University of Oklahoma Athletics
Record 151 OU Student-Athletes Celebrate Graduation
May 10, 2013 | Athletics
May 10, 2013
NORMAN, Okla. - They ran, jumped, rowed, threw, grappled and flipped during their athletic careers at the University of Oklahoma.
Now, a record number of current and former Sooner student-athletes will receive their diplomas as members of the Class of 2013 on Saturday.
In all, 151 graduates, the most in program history, will officially become OU alumni. The group includes 20 master's degree candidates and 15 former OU student-athletes who returned to finish bachelor's degrees. Former Sooners are also earning a record six professional degrees this weekend, including one medical doctor (MD), two dentists (DDS), two lawyers (JD), and one Ph.D.
Oklahoma student-athletes will graduate with 36 different majors and will have completed seven different graduate programs, ranging from advertising to supply chain management to adult education and public health.
In addition, three current student-athletes finished their college careers with perfect 4.0 GPAs, also a department record - football's Gabe Ikard (multidisciplinary studies) as well as Jacy Bennett (supply chain management) and Cassandra Ogan (music-voice) from track & field.
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"On behalf of Sooners everywhere, we congratulate all of the individuals who will receive their degrees from the University of Oklahoma this weekend," said Oklahoma Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "In particular, we salute our graduating OU student-athletes who continued our tradition of academic and athletic excellence. We offer them our sincere thanks for their many contributions and wish them the very best in their ongoing pursuits. No matter where their travels may take them, they will forever enjoy a lasting connection to the University of Oklahoma and our great fans."
Men's basketball player Romero Osby will collect his bachelor's degree in communication this weekend in front of his wife, mother and other family members in town for the occasion. Osby, an All-Big 12 First Team selection last season after averaging 16.0 points per game for the Sooners, expressed his appreciation for his time at OU.
"There was never a time when I didn't understand something that I couldn't get help or couldn't email or talk to my teacher," Osby said. "I appreciated how it seemed like everyone here was focused most on getting us a degree than with sports, which was big for me and my family."
Osby, along with former Sooner gymnast Kelly Garrison-Funderburk, spoke at the athletic department's annual student-athlete graduate reception on Friday, offering a message of encouragement to his fellow graduates while thanking those who helped them graduate.
"I speak on behalf of everyone when I say thank you to the administrators, coaches, athletic director, president and everyone who has helped us to get where we are today," Osby said. "Cherish the moment and appreciate it because not everyone gets the opportunity we have had."
Garrison-Funderburk, a four-time national champion, seven-time All-American and a 1988 Olympian, is receiving her bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies 25 years after competing for the Oklahoma women's gymnastics team. Now a mother of two and a gymnastics analyst for Sooner Sports TV last season, Garrison-Funderburk is one of 15 former student-athletes who have been away from competition for at least one season to have finished a bachelor's degree this year.
"When I think OU I think quality; I think of success," Garrison-Funderburk said. "It means something more when you graduate from OU than most places. There's a prestige. It gives you a great sense of pride to be a part of OU."
Despite working and traveling across the country, it was only until she returned to Oklahoma, her home state, that Garrison-Funderburk wanted to earn her degree.
"It gives you a sense of pride to be a part of OU," Garrison-Funderburk said. "I didn't have an ounce of interest in graduating from anywhere but OU. It was either graduate from OU or nowhere. It's not just because I competed at Oklahoma, I wanted the prestigious title of being an Oklahoma graduate."
In addition to Garrison-Funderburk, other notable former student-athletes receiving degrees this weekend include:
Lauren Eckermann-Turnbill (softball), a 2007 All-American, Juris Doctorate
Joey Mickey (football), a 1993 NFL Draft pick, criminal justice
Jeff Webster (basketball), a 1994 NBA Draft pick, multidisciplinary studies
Garrett Buechele (baseball), a 2010 and 2011 MLB Draft pick, multidisciplinary studies
Reggie Willits (baseball), a 6-year MLB veteran, multidisciplinary studies
The following former student-athletes are receiving professional degrees this weekend:
Stacia Aleman-Dowell (softball), D.D.S.
Lauren Eckermann-Turnbill (softball), J.D.
Kyle Eckman (track & field), J.D.
Carolyn Kittell (volleyball), D.D.S.
Gina Lesko (gymnastics), M.D.
Carol Ludvigson (tennis), Ph.D.
