U.S. Rep. Tom Cole to speak at Southeastern Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 15

Press Release Date: 04-09-2010

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will hold Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 15, at Paul Laird Field.

U.S. Representative Tom Cole will be the commencement speaker. The event will begin at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow immediately in the Visual & Performing Arts Center.

Cole became the Representative for Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional

District in January 2003. Cole was recently dubbed "one of the sharpest minds in the House" by Time Magazine.

In 2009, Cole was appointed to one of the only two available Republican seats on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Cole is Oklahoma's sole appropriator from either legislative branch or political party. He serves on three Appropriations Subcommittees: Interior and Environment, Labor/HHS/Education and Legislative Branch.

Cole is a fifth-generation Oklahoman and an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation. Before serving in the U.S. Congress, he served Oklahoma as a State Senator and Secretary of State. He and his wife, Ellen, have one son and reside in Moore, Oklahoma.

Due to the high probability of thunderstorms in the Durant area Saturday, Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Spring Commencement has been moved indoors.

Two ceremonies will be held Saturday (May 15) as follows in the new Bloomer Sullivan Arena:

10:00 a.m. School of Arts & Sciences, John Massey School of Business, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science (Aviation), Master of Technology, Master of Science (Safety)

11:30 a.m. Reception in Visual & Performing Arts Center

1:00 p.m. School of Education & Behavioral Sciences, Master of Behavioral Studies, Master of Education