Photos by Jo McCulty

Graduates receive their diplomas during spring commencement on the Oval.

The circumstances behind the pomp

Offices join forces to prepare Oval for spring commencement

From the looks of commencement on the Oval, it seems so effortless. Buses pick up guests and shuttle them to the Oval, where thousands of chairs are set up just for them. Military cadets just happen to be in place to keep the processional of graduates moving at a steady pace. And then the true miracle occurs -- thousands of graduates know exactly where to sit, and somehow walk away with the right diploma.

The ceremony proves that looks can be deceiving.

There's a lot more that goes into the planning of commencement, especially spring commencement on the Oval, than most people are aware of, said Carol Ries, director of the Office of Commencement and Special Events. Her office is joined by the Department of Physical Facilities, Transportation and Parking Services, the Office of University Relations, University Police, military cadets and University volunteers who work together to plan and orchestrate commencement on the Oval, she said.

"It's truly the largest and most involved Universitywide event,"Ries said. "On some level, planning for this event goes on all year round."

Carol Ries, director of commencement and special events, helps psychology graduate Ronessa Elisabeth Wilchek find her honors cords.

Renovations to Ohio Stadium brought spring commencement back to the center of campus in 1999, the first time the ceremony had been held on the Oval since 1918. This year, though the effort was monumental and required hundreds of workers and volunteers, it was still easier than last year, Ries said.

"Last year, we were literally building from the ground up, taking a raw space and building something there,"Ries said. "On top of that, we had to get everybody adjusted to the change, and we had to get them excited about commencement on the Oval."

Mike Dale, coordinator of planning and scheduling in the Department of Physical Facilities, said people from his department were involved with spring commencement from the very beginning. More than 100 physical facilities employees worked on everything from trimming trees to setting up 30,000 chairs to tearing everything down, he said.

"Our contribution is one of the critical factors in pulling off an event like this one,"Dale said. "The tear-down and the cleanup are the easier parts of the job. The one thing that makes it a bit harder is psychological. Most people want to relax and take a deep breath when a large job like commencement is successfully completed. It is much easier for us to get volunteers to help get this function ready than it is for me to get help after it is over. There is no glory in the aftermath, which goes from the afternoon of the event, through the weekend and into Tuesday or Wednesday to complete."

Though a committee meets all academic year to discuss the complexities of the event, the real push begins three weeks before commencement day.

During that time, Ries' office prepares the graduates' diplomas, makes arrangements for honorary degree and Distinguished Service Award recipients, works on the commencement script, sends out a letter to parents, and even arranges for someone to ring the Orton Hall chimes, Ries said.

"We arrange for everything that isn't physical facilities or transportation and parking,"she said. "We try and get all that done before the week of commencement so we can save that time for all the little things that pop up -- the questions and the unexpected."

Ries also meets with the military coordinator. This spring, Sgt. Jeff Cummings of the U.S. Army was in charge of the military volunteers. The coordination rotates quarter-to-quarter among the three military branches.

"I don't think the military gets enough credit for what they do,"Ries said. "They are volunteers and they are important. They're the ones everyone follows, and they do spend quite a bit of time training the cadets."

Gunner Riley views his son's commencement from the Main Library stacks.

The ceremony is just a part of what Ries' office arranges for commencement. Staffers also plan and host a dinner for honorary doctorate and Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipients and their guests, trustees and University officials the night before commencement; make hotel and flight accommodations for honorees and the commencement speaker; and act as ambassadors of the University.

"We plan the menu, schedule musicians, send out invitations,"Ries said. "We do everything necessary to make their time at Ohio State memorable and enjoyable. Many of these people have strong ties to the University, especially the DSA recipients. They love this place, and many have given back so much to Ohio State. We want them to know how much we appreciate what they've done for us."

It might seem like it takes a lot of time and effort to get there, but everything comes together on Friday, Ries said. That morning, a handful of commencement planners, including Ries; John Kleberg, assistant vice president for business and finance; Jim Stevens, associate vice president for physical facilities; and Ruth Gerstner, director of internal communications, meets at 6:30 a.m. to make a weather call.

"If the weather's bad, that changes everything,"Ries said. "We just have to cross our fingers on that one. It's all up to Mother Nature."

According to organizers, the effort -- all in the name of making graduates happy -- is well worth it.

"Commencement is the best indicator of the large number of hard-working and dedicated people this University is blessed with,"Dale said. "It is a wonderful example of what can be done here when the University mobilizes its forces and talents toward a common goal."

Workers construct the stage on the Oval the week prior to commencement.

Frank Gencur, associate director of the Ohio Union and volunteer co-coordinator, said volunteers, which include faculty, staff and students, are an invaluable part of commencement. This year, 55 volunteers worked on the Oval during the ceremony distributing programs and fans. Another 170 helped set up the Oval, line up the graduates, patrol rest rooms and, once the ceremony ended, assisted with tearing down the staging, tents and chairs.

"They help take care of guests' needs. Many started the day as early as 7 a.m.,"Gencur said. "Several volunteers move around during the day to handle various parts of the ceremony. That is why we need more. We need them to help assist with the graduate line-up and help in areas behind the stage, as well."

Added Becky Hamilton, volunteer co-coordinator and administrative associate in physical facilities, "Ohio State can seem big and confusing for the people who are here every day, so we want to make it very 'guest friendly' when we have so many people coming from all over who may not be familiar with campus at all."

This wasn't the first time Cathy Turnbull, an account clerk for physical facilities, helped out during commencement on the Oval, and it probably won't be the last time, either, she said.

"Graduation is what this University is all about,"she said, "and I don't think a lot of people realize what goes on behind the scenes. It takes a lot of work and a lot of people to make commencement happen. Graduation is pretty phenomenal, and it's nice to be a part of it, even if it's a small part."

By Jo McCulty

Ebony Bonner receives a lifetime OSU Alumni Association membership from association President/CEO Dan Heinlen.

Class of 2000 includes 500,000th graduate, other exemplary students

Since the 19th century, Ohio State has graduated people from all walks of life, including the first African-American astronaut and the inventor of Teflon. This year, Ohio State marked yet another milestone in the University's 130-year history when the 500,000th diploma was awarded on June 9.

Ebony Bonner took her place in Ohio State's history books when she received a master of social work, her second degree in two years from Ohio State.

"I'm really excited about it,"said Bonner, who is beginning a career as a social worker with Netcare Access in Columbus. "My parents are both social workers, and I grew up learning the values of the profession. I feel like God has something in store for me."

Ohio State's 352nd commencement included many other interesting and accomplished graduates.

Maria Stancil Spence received a Ph.D. in social work. In 1984, Spence's husband suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving her the sole provider for eight children. To support her family, she returned to school after more than 20 years and, in 1990, received a B.A. in psychology. She went on to earn a master of social work degree from Ohio State in 1993, thanks in part to a Critical Difference for Women Coca-Cola Re-entry Scholarship.

Ohio State's youngest graduate, Ron Pavlov Jr., graduated with honors in mathematics at the age of 17. Pavlov started taking classes here when he was 11. He also served as an undergraduate teaching assistant.

Midge Petraglia, who received a bachelor's degree in psychology, is another "nontraditional" student. Petraglia came back to school in her 30s when her son was in middle school. During her time at Ohio State, she was the captain of the women's varsity crew team, and a three-time scholar athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient. Also among the graduates were 11 students who earned 4.0 grade-point averages.

"The students are why we are here. This is a very important time in their lives -- not just to pursue academics, but to experience life lessons in a safe and nurturing environment," President Kirwan said. "It is our job, as the staff and faculty who work on their behalf, to create an atmosphere in which they can fully express themselves and grow as individuals."

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