Ohio University hosts students and families for 2024 undergraduate commencement in The Convo on Saturday.
Commencement ceremonies were split by academic colleges into two sessions – one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
Saturday morning
Students from OU’s College of Fine Arts, College of Engineering and Technology, University College, Scripps College of Communication and College of Business walked across the stage in the morning.
The OhioBrass band started the ceremony with music as students found their seats.
Board of Trustee Member Matthew Evans started commencement by introducing the ROTC for the presentation of the colors. Evans gave a convening speech and congratulated the class of 2024.
The speech was followed by the playing of the national anthem by the Ohio University Select Vocal Ensemble.
Afterward, Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez gave a speech acknowledging the class of 2024 started their college careers during COVID-19. Gonzalez said she is proud of the graduates for rising to meet challenges that arose at the time.
“Most of you began your OHIO journey during the pandemic, which means this room is full of brave, resilient, dedicated, optimistic, determined graduates, who – facing unprecedented challenges – kept going,” Gonzalez said.
Following her speech, Gonzalez introduced Student Trustee Mia Citino for a peer address.
Citino said she has memories that will last beyond the four years she spent at the university.
“When I stepped foot into my first-year residence hall and met the people I would spend the rest of college with, I wondered if I would establish same deep connections to Ohio University and Athens that I grew up hearing about. Spoiler alert, I did,” Citino said.
After Citino’s speech, Gonzalez took the podium to introduce retired Judge William T. Newman. He graduated OU in 1972 and went on to be chief judge at the Arlington Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Virginia.
Newman said he has seen the best and worst of people throughout his career.
“I urge you as you sit there, consider the fact that the guy standing before you is not just one more pompous a— with a few initials after his name, but I am an OU grad, who once sat exactly where you are now, and for all intents and purposes, was you,” Newman said.
After Newman’s speech, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs thanked faculty for their dedication to student success and their continued excellence at OU.
“Your hard work and dedication have been exceptional and each of you has played a major role in helping these students earn their degrees,” Sayrs said.
To conclude the morning commencement session, graduates’ names were read by their respective college deans as they walked across the stage.
Saturday afternoon
Students from OU’s Honors Tutorial College, Patton College of Education, College of Health Sciences and Professions, and College of Arts and Sciences graduated during the afternoon session.
Board of Trustee member Matthew Evans spoke again to the graduating class of 2024.
“I’d like to first extend a warm welcome to all of our incredible graduates and their loved ones,” Evans said. “Today we celebrate your hard work, dedication and perseverance.”
After Evans, President Gonzalez welcomed the last of the graduates and their families to celebrate the student's accomplishments.
Gonzalez then introduced OU student trustee and graduating student Mia Citino for a second student address.
In her speech, Citino said the Bobcat community doesn’t stop after graduation.
“Thank you for all of the hard work, the laughs, the late nights, the friendships and for supporting each other to get to this major milestone,” Citino said. “Most of all, thank you for being an important part of this OHIO community.”
Retired Judge William Newman spoke again to graduates. He told them to learn and practice empathy.
“We’ve not been this divided as a country in almost two centuries, and what you’re about to inherit is a country full of people who would just as soon see the people who disagree with them die as win the next election,” Newman said. “There’s a way your generation can help us come together again and that’s with empathy.”
After Newman’s speech, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs thanked her colleagues for supporting OU students and their exceptional work ethic.
To conclude the final commencement session, graduates’ names were read by their respective deans as the students walked across the stage to receive their conferral degrees.
