TULSA – Tulsa businessman Hans Helmerich will serve as the keynote speaker for Oklahoma State University-Tulsa’s seventh graduation ceremony on Monday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in The Pavilion at Expo Square.

OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl will lead the ceremony, which will include a pre-ceremony concert led by conductor Dr. Paul Popeil, associate director of bands for OSU and director of the OSU Cowboy Marching Band. OSU-Tulsa will host a reception for graduates and their guests from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pavilion.

Helmerich is the president and chief executive officer of Tulsa-based Helmerich & Payne, Inc., an energy-oriented company engaged in domestic and international contract drilling. Helmerich is also active in the community, serving as trustee for The Foundation for Tulsa Schools and the Tulsa Community Foundation, as well as a board member for Indian Nations Council, Boy Scouts of America, Oklahoma Business Education Coalition and the Tulsa Metro Chamber.

Helmerich is the son of Walter and Peggy Helmerich who in September of last year pledged $9 million to OSU-Tulsa’s first research and technology development center, the Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center.

Trennepohl said about 500 students are eligible to receive bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees this spring. The academic area with the highest number of graduates is business. Other areas with large number of graduates include engineering, computer science, telecommunications and occupational & adult education.

For directions or more information, call 918-594-8164 or visit www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
918-594-8223

Trish McBeath
918-594-8360