Students were joined by family and friends at their homes as Oregon Institute of Technology virtually celebrated the Class of 2021 Saturday, June 12. Among the 848 individuals, some who received multiple degrees, are graduates of the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
First announced in 2019, faculty designed the Cybersecurity degree to meet the significant need facing Oregon and the country. The program allows students to venture into this highly sought-after and exciting field, confident that security professionals are essential in today’s data-driven society. Eight students graduated from the degree, each with a 3.5 or higher GPA, and many with a dual major in Information Technology.
Graduating summa cum laude from Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Nathan Ruscheinsky chose to attend Oregon Tech because it was one of the few colleges in Oregon with an IT program and he liked the more hands-on nature and smaller class sizes. “It’s been enjoyable to have lab-focused classes and small class sizes that make it easier to have meaningful interactions with the professor and other students,” said Nathan. “I’m ideally looking for jobs as a Security Operations Analyst. I enjoy the defensive, analytic side of Cybersecurity, where we focus on monitoring and keeping networks and computer systems secure.”
In addition to Oregon Tech’s new degree, 2021 is the first year of the honors society, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED). AED is the first preprofessional health honors society at Oregon Tech and the first-ever in Oregon. AED partners with the collective AED chapters across the nation and provides pre-health students with new opportunities that will help them through their demanding journey to graduate school. Seven students were initiated into the society June 3. They include Collin Beam, Rielee Betnar, Christian Gomez, Sierra Hazlett, Chelsea Reeder, Claire M. Robert and Apoorva Singh.
A driving force of AED’s creation at Oregon Tech, Christian Gomez graduated from Biology-Health Sciences and was a graduation speaker for the College of Health, Arts and Sciences. “As we all embark and continue our individual journeys, we are leaving as stronger, smarter and more capable professionals, and we owe our heartfelt gratitude to the people in our lives who helped make this happen,” Christian shared with the Class of 2021.
Accounting graduate, Walker York, and Population Health Management graduate, Josie Hanel, also provided graduation remarks to their respective colleges. Walker is headed to Port Angeles, Washington, to begin a full-time position at his internship site, Interfor (a lumber company). Josie’s future plans include beginning her career as a patient coordinator for an oncology department, with her sights on a management position eventually, while also fulfilling her dreams to travel the world.
Joining the ceremonies were keynote speakers, Duncan Wyse, president of the Oregon Business Council, who spoke to graduates of the College of Engineering, Technology and Management; and Dr. Carol Dahl, executive director of The Lemelson Foundation, who shared a message with graduates of the College of Health, Arts and Sciences. Greetings were also shared by Dr. Nagi Naganathan, president of Oregon Tech; Jessica Gomez, chair of the Oregon Tech Board of Trustees, and founder, president and CEO of Rogue Valley Microdevices; and messages from Erin Foley, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students; and Joanna Mott, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Oregon Tech hosted drive-thru graduation celebrations at the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses, offering students the chance to be cheered on by faculty and staff, and take photos at a mini graduation stage.
The Class of 2021 has a current competitive edge of 96% of Oregon Tech graduates employed or in graduate programs within six months of graduation. The high return on investment is reinforced by the $60,000 starting median salary those graduates earn.
Congratulations Oregon Institute of Technology Class of 2021!
About Oregon Institute of Technology
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is the premier polytechnic institution in Oregon. Offering bachelor’s, master’s and soon a doctoral degree, Oregon Tech has exceptional programs in engineering, health technologies, business, technology, communication, and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public and international communities through applied, relevant learning and professional practice. Oregon Tech has a central, residential campus in Klamath Falls; an urban, industry-focused campus in Portland-Metro (Wilsonville); an online campus; and offers degrees at Boeing Seattle and at other sites. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.
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