On May 13, Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2023 during convocation at the McCasland Field House.
Dean Ed Kelley kicked off the ceremony with welcome remarks, followed by Assistant Dean Yvette Walker who highlighted the academic accomplishments of the 2023 graduating class.
Jackson Conner, this year's Overall Outstanding Senior then gave a brief address. Conner reflected on his time at Gaylord College, sharing the valuable lessons he learned and the experiences that shaped his academic journey.
The keynote address was delivered by Sarah Hill, founder and CEO of Bobi NYC, a New York-based boutique social media firm. Prior to Bobi NYC, Hill co-founded Bookstr.com, a consumer digital media company focused on millennial readers. Hill led the company to global recognition, growing its social media followers from zero to 3.5 million and securing partnerships with the “Big Five“ Publishers.
Hill's address spoke to the importance of resilience in the post-graduation journey. Drawing from her own experiences, Hill emphasized the significance of bouncing back from setbacks and how resilience has been a cornerstone of her own career journey.
Following Hill's address, Dr. Doyle Yoon, Director of Graduate Studies, led the hooding of the graduate degree candidates. Dr. David Craig, a senior faculty member and upcoming interim dean, presented the undergraduate degree candidates.
Jackson Conner took the stage once again and recited the First Amendment, a Gaylord College tradition since 2013. Emily Faith, a journalism major and Gaylord Ambassador, brought the ceremony to a close by leading the singing of the OU Chant.
Congratulations to the Spring Class of 2023!
View the live-stream of the ceremony on OU’s official YouTube channel.
