Spring 2024 Commencement

The Spring Commencement ceremonies will take place at the Convocation Center on 95 Richland Avenue, Athens Ohio 45701.

Doors open to guests 1.5 hours prior to each ceremony.

Each ceremony will be approximately 2 hours. 

Visit the Commencement webpage ( ohio.edu/commencement ) — livestream links for each ceremony will be added before the event is about to begin.

OHIO graduate Judge William T. Newman Jr. will speak at Spring Commencement. Read the OHIO News story about Judge Newman to learn more.

Review the 2024 Spring Commencement Transportation & Parking Information page to plan your visit to campus. 

No reservations are needed for any seating. All seating, including limited mobility sections, is first come, first served. 

Graduate Ceremony – May 3rd

Doctoral Students

Masters Students

*Degree conferral will be alphabetical by College

-All students must return to their seats after conferral, to be respectful to other graduates and families. The event will adjourn at the very end of the ceremony.

Undergraduate Ceremonies – May 4th

9:30 a.m.

Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts

College of Engineering and Technology

University College

Scripps College of Communication

College of Business

2:00 p.m.

Honors Tutorial College

Patton College of Education

College of Health Sciences and Professions

College of Arts and Sciences

*Reflects actual order of conferral

Bag checks will be performed. Prohibited items are as follows:

• Aerosol cans
• Alcohol
• Animals
• Bookbags/backpacks
• Commercial video/audio equipment and tripods
• Fireworks
• Food/beverages
• Hoverboards/skateboards
• Ice chests/coolers
• Laser pointers
• Noisemakers/airhorns
• Weapons (including pepper spray and knives/blades of any length)
• Signs, flags, banners, and balloons
• Any item(s) deemed hazardous by event personnel

*Use of tobacco products within and around the facility is prohibited per University Policy 44.113: Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus .

All Regional Campus ceremonies are on Thursday, May 2 at the following times:

• Chillicothe: 6:00 pm
• Eastern: 7:00 pm
• Lancaster: 7:00 pm
• Southern: 7:00 pm
• Zanesville: 6:00 pm

Grad Images will be contacting your email or your permanent address with proofs of your commencement photo, which are available for purchase.

Lost and found is located at Will Call. After the event, all items will be taken to Baker University Center Guest Services (740-593-4000).

• To rent Regalia please visit: https://ohiofaculty.shopoakhalli.com/ by March 23rd. 
• Faculty will line up in front of their College which will check in under the Convocation Center in the Garage Area.
• Faculty participating in Commencement should arrive to their college's check in area (in their regalia) at least 45 minutes prior to each ceremony start time. 

The deadline to order online has passed. We will have a sales site in Baker University Center room 366 on Friday, May 3 from 7:30AM - 9:30AM and Saturday May 4 from 7:30AM - 2PM. Students will be able to purchase all necessary items there.

There is no limit on the amount of guests and the event is not ticketed. 

Friday, May 3rd, 9:30am Ceremony for Doctoral and Masters students

Check in will begin at 8am in the Convocation Center Garage

Saturday, May 4th, 9:30am Ceremony for Undergraduate Students

Check in will begin at 8am in the Convocation Center Garage

Graduates must be checked in and in College Line by 8:45am

Saturday, May 4th, 2pm Ceremony for Undergraduate students

Check in will begin at 12:30pm in the Convocation Center Garage

Graduates must be checked in and in College Line by 1:15pm

To the right prior to degree conferral. Upon conferral, tassel is moved to the front left.

There is no place to store personal items such as coats, backpacks, or bags. Anything you bring you will need to carry through the ceremony. Backpacks, coats, and large purses will not be permitted onto the Commencement floor. Therefore, please arrange with family or friends to hold onto items you do not want to carry onto the Convocation Center floor. 

For the safety and security of those attending commencement, all bags and packages entering the Convocation Center before and during the ceremonies are subject to inspection. This includes, but is not limited to purses, backpacks, camera bags, and diaper bags.