Ohio University celebrates the Class of 2024

Ohio University honored more than 3,400 new graduates, received inspirational remarks from numerous outstanding speakers and announced two new Distinguished Professors during the 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremonies.

Thousands of OHIO family, friends, visitors and guests filled the Convocation Center on the Athens Campus to join in the University's annual Commencement ceremonies, cheer for their Bobcat family and celebrate this year's graduating students.

The Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 3 featured keynote speaker Dr. Erin Morgenstern, the 2023 winner of the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

Morgenstern, who serves as the assistant to the vice president for priority projects in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, encouraged the graduates to be changemakers and celebrate their achievements. 

The Graduate Commencement Ceremony also featured the announcement of two new Distinguished Professors and the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award winner.

“Today, we are proud to recognize two of our most outstanding faculty members for their scholarly and creative accomplishments,” President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “The 2024 recipients of this prestigious award are very deserving of this honor. Please join me in recognizing our 2024 Distinguished Professors Sarah Wyatt and John Sabraw.” 

Wyatt, who is a professor in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology in the College of Arts and Science, also serves as the Chair of Faculty Senate and carried in the ceremonial mace to begin the Commencement Ceremony.

Sabraw is a professor of Art and also serves as the chair of both the Painting and Drawing and Digital Art and Technology programs.

Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs also announced during the ceremony that Dr. Brian Wisner is the winner of the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

"As an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Wisner has distinguished himself through his unwavering commitment to student success and holistic mentorship," Sayrs said.

The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies on May 4 were a special celebration for a unique class of graduates.

“This is a distinctive Ohio University commencement celebration – because you are the Class of 2024,” President Gonzalez said. “Most of you began your OHIO journey during the pandemic, which means this room is full of brave, resilient, dedicated, optimistic, determined graduates who, facing unprecedented challenges, kept going. You looked up and ahead with the kind of hope and ambition that tells me you are true Bobcats, and that today is only the beginning of all you will accomplish.”

The student speaker for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies was Mia Citino, who discussed the graduates’ time at OHIO and what might come next for them.

“Our graduation signals a call to action, that we have the responsibility to take what OU has taught us about the power of community and enrich the lives of others. Whether you are entering the workforce or continuing your education, we each have a unique undergraduate experience that will make us strong leaders in our fields. We must use our knowledge about the power of community to establish a strong sense of unity amongst our peers and coworkers, encourage open dialogue, and be approachable, accepting, and inclusive leaders,” Citino said.

A student representative to the Ohio University Board of Trustees for the last two years, Citino graduated with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the Honors Tutorial College, as well as with minors in Spanish and political science and certificates in Law, Justice and Culture and Latin American Studies.

“Forever OHIO isn’t just a catchy slogan, it’s a symbol of our community and the connections we have built here,” Citino told the Class of 2024. “I am truly honored to be part of this Bobcat family alongside you all.”

In the keynote address for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies, Ohio University graduate Judge William T. Newman Jr. shared five lessons his life has taught him.

“One, make a vow this very day to become lifelong learners,” Judge Newman said. “For many of you, while your formal education has come to an end, trust me, the real learning, your real learning, should start now.”

Additional lessons included the need to protect the earth and her resources, the importance of learning and practicing empathy, and the significance of paying the strictest attention to details in all things.

“And finally, the last insight I’d like to share with you today, never be afraid of the truth, in fact embrace it,” Judge Newman said. “Truth is an absolute. It is real, and it is hard as polished steel.”

Newman, who earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from OHIO in 1972, said that he fondly carries with him his memories of his time at Ohio University and the friends he made here, and said the graduates will do the same in the years ahead.

“Congratulations on all you’ve already accomplished and thank you for all you’re someday going to do,” Judge Newman said. “You’ve got the goods, you’ve got the smarts, and you’ve got the drive. Now, to the Graduating Class of 2024, get out there and show the world what you’re made of.”

Members of the Ohio University Board of Trustees, along with OHIO faculty and staff, joined the thousands of family members and friends in attendance in celebrating OHIO's Class of 2024 throughout the weekend.

In addition, the regional campuses each held Graduation Recognition Ceremonies on their respective campuses as well. 

• Read about the Chillicothe Campus ceremony
• Read about the Eastern Campus ceremony
• Read about the Southern Campus ceremony

Looking ahead, OHIO's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Commencement Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 11, on the Athens Campus.