OSU Institute of Technology’s 212th Commencement will be held Friday, April 19. The spring ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of 248 career-ready students. Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development Sean Kouplen will serve as the keynote speaker. 

As chairman and CEO of Regent Bank and a small business investor, Sean Kouplen was recently appointed Oklahoma's 10th Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development by Governor Kevin Stitt to oversee the economic development efforts for the state.

He holds numerous local and statewide leadership positions, including Chairman of the OSU-Tulsa Board of Trustees and Hospitality House Board of Directors; Board member for MetaFund, Hillcrest South Hospital, Salvation Army, and he is a member of the OK Bankers Association and Young President’s Organizations.

This year’s student respondent will be Zachary Wellman, a graduating student from OSUIT with an Associate in Applied Science in Industrial Maintenance Technologies – Natural Gas Compression from the School of Energy Technologies. 

Wellman has recently completed his internship with Estis Compression located in Hobbs, New Mexico, as a compressor technician. As a technician, he provides maintenance and repairs for compressed natural gas systems. Raised in Bartlesville, Zach graduated from high school and chose OSUIT because he knew it was the right decision to get him in the industry he wanted to be a part of.

His faculty and advisers say he is accountable and responsible, whose dedication and excellent work ethic will guarantee him a spot as a rising star in his field. Upon graduating, Zach will return to work as a full-time employee with Estis Compression. He plans to work in the industry for a few years, gaining new levels of experience and leadership, but said he plans to return to OSUIT and invest time and dedication pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership.

The ceremony will be held at Covelle Hall, on the south side of campus off Fourth Street. Doors will open for visitors at 12:45 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony. For more information on OSUIT’s commencement ceremonies, visit osuit.edu/commencement.