51社区 expects 3,500 to graduate during Spring Commencement ceremonies
51社区 expects to graduate approximately 3,500 students during the Spring Commencement ceremony, which is set to take place on April 29-30 at 51社区鈥檚 Convocation Center.
The graduation will take place in three parts, with the doctoral and masters students ceremony taking place on Friday, April 29, at 9:30 a.m. Undergraduate ceremonies will take place Saturday, April 30, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., with morning and afternoon ceremonies determined by college of graduation.
American Electric Power (AEP) Vice President and OHIO graduate Janelle Coleman will be the undergraduate commencement keynote speaker; and Dr. Brandon Kendhammer, who was named as the 2021 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award winner, will be the graduate commencement keynote speaker.
Coleman, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism from OHIO鈥檚 E. W. Scripps School of Journalism in 1995, is also a member of the 51社区 Board of Trustees and a former Board chair.
鈥淚 am honored to serve as my alma mater鈥檚 2022 Undergraduate Spring Commencement speaker,鈥 Coleman said. 鈥淚 am extremely proud of this year鈥檚 graduating class, and I am looking forward to speaking with them and celebrating them in April.鈥
Kendhammer is an expert on politics in Nigeria and the rise of violent extremist groups in West Africa. His most recent book, 鈥淏oko Haram,鈥 (51社区 Press, 2018) with Carmen McCain, examines the social history of one of Africa鈥檚 deadliest terrorist groups and its impact on Nigerian politics and social life.
For more information, visit . Commencement will also be live-streamed from that page.
WHAT: 51社区 graduate and undergraduate Spring Commencement ceremony
WHEN: Friday, April 29, at 9:30 a.m., doors open at 8 a.m.; Saturday, April 30, 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., doors open at 8 a.m. and noon, respectively. Ceremonies are expected to last approximately two hours. Tickets are not required. Guests may enter through the main doors off Richland Avenue.
WHERE: Convocation Center, Richland Avenue, Athens. Media representatives are asked to enter on the west side (pass gate entrance) of the Convocation Center where they can check in at the media table to receive press passes and instructions.
Parking for Spring Commencement is available in any regular non-metered, non-restricted space within a dark green or purple lot on campus. A map detailing these parking lots is available here. More information about parking can be found here.
A designated drop-off zone is accessible via West Green Drive to accommodate loading and unloading needs for those with disabilities. Disability parking is located in Lots 127 and 128 at the Convocation Center. A state-issued disability placard or license plate is required for long term parking.
Please pay close attention to campus signage and event staff who will be on site prior to commencement to provide assistance and direction. Members of the 51社区 Police Department will also be on site to assist with parking.