MEDIA ADVISORY: Ohio State to award record number of degrees at spring commencement

The Ohio State University will award a record 11,734 degrees to the largest graduating class in university history on Sunday, May 7. The ceremony begins at noon in Ohio Stadium. The 2017 graduating class size surpasses the previous records of 11,235 set in 2016, and 11,040 set in 2015.

Ohio State President Michael V. Drake will preside, and the commencement address will be given by Abigail Wexner, community leader, philanthropist and university trustee. The entire ceremony will last 2.5 to 3 hours.

Ohio Stadium opens at 10 a.m. Sunday. No tickets are required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Large handbags (bigger than 14” by 14” by 4”) are among theprohibited items. For more information, see:http://commencement.osu.edu/.

The class processional leaves the French Field House and the Recreational and Physical Activity Center at 11:40 a.m. and moves into Ohio Stadium at noon. Woody Hayes Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic during the procession to the stadium.

Each graduate will receive his or her own diploma at the ceremony, a practice rarely attempted by a university the size of Ohio State.Family members and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony may watch a live video stream of the ceremony beginning at noon on May 7.

WHAT: Ohio State University spring commencement

WHEN: Noon on Sunday, May 7

WHERE: Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Drive