Special celebration: OSU-Cascades honors 355 Class of 2024 graduates at its 23rd commencement
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon State University-Cascades hosted its 23rd commencement Sunday, honoring 355 graduates of the Class of 2024. More than 270 students participated in the ceremony, receiving bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
OSU Provost Edward Feser led the ceremony processional with OSU-Cascades Chancellor and Dean Sherm Bloomer. The ceremony took place on the Oval Green at OSU-Cascades.
Kimberly Howard Wade, arts advocate and executive director of Caldera Arts, was the commencement speaker, and Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the High Desert Museum, received the Distinguished Service Award.
The graduating students included 44 who were the first to receive a degree from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program launched in 2021 to fill the need for physical therapists around the state, especially in rural areas.
In addition, the graduating class included 44 students who eceived master’s degrees, 267 who received bachelor’s degrees, and four students who received two degrees.
The youngest student graduating Sunday was 19 years old., while the oldest was 68. The Class of 2024 included 17 student veterans. Also, 62 students were the first in their family to earn a college degree.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.
