OSU Institute of Technology's 225th commencement will be held Thursday, August 24, with two ceremonies honoring nearly 400 workforce-bound graduates.
Graduates from the School of Arts, Sciences & Health and the School of Transportation & Heavy Equipment will be at the 10 a.m. ceremony, followed by the School of Creative & Information Technologies and the School of Engineering & Construction Technologies at 2 p.m.
Kodiak Gas Services, LLC director of training and development, Melody Shulse, will serve as the keynote speaker. Transitioning from a technical writer to spearheading training programs at a premier gas compression company, Shulse advocates for ongoing learning as a driving force behind innovation and excellence. Her expertise aligns seamlessly with Kodiak's commitment to maximizing efficiency and fostering a culture of advancement.
Kodiak is the largest privately-owned contract compression service provider in the continental United States, with a revenue-generating fleet of over 3 million horsepower. The company provides contract compression services to oil and gas producers and midstream customers in high‐volume gas gathering systems, processing facilities, multi‐well gas lift applications and natural gas transmission systems.
"Graduation is an exciting celebration for everyone to gather and reflect on the accomplishments of the graduating students, and I'm so honored to join their celebration!" said Shulse. "My desire is for the graduates to feel proud and recognized for all their achievements thus far and to leave behind their time at school eager to begin the next chapter of their story."
The student respondent for the 10 a.m. ceremony will be Wesley Grizzle, a Pocola native, graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in MOPAR CAP from the School of Transportation & Heavy Equipment.
Grizzle came to OSUIT as a first-generation college student and is considering continuing his education at OSUIT with a Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership. He currently serves as a youth pastor in Spiro. He is joining the Oklahoma workforce after securing a full-time position in his industry.
While at OSUIT, Grizzle took advantage of the on-campus events and activities, enjoying time with new friends, fishing in the pond, playing guitar and paid internship opportunities.
"Choosing OSUIT was the best decision I made. It offers an unparalleled experience and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships," said Grizzle. "I encourage future students to engage in campus events and programs fully – they're free and incredibly enriching. Your time at OSUIT will undoubtedly be a cherished and unforgettable chapter."
Joseph Friesen will serve as the student respondent for the 2 p.m. ceremony. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Technology in Instrumentation Engineering Technology from the School of Engineering & Construction Technologies.
Friesen, originally from Locust Grove, said that OSUIT was highly endorsed by his electrical technology instructor, and his campus visit only affirmed that.
"The campus's unassuming atmosphere and the institution's strong commitment to hands-on, effective technical training deeply resonated with me. The small class sizes, a standout feature of OSUIT, have enabled personal connections with instructors and fellow students," said Friesen. In my Instrumentation Engineering program, my favorite aspect is the diversity of skills I've acquired. The program's comprehensiveness ensures countless work opportunities await me in the industry."
The ceremonies will be held at Covelle Hall, on the south side of the OSUIT campus. Doors will open for visitors at 8:45 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and 12:45 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony. For more information on OSUIT's commencement ceremonies, visit osuit.edu/commencement.