State regents chairman to speak at grad ceremony
By Ryan Donahoo, News Writing Student
Bill W. Burgess Jr., chairman of the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, will give the keynote address for the 2008 commencement on May 9.
Burgess was appointed to the regents in 1993, and re-appointed in 2002 for another nine-year term. He is one of the youngest regents to be appointed in the state’s history.
Burgess is chairman emeritus of the board of Techrizon, LCC (Computer Software Systems Analysis & Custom Design); chairman of the board of Vortex Inc. (an investment corperation) and is the senior partner of Burgess & Hightower Law Firm.
Student Joyce Neilson will attend commencement to accept her diploma in Computer Science Network Support.
She said she is proud to be recognized as an honors student through Phi Theta Kappa and is graduating with a 3.7 grade point average. Neilson’s family will attend the ceremony.
“I assure you they will be the loudest ones there,” Neilson said.
Tiffany Fleming, diversified studies major, will attend commencement with “much excitement.” Fleming also works for the college as a student instructor and an accommodations clerk in Student Support Services.
She said she’s looking forward to progressing toward her future.
“The true feeling of accomplishment and knowing I have completed something great is the best feeling,” Fleming said. “But I am also looking forward to all the doors that will open for me academically.”
After graduating Fleming said she will start a career with the U.S. Postal Service with plans to complete her bachelor’s degree at the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma in Chickasha.
Commencement begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Cox Convention Center.
