Congratulations Class of 2024!Evening of Recognition
WE ARE SOCIAL WORK. Go forth. Embrace Difference.
Seek Justice.
AMPLIFY. ADVOCATE. CHANGE.
Hosted by the College of Social Work, the Evening of Recognition is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of our graduation candidates who are earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from The Ohio State University. The Evening of Recognition will be held on Friday, May 3, at 6 p.m. in The Covelli Center, 2640 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus.
Please note diplomas will be awarded to Spring 2024 graduates at Ohio State’s Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 5.
About Evening of Recognition
Friday, May 3, 6 – 8 p.m.
The Covelli Center, 2640 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus
Doors open at 5 p.m.; event will begin at 6 p.m.
Guests will enter through the main entrance (southwest corner); Graduates will enter through the Jennings Entrance (southeast corner)
The Ohio State University’s Spring Commencement Ceremony is Sunday, May 5
NOTES:
Diplomas are not awarded at the college’s recognition event. Visit commencement.osu.edu for details – including where to pick up your diploma or how to request a mailing.
Read The Covelli Center’s bag policy below.
Registration
Please RSVP for yourself and the number of guests attending. All graduates must RSVP for the recognition event to reserve their seat.
There are no formal tickets required for this event. However, RSVPing with accurate numbers is required to ensure we are not going over venue capacity.
Note: It is strongly encouraged to limit your invitations to 6 guests per graduate to guarantee a comfortable experience for all attendees. If you need to invite more guests than 6, please indicate so in your RSVP and notify Regina Prince at prince.298@osu.edu.
Pre-Ceremony
All graduates are encouraged to attend rehearsal.
- Rehearsal will take place Thursday, May 2 from 1:30-3 p.m. at The Covelli Center.
- Please enter through the Jennings Entrance. You do not need to bring your regalia for rehearsal.
Graduates should arrive between 4:30-5 p.m. on Friday, May 3 at The Covelli Center. Enter through the Jennings Entrance (southeast corner).
- There is no storage for personal items at The Covelli Center. Please limit your items or keep them with your guests so that your hands are free as you walk across the stage.
All graduation candidates will wear proper academic regalia.
- Undergraduate and master’s caps, hoods and gowns may be purchased from the Ohio State Bookstore (Barnes & Noble: 1598 N. High St.).
- PhD caps, hoods and gowns may be purchased or rented at Ohio State Bookstores only.
- BSSW graduates wear a citron tassel, MSW graduates wear a black tassel, and PhD graduates wear gray.
- BSSW graduates will receive their Latin Honors cords at rehearsal or at the event.
- MSW graduates will be hooded on stage.
- PhD graduates will be hooded on stage.
During the Ceremony
The College of Social Work will live stream the ceremony for family members unable to attend in person. More information on the live stream will be provided closer to the ceremony.
Graduate names will be announced as they cross the stage. MSW students will be “hooded” on stage.
Names will be called according to where graduates are seated, not alphabetically.
The auditorium is wheelchair accessible, but please indicate if you will need accessible seating when you RSVP.
Guests should remain seated until after the graduates process out of The Covelli Center.
Photography
A professional photographer will take your picture for purchase. Everyone will be photographed.
Proofs can be ordered online within a few days of the ceremony. You will complete a “Reader Card” at the Evening of Recognition with your email address and mailing address. Providing this information is voluntary.
Parking
Graduates and their guests can access parking in the lot directly across from The Covelli Center from 4 – 7 p.m.
There is a flat fee of $10 per car; prepayment with credit card only
Post-Ceremony–Dinner and Hotel Planning
Due to numerous university, college and organizational events and activities scheduled throughout the weekend, we encourage you and your guests to secure dining reservations and hotel accommodations prior to or following the Evening of Recognition if desired. Water stations will be set up in The Covelli Center; no pre- or post-ceremony event is being planned by the college.
Bag Policy and Venue Information
The Covelli Center is an Athletics Facility and all guests must adhere to policies and procedures.
Bags or purses of any size are NOT permitted into the facilities. Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5”x8”x1” are permitted. All items and persons entering our facilities are subject to security screening and inspection.
Guests entering with medical, dietary or childcare needs may bring a bag approximately 14″x14″x4″ with necessary belongings. These bags are subject to security screening and inspection.
For more information about required policies, accommodations and more, please visit the Ohio State Athletics Facilities Policies website.
The Ohio State University Spring Commencement Ceremony – May 5
Information regarding Ohio State’s Spring Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 5, can be found at commencement.osu.edu
You will find ceremony details, parking recommendations and FAQs – including where to pick up your diploma or how to request a mailing if you’re unable to attend.
Please regularly check this website for updates. Please frequently check your OSU.edu account for emails and newsletters sent by your Academic Program Offices who will be communicating updates consistently.
For questions not addressed on this website or provided by the Academic Program Offices, please contact Regina Prince, event coordinator.