Jan. 18, 2017 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 81 No. 15
PHOTO BY JEANETTE PERRY | THE WICHITAN
Representative James Franks speaks with MSU graduates at the Midwestern State University graduation Fall 2016. GUEST SPEAKER: JAMES FRANK, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Frank ran unopposed Nov. 8 for his third term in the Texas House of Representatives. He serves as the vicechair of the Defense & Veterans’ Affairs Committee and on the Natural Resources Committee. He took office in the Texas House in 2013 and represents District 69, which consists of Archer, Baylor, Clay, Foard, Knox, and Wichita counties. Frank grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated from Rider High School. He earned a degree in finance from Texas A&M University and began an 11-year career in banking in Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. Frank now owns Sharp Iron Group and Transland. • “No one accomplishes anything of significance without the help and support of others.” • “Today you’re taking a huge step in life — a key that unlocks opportunities that you haven’t had before today.” • “What will it take for you to achieve the goals before you?” • “While education is tremendously important, it is not the most important thing to helping you achieve your goals.” Neither is talent. It’s determination. • “Determined people achieve their goals at a higher rate than those who give up easily. Choose to work toward your goal with short-term pain. Those who quit do not succeed.” • “The only thing that really matters in life is the impact that you have on other people.”
190 Master’s earned
707 degrees awarded at fall graduation BRENDAN WYNNE AND JEANETTE PERRY REPORTER
O
n Dec. 17, 2016, 707 students walked the stage at Kay Yeager Coliseum and received what they’ve been waiting four years (or five for those who took a “victory lap”) to get — a college degree. “It’s the student’s day. It’s important to allow them to express themselves. It’s their graduation day. Previously, students were unable to decorate their caps, but it’s appropriate that the students should be allowed to fully express and celebrate their success,” Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said. State Representative James Frank gave the commencement address to the thousands of teary-eyed, proud parents, family and friends of the graduates. “Today you’re taking a huge step in life
— a key that unlocks opportunities that you haven’t had before today,” Frank said in his speech. “Determined people achieve their goals at a higher rate than those who give up easily. Choose to work toward your goal with short-term pain. Those who quit do not succeed.” Graduates such as AnnMarie Bush were nervous about making the walk across the stage. “It’s exciting. I’m excited. A little nervous, but very excited,” Bush, a music graduate, said. Leanne Duran, a clinical health graduate, opened up about overcoming hardships in her college experience. “I faced a lot of personal obstacles coming up to this point, but I
• Dillard College of Business Administration | 78 • Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education | 140 • Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts | 15 • Robert D. and Carol C. Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services | 335 • Protho-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences | 74 • College of Science and Mathematics | 65
517 Bachelor’s earned
200
August degrees awarded
haven’t let up, and I’ve overcome. I’m excited. When you start a program like this, it’s hard to foresee the end, but it’s been a personal journey and I know I’ve grown more than anything,” Duran said. “If I had any word of advice to anyone overcoming obstacles of their own it would have to be to just keep going. The hard moments are only temporary. All you have to do is get through those, and you eventually reach days like this.” PHOTO BY BRENDAN WYNNE | THE WICHITAN
Radiologic sciences major Kyle Morford celebrates after the ceremony at Midwestern State University fall graduation Dec. 17, 2016.