OU-Tulsa Convocation
2019 Grad Stats:
- Total Graduates — 369
- Types of Degrees Earned — 29
- Average Student Age — 33
- Gender Mix — 79% Female, 21% Male
Each year, it’s truly an honor to shake hands with every single graduate crossing the stage. I think about the time, dedication, and financial investment each student has put into earning their degree. Plus, knowing the vast majority of our graduates are non-traditional students who are working adults, many with families at home, it makes what they’ve accomplished even more impressive.
I’d love to highlight a few examples of our incredible non-traditional students:
- Elizabeth Koelle had the entire arena cheering as she carried her 4-month-old son with her across the stage, earning her Master of Social Work.
- Many students, like Terra Schultheis, are making a career change. A former Jenks elementary school teacher, Terra decided to follow her passion to become a pediatric nurse. It became a full-circle moment when she found out she was earning her nursing degree with one of her former 3rd grade students, Maddie Pilling. Click here to see the news story.
- Lauren McKinney, a marketing professional with two young children, spent five years earning her Master of Public Administration one class per semester, because that worked best for her and her family.
- Another graduate’s family traveled over 10,000 miles to see her graduate. Shruti Bothe, an international student from India, just completed her Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering.
- A married couple, Katie and Robert Wing, have both worked full-time as they each earned their Master’s in Urban Design. The couple posed for a photo with Shawn Schaefer, the director of their program, as soon as they crossed the stage.
These graduates remind us why we’re so passionate about our students and that OU-Tulsa is such an important part of OU and in the Tulsa community. Congrats, Tulsa Sooners!
Hit the Switch
Did you know it’s a myth that it takes more energy to turn a light back on? I hope you’ve noticed the “Hit the Switch” signs popping-up all over campus. These visual cues are to help you remember to turn off the light EVERY time you leave an area. Please encourage new work habits to:
- Turn off the light …every time leave your office (even for a few minutes) to chat with a coworker, to go to the restroom, and especially when you’re in meetings.
- Turn off the light …as you leave a breakroom or kitchen.
- Turn off the light …as you leave the restroom.
Need more “Hit the Switch” signs for your department? Email Shelly Fowler to get more!
Styrofoam-Free Campus
Help this Crimson go Green! We’re working hard to drastically decrease styrofoam use on campus, but we need your help. Merkel Café (Bill & Ruth’s) has generously offered a discounted “Refill Rate” when you bring your own tumbler or cup for a fountain drink.
Want an OU tumbler? You can purchase one from Staff Senate here.
Diversity News
PRIDE PARADE — I’d like to personally invite students, faculty, staff, plus your friends and family to join me at the 37th Annual Tulsa Pride Parade on Saturday, June 1! This marks OU-Tulsa’s fourth year to participate, and it’s always a thrill to hear the crowd shout “Boomer Sooner!” as we walk by. Wear your OU gear and come represent OU-Tulsa by walking in the 1-mile parade. Click here to RSVP or learn more.
LUCIA LUCAS RECAP — We were thrilled to have Tulsa Opera’s Lucia Lucas join us on campus. Lucia is the first transgender opera singer to play the lead role in Don Giovanni. Her casting marked the first time a professional company in the US has hired a transgender person to sing the lead in a standard work.
ICYMI...
In case you missed the previous newsletter, you can read it here.
In the issue:
Credits:
Created with an image by lillen - "flag pride the lgbt movement"