Commencement '12

Download the ceremony program PDF

Undergraduate commencement information and schedule of events

Ohio Northern University will celebrate its 2012 undergraduate commencement ceremony in the ONU Sports Center on Sunday, May 13, 2012, at 2 p.m. Approximately 600 students will be awarded degrees. ONU alumnus Dr. Clayton L. Mathile, BA ’62, Hon. D. ’91, ACIT ’09, will deliver the commencement address. Megan Piersol, a senior history major from Warren, Ohio, will be the student speaker during the commencement ceremony.

Honorary Degrees

John H. Hull will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering. Hull graduated from Ohio Northern in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering before earning his master’s degree from Stanford University. After serving as president of Hull & Associates Inc. (a business he started) for more than 20 years, today Hull is the company’s chairman. He has been recognized by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers as a board certified environmental engineer. Hull has been appointed by three Ohio governors to serve more than 14 years as vice-chairman of the Ohio Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Fund. He also has served on several boards of nonprofit organizations, including Adopt America Network and Partners for Clean Streams. Currently, Hull is a member of several advisory boards, including the University of Findlay’s Center for Environmental Excellence, the University of Toledo’s Earth, Ecology and Environment Advisory Council, and the Notre Dame Academy Advisory Board.

An honorary doctorate of pharmacy will be presented to Lucinda L. Maine, executive vice president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Maine previously served as senior vice president for policy, planning and communications with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). She also served on the faculty at the University of Minnesota, where she practiced in the field of geriatrics and was an associate dean at its school of pharmacy. Maine’s past research includes projects on aging, pharmacy manpower and pharmacy-based immunizations. Prior to joining the APhA staff, she served as speaker of the APhA House of Delegates and as an APhA trustee. She currently serves as president of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions and as a board member for Research!America. Maine is a pharmacy graduate of Auburn University, and she received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

Robert C. Smith will receive a doctorate of business administration. Smith graduated from ONU in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting before earning a master’s degree from Duquesne University. Smith is an investment management expert with more than 35 years of experience in investing, finance, accounting and business management. Prior to joining Spero-Smith in 1993, he was chief investment officer of an investment advisory firm he co-founded in 1988. Smith has served on the ONU Board of Trustees since 1994, as vice chair of the Board from 2000 to 2005, and as chair of the Board of Trustees from 2005 to October 2011. He also is chairman of the Board of Trustees of ideastream, WVIZ/WCPN, the Public Broadcasting System television station and National Public Radio station serving the greater Cleveland, Ohio, area. The mayor of Cleveland and two Ohio governors have appointed Smith to positions of investment leadership for public entities. In both 2007 and 2009, the Ohio governor named him to the board of directors of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as an investment and securities expert. He also was appointed by the governor to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) as an investment expert; Smith chaired the investment committee and served on the OPERS board. Recently, Smith was named by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of northeast Ohio’s “difference makers.” He also received the first James F. Dicke College of Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Request to Guests

Commencement is a ceremonial occasion to honor graduates for their accomplishments. Guests are requested to refrain from any action that will detract from the dignity and pleasure of the occasion for all who attend.

Guests should be at the convocation center by 1:00 p.m. and in their seats by 1:30 p.m. They are requested to remain in their seats throughout the ceremony except when photographs are taken of a graduating student. Those with impairments or those who may not be able to remain in their seats throughout the ceremony should contact an usher for special seating upon entering the Field House.

Photographs

As the student receives his or her diploma, a photograph will be taken by a professional photographer and mailed to the graduate by the University. For those wishing to do so, there will be a reserved and marked area to the left of the stage to take photographs during the ceremony. Photographers are requested to use this area only, to come to the area about 20 names before the graduating student they wish to photograph, and to return to their seats immediately after the photograph is taken. Photographs may be taken on the platform following the convocation for those wishing to do so.

Housing

• The Inn at Ohio Northern University
  Overnight accommodations for guests of graduating students are available at The Inn at Ohio Northern University. The Inn is situated at the heart of the campus with easy access to McIntosh Center and the Sports Center. There are more than 70 deluxe guestrooms featuring one king-size or two queen-size beds. Reservations for commencement weekend can be made by calling The Inn directly at its toll-free number: 866-713-4513.

• On Campus
  Housing for guests of graduating students will be provided on campus in University residence halls. Some students will remain in the residence halls through commencement. Accom-modations will be available beginning at noon, Friday, May 11.  Room costs will be $25 per person each night.
  
  On-campus housing is being offered as a convenience to families and to provide accommodations at a lower cost than is commercially available in most cases. The rooms will have been recently vacated by students. They have two single beds that are comfortable and convenient. Occupants share a common bath.
  
  Guests desiring to stay in campus housing should return a reservation form to the Commencement Office, with payment for the accommodations requested. Special arrangements for housing needs can be made by writing to the Director of Residence Life or calling 419-772-2430 or 419-772-2431.

McIntosh Center Hours

• Desk
  Friday, May 11    8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  Saturday, May 12     8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  Sunday, May 13    7:30 - 5:00 p.m.

• Bookstore
  Friday, May 11    9:00 - 4:30 p.m.
  Saturday, May 12    10:00 - 2:00 p.m.
  Sunday, May 13    10:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Meals on Campus

• Northern on Main (Main Street adjacent to campus)
  Saturday 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
  Sunday 7:00 - 6:00 p.m.

• McIntosh Center Dining Room
  Saturday:
  Graduation Banquet 6:30 p.m.
  Adult $16.00
  Child, 10 & under $7.00
  
  Sunday:
  Continental Breakfast $6.50 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
  Brunch Buffet 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Adult $14.50
  Child, 10 & under $7.00 (Children 2 & under free)

The dining room will be open Friday for regular meal hours. Graduating students may take their meals at the dining room without charge, as guests of the University, during commencement weekend. Students with meal contracts may use their l.D. cards. Students without meal contracts may sign in the Dining Room for their meals.

Reservations for the Graduation Banquet should be made in advance. Tickets are required and should be obtained beforehand from the Commencement Office, telephone 419-772-2030.

Tickets for parents and others for the Brunch Buffet will be on sale at the door of the Dining Room  beginning at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, May 13.
All prices include Ohio Sales Tax.

Accommodations for Those With Special Needs

Parking for persons with special needs will be provided on the north side of the Sports Center. Special seating will be provided for those with physical impairments. Please contact an usher for assistance if needed.

Nursing Care for Commencement

A nurse will be available on Sunday, May 13, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., in the training room of the Sports Center. Ushers are available for assistance.

Parking for Commencement

Parking will be available in lots on the north side of the Sports Center and to the north of Meyer Hall as well as in perimeter parking lots. These areas may be reached by West Lincoln Avenue. Security personnel will be available for assistance.

Courtesy vans will provide transportation from McIntosh Center and perimeter parking lots to the Sports Center beginning at noon on Sunday, May 13.

Babysitting for Commencement

Babysitting and nursery services for pre-school children of guests will be provided from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., May 13, in the Sports Center.

Inclement Weather Schedule

In case of inclement weather, all activities will take place as scheduled.