Reporting by Tyler Manning, Cortney Wood, Rachel Johnson, Justin Marquart and Fran Martinez
As adrenaline coursed through their veins, 502 students walked across the stage at Kay Yeager Coliseum on Dec. 16, 2017 with friends, families and colleagues cheering them onward while an additional 183 graduates earned their degrees, but did not attend the ceremony.
Graduates received honors cords, diplomas and Master’s stoles respectively, and according to Darla Inglish, university registrar, every professor, university and city police member, student ambassador and registrar member help make the day “run smoothly” for the students.
“The staff works extremely hard, and this is the culmination of all their hard work because this takes a lot of moving parts behind-the-scenes to make graduation move smoothly,” Inglish said. “Everyone comes together for this big day to celebrate out students’ successes. MSU is an important part of Wichita Falls, and it’s an integral part of what makes Wichita special.”
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Richard Young, 1998 alum, gave the commencement speech and left the graduated hopefuls with five pieces of advice and recommendations as they head off into their careers.
“This is a day of celebration and of opportunities, and years from now I don’t expect you to remember anything about me, but if you remember anything, I hope you remember the five things I wish I had internalized when I graduated from MSU,” Young said in his speech. “Follow your instincts and don’t be afraid to think unconventionally. Don’t let failure define you and press on, travel to seek understanding from other people, strive to recognize others’ motivations and strengths and don’t neglect your relationships.”
Emotions were high as Jeff Gregg, member of the Board of Regents, gave his daughter Kristen, mass communication, her diploma when she walked across the stage. Kristen said it was a time she had been waiting for.
“It’s a proud feeling. He got elected on [the Board] in 2013. It’s just been nice having him here while I am going and to finally get to do this, since this is his last term. We have been looking forward to it and it is a dream come true,” Kristen said.
While many students hope to live up to the expectations they or their families have put on them, Young said it’s important to be sure in yourself over anything else.
“One of the more difficult things we can do is to act contrary to what those close to us expect or want us to do,” Young said. “You know better than anyone else about your dreams and your goals, what you find to be fulfilling, and most importantly what you will regret if you don’t do something.”
DATE | Dec. 16, 2017
LOCATION | Kay Yeager Coliseum
SPEAKER | Richard Glen Young, 1998 graduate in political science and history, and now managing director, operations and analysis, SECURUS Strategic Trade Solutions, LLC
FACULTY AWARD RECIPIENT | Laura Fidelie, associate professor of criminal justice
DEGREES
- Master’s | 164
- Bachelor’s | 521
- Associate’s | 0
BY COLLEGE
- Dillard College of Business of Administration | 102
- Gordon T. And Ellen West College of Education | 142
- Lamar B. Fain College of Fine Arts | 19
- Robert D. And Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services | 278
- Prothro-Yeager College o Humanities and Social Sciences | 50
- College of Science and Mathematics | 94
By DEGREES
- Master of Business Administration | 9
- Master of Arts | 27
- Master of Education | 29
- Master of Health Administration | 5
- Master of Science | 94
- Bachelor of Science | 315
- Bachelor of Social Work | 5
- Bachelor of Business Administration | 93
- Bachelor of Arts | 32
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences | 65
- Bachelor of Fine Arts | 8
- Bachelor of Music | 3
Source: Midwestern State University Commencement program
QUOTES FROM GRADS
- Heather Nix, marketing | “I’m the first one to graduate in my family, and I wanted to have a degree to get me where I need to be. My advice to anyone in college is to keep going. It’s going to be hard. There are going to be plenty of times you’re going to cry, plenty of times you’re going to want to quit, but it’s worth it in the end.”
- David Ham, criminal justice of applied arts and sciences | “I hope I don’t trip and fall. I just want to hurry up, get in my truck and head back to Lubbock.”
- Veronica Holland, master’s in eduction | “It’s been a long journey, but it’s been well worth it. Eduction is very highly valued in my family, so we went down to San Antonio, loaded up a 15-passenger van and got the whole family here.”
- Amy Janjeave, master’s in special education | “I’m tired doing this as a mother in college, but MSU has been incredible and accommodating for families. I have a son that is 7, and he is doing a reading project in school and he said he was going to get is master’s before me which he did three days ago. It’s been a family affair. It had to be. He’d sit next to me while I did homework while his father was at work.”
- Abigail Basse, Bachelor’s in special education | “I’m a little overwhelmed, but incredibly excited and nervous. I graduated high school with 17 people, so this is a big culture shock.”
- Jawan Liburd, nursing | “It’s a bittersweet moment. I am currently doing interviews, hopefully I land something and go to school part time.”
- Kent Ogawa, marketing | “I feel bitter emotions, coming from a different country and leaving my friends, but I’m happy.”
- Jessica Gomez, nursing | “I was trying not to cry in the car because I was listening to ‘It’s Time’ by Imagine Dragons.”
- Raphael Muchabaya, nursing | “I would recommend anyone attend college. You make lifelong friends and adventures. It gets you ready for the world.”
QUOTES FROM STUDENTS AND FACULTY
- Cathy Hoffman, registrar assistant 3 | “It’s always a mad dash for the ones that arrive late. We have to figure out where to seat them, and everyone is so nervous, so we just have to encourage them to look at the person in front of them.”
- Ronnie Freeman, registrar assistant 3 | “They stuck it out when it’s very trying, but the actually succeeded and that is a feat in itself. It’s exciting that they’ve made it through because that shows it can be done despite al the emotions in the moments that make it feel impossible.”
- Lashanda Turenne, nursing junior | “I love seeing the sense of relaxation on graduates faces that they’re finally done with school, and the pride they feel is evident. They are all smiling and taking selfies. Their excitement is overwhelming.”
- Shyanne Manry, education junior | “My favorite part is waiting beforehand because once it [graduation] gets started, it just moves so fast. This is my second year to help the registrar, and I’m looking forward to telling my row when to stand and sit because that’s when I get to do the most.”
- Samuel Watson, dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences | “When you’re faculty you sit on the floor. When you’re an administrator you sit on the platform and you have a better view. I went to a large Research I university, the University of Georgia, and the ceremony was much more impersonal. We didn’t get called individually across the stage like we do here, so I much prefer this type of ceremony because each students is recognized individually.”
- Richard Young, MSU alumnus | “It is my first to deliver a speech at it [graduation]. I graduated from here in ‘98. It’s exciting. I am grateful for the opportunity to do it. I really cherish the memories I have being a student. So having the opportunity to give something back to say something that might be of value to the students is meaningful.”
- James Johnston, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs | “It’s a great honor to move from that position [sitting in the audience] and being on the other side [sitting on the platform].”
2017 Fall Graduation
Candidates for the Master of Business Administration degree listen to announcements before graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Graduates get sorted into their different colleges and then are alphabatized by last name in one of the rooms in the Multi-Purpose Entertainment Center before Commencement in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Darla Inglish, university registrar, speaks to the graduates before they head to the colliseum at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Kristen Gregg, BA graduate, walks with the rest of the graduates to the colliseum at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Michelle Castro, BFA graduate, walks with the other graduates to the coliseum at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Shayla Owens, BBA graduate, and Alexus Page, BBA graduate, pose while waiting for the the line to move to go to the colliseum at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Nancy Marks, board of regents member, and Shelley Sweatt, board of regents member, prepare for MSU's commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Treva Clifton, president assistant, helps Martin Camacho, dean of fain college of fine arts, with his sashes before MSU's commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
MSU's faculty members gather for a group picture before the MSU commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Graduating seniors walk in to the Kay Yeager Coliseum at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Amy Elizabeth Brewer Carnes celebrated her birthday at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Members of the University Wind Ensemble perform at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Lori Shrah, asl interpretor, signs at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
A total of 502 graduates sit down during the MSU commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Graduating seniors sing the Star Spangled Banner at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Provost James Johnson at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
James Johnston, provost and vice president for academic affairs, speaks to guest and graduates during MSU's commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Laura Fidelie received the Faculty Award at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Laura Fidelie, criminal justice professor, wins the Faculty Award, which was presented by David Carlston, faculty senate chair, at the beginnning of Commencement in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Laura Fidelie received the Faculty Award at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Laura Fidelie, assosiate profesor for criminal justice, recieves the faculty award at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Laura Fidelie, associate professor, receives the Faculty Award during the MSU commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Richard Young, commencement guest speaker, gives the commencement address to the Fall 2017 graduates in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Richard Young, speaker, gives the commencment address at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Graduates and families listen to the guest speaker Richard Glen who gave the Commencement address in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Richard Glen Young delivers the commencement address at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Ricahard Young, commencement speaker, addresses the guest and graduates during MSU's commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Ricahard Young, MSU alumni, addresses the guest and graduates during MSU's commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Suzanne Shipley, university president, speaks at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Suzanne Shipley, university president, and James Johnston, provost and vice president for academic affairs,congradulate the graduates for completeing the required courses for their degrees at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
University Suzanne Shipley and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Johnston give the conferring of degrees before the presentation of 502 present graduates in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
A total of 502 graduates sit down during the MSU commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Florian Regnery received his Master of Business Administration degree at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Summer Jurgensen put "Finally" on her hat. "It took me 4.5 years to graduate," Jurgensen, who received her degree in criminal justice. said. "I didn't take 15 hours a semester."
Noah Fazekas walks across stage at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Fine Arts Dean Martin Camacho hugs Tyler Lasseter at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Lasseter received a Bachelor of Music degree. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Emma Kate Winkles, education, is handed her degree as she cross the stage in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jasmine Moody, criminal justice, waives at people inthe audience as she walk back to her seat after walking the stage and receiving her degree in Kay Yeager Coliseum, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. " I didn't want to fall, that was my biggest concern, and I wanted to make sure I didn't blink in the middle of a photo and then you know the stairs. I want to give a shout-out to my mom," Moody said. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Christina Breedlove jumps across stage at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Breedlove received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Rachel Black screams after crossing the stage at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Michael Olaya, in the last row of graduates, yawns before the ceremony ends at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Michael Olaya pauses for a photo after graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Linda Ross waves to her family and friends at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Alyvia Nichols, interdisciplinary studies, claps and looks to her people who are in the audience for her during the end part of commencement where the graduates shout-out and clap to the members in the audience who were there for them through their college experiences. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Hanna Heuring sings the alma mater at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Valentine Atuchukwu, education, does a dab during the alma mater at the end of commencement in Kay Yeager, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Clifton Hines, business managment, hold up the "Stang" sign during the alma mater at the end of commencement in Kay Yeager, Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
After the ceremony, the longest-serving faculty members Evertt Kindig and Harry Hewitt led the recessional. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Jared Tuilagi, sporting a sash made by his mom, received a Bachelor of Arts in education at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Tyler Browning, Valentine Atuchukwu, Seth Phillips and Mike Privitt at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
SAE members at graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. "They're lifelong friends, so it's bittersweet. But we'll stay in touch," Michael Privitt, who received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, said. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Brenda Cigala, bilingual education, hugs a professor as soon as she walks out from Kay Yeager coliseum, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Jared Tuilagi, education, hugs one of his professors after Commencement ended outside Kay Yeager Coliseum, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Mallory Rice, psychology, hugs Taylor Lindsay, finance junior, after leaving Kay Yeager Coliseum after the end of Commencement, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Rachel Johnson
Graduates lined up in the Multi-Purpose Event Center before graduation, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Bradley Wilson
Aaron Campbell, BFA graduate, gets her information card at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
Taylor Amundson, exercise physiology, receives her name card before the MSU commencement ceremony at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Francisco Martinez
Michelle Castro, BFA graduate, gets her information card at the fall 2017 commencement at the Kay Yeager Colliseum on Sat. Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Justin Marquart
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