Wednesday, April 13, 2022
OSU lands Ree Drummond as spring 2022 commencement speaker
Via Ree Drummond Instagram Photo description
to release seven best-selling cookbooks and a line of kitchenware. Despite being a University of Southern California alumna, Drummond is an OSU fan. She discussed this in an interview with The O’Colly in January. “Neither of us (her and her husband, Ladd’s) Ryan Novozinsky parents went to OSU, but our parents did,” Drummond said. “The orange is in our blood. We’re Staff Reporter definitely on the OSU side of things, not the OU side of things.” Ree Drummond, creator of the award-winning After studying gerontology at USC, Drumblog The Pioneer Woman and star of the Food Net- mond briefly lived in Los Angeles before moving work show with the same name, will be OSU’s 2022 back to Oklahoma. She then met Ladd and had five spring commencement speaker, a source told The children together. Drummond’s youngest son, Todd, O’Colly. is a junior at Pawhuska High School and visited Drummond, a native Oklahoman from Bartles- OSU football’s junior day in January. ville, will speak in front of thousands of graduates According to a statement from President Kayse at Gallagher-Iba Arena on May 7. Throughout her Shrum, OSU officials are thrilled to have Drumnearly 16-year career, Drummond has won numermond speak at commencement. ous awards and has appeared on national talk shows “Oklahoma State is delighted to welcome Ree such as Good Morning America, Today Show, The Drummond as our spring commencement speaker,” View, among others. Dr. Shrum said. “She is an inspiration and an OklaHer craftsmanship in the kitchen allowed her homa treasure for her down-to-earth approach to
life and leadership. Her entrepreneurial spirit and creativity have opened Oklahoma’s prairies and way of life to the masses. I’m thrilled that our students get to hear from her as they embark on the beginning of their careers.” Drummond shares similar excitement and hopes to inspire the next generation of post-college Cowboys and Cowgirls with her speech. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that life is definitely full of unexpected adventure,” Drummond said. “I’m so honored to celebrate this year’s OSU graduates, and to have the opportunity to encourage them to stay open to all that life has in store–both professionally and personally.” No tickets are required. Graduates will arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony start time through Boone Pickens Stadium Gate 1 South. Doors on the east side of Gallagher-Iba will open for the public one hour prior to the ceremony start time. news.ed@ocolly.com