More than 3,000 undergraduates turned their tassels and stepped into the real world during Ohio University's 250th commencement ceremony June 12.
Graduates assembled in groups around The Convo, saying both hello and goodbye to friends and family.
Brittany Estep, a hearing, speech and language major from Pittsburgh, said she was sad to graduate.
This has been my life for four years
she said. It's very strange. I think I'll remember the people the most. I met the most amazing group of people. Everybody's totally different. It's been great.
David McCullough, a historian and author, gave the commencement address, speaking about the history of Cutler Hall, the oldest building on OU's campus.
I thought about (the speech) a great deal McCullough said after the ceremony. I wanted to say something entirely appropriate both for the university's historic celebration and I wanted to make it pertinent to the graduates for the times that we live in.
McCullough, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, also gave graduates some words of advice before ending his speech, including being glad you're in your own shoes and doing something for your country.
I love commencements
McCullough said. There's very little ceremony left today. It's really a celebration of hard work and achievement.
Ryan Mick, senior class president, greeted his fellow classmates with some final thoughts and advice.
He said to remember that the true quality of a university is not the type of student it takes in, but the type of student who leaves.
You will live to improve yourself
but more importantly
you will live to improve your neighbors
he said.
Outgoing OU President Robert Glidden, in his final commencement exercises, read the inscription on the class gateway: Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.
I hope each of you ... has experienced that kind of growth at Ohio University
he said.
The morning ceremony graduated bachelor and associate degree candidates in the colleges of Business, Communication, Fine Arts, and Health and Human Services. The afternoon commencement graduated candidates in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering and Technology, Honors Tutorial College, University College and Regional Higher Education.
More than 200 workers and volunteers helped with the ceremonies, which cost about $130,000. McCullough was paid $30,000 for his commencement address, which is in addition to the commencement costs, said OU spokesman Jack Jeffery.
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