It was a day of triumph at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, as the 233rd graduating class moved boldly toward their future during the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

The two commencement ceremonies were held on Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in Covelle Hall on the OSUIT campus. A combined 266 students graduated. They will now use the education and training that they received at OSUIT to realize their professional dreams.

OSU President Jim Hess presided over the ceremonies.

"This is a proud day for this campus, and I am so grateful to each and every one of you for joining us today," Hess said. "We recognize the achievements of the members of our 233rd graduating class."

State Regent Tracy Poole spoke during the ceremonies, delivering an encouraging message to the graduates.

"When you were admitted to OSUIT, you became part of the Cowboy family. And today, you become an alumnus. You become part of the nation's brightest orange. You'll carry the Cowboy Code with you to your communities, and you'll breathe life into it. You will make us proud," Poole said.

Former Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Taylor delivered the keynote address during each ceremony. Taylor told the graduates that their commencement was more than a celebration of the end of their college experience.

"We are celebrating the beginning of a new life for each of you," Taylor said.

Taylor is a Marine Corps veteran who trained as an infantry platoon commander and served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and a Special Court-Martial Judge. His esteemed judicial and public service career also includes serving as Mayor of McAlester, a McAlester City Council member, an Associate District Judge in the 18th Judicial District, President of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference, and Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial District Court.

He presided over more than 500 jury trials, including the Oklahoma City Bombing case. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed him to a nine-year term on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Oklahoma Senate confirmed the appointment in May 2019.

He encouraged the graduates to never forget the people who uplifted them.

"It's fitting that your parents and family and friends are all sitting with you, sitting to your side and sitting behind you. And that's where they've always been, and they always will be — behind you, loving you and wishing the best for you," Taylor said. "Consider the power of this place, the love and the support that surrounds you. Soak it up and let it push and propel you from this commencement, from this beginning. Feel the love of this place, feel the power. And to the graduates, I say, love your friends and family as if your life depends on it, because it does."

Culinary Arts graduate Samantha Deyong was embraced by her family after the morning ceremony. They hugged her and took pictures with her, beaming at her with pride, rejoicing in her happiness and moment of accomplishment.

"My family means a lot to me. I'm the type of person that has a chosen family, and they mean everything," Deyong said.

Deyong said she hopes to use the skills she gained at OSUIT to open a bakery.

"[I hope she] continues to be courageous and goes after what she wants and not wait around for it," said JJ Oakes, Deyong's mother.

Two graduates, Trey Carpenter and Korbin Mercell, were honored during the afternoon ceremony for their achievements. Carpenter graduated from OSUIT's Natural Gas Compression program, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Technologies. Mercell graduated from the Information Technologies program, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Carpenter is moving directly into the workforce, taking his talent to Targa Resources, where he will work full time. He said OSUIT fostered growth that will help him succeed as a professional.

"[OSUIT] taught me a lot about social interactions. It teaches you about the industry. It gets you a foot in the door with everything, and I can't complain with it," he said.

Carpenter said he feels confident about his future.

"It's just taking it a day at a time. Everything comes into play that I've learned here," he said.

Mercell said he is going to pursue a Bachelor of Information Technology degree at OSUIT, majoring in Software Development.

"I've been loving it here. Every class I have is always great. All the teachers, all the people — it's really friendly, and I feel like family here," he said.

Mercell worked full time in OSUIT's Technology Services office while excelling in his classes.

"That's definitely helped me out with getting hands-on experience in the field. Plus, my classes teach me a lot about different areas I can go into and the different options I have and opportunities I can have out there," he said.

Mercell said his long-term goal is to work as a software engineer for Google.

Taylor called upon the graduates to stake their place in the world and to climb the mountains they encounter on their journey.

"Enjoy the mountaintop experience when you arrive. Make a difference to the people around you. We are each blessed with our place on earth. But we must earn that place. Earn the ground that you've claimed in your life," Taylor said.

He challenged them to find their calling.

"Find the needs of your community and your interests," he said. "Where the needs of the community and your interests intersect, that you're calling."

Taylor asked the graduates to always remember their friends.

"Never leave a friend behind. And when called upon, reach your hand into the darkness to pull another hand into the light," Taylor said.

He advised them to be kind and considerate of others.

"As a judge, I can tell you that the most important law of all is golden. It's golden. We all know it. We just need to remember it," Taylor said. "'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Remember that rule, follow that rule, and justice will be done. Never turn your head away from injustice. Never stop believing that you can make a difference."

Taylor closed his remarks by calling upon the graduates never to lose faith:

"Never give up on your dreams, your hopes, your happiness. Never give up on love, the goodness of people, the goodness of our country, and never give up on freedom and your faith. And never give up on yourself. Never."

Graduates of the following programs received their degrees during the 10 a.m. ceremony:

• AS Business
• AS Enterprise Development
• AS Pre-Education
• AS Pre-Professional Studies
• AAS Allied Health Sciences
• AAS Applied Technology
• AAS Culinary Arts
• AAS Nursing
• BT Applied Industry Leadership
• BT Applied Technical Leadership

Graduates of the following programs received their degrees during the 2 p.m. ceremony:

• AAS 3D Modeling & Animation
• AAS Graphic Design Technology
• AAS Engineering Design Drafting Technologies
• AAS Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
• AAS Civil Engineering / Surveying Technologies
• AAS Construction Technology
• AAS Electrical Construction Technology
• AAS Engineering Technologies
• AAS Environmental Health & Safety
• AAS High Voltage Line Technician
• AAS Industrial Maintenance Technologies
• AAS Information Technologies
• AAS Pipeline Integrity Technology
• AAS Power Plant Technology
• AAS CAT Dealer Prep
• AAS Ford ASSET
• AAS General Motor ASEP
• AAS Komatsu ACT
• AAS MOPAR CAP
• AAS NAEDA Agricultural Equipment Technician
• AAS Pro-Tech
• AAS Toyota T-TEN
• AAS Truck Technician
• BT Information Technologies
• BT Instrumentation & Automation Engineering Technology

Photos from both ceremonies will be available here.