OSU-Cascades set to graduate largest class in history
At its 14th commencement on Sunday, Oregon State University-Cascades will set a record when it awards 324 bachelor’s and master’s degrees. That’s a 24 percent increase in degrees conferred over the previous year.
Campus officials anticipate that more than 2,500 family and friends of graduates will attend the ceremonies at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend. Nearly 250 students plan to participate in the ceremonies.
In total, OSU-Cascades will have awarded more than 2,700 degrees since it was established in 2001.
The commencement event will begin at 12:00 p.m. OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson will preside over the ceremonies and OSU Provost Sabah Randhawa will deliver a welcome address.
Emilie Cortes, a former investment professional turned adventurer and entrepreneur who now makes her home in Central Oregon, will provide the commencement address. Cortes is president of Call of the Wild Adventures, Inc., an adventure travel company that leads excursions for women around the world. Cortes will be introduced by Oran Teater, chair of the OSU-Cascades board of advisors.
In addition to Johnson, Randhawa and Cortes, members of the platform party include Kirk Schueler, representing the OSU Board of Trustees; Mike Bailey, president of the OSU Faculty Senate; Marla Hacker, Dean of Academic Programs at OSU-Cascades; and members of the faculty.
Distinguished Service Award
During the commencement event, Johnson will present the campus’ fifth annual Distinguished Service Award, an award created to honor individuals, businesses or organizations that have made exceptional contributions to OSU-Cascades, Central Oregon, the State of Oregon, or the world.
She will present the award to Jim Middleton, former president of Central Oregon Community College. Middleton steered COCC for more than a decade and in 2001 helped lead the creation of the two-plus-two program that allows students to start at the community college before transferring to OSU-Cascades to complete an undergraduate degree. Middleton has advocated for community college and higher education before the state legislature and leaves a lasting legacy for Central Oregon. He continues to serve on the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
About the Class of 2015
Of the 316 graduates, bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to 255 and master’s degrees will be awarded to 61.
79 percent of the graduates are from Central Oregon. In addition, 19 of Oregon’s 36 counties are represented. Graduates represent seven other states.
The average age of the graduating class is 32; the oldest is 63 and the youngest is 21.
Eight students will graduate with a double degree.
Twelve candidates for graduation will be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, a scholastic honor society. Seniors in the top 10 percent of their classes, and graduate students who show special ability and are in the top 10 percent of their respective classes, are nominated by faculty for the society.
The commencement ceremony will include presentations by OSU-Cascades candidate for graduation, Lauren Radcliffe, a liberal studies major from Bend, and from student body vice president, Jack Vanderlinden.
The diploma received by each graduate represents an Oregon State University degree, and marks the same achievement and fulfillment of requirements, and carries the same rights, privileges and honors as degrees conferred at the main campus. To learn more click here.
