OSU to honor 2 Enid natives at commencement
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State University will present honorary doctorates to two Enid natives — farmer and entrepreneur Cecil O’Brate and soprano Leona Mitchell — during undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 12 in Gallager-Iba Arena.
“Cecil has shared with students from the treasures he’s earned as a farmer, oilman and entrepreneur, and Leona has provided her wonderful talents and time as a performer and advocate for student success,” OSU President Burns Hargis said in the announcement. “It will be a pleasure to recognize their many accomplishments and service to society with honorary doctorates.”
O’Brate will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters and Mitchell an honorary doctorate of fine arts.
Born on a farm during the Depression, O’Brate went to work at age 10 to earn money to help provide for his family and eventually fund his education as a structural engineering major at Oklahoma A&M College. His investments in oil and gas ventures resulted in American Warrior Inc., which is currently one of the largest independent oil and gas production companies in Kansas. The farmer and businessman’s charitable foundation has provided more than $2.5 million in scholarships for more than 400 students since 2013.
Mitchell, a Grammy Award-winning soprano, spent 18 seasons as a leading vocalist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, performing numerous dramatic roles. She has sung at some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses from Rome to Austria with major symphonies and many of the world’s greatest conductors. She is also a highly regarded recitalist appearing in concerts across the United States and abroad.
O’Brate will be honored at the noon commencement ceremony for undergraduates from the College of Human Sciences and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. Mitchell will receive her honorary doctorate during the 3 p.m. ceremony for undergraduates from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Other May 12 graduation ceremonies will be at 8:30 a.m. for the College of Education, Health and Aviation and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and at 4 p.m. for the Spears School of Business.
Commencement ceremonies for graduate students will start at 1 p.m. May 11 for candidates from the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, followed by students with the OSU Graduate College at 6:15 p.m. Both ceremonies also will be in GallagherIba Arena.