Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University will honor more than 3,600 graduating students during the Spring Commencement Ceremonies on May 2 and 3.

The Friday, May 2 ceremony will celebrate OHIO’s graduate students, while two ceremonies on Saturday, May 3 will recognize OHIO’s undergraduate students.

In addition, the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will honor its graduates in a ceremony on Saturday, May 10.

Graduate Commencement

The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2, in the Convocation Center. 

The ceremony will feature keynote remarks from Dr. Brian J. Wisner, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and winner of the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award. Wisner teaches courses in manufacturing processes, nondestructive evaluation, and senior design, guiding students in cutting-edge research and practical applications.

With extensive expertise in additive manufacturing, nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E), and digital engineering, Wisner leads research in material mechanics across multiple scales. His work integrates artificial intelligence to analyze large datasets, enhancing real-time diagnostics and prognostics for advanced manufacturing applications.

Wisner has secured numerous research grants, and his work continues to drive innovation in hybrid manufacturing technologies, shaping the future of sustainable and efficient engineering solutions.

Also during the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University will honor David Butcher with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. 

Butcher is a public historian, genealogist, and community advocate dedicated to preserving the legacy of Tablertown, a historically significant settlement in Southeast Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. A lifelong resident of the region, Butcher’s work centers on documenting the history of African American, Indigenous, and European-descended families who built and sustained the community for nearly two centuries.

You can read more about Butcher and the honorary degree here.

Undergraduate Commencement

On Saturday, May 3, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University will hold the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

The morning ceremony will honor graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, Scripps College of Communication, Patton College of Education, University College and Honors Tutorial College. (This listing does not reflect the order of the deferral of degrees.)

The afternoon ceremony will celebrate the graduates of the College of Business, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, and Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. (This listing does not reflect the order of the deferral of degrees.)

Both ceremonies will feature remarks from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University alumnus John P. Gainor, former President and Chief Executive Officer of International Dairy Queen, Inc.

Gainor, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University in 1978, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) until his retirement in 2017.  In 2016, he was awarded an Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University Medal of Merit Award for his outstanding achievements. He also served as a national trustee for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University Board of Trustees in 2019.

You can read more about Gainor here.

Both ceremonies will also feature remarks from Undergraduate Student Speaker Garrett Meek, who is an Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University Student Trustee.

Meek, who is graduating from the College of Business with degrees in Finance and Strategic Leadership and Management, has served as a Student Trustee for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University Board of Trustees since April of 2023.

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Commencement 

The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will hold its Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Convocation Center. 

John Schriner, Ph.D., associate dean of admissions and student affairs for the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony. 

For nearly 30 years, Schriner has recruited aspiring medical students, interviewing each candidate and personally calling each one to let them know of their acceptance to the Heritage College. Now, for the first time, Schriner will be the official voice congratulating students as they graduate from medical school.

You can read more about Schriner here.

You can read more about the ceremony here.

Additional details

No tickets are required for the Commencement Ceremonies in the Convocation Center, located at 95 Richland Ave. in Athens. Doors will open for the May 3 and 4 morning ceremonies at 8 a.m. Doors will open for the May 4 afternoon ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

No reservations are needed for any seating. All seating, including limited mobility sections, is first come, first served.

For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of each ceremony will be available on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University Commencement website.

Commencement-related events and activities

A variety of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University’s academic colleges, departments and units will be hosting pre-and/or post- Commencement. For more details, please visit the . 

For additional information on the Commencement Ceremonies, please see the Commencement website.