More than 900 new graduates participated in 帝王会所鈥檚 2019 Fall Commencement ceremony on Dec. 14, at the Convocation Center on the Athens Campus.
The annual fall ceremony, now held for the fifth consecutive year, included students earning doctoral, master鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚 and associate鈥檚 degrees from all OHIO campuses and programs.
President M. Duane Nellis told the fall graduates that they should feel proud of themselves because they all worked very hard to graduate.
鈥淚 want you to feel confident that the education you received here will serve you well and prepare you for the road that lies ahead,鈥 he said. 鈥淓mployers will be looking for critical thinkers, good communicators and collaborators, problem solvers and leaders, and you acquired these skills at 帝王会所. They are transferable to whatever job you hold, and they will never fail you.鈥
Dr. Chaden Djalali, executive vice president and provost, told the faculty that the example they have set for the graduates will influence the students throughout their careers, as they build productive and respectful working relationships of their own.
鈥淵our contributions have created a unique and powerful learning experience for the graduates we celebrate today,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to teaching, research and service. Your work is the very heart of the mission of 帝王会所.鈥
Dr. Steven Evans, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, delivered the Fall Commencement address. He told the audience that phrases and values often guide our choices in life and can be quite powerful. He said that after considerable thought, he came up with a phrase of his own that he and his wife have shared with his three children, 鈥淏e a good friend and hard worker.鈥
鈥淭here is a basic and simple elegance to it,鈥 Dr. Evans said. 鈥淗ard work over time is the way to succeed with many things in life 鈥 from relationships to careers 鈥 and all of you waiting to graduate today have shown that you can be a hard worker.鈥
Dr. Evans said that being a good friend is also relevant because it impacts how you treat your friends and family during the transition away from being a college student.
鈥淎fter graduating, many students become so focused on their new situation, new job, new city, and new friends; that they don鈥檛 adequately attend to their family relationships. I encourage you to attend to each other and be patient with each other as you go through this transition,鈥 Dr. Evans said.
He assured the graduates that being a good friend and hard worker are things that they can strive to achieve.
鈥淲hen that is combined with finding your passions and talents, you have a key to happiness,鈥 Dr. Evans concluded.
OHIO鈥檚 2020 Spring Commencement ceremonies will take place on Friday, May 1, (graduate degrees) and Saturday, May 2, (undergraduate degrees). For more information, visit www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/commencement/2020-spring-commencement

The beginning of Fall 2019 Commencement ceremony. Photo: Hannah Ruhoff

Students about to graduate, standing in cap and gown at the start of the Commencement ceremony. Photo: Hannah Ruhoff

Graduates from the George Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs walk onto the floor of the Convo at Fall Commencement. Photo: Eli Burris

Distinguished Professor Steve Evans speaks at fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

M. Duane Nellis speaks at fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

Health Sciences and Professions Dean Randy Leite congratulates a graduate at fall commencement. Photo: Hannah Ruhoff

Carly McFadden waves to supporters at fall commencement. Photo: Hannah Ruhoff

Theresa Eagen gets hooded by Psychology Professor Brian Wymbs at fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

India Harris Jones reacts on stage at fall commencement ceremonies. Photo: Ben Siegel

Undergraduate students take selfies during fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

M. Duane Nellis speaks at fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

Distinguished Professor Steve Evans speaks at fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

Sam McKnight participates in fall commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

Arielle Borden-Dancy waves to her family at Fall Commencement. Photo: Eli Burris

Ashlyn Mabrey displays her graduation cap at Fall Commencement. Photo: Eli Burris

An excited graduating senior waves to family members while walking in the 2019 Fall Commencement Ceremony. Photo: Eli Burris

The Kruse family poses for a photo at Fall Commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel

Graduate poses with her family and friends after Fall Commencement. Photo: Ben Siegel