Commencement for Southeastern Oklahoma State University summer graduates of master’s degrees was last Friday evening and baccalaureate degrees were presented Saturday morning at Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
The university said that the Summer 2025 graduating class had 590 total graduates – 105 baccalaureate degree recipients, 461 graduate degree recipients, and 24 certificate recipients. There were representatives from 40 states and U.S. territories, eight countries, and 17 sovereign tribal nations.
Within the graduating class, 239 graduates have indicated first-generation status, with 24 indicating legacy status – having a parent or grandparent who previously graduated from Southeastern. More than 87 percent of the class is graduating with a degree in Oklahoma’s critical occupation listing.
These were the last Southeastern commencements for President Dr. Thomas Newsom because he was named president of Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He led Southeastern since spring 2020 and Dr. David Whitlock was named interim president of Southeastern effective Aug. 1.
“I’m honored to be a part of this special occasion as we celebrate the joy and significance of commencement,” Newsom said. “On behalf of the graduates, faculty and staff of Southeastern, it is with great delight that I welcome all of the families and friends who’ve joined us tonight on such a momentous occasion.”
Newsom said that again, SE was holding two commencement ceremonies and that the summer class is not much smaller than the spring class.
“This class is once again the largest graduating class in the history of our university during the summer semester,” Newsom said. “Congratulations.“ Former SE president and current Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Sean Burrage also spoke. He said that as a former president of Southeastern, it’s a special privilege to return to campus for commencement.
Burrage congratulated the graduates.
“Today is a moment to pause and celebrate,” Burrage said. “You’ve put in long hours and met the challenges and earned a degree that represents far more than just coursework. It’s a symbol of your persistence, your growth and your readiness to take on what comes next.”
At Friday’s commencement ceremony, Southeastern honored Shelli Temple of Owasso, who passed away unexpectedly in July.
Temple devoted her life to the power of education, particularly in the field of mathematics, teaching for 26 years at Jenks and Collinsville High Schools, according to Southeastern. She had completed all of her coursework and requirements for her Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction - Mathematics Education.
“Today, we honor Shelli and her family with her master’s degree award posthumously, graduating with honors,” Newsom said.
The following Bryan County residents were among the graduates: Durant: Braden Michael Bates, Chelsea Brooke Carlock, Jacob Ellis, Marcia Ellison, Candice Renee Fisher, India P. Yandell, Dana Ruth Hammond, Malori DeNae Lawson, Noah N. Morrison, Amber Nichole New, Jessica Deanne Nottingham, Rayne Felson Paris, Austin Gregory Reinecker, Neal E. Spencer, Jacy Kay Springer, Melissa Carol Stevens, Aliyah Brooke Tomlinson and Melody N. Vaughn.
Achille: Tiffany Denese Vail. Caddo: Georgina Michelle Hamilton, Kari Dawn Kendrick and Hudson Cornelius Toews.
Calera: Geraldine Sheffield. Colbert: Jared R. Hartwright and Margaret Kelley Copley Herrick.
