ACROSS THE WORLD, ACROSS THE STAGE

WRITTEN

FOR THE MAJORITY OF GRADUATES, COMMENCEMENT punctuates an endeavor spanning a few years and offers the opportunity to hear their names announced in recognition of their achievement. However, for alumnus Savvas Thalassinos, walking across the stage at a Central commencement ceremony was thirty years in the making and came just in time for his son, Nasos, to also walk across the stage. In fall 1991, Savvas completed his UCO master’s degree in business administration.

“Unfortunately, there was no commencement ceremony for master’s degree graduates in the fall semester back then,” he said. “I had to wait for the spring semester to walk, but the clock was ticking. I couldn’t afford to stay. I had to go back home to start working.”

Savvas returned to his home country of Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean, without walking across the stage. He began his career in banking, started a family and raised Nasos, who spent his childhood in Cyprus.

“I graduated from high school in Cyprus in 2016, and thereafter, my concern was to find an all-rounded fit for my undergraduate studies,” Nasos said. “Following my service in the National Guard of Cyprus, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be introduced to the University of Central Oklahoma by my father.”

Following in the steps of his father, Nasos pursued his degree in Central’s College of Business, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and insurance and risk management.

As Nasos and his family prepared to attend his commencement ceremony, Savvas had an idea.

“Thinking out of the box, I had this idea of requesting permission to attend the ceremony to graduate together with my son,” Savvas said. “Although, sounds like a ‘bizarre’ idea for most, what I have been taught by my UCO mentors and professors – there are no weird ideas, so think out of the box!”

Each dressed in their respective regalia, Nasos and Savvas both walked across the stage, their names ringing out across Wantland Stadium.

“We walked together on campus, visiting the various buildings and especially the College of Business, where [we took classes], sitting on the same chairs. The feeling is really amazing and indescribable,” Nasos said.

“It’s amazing!” Savvas echoed. “It is unique and one of the most emotional moments for parents to see their children graduating, especially from your alma mater after so many years. Edmond and UCO feel like home. They are home. This is where my academic roots are. I have done so many things in the last 30 years, and still, it’s like yesterday.

“UCO gave me good academic grounds and fundamentals supporting my efforts to climb the corporate ladder and to succeed. I strongly believe the same applies to Nasos, and this makes me really happy.”