Indiana State University Newsroom

A graduating nursing student and a publishing company executive will speak to graduates during Indiana State University's winter commencement.

The university's Student Affairs committee selected nursing major Joseph Weiss of Paoli to deliver the student commencement address while Keith Ogorek, senior vice president of marketing with Author Solutions, will be the alumni speaker.

Weiss said he is excited to address the graduating class. He plans to touch on carrying connections from Indiana State to careers and developing into the people students strive to be.

"It truly is an honor and great responsibility to address the student body," he said. "It is important to acknowledge how we developed through community engagement," Weiss said.

He offers his biggest challenge and advice to current students.

"It is hard to find time to get everything done sometimes," he said. "Students need to set priorities and sharpen their time management skills."

Persevering through his struggles, Weiss stayed involved while succeeding in academic work. He has served on a committee with the Whole in the Head Project Speaker Series and has traveled to Guatemala to explore social issues in a developing country. He is also part of the Student Nurses Association and Advocates for Equality.

He said students need to discover their passion and use the campus's many organizations and opportunities to further explore the interest.

Weiss credits his success at Indiana State to a strong support system.

"The faculty and professors in the nursing program are truly amazing," he said, adding that the students in the nursing programs are a "closely-knit group."

Weiss is the son of Joseph Lee and Susan Hale and a graduate of Morton Memorial High School in Knightstown. Following graduation, he plans on working in an intensive care unit for five years and then returning to graduate school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Ogorek, who graduated from Indiana State in 1982 with a degree in marketing, has served as senior vice president of marketing for Author Solutions' for six years. His leadership was instrumental in the company's 2012 acquisition by leading trade publisher The Penguin Group, which is now part of the world's largest book publisher, Penguin Random House.

Ogorek self-published a children's book called "A Clear View: The Formation and Impact of Worldview; Eli the Stable Boy and 7 Secrets of Successful Self-Published Authors." A sought-after speaker, he has appeared at several conferences including the 2013 Book Expo America, The San Francisco Writers Conference, Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, and The Writer's Digest Conference.

Prior to joining Author Solutions, Ogorek held marketing and creative positions with St. Joseph Bank and Trust, McCaffrey and McCall and Bates World Wide. He has also consulted with churches, nonprofit agencies and businesses helping them improve their marketing and communications.

"My time at Indiana State laid a great foundation for success later in life," Ogorek said. "I am humbled and honored have the opportunity to share some of the things I have learned since then with this graduating class."

Ogorek serves on the steering committee for Indianapolis Children's Museum's The Power of Children Awards. He is on the board of directors of Fort Wilderness Ministries and is a member of the Indiana State University President's National Advisory Board. Ogorek and his wife Becky reside in Brownsburg and have two grown daughters.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Winter-Commencement-2013/i-Sg67rXc/0/XL/November%2011%2C%202013%20Joe%20Weiss%207382-XL.jpg - Joseph Weiss

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Winter-Commencement-2013/i-jprbKbS/0/XL/K%20Ogorek%20%20head%20shot%20IMG_5587final-XL.jpg - Keith Ogorek

Media contact: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu