Oklahoma State University celebrated its 150th commencement May 9-10 at Gallagher-Iba Arena, marking a historic milestone and the first ceremony led by new OSU President Jim Hess. The event honored over 5,000 graduates across OSU’s Stillwater colleges and campuses statewide.Keynote speaker Kyle Hilbert, Oklahoma House Speaker and OSU alumnus, encouraged the Class of 2025 to lead with integrity and live by the Cowboy Code. “Changing the world,” he said, “often means doing the next right thing — even when no one is watching.”The weekend also featured a special moment as Dr. Ed Kirtley hooded his son, Jerome Kirtley, who earned a Ph.D. in Management of Information Systems. Their story highlighted the perseverance and family spirit that define OSU.The ceremonies reflected OSU’s journey from six graduates in 1896 to a global land-grant leader with five campuses and Extension offices in all 77 Oklahoma counties. From its humble beginnings in a church basement to record-breaking enrollment in 2024, OSU continues to shape the future while honoring its past.
