NSU announces spring 2012 commencement details

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--One of the most important days in a student's life is about to occur for many in May as graduation day nears.

Approximately 1,400 spring and summer 2012 graduates will walk the stage during commencement ceremonies on May 11-12 in Tahlequah and May 14 in Broken Arrow for Northeastern State University.

Jerrett Phillips, interim executive director of enrollment management, invited the campus community and the family and friends of graduates to attend the exercises. Each graduate receives an allotment of tickets per ceremony, and overflow seating is provided in the auditorium of the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center.

"In my time at NSU as a student and in the last seven years as a staff member, commencement has been a special and valued event," he said. "The faculty, staff and administrators are honored each year as graduates join the ranks of alumni that extend back more than a century. We are proud of the 2012 graduates for their many accomplishments and wish them well on future journeys."

The Tahlequah ceremonies are in Jack Dobbins Field House. The College of Education holds its ceremony on May 11 at 6 p.m. Speaker is Dr. Isabel Baker, professor emeritus of education. Student speaker is Joseph Merenda.

On May 12 the College of Science and Health Professions and the Oklahoma College of Optometry hold graduation at 8:45 a.m. followed by the College of Business and Technology commencement at 11:30 a.m. Student speakers for the ceremonies are Summer Hill and Angelika Copp, respectively.

Saturday's final commencement exercise is conducted by the College of Liberal Arts at 2:15 p.m. The student speaker is Stephanie Girdner.

The Broken Arrow ceremony is in the Union Multipurpose Activity Center at 6836 S. Mingo Road at 7 p.m. for all colleges. Student speaker is Laura Ross-White.

NSU's ROTC graduates receive commissions during the College of Education and Broken Arrow ceremonies.

Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma will attend the exercises. Regent Connie Riley visits Friday, Regent Belva Howard attends the three Saturday ceremonies and Regent Jan Gordon is present for the Broken Arrow commencement.

For the spring and summer 2012 terms, there are 1,185 bachelor's applications, 235 master's and 28 doctorates. NSU will confer 108 more degrees than during the spring 2011 exercises.