Ohio University will celebrate its newest class of graduates May 3 at Spring 2025 commencement.
The upcoming ceremony will feature OU alumnus John P. Gainor, who served as President and Chief Executive Officer of International Dairy Queen before retiring in 2017.
Gainor oversaw the management of Dairy Queen’s supply chain functions, including purchasing, logistics, distribution, dairy, frozen novelties, equipment and supplies.
“We are honored that John has agreed to deliver the Commencement Address for both of our undergraduate ceremonies,” President Lori Stewart Gonzalez told OHIO Today. “As a business executive, skilled leader, and dedicated OHIO alumnus, John’s success serves as an inspiration to Bobcats near and far. I am grateful he has agreed to share words of wisdom with our Class of 2025.”
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in communications, Gainor went on to hold a number of executive positions in the food service industry.
“It’s a true honor to have the opportunity to give remarks at my beloved Alma Mater for this year’s Spring Commencement,” Gainor said in an interview with OHIO Today. “Ohio University was a place that fostered both personal and intellectual growth, and I’m excited to share some valuable advice with this year’s graduating class of Bobcats.”
Ceremonies span across the weekend, with the Graduate ceremony May 2 for doctoral and master’s degrees at 9:30 a.m. Undergraduate ceremonies will be at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. May 3.
The morning ceremony will feature graduates from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Communication, Education, University College and Honors Tutorial College. The afternoon ceremony will feature graduates from the Colleges of Business, Health Sciences and Professions, Engineering and Technology and Fine Arts.
ADA parking will be available in the outer lots of the Convocation Center, with general admission parking taking place in dark green and purple lots, according to OU Transportation and Parking Services.
TPS will also offer free event shuttles and accessible transportation from several parking lot locations to the Convocation Center from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Commencement ceremonies at OU also offer a number of traditional elements, including the Alma Mater Ohio, the Ceremonial Mace and more.
OHIO’s Alma Mater dates back to 1915, with Kenneth S. Clark, a Princeton University graduate, winning $150 for a first prize entry.
“When e’er we take our book of mem’ries and scan its pages through and through, we’ll find no days that glow so brightly as those we spent at old O.U.,” the song reads.
OU’s Ceremonial Mace is also featured, modeled after a Cutler Hall original stairway. The mace can be seen at official ceremonies, weighing 16 pounds and cast in bronze.
The ceremony is set to last approximately 2 hours, with doors opening for guests around 1.5 hours prior to the start of each ceremony.
Graduates who still need to purchase regalia can do so in the Baker University Center, room 366. It will be open Friday, May 2, from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and Saturday, May 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
