College of Osteopathic Medicine ceremony

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is the keynote speaker for the college's 29th annual commencement ceremony. The event, at which 106 medical students will receive their doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, is at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Ballroom at Baker University Center.

Graduate ceremony

More than 600 master's and doctoral students will have degrees conferred at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 13, at the Convocation Center. Ohio University assistant professor of psychology Julie Owens, the 2007 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award winner, will give the keynote address.

Undergraduate ceremonies

Sports Illustrated senior writer and Ohio alum Peter King (BSJ '79) will speak at both undergraduate commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center on Saturday, June 14.

Undergraduates are grouped based on college size. The morning ceremony at 9:30 a.m. is for graduates of the College of Business, College of Fine Arts, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Scripps College of Communication, University College and regional campuses. The afternoon ceremony at 2 p.m. will feature graduates of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, and Health and Human Services as well as Honors Tutorial College.

Instructions and Tips for  Graduate and Undergraduate Ceremonies

• Clear cars from lot 128 by 10 p.m. Thursday, June 12. As an alternative, park in purple lots. Cars should be cleared from the Convocation Center parking garage and lot 129 by 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 11.
  
  
  
• Please consult the campus parking map for more details and any updates.
  
  
  
• Assemble in the Convocation Center garage by 8:45 a.m. for morning ceremonies on Friday and Saturday and by 1:15 p.m. for the Saturday afternoon.
  
  
  
• Pick up pre-printed name card from a staff person at your respective college table or fill out a card.
  
  
  
• Turn cell phones off or to silent or vibrate.
  
  
  
• Pre-select a location outside the Convo to meet your family and guests.

Instructions and tips for parents and other visitors

• Normal campus parking restrictions are not enforced; guests are welcome to park in any of the university lots without being ticketed.
  
  
  
• Doors to the Convo open at 8:15 a.m. for morning exercises and 1 p.m. for afternoon commencement.
  
  
  
• Guests will enter the main doors off Richland Avenue.
  
  
  
• Those needing special seating accommodations are asked to use the service entrance off South Shafer Street.
  
  
  
• Wheelchairs are located at the service entrance and in the main lobby. Guests may not stay seated in these wheelchairs, but rather use designated seating. Guests with personal wheelchairs must check them in the main lobby and will be issued a claim ticket.
  
  
  
• Restrooms are located on the outer concourse. A unisex restroom is located in lower lobby.
  
  
  
• A lactation room is located on the main concourse.
  
  
  
• Changing tables are in all restrooms.
  
  
  
• Limited mobility parking is outside service entrance in lot 128.
  
  
  
• Seating for hearing-impaired guests is in the first two rows of Section 101.
  
  
  
• Diabetic kits are located in the main lobby, the west entrance and the service entrance.
  
  
  
• A lost and found area is located at the will call office in the main lobby.
  
  
  
• Turn cell phones off or to vibrate.
  
  
  
• No one other than graduates and platform party members is allowed on the Convocation Center floor.

Photographs

Photographs will be taken by a professional photographer. Two pictures will be taken of each individual being greeted by his/her academic dean. Within 10 days of Commencement, candidates should receive a photographic proof. There is no obligation to purchase these pictures. For every package purchased, the Senior Class will receive a contribution to its treasury. The university receives no financial benefit from the studio.

A word on personal behavior

The vast majority of family members and graduates prefer that the ceremonies have the dignity of a university graduation. Graduates may decorate their mortar boards, but are discouraged from acts that detract from the ceremony.

Items that distract from the ceremony or threaten safety will be confiscated before and during the ceremony.

Please note that graduating students are not permitted to have beverage containers of any kind inside the arena.

For more information about commencement ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students, please visit www.ohio.edu/commencement.

Additional information about the College of Osteopathic Medicine commencement ceremony is available at www.oucom.ohiou.edu/Commencement2008.