- Posted December 30, 2014
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Oakland University surpasses 100,000 graduates this winter
ROCHESTER HILLS (AP) - A Detroit-area college that was founded as an extension of Michigan State University and once was what an administrator called "a no-name school" has surpassed 100,000 graduates.
Oakland University marked the milestone this month during its winter commencement ceremony. It corresponds with expanding enrollment and construction across its 1,400-acre campus that straddles Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, The Oakland Press reported recently.
The school, which opened in 1957, has about 20,000 students. Recent additions to campus include a new engineering building, medical school, more student housing and carillon clock tower.
Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development, said Oakland retains its "small school feeling" despite the rising profile. She added there's a growing pride among graduates as amenities and academic programs grow.
"It's not a no-name school anymore," said Miller, a university alumna and longtime employee. "They walk in and can't realize it's the same place."
Oakland also has elevated its stature through sports. The school made the transition to Division I beginning in 1997 and its men's basketball team has made several appearances in the NCAA tournament.
The university said it now has alumni in all 50 states and about 700 outside the U.S. Education, sales, operations and engineering are the top employment fields, and Chrysler, whose U.S. headquarters is nearby, is the largest of employer of Oakland graduates.
Published: Tue, Dec 30, 2014
headlines Oakland County
- Annual Dinner & Meeting
- FORCE Team arrests six in prolific auto theft ring
- Michigan allocates $12 million to support community-based organizations in advancing environmental and climate justice
- Oakland County and SMART launch pilot program providing free transit for veterans and dependents
- Supreme Court sides with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
headlines National
- More lawyers—and clients—want to learn about sustainable development practices
- Top artificial intelligence insurance tips for lawyers
- Lawyer charged with illegally transmitting Michigan data after 2020 election
- Viral video shows former Rikers Island inmate as she learns she passed bar exam on first try
- How Sullivan & Cromwell is scrutinizing potential new hires after campus protests
- No separate hearing required when police seize cars loaned to drivers accused of drug crimes, SCOTUS rules