Rogers State University’s deans of the School of Professional Studies and the School of Arts and Sciences have been announced as guest speakers at this spring’s commencement services.
Dr. Susan Willis and Dr. Keith Martin will serve as speakers for the morning and the afternoon commencement services, to be held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively, on Saturday, May 13, at the Claremore Expo Center.
The morning ceremony will be for those graduating from RSU’s School of Professional Studies, and the afternoon ceremony will be for those graduating from the School of Arts and Sciences, Cameron University, the Honors Program and the President’s Leadership Class.
Dr. Susan Willis, Dean and Professor, School of Professional Studies
Dr. Susan Willis is dean and professor for the School of Professional Studies at RSU. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in health, physical education and recreation from Oklahoma Baptist University. She then earned a Master of Science in exercise physiology from the University of Wyoming and a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Texas Woman’s University.
She came to RSU in 2007 as department head of Sport Management, quickly growing the then-new program. In 2015, she assumed the role of interim dean of the School of Business and Technology, becoming the dean of the then-newly formed School of Professional Studies in August 2016. Over the past year, she and her department heads have developed 23 micro-credentials/badges within the school.
“Our graduates will make a positive difference in northeastern Oklahoma and beyond,” Willis said, reflecting upon her excitement over the impact the graduates will make following their time at RSU.
Dr. Keith Martin, Dean of School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology
Dr. Keith Martin is the dean of and a professor of biology for the School of Arts and Sciences at RSU.
Martin earned a Bachelor of Science in biology – education and a Master of Science in biology – higher education, both from Northeastern State University. He then earned a Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries ecology from Oklahoma State University.
He came to RSU in 1990, serving as an instructor of biology until 2000. From 2001-2005, he served as an assistant professor of biology, promoting to associate professor of biology in 2006. He became a professor of biology in 2008.
From 2004-2005, Martin served as interim department head for the Department of Mathematics and Science. From 2007-2008, he was department head of the Department of Mathematics and Science. From 2008 to present, he has served as dean, currently of the School of Arts and Sciences.
“A commencement speech is intimidating because there is so much you wish you could say but only have a few minutes to share,” Martin said. “This speech won’t be about me, but about the graduates and the opportunities they have been afforded and have taken advantage of and succeeded.”
This will be Rogers State University’s 111th commencement.
RSU will allot a limited number of tickets to each qualified graduate. These tickets are free and provide admission to the Claremore Expo Center for those attending the ceremonies. Ticket distribution will be April 17-28 at the following times and locations:
- Claremore: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Meyer Hall
- Bartlesville and Pryor: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., main office
Students unable to claim their tickets in person should contact Julia Poole at [email protected] or call 918-343-7615.
The university will provide a livestream of both commencement ceremonies for those unable to attend in person.
The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 12, at First Baptist Church in Claremore.
For more information about RSU’s 111th Commencement, visit www.rsu.edu/commencement.