"Spring Commencement 2009"

(Music)

President E. Gordon Gee: Ladies and gentlemen you see here today in these graduates, this faculty, and our staff, the reason The Ohio State University is such a remarkable institution. Their creativity, commitment, and compassion form new knowledge, and improve our community’s in tangible and enduring ways. Ohio State is this nation’s most comprehensive research university, our range of disciplines and breadth of knowledge are reflected in the many degrees awarded today. As a student community you have laughed together, learned together, and grown up together. You have enlivened our campus greatly and accomplished extraordinary things. Please know that I am proud you are fully and forever a part of our global Buckeye family. And so as we say time and change will surely show, how firm our friendship, Ohio. So I congratulate you all, one and everyone here, congratulations.

(Applause)

John Glenn: Commencement speeches are often feel good exercises about a glowing future, and a brighter tomorrow. And with your efforts I have no doubt that those times will come. Living healthy lives is meaningful to each of us, but we also strive to live enjoyable and fulfilling, I guess, what we call even happy lives. And I must say the happiest people I’ve known, the most vibrant, the most alive, the most productive people, are the ones with the biggest doses of curiosity, the real practitioners of why not? An inquisitive mind becomes a way of life. We are more fulfilled when we are part of something bigger than ourselves, when we dedicate ourselves to a purpose, a cause, a mutual effort, be it in a church, a synagogue, a mosque, or whether we choose civic service, military, public, or community service, or just help out where we see the need. Being involved in the larger community enriches every one of us as individuals. To you, class of 2009, make yourselves proud, go for it, godspeed, and to each and everyone of you, go Bucks!

(Applause)

(Music)

Facts on Spring Commencement 2009:

The Ohio State University

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Ohio Stadium

Doctoral: 211

Master's: 1,409

Professional: 858

Bachelor's: 5,616

Associate: 65

Certificates: 3

Total: 8,162

Presiding Officer:

E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State University

Welcome Remarks:

Javaune Adams-Gaston, vice president for Student Life

Commencement Address:

John Glenn, former U.S. Senator and astronaut

Honorary Degrees:

The honorary Doctor of Public Service degree will be presented to Annie Glenn for her lifelong interest in community service.

Distinguished Service Awards:

Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to CBS correspondent Erin Moriarty ('77 JD) and Dr. Ernest Mazzaferri, Sr. ('62 MD), professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

National Anthem and Alma Mater:

Tamara Regensburger, class of 2009

(Text/Images: University Marketing Communications.)