RSU Hosts First Master’s Degree Hooding Ceremony May 10

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  • A master's degree graduate received her hood from two professors.
    RSU student Brianna Stinnett (center) receives her master's degree hood from Dr. Frank Elwell (left) and Dr. Michelle Taylor. Stinnett earned a Master of Science in Community Counseling.

Rogers State University held its first ever Master’s Degree Hooding Ceremony Saturday, May 10, in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center Ballroom.

A hooding ceremony specifically recognizes master’s degree recipients in an event separate from the main commencement, and at which, faculty members formally place the hood – a piece of academic regalia – on the graduate to symbolize the student’s achievement.

A group of graduates pose in front of a backdrop.

RSU held its first master’s degree hooding ceremony May 10 in the DCTC.

RSU Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor welcomed master’s degree candidates and guests. Dr. Brian Andrews, department head for Psychology and Sociology, then called the names of each candidate as they took the stage to be hooded.

Master of Business Administration candidates included Sam Ayoub Abolail, Nicholas Allgood, Evan Anderson, Noah Anderson, Ryan Barnett, Colton Shiloh Basks, Roxanne Bilby, Daniel Bobola, Karley R. Bradley, Dacoda C. Buchner, Alexander Bynum, Dorothy Callahan, Jacquelin Chavez, Celeste Davies, Sage Anne Elzo, Michael Austin Haltom, Karmyn Hawley, Alma Delia Henning, Kenady Holder, DeMarco Hudson, Joshua Daniel Jennings, Corrie LeRon King, Bobbi Leitha, Kasondra J. Males, Troy Anthony Martin, Megan Nicole Mays, Callie N. McGuire, Vanessa Candice McKinney, Casey Marie Melson, Tanner J. Moody, Taryn Morgan, Kymberly Nichole Neumayr, Shelly Diana Phillips, Lauren Elise Rice, Lamin B. Saidykhan, Octavio Sanchez, Katherine Jo Smoke, Daisy L. Spicer, Jackson Tyler Stinnett, and William Woodward.

Master of Science in Community Counseling candidates included Madison K. Bradshaw, Maggie Lee Brown, Kimberly L. Bump, Rachel Dick, Barbara Evans, Samara Hamby, Lauren Harsh­eld, Tayah Joann Holmes, Amanda E. Laning, Emily Tailor Manners, Arissa Miller, Mariah E. Nadeau, Shannon Lee Smith, Brianna Rose Stinnett, and Lynn Michael Williams.

Following the ceremony, the newly-hooded students joined the rest of the spring 2025 graduates at Soldier Field for RSU’s 113th commencement ceremony.

Learn more about graduate degree options at RSU.