.”

Those experiences, combined with consistent participation, ultimately led to his recognition at the national level.

While Karlin’s professional development has taken place largely in person through ASQ, his academic journey has been almost entirely online at OSU-OKC. After initially pursuing a different major, he transitioned into the professional studies program to better align with his goals.

“OSU-OKC felt like the best choice,” he said. “It’s close to home, the tuition is lower than at other colleges, and I’m able to do classes online.”

That flexibility has allowed Karlin to stay focused and self-directed, a skill he credits as one of the biggest benefits of his experience.

“I can manage my time better,” he said. “There are due dates, but it’s my responsibility to get everything done. If I do that well, I end up with some free time.”

Even in an online environment, Karlin has found ways to engage with classmates and refine his work. Through discussion boards and peer reviews, he has been able to collaborate and improve his assignments.

“I can post my drafts and get feedback from other students, and then use that to revise my work,” he said.

His involvement with ASQ has also opened doors beyond academics, particularly in networking and career exploration.

“I get to meet new people and make connections,” Karlin said. “That could help me get into industries I’m interested in, like graphic design.”

As he prepares to graduate, Karlin is already looking ahead. He plans to continue his education and explore opportunities in art, with an interest in drawing and eventually digital design.

“I usually draw with pencil and paper, but I’d like to get into something like Photoshop,” he said.

From balancing online coursework to engaging in hands-on professional experiences, Karlin’s journey highlights how initiative and curiosity can create meaningful opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Reflecting on his experience, Karlin offers simple but practical advice to other students navigating coursework and responsibilities.

“Don’t focus too much on just one thing,” he said. “If you’re taking multiple classes, make sure you’re keeping up with all of them. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”