The Four Degrees of Graduation at UC's August Commencement

For the first time in 35 years, all levels of degrees will be conferred at the University of Cincinnati's August Commencement.

The

summer ceremony set for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at Fifth Third Arena

will celebrate the conferring of more than 2,000 degrees. Last year's event was the first Summer Commencement since 1979, and doctoral graduates did not participate in that ceremony. But this August there will be associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates accepting their degrees.

UC President Santa J. Ono will lead the event and be among the first to congratulate the class of August 2014, which includes 2,039 students eligible to graduate. They are earning 245 associate degrees, 747 bachelor's degrees, 939 master's degrees and 134 doctoral degrees for a total of 2,065 (some students earn multiple degrees). A

closer look at the Commencement statistics

is available online.

CEREMONY DETAILS

• Doors to the arena open at 8 a.m.
• Parking is free in all West Campus garages on that day.
• Each graduating student will be able to invite up to eight guests. No tickets will be needed to attend the ceremony. Seating is general admission; first come, first seated.
• The Family Friendly Zone in the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center is an alternative location to view Commencement via simulcast. It is intended especially for individuals with limited mobility, small children or special needs but available to everyone.
• Immediately following the Commencement ceremony, the UC Alumni Association will host a reception for all graduates and guests near the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center.
• A map of campus with details about the ceremony, parking, dining and more is available online.

JOIN IN WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Graduates and guests are encouraged to take part in an interactive social media component to the event. Video boards in the arena and a display in the alumni center will showcase messages of congratulations, encouragement and celebration posted on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, etc.) with the hashtag

#UCGrad14

during the ceremony.

WEBCAST VIEWING

For those not able to attend the ceremony, Commencement can be

viewed via webcast

.

UC GRADS GET JOBS

Data collected by UC’s

Career Development Center

in its spring 2013 Destination Report for bachelor’s degree students show that UC graduates transition well into the workforce.

• UC bachelor's degree graduates’ average starting salary was $45,511.
• 79 percent accepted a position related to their field of study.
• 62 percent participated in a co-op or internship before graduating.
• 75 percent who participated in a co-op or internship have full-time jobs after graduating.
• 80 Fortune 500 companies hired UC graduates.

GRADUATE PROFILES

Read in-depth about some of this year's graduates:

UC Blue Ash Nursing Student Earns Degree to Honor her Late Husband

Nursing Grad Had 'Amazing Journey' Not Without Struggle

CAHS Grad Completes Degree Wish ... After a 30-Year Gap

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Students were asked to share their graduation stories with the university. Here are excerpts from what some of the soon-to-be graduates had to say about their experiences:

• "Being a (Hughes Center High School) student, my school was across the street (from the University of Cincinnati campus). ... I am glad I chose UC because the faculty and staff are awesome. Throughout my graduate experience everyone was so helpful. .... There is no university like the University of Cincinnati!"
  Brittany Radford-Cutts, College of Allied Health Sciences
  
  
• "I chose UC two years ago to get my master's degree in nursing because of UC's academic reputation and the flexibility of online curriculum. ... After so many obstacles, graduation is in sight! ... You can actually achieve anything you put your mind to and are willing to work hard enough for. I've learned that I'm a stronger person than I imagined, and I've been amazed with the amount of people who believed in me long before I believed in myself. These life lessons are just as valuable as my degree."
  Heather Shoup, College of Nursing
  
  
• "I am a veteran of the U.S. Army ... and I am very proud of the work I have completed at UC Blue Ash while working and raising my two children."
  Jeanne Smith, UC Blue Ash
  
  
• "Last year, I decided that in addition to being a stay-at-home mom of four kids, I was going to be a full-time distance-learning student in the (criminal justice) graduate program. ... I've managed to maintain a high GPA and be inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma. ... I'm ready to walk across the stage on Aug. 9!"
  LeAnn Korth, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
  
  
• "I am the first in my family to earn a college degree. My wife, Darla, and our three daughters were tremendous supporters of my returning to college after nearly 20 years."
  Curtis Chandler, UC Clermont College

MORE TO LEARN

Further information is available

on the Commencement website.