Tyler Hackbarth, computer science, takes a selfie with Jesse Rodgers, university president, at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Nearly 650 graduate and undergraduate students earned their diplomas Saturday morning in Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Delores Jackson, interim director of the Applied Arts and Sciences program, said commencement provides her an opportunity to meet her distance-education students face-to-face.
“Because I teach distance classes there’s no face-to-face interaction,” Jackson said. “This is a good opportunity to see some faces and talk to them in person.”
Commencement speaker Beck Weathers, a Mount Everest survivor and 1968 graduate of Midwestern State University, spoke briefly about the severe snowstorm that killed eight members of Weathers’ expedition and leaving him severely injured before giving advice on life, love and money.
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“Money seems to make very little difference in our lives,” Weathers said. “In the final analysis, really the only things that matter are the things in your heart and the people who hold you in theirs.”
Hundreds of family members and friends attended the ceremony, including three friends,Kayla Kelley, Richard Hicks and Jenna Rock, of Mike Mitchell who drove five hours from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“He’s a very good friend,” Kelly said. “We decided (to come to graduation early this morning) and made the signs in the car.”
The gradates had a variety of reactions.
“My favorite part of this experience has been being able to play ball and get an education at the same time, lot of doors were open for me through this education I got for free, “ Corbin Thomas, applied arts and science,
“I’m just glad it’s done, we have three kids at home and it’s been a lot of hard work with both me and my husband going back to school at the same time,” Casi Sharae Urquhart, radiology science
“Today I’m looking forward to taking a selfie with the president when I walk across the stage. I’m doing it.” Tyer Hackbarth, computer science
“After this I hope to get a job, I have some interview already lined up so hopefully they go well,” Omozuwa Omigie, nursing
According to the official program, 637 students were graduating. However, officials said they expected only about 466 to attend the ceremony.
Facts and figures
DATE | Dec. 13, 2014
LOCATION | Kay Yeager Coliseum
SPEAKER | Beck Weathers, Mount Everest survivor and 1968 MSU graduate
FACULTY AWARD | Kristen Garrison, assistant English professor and writing program administrator
DEGREES
Master’s | 124
Bachelor’s | 513
Associate’s | 41
Graduation Fall 2014
Midwestern State University’s graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Dec. 13, 2014 at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Approximately 637 students were candidates to earn their degrees.
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Student sign in at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Student sign in at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Student sign in at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Aimee Bilbrey, nursing, helps Celina Macias, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Aimee Bilbrey, nursing, helps Celina Macias, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Aimee Bilbrey, nursing, helps Celina Macias, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jessica Gallant, Office of Registrar, helps Omozuwa Omigie, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jessica Gallant, Office of Registrar, helps Omozuwa Omigie, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jessica Gallant, Office of Registrar, helps Omozuwa Omigie, nursing, with her gown at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Anik Jarvis, biology, Tiffiney Lake, biology, and Alissa Jarvis, student ambassador, take a selfie at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Anik Jarvis, biology, Tiffiney Lake, biology, and Alissa Jarvis, student ambassador, take a selfie at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Anik Jarvis, biology, Tiffiney Lake, biology, and Alissa Jarvis, student ambassador, take a selfie at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Students are orgnized by major as they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Students are orgnized by major as they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Students are orgnized by major as they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Vcmor Eligwe, BFA, Melody Campos, BFA, Nicole Kutzer, BFA, Jake Starkey, BFA, Nick Bourgeois, BFA, Jesse Baggett, BFA, and Samantha Nichols, BA take a group picture while waiting to be moved to the coiseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Vcmor Eligwe, BFA, Melody Campos, BFA, Nicole Kutzer, BFA, Jake Starkey, BFA, Nick Bourgeois, BFA, Jesse Baggett, BFA, and Samantha Nichols, BA take a group picture while waiting to be moved to the coiseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Vcmor Eligwe, BFA, Melody Campos, BFA, Nicole Kutzer, BFA, Jake Starkey, BFA, Nick Bourgeois, BFA, Jesse Baggett, BFA, and Samantha Nichols, BA take a group picture while waiting to be moved to the coiseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Lisa Hudspeth, nursing, fils out her card at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Lisa Hudspeth, nursing, fils out her card at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Lisa Hudspeth, nursing, fils out her card at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Bevin Pierce, psycology, and Sonia Perez, psycology, sit on the floor while they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Bevin Pierce, psycology, and Sonia Perez, psycology, sit on the floor while they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Bevin Pierce, psycology, and Sonia Perez, psycology, sit on the floor while they wait to be moved to the coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, welcomes people to at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, welcomes people to at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, welcomes people to at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, shakes every students hand as they walk the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, shakes every students hand as they walk the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jesse Rodgers, university president, shakes every students hand as they walk the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Beck Weathers, MSU Alumnus, was the guest speaker at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Beck Weathers, MSU Alumnus, was the guest speaker at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Beck Weathers, MSU Alumnus, was the guest speaker at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student blows a kiss to the people there for her in the audience at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student blows a kiss to the people there for her in the audience at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student blows a kiss to the people there for her in the audience at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
The Kay Yeager Coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
The Kay Yeager Coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
The Kay Yeager Coliseum at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student and a profesor hug after the student walked across the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student and a profesor hug after the student walked across the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A student and a profesor hug after the student walked across the stage at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Tyler Hackbarth, computer science, takes a selfie with Jesse Rodgers, university president, at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Tyler Hackbarth, computer science, takes a selfie with Jesse Rodgers, university president, at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Tyler Hackbarth, computer science, takes a selfie with Jesse Rodgers, university president, at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Richie Heussner sings the alma mater at graduation. Photo by Ethan Metcalf
Richie Heussner sings the alma mater at graduation. Photo by Ethan Metcalf
Richie Heussner sings the alma mater at graduation. Photo by Ethan Metcalf
Leona Sandiford, theatre, hugs her friends and family at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Leona Sandiford, theatre, hugs her friends and family at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Leona Sandiford, theatre, hugs her friends and family at Midwestern State University fall graduation, Dec. 13, 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Friends Kayla Kelley, Richard Hicks and Jenna Rock travelled from Tulsa, Oklahoma to see their friend Mike Mitchell, radiology graduate, cross the stage at the Dec. 13, 2014, graduation ceremony.
Friends Kayla Kelley, Richard Hicks and Jenna Rock travelled from Tulsa, Oklahoma to see their friend Mike Mitchell, radiology graduate, cross the stage at the Dec. 13, 2014, graduation ceremony.
Friends Kayla Kelley, Richard Hicks and Jenna Rock traveled from Tulsa, Oklahoma to see their friend Mike Mitchell, radiology graduate, cross the stage at the Dec. 13, 2014, graduation ceremony.
