Published: May 04, 2008 12:31 am            

Class of ’08

• ‘Thank God for cell phones’ — grads moving on

Graduating from college, leaving all of your friends, moving to a new city and starting a career can be a tough transition.

However, some Oklahoma State University graduates who received their diplomas on Saturday are eager to start the next chapter of their lives.

“I’m excited. It’s been a long road for me,” said health promotion graduate and Tulsa native Breanne Hill, who served in the U.S. Navy for five years before attending OSU for the last four. “Being in the military, you get used to making friends and leaving them. Thank God for cell phones.”

Hill said she plans on becoming a personal trainer after receiving her certification. While Hill has a fairly good handle on what is in her future, other students are just going to see what happens.

“Our lives are completely open right now,” said Sarah Buehler, advertising and marketing graduate from South Lake, Texas.

Her friend, Meggie Phillips, Sayre speech pathology graduate, said she is planning on moving to Oklahoma City, but will miss what she had in Stillwater.

“I loved it. I wouldn’t change anything,” Phillips said. “It’s bittersweet. It’s kind of scary. I’m going to start crying.”

After discussion about future plans, the two graduates, who were running late, rushed away to make sure they didn’t get left out of the ceremony.

One aviation sciences graduate, who was responsible for carrying the College of Education banner during the 10 a.m. ceremony, Brittany Jones of Custer City, will be piloting for American Eagle Airlines.

“I’m very excited,” Jones said.

Whether she was excited about graduating or what is to come in her near future is yet to be determined. For training with AEA, Jones is being sent to Florida for paid training before moving to Dallas to start work.

“I’m going to go sit on the beach for a couple of weeks,” said Jones.

However, while the Florida training session and employment in Dallas will be enjoyable for Jones, there is something to miss about OSU and Stillwater.

“I’m going to miss the small-town atmosphere,” Jones said. “Now I’ve got to grow up and move away.”

Tulsa political science emergency management graduate Brittainey King has spent the last few years helping herself by working toward an education. But now, King looks forward to having an opportunity to help others.

“I want to work with (the Federal Emergency Management Agency),” King said. “I like being the first responder. I like helping people.”

        

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