CHICKASHA – The importance of a college education as a tool for economic advantage – finding a job – must not overshadow its role in shaping citizens engaged in a democratic republic, cautioned President John Feaver on Friday night as he addressed graduates and well-wishers in the Fall commencement ceremony honoring 72 graduates at the University of Science and Arts.

 

“While it is an education that available data suggests will prove to be highly successful in serving to promote your economic and financial future, each of you has many needs, thoughts and aspirations,” Feaver said. “We fervently hope in your time with us that you have gained vital insights into the moral, spiritual, mental, social and physical lives that you lead and will lead for the rest of your lives.”

 

Nancy Powell of Midwest City, president of the USAO Alumni Association, presented the association’s Distinguished Graduate Award to Tuttle native Adam Bryant.

 

Bryant graduated cum laude with a bachelor of art degree in drama and a bachelor of art degree in music performance with an emphasis in composition.

 

“It is unusual for two faculty members to collaborate on a letter of nomination, but in this case, the student being nominated is equally remarkable,” said Dr. Stephen Weber, chair of the Division of Arts and Humanities and Katie Davis, associate professor of theatre arts. “He (Adam) models the inquisitive and well-rounded student we seek to graduate at USAO. He models, for other students, an exceptional work ethic, dedication, an ongoing zeal for knowledge and a quest for high achievement in all of his undertakings.”

 

While at USAO, Bryant was a member of the Concert Choir, Concert Band, Key Players and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He appeared in six theater productions, one Chickasha Community Theater production and in a Service Learning project.

 

He was the music director/conductor for the Chickasha Community Theater’s production of Willy Wonka, and the composer/accompanist for USAO’s Far Away and Heine Style’s production of A Shot in the Dark. Bryant also served as the music coordinator/emcee for the 2012 Rock Island Arts Festival. He is a member of the USAO Hypatia Honor Society and the National Honor Society for Theater, Alpha Psi Omega.

 

Last week, three graduating seniors were recognized as the Fall 2012 Distinguished Graduates.

 

Art major Wendy Chambers, of Wayne, received the distinction of outstanding graduate from the division of arts and humanities.

 

Tyler Porter, a political science major from Earlsboro, was named the outstanding graduate from the division of business and social sciences.

The division of education and speech pathology bestowed their distinction on Jessalynne Goble, an elementary education major from Tucson, Ariz.

 

The evening ceremony began with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional performed by Dr. Stephen Weber, professor of music and chairman of the arts and humanities division.

 

The USAO Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Jan Hanson, professor of music, performed David Lantz’ “Closer to the Flame.”

 

The choir was accompanied by Adam Bryant on guitar; Bret Embry, a freshman music major from Chickasha, on bass guitar; freshman Linda Savinova, a native of Russia pursuing a degree in communication, on violin; and Rhenada Finch, instructor of music, on piano.

 

Weber, Hanson, and Dr. Ken Bohannon, associate professor of music and music department coordinator led graduates and guests in singing “The College Hymn.”

 

Dr. Dan Hanson, professor of music, performed the recessional, a solo keyboard arrangement of Phil Collins’ “Two Worlds.”

 

For persons who missed the ceremony, it can be viewed online at usao.edu / graduation-stream. Copies of the ceremony also are available on DVD in the USAO Media and Community Relations office or by phone at 405-574-1318.

 

Feaver issued 48 bachelor of science degrees, 31 bachelor of arts degrees and three bachelor of fine arts degrees.

These students received bachelor of science degrees:

Anadarko: Brooke Nicole Stephenson

Apache: Nicole Jasmine McMonagle

Blanchard: Mycha Nicole Looney, Britnee Nycole Morton

Chickasha: Tamara Sue Awbrey, Amanda Leigh Dearinger, Joshua Evan Epperson, Bibi Ann Mabry, Mandy Carol Osborn, Eric Dale Sikes, Vanessa Anne Tindell, Elisabeth Anne Yocham, Matthew Kye Yocham

Cyril: Krisha Nicole Bartlett, Megan Elizabeth Crain

Del City: Crystal Melrise Craig

Geronimo: Lindsay Nicole Smith

Jennings: LaTisha Louise Rogers

Lindsay: Sarah Michele Atkinson, April Dawn Stinnett

Manitou: Elizabeth Odile Stevens

Moore: Rachel Elisabeth Hunter, Victoria Elizabeth Jann

Mustang: Lorna Maria Gonzalez-Colon

Newcastle: Jeremy David Hey

Ninnekah: Victoria LeAnn Leonard, Kayla D. Pearcy

Norman: Eden Precious Simon

Oklahoma City: Amanda Denae Fullingim, Stephanie LaRae Hart, Priscilla Ann Malmstrom, Amanda Dawn Sisco, Lauren Elisabeth Stoll, Allyson Paige Strider, Dakota Ray Webster

Piedmont: Ashley Joan Paxton

Tahlequah: Jon Art Knox

Tulsa: BerTabitha Mauricia Joan Bailey, Kassandra Lynn Jones

Tuttle: Julia M. Scott

Yukon: Tanner Levi Collins

 

Out of State

Tucson, Ariz.: Jessalynne Donelle Goble

Glenmora, La.: Zacharias Herrick Lewis

Bulverde, Texas: Sydney Nicole Barney

Houston, Texas: Elsworth Dontrell Porter

 

Out of Country

Pretoria, South Africa: Tyrone Tarbitt

Sangre Chiquita, Trinidad: Antonio Stewart Charles

Huddersfield, United Kingdom: Kristofer Noel Andrews

 

These students received bachelor of arts degrees:

Anadarko: Jamie Dawn Deer, Pierce Justice Fragua, Jana LeighAnn Key

Blanchard: Megan Marie Bledsoe, JoAnna Louise Garza

Bray: Dustin Allen Hampton

Chickasha: Dennis Matthew Dewey, Keyeonna Shanta Gray, Danja R. Jantz, Thomas James Wood

Cyril: Joshua James O’Brien

Del City: Joshua Andrew Roosa

Duncan: Patrick William Rost

Earlsboro: Tyler Ray Porter

Edmond: Emily Gwen Kirk

Frederick: Jasmin Lizet Hampton

Hugo: Yazsharay Amber Gail Morales

Hydro: Ashton Junal House

Marlow: Jed Franklin Copley

Maysville: Elise Marie Abel Olasmis

Minco: Jessie Calvin Merritt

Newalla: Robin Renee Mosher Teeter

Oklahoma City: Crystal Morgan Davis, Michael Keith DeFord

Pocasset: Cheyenne Linzi Wollenberg

Tuttle: Adam David Bryant, Charlton Lee Rigsby, Matthew David Watson

Yukon: Katie Ann Schwarz

 

Out of Country

Edinburgh, UK: Niall Thomas Coulson Crick

Trinidad: Krystal George

 

Receiving bachelor of fine arts degrees were:

Bethel Acres: Heather Nicole Walton

Oklahoma City: Lucia Sadie Martinez

Wayne: Wendy Ruth Ann Chambers