Josh Antonuccio to deliver Fall 2023 Commencement Address

Ohio University will host its Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, and will feature keynote remarks from OHIO graduate and associate professor Josh Antonuccio.

The director of OHIO’s School of Media Arts and Studies, Antonuccio is an expert in the music industry, entrepreneurship, technology, music production and experiential learning.

He is known internationally as the director of the Ohio University Music Industry Summit, which welcomes a range of acclaimed artists and music industry leaders to Ohio University each spring for programming that includes interviews, panels, networking events and special performances. The Music Industry Summit was named one of the Top 7 U.S. Music Conferences in 2022; the sixth annual summit will be held April 9-10, 2024. Past keynotes have included Phoebe Bridgers, Chuck D, Michelle Zauner of Japenese Breakfast, Caamp, Talib Kweli, Killer Mike, mxmtoon, and FINNEAS. This year’s featured artist keynote and performer will be Jason Isbell.

“I am so impressed by Josh’s innovative approach to experiential learning. His insights and connections with industry leaders have provided our students with unique experiences that prepare them to successfully reach their career goals,” Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “I am thrilled that he will now be sharing his wisdom and insights with our graduates at Fall Commencement.”

Antonuccio said that he is looking forward to being a part of the Fall 2023 Commencement.

“As an alum, I can think of no greater honor than to speak to graduating students," Antonuccio said. "This university empowered me to succeed in the creative industries that I’m most passionate about. I look forward to sharing what that experience has meant to me both personally and professionally.” 

Antonuccio is a Grammy-voting member of The Recording Academy and has spent more than two decades in multiple industry roles as a music producer, musician, audio specialist, technology adventurist, studio owner and media journalist. 

At Ohio University, he is the creator and director of numerous industry immersion courses, including the OHIO South by Southwest trip and the MDIA Music Production Masterclass Series, letting students work directly with notable producers at major studios in New York City, Chicago and Austin. 

In addition, Antonuccio is the producer and host of the Emmy-nominated music performance series "The Sycamore Sessions,” a partnership with the Nelsonville Music Festival and WOUB Public Media, which allows OHIO students to produce live concerts with national and regional artists. The series has welcomed over 120 artists across eight seasons including Tyler Childers, Sierra Farrell, Adrienne Lenker of Big Thief and Lake Street Dive. He is also the faculty advisor of Brick City Records, the student-run record label at Ohio University, as well as WIMI (Women in Music Industry), a student organization that provides networking and mentorship opportunities for female and non-binary OHIO students pursuing careers in the music business.

His specialty in teaching includes core classes on the business of music, entrepreneurship, understanding the music industry, music production and technology classes, as well as courses in sound design. Antonuccio developed the music industry major at Ohio University and in 2016 helped to establish virtual reality education and production capacities in the Scripps College of Communication through a near $1 million innovation grant.

“OHIO provides an essential education experience; graduates should feel both proud and prepared for the journey ahead,” Antonuccio said. ”They are going to join an incredible alumni community beyond the campus. Bobcats are unparalleled in their support of one another.”

Antonuccio is a two-time OHIO graduate, earning a B.S. in Telecommunications and an M.Ed. Instruction in Technology and Computer Education.

The Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Convocation Center on the Athens Campus.

For additional information, please visit https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/commencement