By CORKY HALL
Northwestern Oklahoma State University will honor its spring graduates during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Ranger Field in Alva. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to Percefull Fieldhouse.
The university will award degrees to 263 graduates, including six Doctor of Nursing Practice recipients, 45 master’s degree candidates and 212 bachelor’s degree recipients.
Family members, friends and the university community are invited to attend as students celebrate the completion of their academic journeys at Northwestern.
Commencement marks one of the most meaningful milestones in a student’s academic career. During the ceremony, graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas as faculty, staff and loved ones recognize their accomplishments.
Serving as commencement speaker will be Northwestern alumna Connie Sturgeon, nee Feerer, a 1986 graduate of the university.
Sturgeon earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Northwestern, where she was an active member of the Ranger Marching Band and Delta Zeta sorority.
Her time on campus laid the foundation for a distinguished career and a deep commitment to her community.
Since graduating, Sturgeon has built a successful career as a Chick-fil-A operator and has earned numerous state and national marketing awards.
Her professional achievements, however, represent only part of her story.
Sturgeon has remained deeply engaged in community service throughout the Enid area, lending her time and leadership to organizations including the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, the Visit Enid advisory board, the Memorial Park Cemetery Board and 4 R Kids, a foundation that creates opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Her contributions have earned her wide recognition, including the Enid Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year honor and Northwestern’s Outstanding Graduate Award.
University officials consider commencement one of the most cherished traditions of the academic year, celebrating student achievement while marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Graduates are encouraged to arrive early for lineup and ceremony instructions.
Guests should plan to be seated before the 10:30 a.m. start time.
As the Class of 2026 crosses the stage, Northwestern will celebrate not only where its graduates have been, but where they are headed.