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commencement spring 2014 university of central oklahoma 2 commencement - spring 2014 letter FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Graduates, sharpened abilities to think and act Finally, Today, I join with family and friends creatively, critically and ethically. You don't pass up in applauding you, our Spring 2014 can become the engaged citizens and this opportunity graduates. leaders in whatever community you to thank those Today is a marker in your life. I choose, whatever field you pursue. in your life encourage you to stop and savor your More importantly, we hope your whose achievement, and enjoy the celebration Central experience has instilled in you a encouragement and joy that surround you, for your passion for learning, a habit that will be and love helped accomplishment says more than you part of you throughout your life. We you in countless may know. hope that you leave knowing how to ways to reach this plateau. Tell them Your Central diploma is an outward perceive problems and find solutions, today how much they mean to you. sign of your commitment and hard and to meet a changing world with a You can make a difference; you can work. It says to the world, “I can make culture of learning that will enrich your be the change you wish to see in the the appropriate sacrifices. I can learn. I life. world around you. can meet the challenge. I can succeed.” With your graduation, you have We believe in you. Your graduation is a clear manifestation changed your future and that of others of your own empowerment. You did it, who will be influenced by you. This is and we are truly proud of you. our hope for you. Be encouraged by what you have Know, too, that you are always accomplished. Now imagine what you welcome here, either to further your are capable of doing. learning experiences or as loyal alumni. Don Betz, Ph.D. We believe your Central education You are a member of the UCO has given you more than certain skill community regardless of where your life sets. We believe that you leave here with takes you. 3 university of central oklahoma University of Central Oklahoma Executive Officers Don Betz, Ph.D. Anne Holzberlein Myron Pope, Ed.D. President Vice President, Development Vice President, Student Affairs UCO Foundation Executive Director John Barthell, Ph.D. Cynthia E. Rolfe, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President, Charles Johnson Vice President, Information Technology Academic Affairs Vice President, University Relations Chief Information Officer Don Chrusciel, Ph.D. Mark Kinders Joe Muller Vice President, Administration Vice President, Public Affairs Athletic Director regional university system of oklahoma Regents Jeffrey Dunn, J.D. Michael W. Mitchel, J.D. Richard C. Ogden, J.D. Secretary Alva Chair Tulsa Oklahoma City Connie Reilly Lake Carpenter Okemah Susan C. Winchester Leedey Vice Chair Chickasha Jan Gordon Broken Arrow Staff Janet Barresi, D.D.S. Sheridan A. McCaffree, J.D. Co-Terminus (State Superintendent) Terry Matlock Executive Director Oklahoma City Garvin Oklahoma City Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education James D. “Jimmy” Harrel Gen. Toney Stricklin Joseph L. Parker Jr. Chair Assistant Secretary Tulsa Leedey Lawton Ronald H. White, M.D. Michael C. Turpen, J.D. Marlin “Ike” Glass Jr. Oklahoma City Vice Chair Newkirk Oklahoma City Jay Helm Glen D. Johnson, J.D. John Massey Tulsa Chancellor Secretary Oklahoma City Durant Ann Holloway Ardmore 4 commencement - spring 2014 THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA For almost 125 years, the University beautifully landscaped campus that such as those at Rose State College, the of Central Oklahoma’s bedrock mission welcomes more than 17,000 students university’s partnership with Tinker Air has been developing leaders for each semester. It strives to meet the Force Base, working with entrepreneurs Oklahoma and the nation. needs of those seeking a traditional through one of three UCO Small The university began in 1890 when campus atmosphere as well as the non- Business Development Center offices the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature traditional student. — UCO works to meet the needs of created the Territorial Normal School. Central also welcomes the role of many. Others notice. U.S. News & World Report earlier this year again ranked Central as one of the top colleges and universities in the nation. Central was the only higher education institution in the state to be named to the “2013 Great Colleges to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. As Oklahoma’s third-largest state university, Central has evolved into six colleges, including the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, all with nationally recognized programs including Nursing, Forensic Science, Accounting, Physics, Graphic Design and more. The univer- sity offers 115 majors for bachelor’s Its mission was to educate teachers for being Oklahoma’s major metropolitan degrees and 59 for master’s, and is the one-room schoolhouses being built university, purposefully combining the accredited by the Higher Learning across the growing territory. needs of students with those of the larg- Commission of the North Central Central’s first students — a class of er area. No longer just an Edmond Association of Colleges and Schools. 23 — met in the basement of campus, Central stretches into Central remains an institution Edmond’s First Methodist Church. In Bricktown with its Academy of where teaching comes first, with a 21:1 1893, they moved into the school’s first Contemporary Music at UCO (ACM@ student/faculty ratio. Students enjoy building, Old North, still standing UCO). Construction of the new personal relationships with faculty and today. CHK|Central Boathouse on the staff who are committed to transform- Five name changes later, UCO is a Oklahoma River, off-site UCO classes ing lives. 5 commencement - spring 2014 Symbols of Authority THE GONFALON weighs 9.65 pounds. showing the official UCO seal. On the Each college has its own gonfalon, Near its top is a miniature replica flip side are the names of Central’s first or banner, that is carried by an of Old North, created in pecan wood 15 presidents, from Richard Thatcher, outstanding faculty member in that and encompassed within a bronze who served from 1891-93, through W. college, who leads that college's crown. Thirteen pieces of solid walnut Max Chambers, 1949-60. students in the procession. wood make up the majority of the Curved metal banners help form THE MACE mace. The base on which the bronze the chain on each side of the medallion. Among ancient orders, the mace medallion sits is rosewood. A bronze Each banner bears the name of one of was a heavy staff or club made of wood band encircling the mace is inscribed the next five Central presidents, and metal that was borne by, carried “University of Central Oklahoma.” including President Betz who began his before or placed near a magistrate or THE MEDALLION service in August 2011 as Central’s other dignitary as an ensign of In keeping with tradition, UCO 20th president. The medallion is authority. The most senior member of President Don Betz will be wearing a designed with blank metal banners, the college carries the mace. medallion that was created in 2011 evenly spaced among smaller official In 1975, students and faculty in with both past and future university UCO seal medallions. These blank Central’s then Industrial Arts program presidents in mind. banners are for the names of all future constructed the university’s mace. It is The chain features at its center a presidents, symbolizing the chain of approximately 34 inches in length and 3.5-inch antiqued-bronze medallion university leadership. Graduation With Honors BACCALAUREATE DEGREES GRADUATE DEGREES MINIMUM FOR HONORS • Summa Cum Laude to graduating Graduation with Honors graduate To be eligible to graduate with seniors with a 3.90 GPA or higher; degrees are conferred to those with a honors, baccalaureate candidates must gold honor cords 4.0 GPA in all graduate coursework. have completed at least 45 hours at the • Magna Cum Laude to graduating These students wear blue and gold University of Central Oklahoma. seniors with a 3.80 - 3.89 GPA; honor cords. silver honor cords ASSOCIATE DEGREES Graduation with honors and degrees conferred • Cum Laude to graduating seniors Graduation with Honors to those are pending a final check by Graduation with a 3.70 - 3.79 GPA; white with a 4.0 GPA; gray cords Support Services. honor cords 7 university of central oklahoma The Tradition of Academic Dress The precise origins of the several degrees have colored tassels that identi- THE HOOD parts of academic dress still remain a fy the student’s college as follows: The Master’s Hooding Ceremony matter of conjecture. The unheated Business........................................ Drab focuses on advanced degree candidates buildings which medieval scholars fre- Education & Professional and their accomplishments, while adding Studies .............................Light Blue quented may have necessitated the wear- visual meaning. The colors of the hood’s Fine Arts & Design ...Chocolate Brown ing of gowns for comfort’s sake. Gowns silk lining represent university colors, Liberal Arts ........................Kelly Green and hoods were common at British uni- Mathematics & which for Central are Bronze and Blue. versities before the 14th century; the Science ....................... Golden Yellow The color of the hood’s velvet border square cap is thought to be a 16th cen- Graduate .................... Bronze and Blue represents the field of learning, such as tury import from the University of Paris. Associate .......................................Gray light blue for education or golden yellow European universities continue to use a THE GOWN for science. wide variety in the cut and color of The bachelor’s gown has a long, THE COLORS gowns and the type of head wear worn.

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