OSU Institute of Technology’s 222nd Commencement will be held Thursday, August 25, with two ceremonies honoring more than 300 workforce-ready students.

Oklahoma State Automotive Director Jimmy Cagle will serve as the ceremonies’ keynote speaker. With extensive involvement in Oklahoma’s automotive sector, he plays a vital role in the industry’s potential to grow and diversify the state’s economy. He moved to Oklahoma in 2009 from Tennessee to continue his nearly 40-year career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber before joining the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

The student respondent for the 10 a.m. ceremony will be Corionna Lawrence, who is graduating with an Associate in Science in Allied Health Science from the School of Arts, Sciences & Health.

A Los Angeles, California native, Lawrence credits her OSUIT instructors for helping her realize that she wanted to become a nurse. During her time at OSUIT, she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Workforce & Economic Development program, MPower. She also received scholarships from The National Society of Leadership and Success.

While attending classes, she maintained excellent grades and completed two internships with Senior Star the Brook and Baptist Village. Upon graduation, Lawrence plans to apply for acceptance into OSUIT’s Nursing program to start her career as a registered nurse.

Michael Lopez will serve as the student respondent for the 2 p.m. ceremony and is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Construction Technology for Construction Management from the School of Engineering & Construction Technologies.

Lopez, originally from Rancho Cucamonga, California, is a United States Marine Corp veteran who chose to utilize his military service benefits to attend classes at OSUIT. He was hired before graduation for a full-time position with Flintco Construction. In addition to his new career, he plans to continue his education with online classes at OSUIT to earn a Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership.

“At OSUIT, I have been able to secure an educational path that holds immediate value to employers looking to hire recent graduates,” said Lopez. “The time, effort and unwavering support and dedication by my instructors will not be something I will forget.”

While at OSUIT, Lopez maintained membership in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and received scholarships from the Association of General Contractors of Oklahoma Academic and OSU Foundation’s Tony Garcia Memorial Fund.

The ceremonies will be held in Covelle Hall, on the south side of campus off Fourth Street. For more information on OSUIT’s commencement ceremonies, visit osuit.edu/commencement.