Graduate Samantha Pickerill of Cleveland, Oklahoma, is all smiles as she accepts her diploma from Rogers State University President Dr. Larry Rice. Pickerill received her B.S. in Justice Administration – Law Justice at RSU’s 2023 Spring Commencement May 13.
Rogers State University conferred more than 600 degrees and certificates during its 111th commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 13, at the Claremore Expo Center.
The university hosted two commencement ceremonies, with graduates from the School of Professional Studies receiving their diplomas in the morning and graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences, Cameron University, Honors and PLC being recognized in the afternoon.
“Welcome to the 111th Commencement Ceremony for Rogers State University,” RSU President Dr. Larry Rice said in his opening remarks. “You’re about to witness a special occasion. Today, we are conferring certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees on candidates who have satisfied all academic requirements.
“This is an academic tradition that extends back beyond the history of this great institution,” he continued. “It is part of the tradition of higher education in America as envisioned by Thomas Jefferson, who is represented at the entrance of the RSU campus, welcoming scholars to our community of learning. Indeed, the ceremonial Commencement traditions extend back through the centuries, as teachers and learners celebrated the pursuit of knowledge, answers, insight and wisdom.”
Following the recognition of platform guests, Dr. Rice introduced the speakers. Dr. Susan Willis, dean of the School of Professional Studies, spoke during the morning ceremony. Dr. Keith Martin, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, delivered the address in the afternoon.
“We’re celebrating your achievement today, but commencement means to begin something, not end, and most of us on the stage would tell you that the older you get and the more degrees you get, the more you realize how little you really know,” Dr. Susan Willis said during the morning ceremony. “I never felt that more than when I completed my PhD. It’s important that you keep learning because learning produces growth.”
Willis then shared practical tips on growth gleaned from John Maxwell’s book, “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.”
“First, there is the Law of Intentionality – growth doesn’t just happen. You have to plan for it,” she said. “Secondly, there is the Law of Environment. Surround yourself with people who will help you grow, help you achieve your goals. It’s said that you are an average of the five people you hang around with the most. Think about that. Choose wisely.
“Lastly is the Law of the Rubber Band, which I like,” she said. “It says growth stops when you lose tension between where you are and where you could be. You’ve got to stretch yourself. Keep growing. Growth produces energy, and you can’t get in a rut when you’ve got that energy around you.”
Willis concluded her address by encouraging graduates to work on their people skills and to develop an attitude of appreciation and gratitude.
“Having a mindset of gratitude improves your mental health, improves your resiliency, and your coping skills,” she said. “Having gratitude will give you happiness in life. Not just happiness, but joy. Congratulations to you all and thank you.”
During his afternoon address, Dr. Keith Martin began by reflecting on his own upcoming retirement.
“With my career soon ending – after 33 years on the Hill at Rogers State University – I’ve had a little time to reflect,” he said. “Twenty-three years ago, in 2000, several dedicated faculty and staff – many of them on the stage with me today – proposed our first four bachelor’s degrees at Rogers State University – business administration, biology, social sciences and liberal arts – degrees which some of you are graduating from RSU with today.
“What we did in those early days was to create a destination and a path for students, and the students did the rest,” he said.
Martin cited several examples of students from the past overcoming barriers and seizing opportunities created at RSU, likening them to the graduates of the present.
“I can confidently speak for the faculty and staff in saying that this is the time of year we gain the greatest amount of satisfaction and fulfillment from our efforts in academia,” he said. “We find genuine gratification from the personal success of our graduates. Each student here has been privileged to be mentored by an exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty.”
Martin lauded the graduates for having worthy goals to strive for and for having clarity of direction, along with the resolve to stay the course in their pursuit of bettering themselves.
“People like you who have accomplished much in life are filled with purpose and lasting ambitions,” he said. “Regardless of your official degree, I know all too well that the real degree is in overcoming self-doubt, redefining coping mechanisms to adversity, navigating uncertainty in your life. A title on a transcript only tells a part of your story.
“What you bring to the table as graduates today is a broad academic experience that has taught you life skills – perseverance, persistence, relational skills, and a high emotional IQ. That’s why RSU grads are impacting the citizenry of our state and beyond,” he said. “You are crucial to the employment sector, to the community leadership in the places where you live. Thank you for persevering. I congratulate you and God bless you as you seek new destinations, and the faith and resolve to reach them.”
Prior to the handing out of diplomas, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Richard Beck recognized RSU’s retiring faculty members, including Dr. Jane Johansson, professor, School of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Peter Macpherson, professor and John W. Norman Chair in Business Information Technology, School of Professional Studies; and Dr. Keith Martin, dean and professor, School of Arts and Sciences.
Beck then recognized students graduating with academic honors and certified the graduates. President Rice then conferred degrees upon the graduates.
In all, RSU awarded a total of 610 degrees and certificates to the graduating class of 2023. Among these were 11 graduates with the Master of Science in community counseling; 32 graduates earning a Master of Business Administration; 418 bachelor’s degrees; 11 Cameron University bachelor’s degrees (teacher education); 126 associate degrees; and 12 certificates.
Since becoming an accredited four-year university in 2000, the university has awarded nearly 11,000 diplomas, including roughly 5,700 bachelor’s degrees, more than 5,100 associate degrees, and more than 100 master’s degrees.
Rogers State University is a regional university serving northeastern Oklahoma and is the only four-year public residential university in the Tulsa metropolitan area.
For a complete listing of graduates and the degrees conferred upon them, the 2023 Commencement Program may be viewed or downloaded by visiting www.rsu.edu/commencement. Links to video recordings of each ceremony are also available on that page.