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The Convocation Center at Ohio University is filled for commencement in May 2015. This year, graduating seniors will be able to vote on on a commencement speaker from a list of options.

Graduating Bobcats celebrate at 2015 commencement

At Ohio University's 200th commencement ceremony Saturday, the university conferred degrees on 3,277 undergraduate students.

As Bobcats received their diplomas and celebrated their graduation with family and friends Saturday, for many it marked the end of their education at Ohio University.

But this year’s commencement speaker Keith Wandell, the chairman, chief executive officer and president of Harley-Davidson, Inc., had another message: keep learning.

“As you graduate from college today, I would sincerely encourage each of you to make today not the end of your learning experience, but the beginning of your learning journey,” he said.

3,277 undergraduate Bobcats received their degrees at Saturday’s commencement ceremonies at The Convo. This year’s ceremony marks the 200th anniversary of OU’s first commencement in 1815.

Undergraduate commencement started at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, while commencement for graduate students took place Friday.

Wandell presented leadership advice to the morning graduates. Wandell is a 1972 alumnus of OU who helped his company come back strong after the 2009 recession.

“Today is more than about receiving a diploma or preparing for a career, it’s about our collective future,” Wandell said. “It’s my sincere hope that each of you are thinking about becoming a leader. It’s the difference between being good and being great.”

Wandell recounted his time at OU and noted that he was never able to attend his own graduation ceremony in 1972, making this year’s commencement even more special for him.

“True leaders are servant leaders,” he said. “It’s about helping others achieve their dreams and providing an environment where others can grow. True leaders sign up to live a life by a strict code of ethics, the most important of which is integrity.”

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Wandell also encouraged the graduates of the Class of 2015 to value courage, accountability and communication throughout their lives as leaders.

OU President Roderick McDavis also spoke at the commencement ceremony. He welcomed students, faculty, staff and guests, including Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.

McDavis challenged the graduating students to lead impactful lives. As an example, he spoke of Thomas Ewing, a member of OU’s very first graduating class who went on to become a senator, secretary of state, secretary of interior and advisor to four presidents.

“I suspect that when your name is called you will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in your Ohio University journey,” McDavis said. “But I hope you will also feel a deep sense of responsibility to your family, your friends, your communities and to the generations of Bobcats who will follow in your footsteps.”

The speaker for the afternoon ceremony was Samuel Crowl, a retired trustee professor of English literature who was awarded an honorary degree from OU during the ceremony.

Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit said the university bestowed the degree on Crowl for his years of service, engagement and leadership at OU. Crowl, a renowned Shakespeare scholar, also served as chair of Faculty Senate and dean of University College.

In his speech, Crowl discussed the university’s founding by Manasseh Cutler in 1804, as well as its ties to America’s founding fathers.

“You and your university are a product of Cutler’s spirit,” Crowl said, ending his speech with a famous saying: “Seize the day.”

@AlxMeyer

am095013@ohio.edu

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