WILBURTON, OK (May 10, 2022) – Eastern Oklahoma State College named Outstanding Graduates for each of the college divisions during Commencement Ceremonies in Wilburton on May 6.

The 2022 Outstanding Graduates include Ashleigh Gay of Washington, OK, Agriculture Division; Adam Gomez of Wilburton, OK, Behavioral and Social Science Division; Austin Albright of Chickasha, OK, Business Division; Zachary Murrin of Indianola, OK, Language, Humanities and Education Division; Jessica Raper of McAlester, OK, Nursing Division; and Maggie Armstrong of McAlester, OK, Science and Mathematics Division.

Dean Larriann Chambers recognized Ashleigh Gay of Washington, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Agriculture Division. Gay graduated in the top 10 percent of her class with an associate degree in agricultural communications. A presidential scholar, Gay maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the President’s Honor Roll each of her semesters at Eastern. She is involved in several student organizations, serving as the Eastern Student Government Association president, the Aggie Club secretary, the vice president of leadership for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is also a member of the Livestock Judging Team, an Ag Ambassador and is active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Gay was recently named as a member of the 2022 Oklahoma All-State Academic Team. She has been selected to intern this summer with the Oklahoma Pork Council and then plans to continue her education at the University of Arkansas where she will major in ag communications and serve as a member of the livestock judging team.

Dean Dr. Carter Mattson recognized Adam Gomez of Wilburton, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Behavioral and Social Science Division. Gomez graduated with associate degrees in history and political science. He is the recipient of the Karolyn and John Hendrix Foundation Scholarship and was named to the President’s Honor Roll. Gomez served as an intern with the Drew Edmondson for Governor campaign, and as the campaign coordinator for the Peggy DeFrange for the OK House of Representative campaign. He is also a published author with his short story for the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma. Gomez currently works as an accounting assistant at Eastern. Adam is the son of George and Zulema Gomez. He plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to pursue a bachelor’s degree in history and humanities, eventually working toward a doctoral degree so he can teach at the university level.

Dean Brenda Strange recognized Austin Albright of Chickasha, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Business Division. Albright graduated in the top 10 percent of his class with an associate degree in business administration. He earned a 3.9 overall grade point average and was named twice to the President’s Honor Roll and once to the Dean’s Honor Roll. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Business Club, and he also plays outfield for the Mountaineer baseball team. Austin is the son of Dusty and Tera Albright. He plans to play baseball and continue his education at Oklahoma Baptist University next year.

Division Dean Kristen Turner recognized Zachary Murrin of Indianola, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 the Outstanding Graduate for the Language, Humanities and Education Division. Murrin graduated in the top 10 percent of his class with an associate degree in English. He maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the President’s Honor Roll each of his semesters at Eastern. Murrin is a Regent’s Academic Scholarship recipient, the top institutional scholarship awarded at Eastern, and the scholarship will follow him to his next institution as he completes his bachelor’s degree. Zachary is the son of Robert and Angie Murrin. In the fall, he plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in English. His career goal is to become an English teacher. 

Director Gina Bullock recognized Jessica Raper of McAlester as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Nursing Division. Raper graduated with an associate degree in nursing and a 3.6 overall grade point average. During her time at Eastern, Raper was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was named as a member of the All Oklahoma Academic Team. She is an active volunteer in the McAlester area where she has worked with programs including Partners for Animal Welfare Society, Keep McAlester Beautiful and Habitat for Humanity. Prior to attending Eastern, Raper earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Oklahoma and worked at a McAlester veterinary clinic for three years. She plans to work on the progressive care unit for Saint Francis Hospital in Muskogee and attend Northeastern State University in the fall to begin work on her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her goal is to become a pediatric nurse and volunteer for an international medical relief program.

Division Dean Dr. Andrea Green recognized Maggie Armstrong of McAlester, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Science and Mathematics Division. Armstrong graduated in the top 10 percent of her class with an associate degree in life science. She maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the President’s Honor Roll each of her semesters at Eastern. Armstrong received several scholarships including the Tenaska Scholarship, Hall Family Scholarship, Carsyn Kay Hackler Memorial Scholarship, Fanny Rambo FCCLA Scholarship, Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education Scholarship, AAT Carriers, Inc. Foundation Scholarship, Dr. Del and Ramona Allen Foundation Scholarship, and the Sapphire Foundation Scholarship. During her time at Eastern, Armstrong has served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and vice president of the Math and Science Club. She is a member of the All Oklahoma Academic Team and a worship leader at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Maggie is the daughter of Kim and Richard Armstrong. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in nutritional sciences to become a registered dietician. She also plans to apply to medical school and with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.