More than 250 industry-ready students will walk across the stage at OSU Institute of Technology for the 223rd Commencement ceremony on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. in Covelle Hall.
Chef Aaron Ware, OSUIT Culinary Arts faculty, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Ware has more than 20 years of culinary experience and 17 years of teaching experience. Chef Ware began teaching Culinary Arts at Great Plains Technology Center in 2005 before coming to OSUIT in 2009.
He has been recognized for his talent and outstanding commitment to his students through several awards, including the 2022-2023 Regents Distinguished Faculty Award, the 2015 NISOD Excellence Award, the 2014 OSUIT Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni, the 2014 Certificate of Excellence Faculty Award and the 2014 John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award.
“I am excited to deliver a message of love for OSUIT’s 223rd graduating class,” said Ware. “As a graduate of OSUIT, I am honored to serve students in many forms, and I don’t take this opportunity for granted.
A graduate of the Culinary Arts program, Ware also attended the Rimonim Culinary School in Tiberias, Israel. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership at OSUIT.
This year’s student respondent, Randall Six, is graduating from the School of Arts, Sciences & Health with a Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership. Six previously attended OSUIT and graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Associate in Applied Science in the High Voltage Line Technician program. Six has 38 years of utility industry experience and has worked as a Distribution System Supervisor, Working Foreman and Journey Lineman for PSO, Sinclair Oil Company and East Central Electric.
In 2013 he received the PSO Presidential Distinguished Service Award. He is a member of the OSUIT High Voltage Line Technician Advisory Board and the Beggs High School Career Tech BMITE (Business, Marketing, Information Technology Education) Advisory Board Member. He has also served on various committees within the AEP/PSO organization.
“I have been in the electrical industry for over 30 years and look forward to pursuing a career in a managerial role upon graduation,” said Six. “OSUIT is one of the only institutions where you feel you have been adopted into a family after graduation. It is humbling to stand before my peers as we celebrate our accomplishments.”
The ceremony will be held at Covelle Hall, located on the south side of campus on Fourth Street. Doors will open for visitors at 3:45 p.m. for the 5 p.m. ceremony. For more information on OSUIT’s commencement ceremony, visit osuit.edu/commencement.