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.
“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
Theater prof Laura Jefferson congratulates theater grad Katie Hamilton at Dec. ’14 graduation @MidwesternState pic.twitter.com/LKwqpWQLJA
— MSU Wichitan Online (@WichitanOnline) December 13, 2014
You need to be willing to do things that frighten you to death. Beck Weathers. @WichitanOnline @MidwesternState pic.twitter.com/uS8qH2RwDE
— bradleywilson09 (@bradleywilson09) December 13, 2014
The sea of graduates, 466 at ceremony today. @WichitanOnline @MidwesternState pic.twitter.com/Yt1opapFmI
— bradleywilson09 (@bradleywilson09) December 13, 2014