COLUMBUS -- Actor and comedian Bill Cosby will be the speaker for Ohio State’s spring commencement, set for Friday, June 8, on the Oval. Cosby was chosen in consultation with student leaders and faculty members.

“He is a renowned speaker, a wonderful person, and I know he has a long history of giving great commencement speeches,” said B.J. Schuerger, president of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).

Ohio State President William E. Kirwan agreed.

“I expect Bill Cosby’s address will leave a lasting impression on our graduates and guests,” Kirwan said. “He’s an ideal commencement speaker because in addition to being one of the world’s great entertainers, he has a strong sense of community and a deep and sincere commitment to education that reinforce the spirit and values of The Ohio State University.”

Each June, about 5,500 students receive degrees from Ohio State, and 30,000 or more guests come to celebrate with them. Traditionally, spring commencement was held in Ohio Stadium, but because of renovation work, the ceremony was moved to the Oval in 1999.

Ron Meyers, president of the Council of Graduate Students (CGS), said this spring commencement will be special for the students.

“Bill Cosby really emphasizes the importance of being a good citizen and having a good time,” Meyers said.

Another student leader echoed similar sentiments.

“I really believe that Bill Cosby is a person a lot of people can identify with,” said Todd Armen, president of the Inter-Professional Council (IPC). He said that Cosby’s popularity will encourage the students to just “sit back and enjoy his comments.”

A self-proclaimed “late bloomer,” the 63-year-old Cosby admits that he underestimated the value of a formal education until after his first few days of boot camp in the U.S. Navy.

“When I got out of the Navy, I hit the ground running from Norfolk, Va., and immediately enrolled at Temple University in Philadelphia,” Cosby said.

After achieving much of his success in the entertainment world, Cosby returned to college to earn his master’s degree and his doctorate in education. During his career, Cosby has donated funds to a wide range of universities and has delivered numerous commencement addresses to reemphasize the importance of education.

###

(LO)