Spring commencement is Sunday at Ohio Stadium
A record 8,652 students, who are among the brightest in the university’s history, will earn degrees during Ohio State’s spring commencement on Sunday (6/13) in Ohio Stadium Approximately 6,300 students are expected to participate in the ceremony, which begins at noon. Ohio State is one of the few universities where all graduates participate in a single ceremony, and where each graduate gets his or her diploma at the ceremony.
Honorary doctorates will be presented to Francisco J. Ayala, one of the foremost evolutionary geneticists of our time, and commencement speaker David Gergen, who has served as an advisor to four U.S. presidents.
Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to Jack Lucks, a founding partner in Columbus-based Continental Real Estate Companies, former Ohio State football star Chris Spielman, and posthumously to Stefanie Spielman, who both worked tirelessly to increase public awareness of cancer and to promote the critical importance of medical research.
The ceremony will last approximately three hours. Approximately 40,000 guests are expected to attend commencement. No tickets are required. Additional information is available at http://commencement.osu.edu/
The Ceremony
Graduates assemble in the French Field House by 11:15 a.m. The class processional leaves French Field House at 11:40 p.m., crosses Woody Hayes and Cannon Drives, and moves into Ohio Stadium at noon. The processional will last about 30 minutes. The commencement address will be delivered at approximately 1 p.m.
Following the conferring of honors and commencement address, diplomas will be awarded. It is a long-standing tradition at Ohio State for graduates to personally receive their diplomas from their deans. Ph.D. candidates are first, and their names are announced as they are hooded and presented with their diplomas. After the singing of Carmen Ohio, all other graduates will move in ten lines to the diploma boxes on the field and receive their diplomas. After receiving their diplomas, graduates remain in line, proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium, and disperse outside.
Parking
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in any of the permit zones around Ohio Stadium, St. John Arena, Ag Campus, Schottenstein Center, the student residence halls, or on West Campus. No permit is required. The Arps, Ohio Union, Lane Avenue, and Tuttle Park parking garages will be available at no charge.
• Commencement shuttles
Shuttle buses will run from West Campus parking lots to the Sisson Hall footbridge beginning at 9 a.m. until one hour after the ceremony ends. Guests are strongly encouraged to use the West Campus parking and shuttles. It is a very efficient way to get to and from the ceremony.
• Disability Parking
Disability parking is located in the East Stadium Lot on a first come, first served basis. A permanent or temporary Ohio or other state-issued Disability Placard is required. The East Stadium Lot is accessed from Tuttle Park Place. Please plan to arrive early as reserved parking is not guaranteed.
• Traffic restrictions
Traffic on Woody Hayes Drive and Cannon Drive (near the stadium) will be restricted from approximately 11:30 a.m. to noon to allow for the graduates’ procession from French Field House to Ohio Stadium.
Security
• Certain items are prohibited in Ohio Stadium
Neither graduates nor guests are permitted to bring coolers, backpacks, large handbags, chair-back seats, mace or similar substances, or weapons of any type are permitted. Neither graduates nor guests may bring any of these items into Ohio Stadium.
Items that are permitted include cameras, video recorders, uncased binoculars, small handbags, pagers, cell phones, seat cushions, and clothes for weather conditions.
Commencement broadcasts
• Live video stream on Internet, excerpts on TV
For family members and friends of graduates who are unable to attend commencement, the university is offering a live web streaming of the ceremony at http://commencement.osu.edu/video.php beginning at noon Sunday, (6/13). The web broadcast will be archived for later viewing at http://www.wosu.org/osu-commencement/
In addition, excerpts from the ceremony will be broadcast on WOSU-TV, Channel 34, on Monday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m.
Stadium facilities
Ohio Stadium opens at 10 a.m. commencement morning. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Disability Seating
Seating for those guests is located at entry level and throughout the stadium. Guests in wheelchairs, as well as those unable to climb stairs, and one companion are permitted in these areas.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during the ceremony. Due to space limitations, only one other person may be seated with the guest in section 16AA .
Live captioning of the ceremony will also be available on the stadium scoreboard, which can be viewed from all seating areas.
Inclement Weather
• Rain in the forecast
If it is raining or rain is forecast on commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with appropriate rain gear. Ponchos, raincoats, and something to sit on wet bleachers are advised for guests. If weather conditions are uncertain on commencement morning, listen to WOSU-AM (820 AM) for updates.
• Severe weather
If there is heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning, or other weather severe enough to delay or cancel the ceremony, instructions will be announced on-site to graduates and guests. If cancellation is required, diplomas will be distributed from various campus locations, as noted in the commencement program.
If the ceremony is underway but is interrupted by severe weather, graduates and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that you prearrange a meeting place with your graduate in case the ceremony is canceled. Guests will not be admitted to French Field House where diplomas will be distributed to graduates. St. John Arena, Drake Event Center, and various locations on West Lane Avenue are suggested meeting sites.
