Heritage College Class of 2029 Convocation
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Friday, August 8th, 2025, at 3:30 p. m.
Convocation Center - 95 Richland Ave, Athens, OH 45701
Doors open at 2 p.m.
The Convocation/White Coat Ceremony is held annually to welcome the newest Heritage College class into Ohio University and the osteopathic profession. During the ceremony, members of the Class of 2029 will be presented with a white coat by a D.O. or M.D. clinician. The white coats proudly display patches for the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Ohio Osteopathic Association and are a gift from the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation.
For questions related to the convocation ceremony please contact Sarah Lawrence
email: lawrences@ohio.edu phone:(740) 593-2164
Plan Your Arrival
If your travels to Athens allow time for spending the night, grabbing a bite to eat, or exploring what our quintessential college town offers for fun, consider checking out the Athens County Convention and Visitor's Bureau for up-to-date recommendations.
Travel information for the Columbus International Airport .
Transportation options from the airport to Athens, Ohio:
Uber Reserve - Available to request a ride up to 90 days ahead of time
Go Bus - Routes from CMH Airport to Athens, OH
Seating in the Convocation Center is first-come, first-served, and tickets will not be issued. The number of guests that medical students may invite to the ceremony is not limited.
Mobility Devices: The venues do not offer mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) for guest use on-site. Please make arrangements to arrive at the venues with the appropriate mobility devices. As a courtesy, we have created a list of Ohio businesses offering mobility device rentals . The companies listed are not affiliated with Ohio University or the Heritage College.
Accessibility Seating: There are designated seating sections for guests with limited mobility and for full-time wheelchair users. To maximize our accessibility seating options, we ask that only one additional guest sit in this section. Ushers will be available to direct guests to these seats.
Limited Mobility Seatingis available in the designated sections of the lower and upper balconies and requires navigating 1-2 steps in general seating. The wheelchair and stroller check area will be available in the main lobby.
Guests who are full-time wheelchair usersand one guest will be directed to the floor in the Wheelchair User Seating Area, which is on the right side of the student seating and is accessible.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing:An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will provide interpreting services at the ceremony. There is a designated ASL seating section for the best view of the interpreter. The interpreter will also be shown on the live stream link so guests can watch the ceremony remotely.
Lactation: At 217 on the concourse, there is a Mamava lactation suite,a comfortable, private location for individuals needing to pump or nurse. To utilize the Mamava suite, you must download the Mamava App on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app will allow you to unlock the Mamava suite in the Convocation Center. You can also use the code on the door, which is 8008.
Baby Changing:Located in the accessible stall in each restroom (last stall).
Security:Bag checks will be performed at the entrances. All bags and persons are subject to search.
Prohibited Items:Aerosol cans, Alcohol, Animals, Balloons, 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, and Banners, Poles for signs, flags, and banners, and any item(s) deemed hazardous by event personnel.
Free parking is available at the Convocation Center at 95 Richland Avenue. Special parking will be available for mobility-impaired guests.
CATCAB-accessible transit is also available for guests in wheelchairs and with other mobility limitations. Guests wishing to utilize CATCAB should call Parking Services (740-593-1917) to schedule a pick-up time - 30 minutes advanced notice is requested.
Celebrate
It's official! Bobcat Depot will be selling flowers and Ohio University swag at the Convocation Center during the ceremony. Come check out all they have to offer for your future bobcat doctor!
The Class Officers are also pleased to offer Heritage College apparel sale that is always open and ships directly to the purchaser. Please allow 7-10 business days for production & shipment. Due to the custom nature of these products, orders are not eligible for return or exchange. All sales are final. A variety of apparel is offered with 3 logo designs (HCOM, OHIO Medicine, and HCOM Alumni).
Ceremony photos will be available following the event for guests and medical students. The Grad Team provides pre-, during, and post-event photography. Each student will have a photo taken after they cross the stage. Each student is gifted a 5x7 digital download of a photo of their choice. Photos are available for purchase as digital downloads or print copies on their website. Students will receive more details about their photo gift certificate by email directly from the grad team.
If you couldn't attend previous ceremonies or wish to view them again, the links below will take you to archived videos of the event.