Saturday, May 9 was my last day as a student at the University of Oklahoma. Friday’s commencement ceremony was canceled for the first time in about 50 years, so each student  made a point to brave the insane rain and show up Saturday to celebrate their graduation.  As I waited with hundreds of other graduates of the Michael F. Price College of Business in the Lloyd Noble Center for our chance to finally walk across the stage and shake Dean Pullin’s hand, I had the chance to reflect on my time here at OU. The Dean listed off the many awards and honors that Price College had received this year, and this made me realize how lucky I am to be graduating a Sooner.  Everybody in the room applauded as each award was announced, proud to be associated with this group of individuals.  Proud to be part of the Sooner Family from this point on.

As I went through my classes at OU, I never really took the time to appreciate what my degree would look like to others.  Each honor that Dean Pullin listed off is a reflection of how future employers and co-workers will see my diploma; as evidence that I graduated from one of the best universities around.  OU’s business school consistently ranks among the top programs in the nation including entrepreneurship, accounting, international business, supply chain management, and many more.  Price College and the University of Oklahoma helped me to have a full-time job over a year and a half before I even was supposed to graduate.  They gave me the tools I need to succeed in the real world.

However, OU and Price College gave me so much more than a diploma.  I made some of my best friends here that I know I will keep in touch with for life. I had the time of my life at OU football games, which I plan on going to for as long as I can.  Above all else, I found a home in Norman, Oklahoma. Now that I’m an alumna of the University of Oklahoma, I am more proud than ever to be called a Sooner.

Emily G. Elliston

University of Oklahoma

Accounting | International Business 2015