Nearly 200 career-ready students will walk across the stage at OSU Institute of Technology for the 214th Commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. in Covelle Hall.
Jamie Diggins, OSUIT Nursing faculty, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Diggins has 24 years of nursing experience and 18 years of teaching experience. She also was recognized as OSUIT’s Outstanding Faculty in 2017 and 2019 and received the John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award in the faculty category in 2018.
“I am thankful for the opportunity and hope I provide words that impact our graduates positively in which they can reflect upon within their profession,” said Diggins. “I still remember the feelings of being excited and so proud of my accomplishment when I graduated with my bachelor’s in nursing; the event was a big celebration.”
As a first-generation college student, Diggins said she had to overcome many obstacles in order to achieve her goals.
“I realized my strengths and that I could do anything as long as I stayed humble, kind, and worked hard,” she said.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Central University and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Southern Nazarene University.
This year’s student respondent, John Caleb Mohr, is making his way back to Oklahoma from France, where he spent the last semester on internship. He is graduating from the School of Arts, Sciences & Health with an Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Arts.
From Tulsa, Mohr said choosing to attend OSUIT was one of the best decisions he’s ever made. He is looking forward to a career in the culinary industry.
“My dream is to eventually go back to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business and own a restaurant one day.”
The ceremony will be held at Covelle Hall, located on the south side of campus on Fourth Street. Doors will open for visitors at 12:45 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony. For more information on OSUIT’s commencement ceremony, visit osuit.edu/commencement.