COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A 1974 University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduate who became one of the early builders of Microsoft Corporation will deliver the fall UCCS commencement address during Dec. 19 ceremonies at the Broadmoor World Arena.
Scott Oki, 66, of Seattle, will share his personal story as well as thoughts about entrepreneurship and risk taking with an estimated 600 students at their families during the 2 p.m. ceremony. Oki graduated from UCCS with honors in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 1975, he completed a master’s degree in business at UCCS before launching a career in the technology industry.
Oki will join UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, CU President Bruce Benson and members of the CU Board of Regents in congratulating graduates and in the formal conferring of degrees for students who completed requirements for bachelor’s master’s or doctoral degrees in August or December. About 800 students completed the requirements and will earn degrees. UCCS also conducts spring commencement ceremonies in May.
Oki attended UCCS while serving in the Air Force. After graduation, he held several computer-related jobs before landing at Microsoft in 1982. There, he built Microsoft’s international operations and later served as senior vice president for sales, marketing and service. Among his credits was his encouragement of Microsoft founder Bill Gates to develop the Windows platform in lieu of another operating system.
Oki retired from Microsoft in 1992. He now operates Oki Developments, Inc., an investment company with diverse interests in real estate, golf course development and management, restaurants and early-to-development-stage technology companies. He is also the founder and “chief volunteer” of the Oki Foundation where he exercises his personal mission statement “to marry my passion for things entrepreneurial with things philanthropic in ways that encourage others to do the same.”
To see a video of Oki’s Ted address visit
Oki continues a tradition of having alumni deliver commencement speeches. Last year, C-SPAN host Robb Harleston, a member of the class of 1983, spoke. In 2012, former HP executive Tom Saponas, a member of the class of 1972, delivered remarks. In 2011, Fed Ex executive Mike Fryt, a member of the class of 1977, spoke.
As in past years, commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live online. To watch the approximately 90-minute ceremony on Dec. 19, visit http://www.uccs.edu/commencement/
The ceremonies will be rebroadcast on Comcast Channel 20. For a schedule of the broadcasts, and other details, visit www.uccs.edu/commencement.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs, is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The University offers 37 bachelor’s degrees, 19 master’s and five doctoral degrees. UCCS enrolls about 11,000 students on campus annually and another 2,000 in online programs. For more information, visit www.uccs.edu.