TULSA – Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge will serve as the keynote speaker for Oklahoma State University-Tulsa’s graduation ceremony on Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m. in The Pavilion at Expo Square.

Benge, who graduated from OSU-Tulsa in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, will return for the second anniversary of his own graduation to address the university’s 2009 graduates.

“I was incredibly proud to walk across that stage two years ago, knowing that I had accomplished a long-time goal,” Benge said. “It’s an honor to return as an alumnus to honor this year’s graduates and celebrate their achievements.”

OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl said he is honored to welcome the State Representative from Tulsa back as an alumnus and friend of the university.

"Speaker Benge exemplifies the best of OSU and Tulsa," Trennepohl said. "He recognizes the value of a college degree and has given substantial time and effort to supporting OSU-Tulsa and all of the colleges and universities in our state. He is a true champion for higher education.”

A native Tulsan, Benge graduated from Daniel Webster High School and worked for 17 years at his family-owned painting and construction business. He was first elected to the State Legislature in 1998 and held the chairmanship of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee for three years prior to being elected House Speaker in 2008.

During his time in the Legislature, Benge was the House author of the bill that created the OSU Medical Authority and this year was a driving force behind securing local, state and private dollars to ensure OSU’s teaching hospital remains open in Tulsa.

The Speaker has supported OSU-Tulsa, as well as record levels of funding for all higher education institutions in the state, including Career Tech programs, in an effort to make Oklahoma students more competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.

Benge has shepherded investment in Oklahoma’s infrastructure and the Legislature has more than doubled transportation funding, creating jobs and economic development potential during the last four years.

Benge has also worked to make sure Oklahoma is on the cutting edge of technology by encouraging private development with nanotechnology, especially in the health care industry.

He is a member of the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Sand Springs Rotary Club, Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, National Conference of State Legislatures Budget and Revenue Committee and the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Trennepohl said more than 500 OSU-Tulsa undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to participate in this year’s graduation ceremony.

Trennepohl will lead the ceremony, which will include a pre-ceremony concert at 6:30 p.m. led by conductor Dr. Bradley Snow, associate director of bands for OSU and director of the OSU Cowboy Marching Band.

The Pavilion is located in mid-town Tulsa at 4145 E. 21st Street in the Fairgrounds. For more information or directions to the ceremony, call 918-594-8164 or visit www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
918-594-8223

Trish McBeath
918-594-8360