Ohio State Professor Umit Ozkan encourages graduates to pursue lifelong learning

In her keynote address at The Ohio State University’s summer commencement, Distinguished University Professor Umit Ozkan encouraged the graduates to view failure as an unavoidable step on the path to success. Ozkan, College of Engineering Distinguished Professor and chair of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, spoke to hundreds of graduates and their families Sunday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

“Be bold, be brave. Don’t be afraid of challenges,” she said. “Don’t settle for what seems easy and comfortable. Take the path that seems more difficult. Often you will find that it makes all the difference in the world.”

Ozkan shared her journey to becoming a leader in the engineering field and an internationally recognized scholar. She said her interest in science began as a child in her native Turkey. She joined Ohio State in January 1985, and she said becoming a Buckeye has provided opportunities to explore cutting-edge research.

“I found that I could fulfill my two passions here: teaching and pursuing new knowledge,” she said. “As a teacher, I taught thousands of undergraduate and graduate students. The most gratifying part of this journey has been seeing my students grow to their full potential and become successful professionals in their own right.”

Ozkan also encouraged the graduates to approach everyone they encounter with kindness and open-mindedness and to adopt never-ending curiosity about the world.

“Never stop learning,” she said. “Graduation is just the beginning for lifelong learning – that is why it is called commencement!”

Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. told the graduates that their education can enable them to not only achieve professional goals, but to dedicate their lives to service.

“It may take the form of public service or philanthropy or community leadership or military service. It may mean raising a family or doing everyday things that make our community a better place,” he said. “The point is, you’re all called to be a force for good in the world. With your Ohio State degree, I know you will answer that call.”

John W. Zeiger, chair of Ohio State’s Board of Trustees, presented Distinguished Service Awards to Melissa Conrath, an Ohio State alumna and retired director of Ohio State’s Principal Licensure Program in the College of Education and Human Ecology, and Charles Wise, founding director and professor emeritus of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.  

Of the 1,769 degrees and certificates awarded, 269 were doctorates, 641 master’s and eight professional, and 851 were undergraduate and associate degrees and certificates.