NSU Confers Record Number of Degrees

The threat of inclement weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of 1,800 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates at Northeastern State University on May 6. NSU conferred a record number of degrees at the institution's 97th Spring Commencement ceremonies that were moved to the Jack Dobbins Field House after rain was predicted for most of Saturday.

Annual Spring commencement ceremonies were also held at Tulsa Community College Southeast on Monday, May 8, for students who earned their degrees while attending NSU's Broken Arrow campus. Ceremonies were held at both locations to accommodate degree candidates from the University's five academic colleges and the professional College of Optometry.

Of those eligible to graduate, 1,475 received bachelor's degrees, 300 earned master's degrees, and 25 became Doctors of Optometry.

Among those earning degrees on Saturday were two individuals who earned unique national fame in 2005. Carrie Underwood, 2005 American Idol, graduated magna cum laude in Mass Communications and was also named 2006 Outstanding Senior and inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame. Receiving her master's degree in Speech Communication was Muriel Saunders, the 71-year-old grandmother featured on numerous television and radio programs nationwide when she was crowned NSU Homecoming Queen last fall.

In his commencement address, NSU President Dr. Larry Williams related stories of courage and achievement, challenging graduates to "make good things happen. "

"I sincerely hope that NSU successfully inspires in every one of our students a sense of discovery that will help them achieve things they may have only dreamed were possible," Williams said.