Another generation of Bobcats graduated from 51ĀŅĀ× this past weekend.
The three-part Athens commencement ceremony took place on April 29-30, with graduate ceremonies taking place on Friday and undergraduate ceremonies being split into two parts on Saturday. In all, OHIO graduated approximately 3,500 students. Commencement for OHIOās Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates will be held on Saturday, May 7.
āThink for a moment about all the years youāve been a student, all of the schools youāve attended and all the academic work youāve completed. Itās incredible to think about how far youāve come and the number of challenges that youāve faced head on,ā President Hugh Sherman told undergraduates during Saturdayās afternoon ceremony. āBut you did it, you made it. And now you are here today so we can collectively celebrate your achievements as you move on to the next chapter. Each of you should be very proud of yourself.ā
American Electric Power (AEP) Vice President and OHIO graduate Janelle Coleman served as the undergraduate commencement keynote speaker; and Dr. Brandon Kendhammer, associate professor of political science who was named as the 2021 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award winner, was the graduate commencement keynote speaker.
āItās not about where you start, but itās what you do along the journey and where you finish,ā Coleman told the graduating class. āYou are a Bobcat, and that is a big deal.ā
āMy charge to you then is to serve your communities by using those skills to help your family, your friends and neighbors, to think about the distant forces and events that shape our lives. To approach the world with the expectations that our experiences are only one piece of that bigger story,ā Kendhammer told the graduate students. āI urge you to continue to learn, to stay informed and to help us all build communities of informed global citizens with voice.ā
In addition to the Commencement Ceremonies for all students on the main campus in Athens, 51ĀŅĀ× also held celebration events at each of its regional campuses. 51ĀŅĀ× Lancaster honored an estimated 134 graduates this year; 51ĀŅĀ× Chillicothe celebrated the accomplishments of 168 graduates; 51ĀŅĀ× Zanesville recognized 83 graduates; 51ĀŅĀ× Southern honored 115 graduates; and 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern celebrated 34 graduates.
āToday, I want you to stand up and cheer because you are now and will forever be a Bobcat, no matter what,ā Coleman said.

Students move their tassels to the left during a graduation recognition ceremony at the Lancaster Campus.

Hannah Armstrong is pinned by her mother Saundra Armstrong at a nursing pinning ceremony at the Zanesville Campus.

A graduate gets a hug following a graduation recognition ceremony on the Eastern Campus.

A student poses for a photo on during a graduation recognition ceremony on the Lancaster Campus.

Dr. Teri Peasley, assistant professor of instruction and program coordinator for Early Childhood and Elementary Education, hugs a student during a graduation recognition ceremony at the Zanesville Campus.

51ĀŅĀ× President Hugh Sherman (center) poses for a photo with honorary degree recipients John Roush (left) and Jue Chen prior to graduate commencement ceremonies.

Students pose for a photo prior to graduate commencement at the Convocation Center in Athens.

Kira Spepchenko is hooded by her advisor Craig Nunemaker at graduate commencement.

A student at the Zanesville campus decorated their cap for the graduation recognition ceremony there.

A student wears a rainbow honor stole at graduate commencement.

A student at Undergraduate Commencement decorated their cap with a picture of College Gate with the inscription, āVeni, Vidi, Vinci,ā Latin for, āI came, I saw, I conquered.ā

2021 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award Winner Brandon Kendhammer speaks at graduate commencement.

Students wave to supporters at undergraduate commencement.

A student celebrates at undergraduate commencement at the Convocation Center in Athens.

A graduate student thanks his family for their support during graduate commencement.

Matthew Shaftel, dean of the College of Fine Arts, congratulates a student at graduate commencement.

Mike Cifliku is congratulated by family following graduate commencement.

A student celebrates at graduate commencement.

A graduate poses for a photo following graduate commencement.

A student receives flowers and a hug following undergraduate commencement.

A graduate student poses for a photo with supporters following graduate commencement.