University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooners Celebrate December Graduates
December 19, 2015 | Athletics
NORMAN ? It was a night for transitions as several Sooner student-athletes traded helmets, gloves, spikes and other sports implements for caps and gowns as more than 15 student-athletes, current and former, became alumni of the University of Oklahoma Friday. Others will join the alumni list on Saturday.
One of the first of the December convocations celebrated the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the college featured the majority of the Sooner graduates. Others will graduate from the Price College of Business and the College of International Studies.
"This degree is something no one can ever take away from me."
- Lauren Chamberlain
Dean Kelly Damphousse, who also serves as OU's Faculty Athletics Representative and Headington Hall's Faculty In Residence, presided over the ceremony. Following brief comments by Damphousse and others from the College, the reason all had gathered at Lloyd Noble Center took center stage as December grads from OU's oldest, largest and most diverse college took the center stage in a completely different celebration.
"You worked hard and prepared yourselves for the challenges that await you starting Monday.? You just finished your last challenging finals week," Damphousse praised. "You now stand on the threshold of a new phase in your life, one that will present you with many new challenges.
Five-time All-American gymnast Erica Brewer was among several student-athletes to graduate on Friday night.
"Your time here at OU has prepared you to deal with those challenges. Your professors have not focused only on WHAT to learn but also on HOW to learn.? In fact, that is one secret to success - never stop learning," he continued. "That one skill will make you valuable to everyone you work with in the future. Don't accept the status quo. Ask questions. Collect data. Suggest improvements based on empirical evidence. Remain curious and never stop learning."
Among the Sooners who graduated Friday night were Frank Shannon, Sterling Shepard, Devante Bond, Nick Hodgson and Mitch Tate, from football; Adam Choplick and Aaron Baker, baseball; Sharane Campbell-Olds from women's basketball; Erica Brewer, women's gymnastics; Kim Moldenhauer and Kellie O'Reilly, rowing; Emily Bowman, soccer; Tara Dunn and Summer Cole-Melontree, volleyball and Lauren Chamberlain from softball.
Football student-athlete and standout Sterling Shepard celebrates after walking across the stage at the College of Arts and Sciences at OU's convocation on Friday night.
Chamberlain, who completed her Sooner career last spring as the NCAA record holder for home runs, spoke for the other grads when she described her feelings as a college graduate.
“This is a huge accomplishment, to graduate from college is huge,” Chamberlain said. “This wasn't on my agenda as a kid growing up. I never saw myself as a student-athlete. Now that I see what it means, it would have been on my agenda.
“This degree is something nobody can take away from me,” Chamberlain added.
"I close now by encouraging you to keep three responsibilities in mind as you leave Norman, "Damphousse added. "First, OU graduates act ethically. Life offers few “undo” buttons, so do the right thing the first time and every time. Second, OU graduates help others. Just as your own success has depended on the help of others, be willing to lend a hand to those who need your help. Third, OU graduates are leaders. Use your talents to guide others and help shape opinion in a positive direction. Both your country and your community need you now more than ever.
Former women's basketball student-athlete and 2014-15 Academic All-Big 12 selection Sharane Campbell-Olds took some of her most significant steps at the LNC as she walked across the stage to graduate.
"Thank you for letting us be a?part of your lives. OU is a better place because you were here. Continue to make a positive difference wherever you go after you leave here.? By doing so, you will honor yourself, your family, and your university."
The remaining Sooner grads will go through their ceremonies on Saturday with the Price College of Business convocation at 10 a.m. at the McCasland OU Field House and the College of International Studies set to celebrate graduates at 3 p.m. Saturday at Meacham Auditorium in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Scheduled to graduate on Saturday are Trevor Knight, football; Scott Petersen, track and field; Georgia Casey, softball and Elizabeth Nelson, soccer.
