COLUMBUS, Ohio — With the coronavirus canceling large in-person events like the Arnold Sports Festival and the NCAA Final Four, the writing was on the wall for commencement at Ohio State to be canceled, too.
- Spring commencement will be virtual and live-streamed
- Apple CEO Tim Cook will be the speaker and 12,000 diplomas will be presented
- Students are understanding, but disappointed
But Ohio State made other plans, announcing spring commencement, which is held at Ohio Stadium typically, will instead be held virtually for the first time ever, with plans to hold an in-person celebration at a later date.
“Today I’m here to announce that we will hold a special Ohio State spring commencement to recognize your achievements on Sunday May 3rd,” Ohio State President Michael Drake said.
President Drake acknowledged how tough the changes have been for students this semester, but aimed to keep spirits high.
“Just as you were headed into the home stretch and looking forward to walking across the field of Ohio Stadium, the world changed for all of us. But you’ve adapted and persevered,” he said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will be the commencement speaker for the event that will most likely be a live stream.
But for Ohio State students, capping off their college careers in this fashion is a letdown — but ultimately they saw it coming.
“I think a lot of people including myself, knew that we weren’t going to have the traditional commencement,” graduating senior Mallory Kamer said.
She said while Tim Cook is an awesome commencement speaker to have, she’s concerned it won’t feel the same as if it were in person.
“It would be amazing to hear him speak, in the Shoe, but I just don’t know if it’s worth it to sit down and watch a three-hour commencement just to see him speak virtually,” Kamer said. “I just feel like it won’t have as much impact.”
Another graduating senior Lauren Cea said she’s understanding of the changes considering the gravity of the situation.
“I’m personally not upset about it,” Cea said. “If it means postponing it to when it’s safe for my grandparents to come, any relatives that are worried for their safety at this time, I’d much rather postpone it.”
Kamer said the biggest letdown for her is missing out on a true senior experience with friends and classmates capping off college how they planned.
"I live with my roommate who’s my great friend so we’ve been together,” she said. “But all my other friends went home. So it just kind of stinks that we won’t have that final event back together, especially since we haven’t seen each other in so long.”
OSU plans to find a future date to celebrate commencement in person.
“While we will not be able to link arms in Ohio Stadium right now, we will recognize your achievements with your families and friends, as we confer your degrees,” Drake said.
Ultimately, Kamer said she’s understanding that the safety is what’s most important for everyone right now.
“If there were somehow to be a graduation ceremony, I wouldn’t want my grandparents coming because there are more important things,” she said.
And Cea said despite all the changes, she’s grateful for her college experience.
“I wouldn’t go back in time and change anything,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the good three and a half years that I did get with all of my friends and the university, with my classmates and professors and all the opportunities Ohio State offered me.”