COLUMBUS – Nearly 12,000 Ohio State University students will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas during the university’s spring commencement Sunday.
The Ohio State University Spring 2018 Commencement:
Sun., May 6, Noon, Ohio Stadium. Stadium opens at 10 a.m.
Class processional leaves French Field House and the Recreational and Physical Activity Center at 11:40 a.m. and enters Ohio Stadium at noon. Woody Hayes Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic during the procession to the stadium. No tickets required.
The 2018 graduating class size is the largest for the fourth consecutive year:
2018 – 11,907
2017 – 11,734
2016 – 11,235
2015 – 11,040
Source: OSU
Ohio State President Michael Drake will preside, and the commencement address will be given by Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The two student speakers are Elizabeth Beatty, a native of Nashport and candidate for the bachelor of science in health sciences, and Shweta Ambwani, a native of Dublin and candidate for the bachelor of science in data analytics.
Ohio State is one of the very few universities that traditionally awards diplomas at a single ceremony at the conclusion of each term of the academic year so university officials say the entire ceremony is expected to last 2 1/2 to 3 hours.