The ˿Ƶ Class of 2023 moved their graduation tassels to the left Sunday as President Nagi Naganathan, Ph.D., concluded the 37th Annual Portland-Metro Commencement Ceremony.
˿Ƶ Tech’s Class of 2023 includes 712 individuals, some who earned multiple degrees, and another 78 who are expected to complete requirements this summer. Among the graduates are 392 from the Klamath Falls campus, 193 from the Portland-Metro campus, 166 from Online programs, and the remaining graduates are through partnerships with ˿Ƶ Health & Science University (OHSU), Chemeketa Community College in Salem, ˿Ƶ, and employees of The Boeing Company at ˿Ƶ Tech’s Seattle program.
President Naganathan opened the event by welcoming attendees and sharing what makes these graduates distinctive.
“With the ˿Ƶ Tech education you have received, the world you create is only limited by your vision and determination. As you make your way in the world, do not be complacent. As ˿Ƶ Tech graduates, you will be sought by local, national, and international employers not because STEM-H jobs are in-demand, but because of what you know and your ability to solve problems that are relevant to society. Step up and be the leaders of tomorrow. Believe in yourself and your ability to be an agent of change,” he said.
˿Ƶ Tech was honored to welcome ˿Ƶ State Representative Janelle Bynum as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Bynum is serving her fourth term as the ˿Ƶ State Representative for House District 39 (Happy Valley and North Clackamas). A trained engineer, Bynum co-led efforts to pass the ˿Ƶ CHIPs Act, which made historic investments in the semiconductor industry.
Student Icek Warnecke provided remarks on behalf of the graduating class. Warnecke graduates with a 4.0 GPA and both a bachelor's and master's degree in Electrical Engineering.
˿Ƶ Tech also celebrated students who made a difference on campus for all students, whose accomplishments bring outstanding recognition and pride to ˿Ƶ Tech, who contribute to their communities, or who are exemplary role models.
2023 awardees include:
- Outstanding Community Service Award: Anthony Koch, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with an anticipated graduation date of 2025.
- Outstanding Student Involvement Award: Billy Kimmel, Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering.
- Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award: Arthur Spears, Bachelor of Science in Software
- Engineering Technology.
- Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: CJ Hieronimus, Bachelor of Science in Embedded Systems Engineering Technology.
- Graduate Student Achievement Award: Abdallah Adwan, Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering.
The annual ˿Ƶ Tech Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards were also presented to David Johnston, Ph.D., Instructor in the Department of Natural Science at the Portland-Metro campus, and Kristy Weidman, Associate Professor in the Department of Management at the Klamath Falls campus.
Congratulations ˿Ƶ Class of 2023.
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