Get Details on UC's Summer Commencement Aug. 8

The University of Cincinnati will confer degrees to more than 2,100 students at its August Commencement set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Fifth Third Arena

UC President Santa J. Ono will lead the event, which will include undergraduate and graduate students. A free reception for all graduates and guests will be held immediately following the ceremony at the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center.

UC will bestow one of its highest honors, the President’s Award for Excellence, to Kristi Nelson, who retired this year as the university's 15-year senior vice provost for Academic Affairs.  Nelson, who was named a professor emeritus of art history, came to UC in 1979 and has served in various roles as professor, interim dean of McMicken College of Arts & Sciences and vice provost of faculty relations, among other positions.    

The ceremony will be streamed online

here

. Graduates and guests are encouraged to take part in sharing the event on social media using #UCGrad15.

ABOUT THE GRADUATES

The August 2015 graduating class of 2,117 students hails from 48 states and 40 countries. Nearly half of the graduates will earn master’s degrees, and 163 students, doctorate degrees.

More than 55 percent of students will receive degrees in the science, technology, engineering, math or medical fields, with 11 students earning dual degrees.  

Women comprise nearly 60 percent of the class. The average age for undergraduate students is 28 and graduate students, 30, with the youngest overall graduating student 18 and the oldest, 69. 

Numbers of those receiving Latin honors: summa cum laude (grade point average between 3.9 and a perfect 4.0) 23; magna cum laude (GPA between 3.75 and 3.8999) 46; cum laude (GPA between 3.6 and 3.74999) 55.

CEREMONY DETAILS

•    Doors to the arena open at 8 a.m.

•    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 is available to everyone.

•    A

map of campus with details

about the ceremony, parking, dining and more is available online.

GETTING TO UC

•    Details on

how to get to UC.

•    Parking is free in

all West Campus garages

on that morning.

•    When parking, be aware that

Jefferson Avenue will be closed near campus

for another non-UC event.  West University Avenue and Corry Boulevard will remain open. 

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:

“I came to UC from Northern Virginia, knowing no one. By joining a sorority, Chi Omega, and becoming involved through my major, I made my own wealth of friends I can consider my family. The loyalty of my friends became immensely important to me with the passing of my father fall semester, my senior year.  …I am disheartened that my father will not be able to witness my college graduation, but I know that he would be very proud of all of my accomplishments.”

Amanda Sachs, College of Allied Health Services

“Over the years I worked hard to overcome personal challenges, such as feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence. I have often thought that I was ‘pushing it’ to think that I could actually receive a master’s degree to become a family nurse practitioner. I made it with a lot of prayer and support from my husband, family, classmates and professors.”

Alisha Hopkins, College of Nursing

“It has always been a dream of mine to be a UC Bearcat, and a bucket list item to graduate with a degree. It was not easy going to school part-time while working a demanding full-time job, but with the help of family, I did it! Going to UC was a worthwhile experience that I will always treasure!”

Juanita Lovins-Hottle, UC Blue Ash College

“The online Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders program allowed me to reach my dreams of being an SLP and most importantly, a mother. Because of this program I was able to go to school while navigating the foster-to-adopt process to become first-time parents of our then 4.5-year-old little girl. I would not have been able to manage home visits, doctor’s appointments and had the time I needed to bond with our daughter were it not for this program and the ability to be a midnight scholar.”

Meredith Dunham, College of Allied Health Services

MORE TO LEARN

Further information is available on the

Commencement website

.