A 1974 UCCS 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.<\/p>\n
Scott Oki, 66, of Seattle, will share his personal story as well as thoughts about entrepreneurship and risk taking with an estimated 600 students and their families during the 2 p.m. ceremony. Oki graduated from UCCS with honors in 1974 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in accounting. In 1975, he completed a master\u2019s degree in business at UCCS before launching a career in the technology industry.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s master\u2019s or doctoral degrees in August or December.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cchief volunteer\u201d of the Oki Foundation where he exercises his personal mission statement \u201cto marry my passion for things entrepreneurial with things philanthropic in ways that encourage others to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
See a video of Oki\u2019s Ted address<\/p>\n