Ohio Northern University officially welcomed approximately 740 new alumni during its 2026 Commencement ceremonies, May 16-17.
Across three distinct ceremonies, the atmosphere was joyful, as family and friends gathered to watch their student receive their diploma and embark on the next chapter.
ONU graduates continue to prove that an ONU education is a premier investment. Following in the footsteps of the Class of 2025, which achieved an impressive 95% placement rate within six months of graduation, the Class of 2026 enters the workforce or graduate school with a competitive edge. They are “job-ready” innovators and leaders ready to make a mark on the world.
Representing their class, student speakers shared insights during the ceremonies: Adam L. Myers, JD ’26, College of Law; Samantha McCord, PharmD ’26, College of Pharmacy; and Savanna Robinson, BS ’26, College of Arts & Sciences.
The University also conferred three honorary doctorates. Each recipient also served as a featured speaker, offering advice and words of encouragement to the graduating class.
Pettit College of Law ceremony, Saturday, May 16
Barbara J. Howard, Hon.D. ’26, Ohio attorney and president-elect of the American Bar Association, told graduates they were entering the legal profession at a “most exciting, yet daunting time” with the rise of AI and the threats to democratic norms.
She reminded them of their professional obligations and the importance of speaking out because “silence is complicity.” “We as lawyers are both uniquely situated and obliged to do all we can to uphold the Rule of Law, to ensure that our democracy endures, and that our Constitutional protections are a reality for all,” she said.
She also encouraged students to embrace their new careers; be active in bar associations; and “work hard to build a great reputation, then guard it dearly. It will be with you the rest of your life.”
Raabe College of Pharmacy ceremony, Sunday, May 17
Dr. Vincent Mauro, BSPh ’82, Hon.D. ’26, professor emeritus of pharmacy at the University of Toledo, reminded graduates of the ever-evolving nature of their profession: “Your education will never end.”
He encouraged the new pharmacists to “treat all your patients, regardless of who they are—family, friend, or stranger—with the same great care and empathy.”
Pharmacists must also strive to reduce Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) which are a leading cause of death in the U.S., he advised.
“I challenge you to be a ruthless, unrelenting DRP hunter,” he said. “Seek out inappropriate use of medications, look for inappropriate dosing, identify drug interactions, and constantly ask yourself – ‘if something weird is going on, can a drug be causing it?’”
Undergraduate & MSA (Master of Science in Accounting) ceremony, May 17
Captain Barbara Bowyer, BA ’76, Hon.D. ’26, a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated over 30 years to military service and national intelligence, offered the graduates four “superhero” truths.
The first truth: “you have more courage than you think.”
The second truth: “you have more allies that you realize.” Graduating from a small university, she explained, meant they built strong relationships. “In a world that is getting faster, more fragmented, and more anonymous, your ability to be present with people is one of the most valuable things you own.”
The third truth she presented was to “offer yourself and others grace” and practice gratitude and kindness.
And the fourth and most important truth to remember, she said, is that victories rarely happen alone. “Stay connected to the people who helped you reach this moment—family, mentors, friends, professors, and the communities you’ll build next, because the most meaningful achievements in life are rarely solo missions.”