Nicole Diseker
Staff writer
Fall semester is coming to a close, and commencement is quickly approaching.
This semester’s ceremony will be on Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Bloomer Sullivan Arena. There will be two separate ceremonies, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The 10–11 a.m. ceremony will be for graduates of The School of Arts and Sciences, John Massey School of Business, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science (aerospace), Master of Science (occupational safety and health) and Master of Technology. A total of 212 students will be represented.
The 2–3 p.m. ceremony will be for School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Master of Arts (clinical mental health counseling), Master of Arts (teaching), Master of Education and Master of Science (sports studies). A total of 98 students will be represented.
SE has a varied demographic of graduates this semester, with a total of 310 students, 159 men and 151 women, from the ages of 20-56.
There are 147 students graduating from the School of Arts and Sciences, 65 from the School of Business and 98 from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
Some graduates come from far away places, such as Romania, Serbia, Vietnam, South Africa and Australia.
The oldest graduate this year was born in 1957, making them 56.
SE’s top graduate this semester is Bree Labeth, a biology major.
According to the SE website, the 10 percent of each graduating class representing the highest GPA are recognized as honor graduates at the commencement exercises.
The honor graduates are recognized in three groups: summa cum laude (top 2 percent), magna cum laude (top 3 to 5 percent) and cum laude (top 6 to 10 percent).
The cum laude graduates this semester are Andrew Cacho, Ross Davis, Misty Feller, Tasha Flowers, Jordana Maria-Lynn Green, Zachary Harmon, Christian Jeter, Nicole Murphy, Katherine Rings, Donald Ticer Jr., Demetra Wilkerson and Kasey Wilson.
The magna cum laude graduates are Ryan Dobbs, Shelby Fraser, Kolton Hall, Kaylee Johnson, James Keeton, Kelsey Lee, Allie McKinzie, Shacole Smith and Vickie Smith.
The summa cum laude graduates are Charles Bull, Joshua Dobbs, Diana Gillum, Brudgett Hertz-Olsen, Bree Labeth, Royce Martos Jr. and Kathryn Robertson.
Commencement rehearsal will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
Local businessman and SE alumnus J. Scott Crain will speak during the ceremonies.
Crain is a 1984 graduate of SE and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. He owns Texoma Manufacturing, LLC. He started his first manufacturing company, now known as Waste Quip, 25 years ago in Durant.
Crain has twice been a finalist for the Oklahoma Investment Forum’s Grace & Franklin Bernsen Oklahoma Venture of the Year Award and was nominated for the Small Business of the Year.
He served as a founding member of the Durant Sports Association, helping raise funds for the Durant Sports Complex.
He’s also a member of the Durant Community Facilities Authority, which oversaw the construction of the complex as well as the improvements made to Paul Laird Field.
An ordained minister, Crain is a charter member and elder of Fusion Bible Church in Durant.
Crain and his wife Carol are the parents of Drew, an SE graduate, and Chase. His father Jim Crain is also an SE alumnus.