As winter graduation approaches at Oklahoma Christian University, graduating seniors prepare to enter the world and workforce by utilizing the skills, degrees and experiences afforded them during their time on campus.
On Friday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m., the commencement ceremony for the Oklahoma Christian College of Business Administration and the College of Liberal Arts will take place in Hardeman Auditorium. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
Graduation for the College of Biblical Studies, College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Natural and Health Sciences will also be in Hardeman Auditorium, at 2:30 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m.
Dress code for men graduating includes: ties, dark slacks, dark socks and dark shoes. For graduating women, dress code includes dark clothing worn under the black robes. No flowers are to be worn or carried. According to traditions of academic regalia, no jewelry or non-academic accessories should be worn on the outside of the robe and no accessories or decor should be on the cap. The only exceptions are the medallions and cords worn to indicate academic honors.
Senior Emily Dick will graduate with a double major in vocal music education and Vocational Ministry. Dick said she plans to take what she has learned at Oklahoma Christian and apply it to teaching in Rwanda.
“I’m leaving at the end of December to teach for a semester in Musanze, Rwanda at Virunga Valley Academy,” Dick said. “It’s an international school, and I get to teach K-5 music and Bible. In June, I plan on coming back to the States and finding a teaching job, hopefully in Oklahoma. I’m really trying to be open to any opportunity that presents itself at this point in my life.”
Dick has spent five years as a student at Oklahoma Christian. Although her next step in life is taking her to a new place, she says she is excited to see how God uses her on her next adventure.
“My favorite part of Oklahoma Christian is the Christian community it offers if you choose to take it,” Dick said. “I met some of my closest friends and most important people in my life here, and it’s just super cool that even though some of us are parting ways, we have eternity together to look forward to.”
Senior Michaela Brown will graduate with a degree in accounting. Brown said she hopes to be able to work within the sports industry and has loved her involvement in athletics throughout her time at Oklahoma Christian, including intramurals and being a member of the softball team.
“I am applying to get a job within the sports industry—possibly payroll or front office type stuff—for a couple of MLB teams,” Brown said. “One of my favorite things about Oklahoma Christian has been my time in sports. Not only have sports taught me valuable life lessons along the way, but it had also brought me some of my closest friends.”
Brown said she sees a lot of benefits to graduating early, is excited for the opportunities ahead of her and feels she is already starting off strong by accomplishing a few of her goals.
“I decided to graduate early for a couple of reasons,” Brown said. “My main one is based on this plan I had. I had created a life plan with goals for myself about two years ago. On that list of goals I wanted to achieve, one of them was to graduate early and another one was to get out of college with as little debt as possible. So, when I realized it was possible to do both, I figured, ‘Why Not?’—Russell Westbrook style.”
Senior Kyle Moore will graduate with a degree in marketing. Moore will spend this time in his new phase of life to find out what God has for him next.
“It’s kind of surreal that I’ll be graduating in just over a week,” Moore said. “I’m not sure what God has planned for me next, but I am really excited to see where I end up once I graduate. I’m sad to be leaving OC and all of the incredible people that I have met here, but I’m thankful for what I have learned while being here and I feel really prepared for my next phase of my life.”
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