OU’s undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies will take place in May.
Ohio University’s undergraduate commencement ceremonies will not only be a milestone for the graduating class of 2015, but it will also be a first for one of this year’s speakers.
Keith Wandell, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Harley-Davidson, Inc., graduated from OU in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
But due to job conflicts he never got the chance to walk across the stage.
“That’s what makes this more exciting for me,” Wandell said. “For me it’s kinda like my commencement too, you know.”
Prior to being appointed to his position with Harley-Davidson in 2009, Wandell was the president and chief operating officer of Johnson Controls, Inc., an international company with its hand in several major manufacturing and service industries.
Wandell, a native of Lima, Ohio, said that when he was an OU student he didn’t expect to reach the level of success he’s achieved.
“The things that I've learned are really sort of simple things,” he said. “In every interaction that you have every day, whether it’s at work or with your family or whatever, you have to do it with the highest level of integrity.”
Samuel Crowl, a retired trustee professor of English literature from Waterville, Ohio, will be the other undergraduate commencement speaker.
A renowned Shakespeare scholar who started working at OU in 1970, Crowl will be awarded with an honorary degree by OU during the afternoon ceremony.
“This is a great honor, and I’m delighted to have been asked to participate,” Crowl said.
Despite being in retirement, he continues to teach one course a year.
“Most people retire at 70, and I actually sort of hung on and will continue to do so for another year or two because I love teaching,” he said.
During Crowl’s more than 40 years at OU, he has served as chair of Faculty Senate, dean of the University College and has been given the University Professor Award twice.
OU won’t pay Wandell and Crowl to speak, but the university will cover travel and lodging expenses, said Katie Quaranta, OU spokeswoman.
OU President Roderick McDavis cited both Wandell and Crowl’s reputations as part of the reason the two were chosen.
“Keith’s successful leadership of Harley-Davidson speaks to the value of an Ohio University degree, whereas Sam’s distinguished service continues to enhance the transformative experiences that our students receive,” McDavis said in a statement. “Both have elevated the reputation of Ohio University through their time, generosity and ambassadorship, and I look forward to the messages that they will share with our graduates.”
Wandell, who was elected to serve on the board of the OU Foundation in 2011, said OU’s “family atmosphere” is part of the reason why alumni such as himself find it hard to stay away from Athens.
The undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held May 2 at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in The Convo, which Wandell and Crowl will speak at, respectively.
Thomas Vander Ven, an associate professor of Sociology and Anthropology, will also speak at OU’s graduate commencement ceremony May 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Vander Ven was named the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member in 2014.
“This is another big phase of their lives,” Wandell said of this year’s graduating class. “I’m honored and excited to do it.”
—Megan Henry contributed to this report.
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