97-06-17 Commencement Follow-ups

        NEWS ADVISORY: COMMENCEMENT FOLLOW-UP

President Gee to mail memento package to rained-out grads

     President E. Gordon Gee wants to make sure that The Ohio
State University’s spring quarter graduates have more than a
rain-wrinkled program to remember their commencement.  His staff
is preparing a mailing to be sent next week to all those who had
expected to receive their diplomas in Ohio Stadium on June 13.
The event had to be cancelled about 10 minutes into the program
when heavy rain caused the sound system to fail and created an
uncomfortable, and perhaps even dangerous, situation for most of
the guests and graduates who were sitting without cover in the
open stadium.  Gee greeted graduates and their families in French
Field House for three and half hours after the cancellation.

     The mailing will include a message from Gee, a fresh copy of
the official program, excerpts from the script for the planned
ceremonies (including the text of Gee’s remarks), and a special
memento.

     “I share the disappointment of our graduates and their
families and friends that this momentous event could not be
completed as planned,” he said.  “I hope this mailing will, in
some small measure, convey our pride in these graduates and our
wishes for their future success and happiness.  I appreciate the
understanding and good humor with which our graduates and their
families accepted this disappointment.”

Diploma distribution continues

     Many of the graduates picked up their diplomas Friday
afternoon at French Field House.  Throughout this week, diplomas
will be available for pick-up in 320 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon
Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

     The owners of diplomas not picked up by this Friday will be
sent a letter at their last registered home address to verify
that it is accurate.  When a confirmed address is received, the
Office of the Registrar will mail the diploma to the graduate.

     Graduates who have questions about the diploma distribution
should contact the Office of the Registrar by phone at 292-1960
or by mail at 320 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH
43210.

Alternate plans to be reviewed 

     University officials will be looking at ways to better
handle a repeat of circumstances such as last Friday’s heavy
downpour of rain.  It had been 56 years since the weather had
forced cancellation of an Ohio State commencement, but in several
recent years the program has continued through light to moderate
rainfall.

     Ohio Stadium is the only facility large enough for the 5,500
graduates and their 30,000 guests, and there is strong  sentiment
to maintain the tradition of holding one large  commencement in
the stadium rather than several smaller events  across the
campus.  Other options such as postponing the  ceremonies for
several hours, and better ways to communicate  changes in plans
will be considered.

Bob Greene invited to return next spring

     Syndicated columnist Bob Greene, who was to have delivered
the commencement address, has accepted an invitation to speak at
next June’s commencement.

     Those persons who had been scheduled to receive honorary
degrees and Distinguished Service Awards are being given the
choice to receive those honors at a future Ohio State
commencement or to have them presented in absentia. 

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