Oregon Tech celebrates more than 700 graduates at commencement ceremonies

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The following is a press release from Oregon Tech.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls Class of 2024 moved its mortarboard tassels to the left as President Nagi Naganathan, Ph.D., concluded the 76th Annual Commencement Ceremony held Saturday at the John. F. Moehl Stadium.   

Oregon Tech’s Class of 2024 includes 723 graduates; 421 who graduated from the Klamath Falls campus, 152 from the Portland-Metro campus, 117 from the Online campus, and the remaining graduates participated in partnership programs with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Chemeketa Community College, and The Boeing Company.

At the Klamath Falls event, around 330 graduates chose to walk in the ceremony. 

President Naganathan opened the event by welcoming attendees and applauding graduates for their hard work and determination. 

“You have good reason to be rejoicing and you should enjoy every moment of it. I am sure there were days when some of you weren’t quite sure if you would be here in your cap and gown celebrating alongside your peers, yet you are here today,” President Naganathan said. “This is a testament to your dedication and determination…Class of 2024, I am confident that your ingenuity, talent, and skills will allow you to build the bridges that will take you anywhere you want to go.”

Oregon Tech was honored to welcome President and CEO of Hoffman Construction Company, Dave Drinkward, as the keynote speaker this year. Hoffman Construction Company was founded in 1922 in Portland and has grown to become one of the largest construction companies in the United States. 

Students Zaysha Akina-Mahoe, Biology-Health Sciences, and Levi Hallock, Mechanical Engineering, served as Class of 2024 graduating speakers at the event.

Twelve Golden Owls who graduated from Oregon Tech 40 or more years ago participated in the ceremony, proceeding graduates in the graduation line and sitting on the field next to graduates. 

Oregon Tech also honored four retiring faculty who have been awarded emeritus status:

  • Richard Bailey, Professor, Management; 33 years of service

  • Sandra Bailey, Professor, Management; 24 years of service

  • Stephen Schultz, Professor, Medical Imaging Technology; 29 years of service

  • Jack Walker, Professor, Geomatics; 40 years of service

Oregon Tech will hold additional commencement ceremonies in Wilsonville at the university’s Portland-Metro campus and at in Mukilteo, Wash., for Oregon Tech’s Seattle program.

Congratulations Oregon Institute of Technology Class of 2024.