Ohio University undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held Saturday at The Convo. The ceremonies were held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and included every academic college.
Saturday morning
Ohio University students in the College of Business, College of Fine Arts, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Scripps College of Communication and University College graduated Saturday morning at The Convo.
OU President Hugh Sherman opened the ceremony by congratulating the graduates for adapting to adversity and supporting one another.
“Your lives were disrupted and new obstacles were created for each of you, but you overcame those obstacles, just as you’ve overcome so many other challenges during your academic careers,” Sherman said. “Think for a moment about all the years you’ve been a student, all the schools you’ve attended, and all the academic work you’ve completed. It is incredible to think about how far you’ve come and the number of challenges you’ve met head-on, but you did it.”
Sherman proceeded to introduce the undergraduate commencement speaker, Janelle Coleman.
Coleman is a 1995 graduate of the Scripps College of Communication, and currently serves as vice president of community engagement, diversity and inclusion at American Electric Power, or AEP, and president of the AEP Foundation.
Coleman started by congratulating the graduates and announcing they had all officially become a “big deal.”
“It’s a big deal that you’re graduating, and it’s an even bigger deal that you’re graduating as a Bobcat,” Coleman said. “I believe deep in my soul that Bobcats are capable of accomplishing anything that we put our minds to.”
Coleman ended the speech by saying that “Bobcat” is a title reserved for the resilient, kind and generous people who stand up for their communities and use their voices and power for good.
Following Coleman’s speech, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs thanked the outstanding faculty for their hard work and dedication to teaching, research and service.
Sayrs also recognized students graduating cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude by asking those with honors to stand at their seats.
During the ceremony, students’ names were read by their respective deans before they walked across the stage to receive their degrees.
Saturday afternoon
OU undergraduate students from the Center for International Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Professions, College of Education and Honors Tutorial College graduated Saturday afternoon, concluding the commencement ceremonies for the class of 2022.
Matthew Evans, a member of the Board of Trustees, opened the ceremony at 2 p.m. by welcoming the graduates, family members and friends. Evans introduced the presentation of colors by the Army and Air Force Reserve, as well as the singing of the National Anthem.
Sherman continued the ceremony by recognizing members of the Board of Trustees, academic officials, administrative officials, representatives of the Alumni Association, representatives of university Senate and esteemed members of the faculty who were in attendance.
“Congratulations for adapting to the adversity you’ve experienced over the past few years,” Sherman said. “You are here today so we can collectively celebrate your achievements as you move on to the next chapter.”
Coleman gave the 2022 undergraduate commencement address again at the second ceremony after being introduced by Sherman.
Sayrs again recognized outstanding faculty on behalf of the university and thanked them for their dedication to students. Sayrs also recognized students graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude by having those respective students stand.
Sherman then conferred students’ degrees and led them in turning their tassels. The deans of the respective colleges of Saturday afternoon’s ceremony then presented their graduates.
Payton Daugherty and Lydia Colvin contributed to this report.
