Northern Oklahoma College Students at the Tonkawa campus went through graduation exercises at the 118th Annual Commencement Saturday at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse. Enid and Stillwater NOC graduates went through exercises at the Briggs Auditorium in Enid.A total of 547 graduates and 568 earned degrees were honored at the two ceremonies.NOC Interim President and Vice President for Academic Affairs Diana Watkins opened the ceremony, congratulating the students on reaching their goals for the academic year.“For many of you, today’s achievement came with many challenges,” she said. “It required flexibility, resilience, and sacrifice. Your strength of character will serve you well in your future.”Watkins also announced students that maintained a 4.0 GPA and those that earned two associate degrees. She also introduced the Flag Bearers for each academic division.They include the following at NOC Tonkawa: Institutional-Autumn Leist; Agriculture and Biological Science-Jayde Perea; Business-Landon Harmon; Engineering, Physical Science and Process Technology-Raven Bruce; Fine Arts-Amy Smith; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation-Jaci Johnson; Language Arts-Mallory Riley; Mathematics-Joel Crossland; Nursing-Jennifer Schaefer; and Social Science-Melissa Lake.They include the following at NOC Enid: Institutional-Danielle Buttrum; Agriculture and Biological Science-Diana Garcia; Business-Reba Black; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation-Vanessa Markl; Language Arts-Lexie Stringfield; Mathematics- Ashlan Light; Nursing-Jacqueline Camarena; and Social Science-John Gay II.Watkins introduced special guests at the ceremony and then presented the class for the conferring of degrees.The speaker for the commencement ceremony was Chancellor Dr. Allison Garrett, chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education.In a brief message to students, Dr. Garrett said, “What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with you today. As you engage in the next phase of life, I encourage you to do hard things because you don’t grow by doing what’s easy.”“Keep your priorities straight,” she added. “There will be challenges in life, so keep your faith and family as your top priorities in life.”“Also, kindness pays off,” she said. “No matter what life throws at you, always choose to be kind because it will come back to you.”She also thanked NOC graduates for choosing an Oklahoma higher education institution.“Whatever your next step is, where attending a four-year institution or entering the workforce, I hope you choose to do it in Oklahoma because there are great things happening in the great state of Oklahoma.”The NOC Concert Band performed the Armed Forces Salute and the college choir performed “I’ll Make the Difference.”After the candidates for graduation were announced, the college choir performed NOC’s ...
