OSU Institute of Technology will recognize 10 alumni and induct them into the OSUIT Hall of Fame during OrangeFest at the annual Alumni Homecoming Reception Friday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the State Room on the campus of OSUIT.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by OSUIT. It recognizes alumni and former students with outstanding achievements in both civic duty and professional life.
“Alumni are a tremendous source of support and this event shows how much we appreciate them,” said Bruce Force, director of Student Life and Alumni Relations liaison. “It is wonderful to have them on campus where they can see first-hand the new facilities and educational opportunities we offer.”
The reception is a chance for OSUIT alumni to see old friends and meet new ones, walk around the campus and visit with current and former instructors.
“Everyone has a great time and really enjoys the reunion,” Force said. “The continued connection from alumni is an enormous benefit to the university, and this event gives us a forum to acknowledge their successes while giving them a chance to revisit a formative time in their own lives.”
In the Hall of Fame’s second year, five people have been added as Distinguished Alumni, those who are established in their professions and whose career accomplishments have been outstanding, and five people have been added as Rising Stars, those alumni who have demonstrated significant or outstanding accomplishments within their first 10 years of graduation.
Distinguished Alumni
Jerry Bisbee, class of 1970, is a graduate of the School of Diesel and Heavy Equipment and is currently Freightliner Dealer Trainer and Troubleshooter for ATC Freightliner Group, LLC.
Kirk D. Hurst, class of 1976, is a graduate of the School of Engineering Technologies and is currently senior vice president of Manufacturing and Special Projects for National Oilwell Varco in Houston.
Nanette Robertson, class of 1983, is a graduate of the School of Arts & Sciences and is currently executive director of the Eastern Workforce Investment Board in Muskogee.
Tom Sewell, class of 1981, is a graduate of the School of Engineering Technologies and is currently president of Tulsa Gas Technologies and founder of Blue Energy Fuels.
Jim Swank, class of 1958, is a graduate of the School of Construction Technologies – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and is the retired founder and president of RAE Corporation.
Rising Stars
Danilo Barros, class of 2007, is a graduate of the School of Diesel and Heavy Equipment and is currently director of Latin America for SST Software.
Monty Dyer, class of 2004, is a graduate of the School of Diesel and Heavy Equipment and is currently dealer trainer at ATC Freightliner.
Jack Herron, class of 2006, is a graduate of the School of Culinary Arts and is currently executive chef of catering operations at the Jimtown Store in Healdsburg, California.
Laurie Mertes, class of 2011, is a graduate of the School of Visual Communications and is currently art director with Saatchi & Saatchi and founder of Laurie Lunow Design.
Stephen Silva, class 2011, is a graduate of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences and is currently a certified prosthetic technician and certified fitter of orthotics at Hanger Clinic in Tulsa.
The Alumni Homecoming Reception is open to the public. Seating is limited in the State Room, and reservations are encouraged. RSVP online at osuit.edu/alumni/reunion. To learn more about OrangeFest and for a complete schedule of events, visit osuit.edu/orangefest.