Skip to main content

Evening of Recognition

Amplify. Advocate. Change.
A graduate in a cap and gown shakes hands with a faculty member during a ceremony, with a crowded auditorium in the background.

Congratulations Graduates!

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 8, at 6 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210.

Any graduate who attends Evening of Recognition will be recognized as they walk across the stage.

Please note diplomas will be awarded to Spring 2025 graduates at Ohio State’s Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 10. Visit commencement.osu.edu for details.

For Master’s Level

For Master’s level, the names of those who have graduated in Summer 2025, Autumn 2025, or will graduate Spring 2026 will be printed in the program. Due to the process at the University graduate level, the College of Social Work is unable to print names in the program of students who will be graduating in future semesters. Names of MSW graduating students in SU26, AU26 will be printed in EOR 2027.

For Bachelor’s Level

Those who will be graduating Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Autumn 2026 will be recognized during this ceremony and names will be printed in the program.

All students!

Please review this recorded video to prepare for the event. If you have previously attended EOR, we still recommend you review the recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f76dkvC3ZbM

Live Stream

For those who are unable to attend in person, a live streaming option available here:

Direct link to live stream: https://vimeo.com/event/5911873/a87fb9980f

A graduation ceremony with a speaker at a podium and faculty members seated on stage, surrounded by students in caps and gowns.

About Evening of Recognition

Students must arrive between 4:30-5 p.m. and enter through the Southwest Rotunda. Only students may enter through this entrance.

  • There is no storage for personal items at the Schottenstein Cener. Please limit your items or keep them with your guests so that your hands are free as you walk across the stage.

Doors open for guests at 4:30 p.m. and must enter through the Northwest Rotunda. Guests can also use the Northeast Rotunda for entrance as well.

  • Please review the Schottenstein bag policy below.
Aerial view of The Schottenstein Center with labeled guest and student entrances.

Parking is free for commencement weekend, and parking passes are not required. Gray Lots 3-7 and Scarlet 3-5 are available for parking near the Schottenstein Center. Scarlet 1 and 2 have accessible parking.

For a larger parking map, please visit CampusParc’s website.

People in academic regalia applauding near a table with yellow flowers.

Accessibility

Live Captioning Update

Due to an unscheduled video/electronic maintenance repair at the Schottenstein Center, live captioning will ONLY be available to guests in Sections 124 and 131. Live captioning for students will be available on the BSSW (north side) with best viewing in the first three rows. This image identifies where live captioning will be located in the arena.

This image is a seating chart for an arena or auditorium event, likely a graduation or commencement ceremony

  • BSSW Students: when lining up, please indicate your need for live captioning to ensure proper seating.
  • MSW Students: you should be able to view the live captioning from your seating section, however, please see a staff member to request sitting on the BSSW side if desired.

*Please note, the live captioning locations are subject to change by the venue and our staff will work diligently to accommodate all who need live captioning . We apologize in advance for this change.

Both the live stream and venue will provide live captioning throughout the entire ceremony.

If your guests require accommodations for seating, the venue will provide this on site when your guests enter. They will be greeted by Red Coats who will meet their seating needs.

Your guests accommodations do not need to be indicated ahead of time. If you have any questions, review the venue’s accessibility information. Depending on the specific accommodation, your guests do NOT need to fill out any forms, but you can contact the venue if you have any questions.

If you require accommodations for seating or any other needs, please indicate so when RSVPing.

A graduate receives a ceremonial hood from a faculty member at a graduation ceremony.

Registration

Please RSVP for yourself using this link to secure a seat. There is no registration for any guests; all are welcome!

RSVP

Pre-Ceremony

The event manager will provide a recorded video presentation regarding the ceremony in place of an in-person rehearsal. This will cover FAQs and provide an overview of the programming. Please check this website closer to the EOR date.

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 Stillman Hall weeks before EOR or at the event.
  • Students are welcome to wear additional stoles and chords with their regalia.

During the Ceremony

  • The College of Social Work will live stream the ceremony for family members unable to attend in person, please see the link provided above.
  • Graduate names will be announced as they cross the stage. MSW and PhD 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 venue.

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 venue; no pre- or post-ceremony event is being planned by the college.

Graduate on stage raising arms during a ceremony, with audience in the background.

Photography

A professional photographer will take your picture for purchase. Everyone will be photographed.

Proofs can be ordered online typically within a week of the ceremony. Students will complete a “Reader Card” at the Evening of Recognition with your email address and mailing address. Providing this information is voluntary.

Students will receive an email directly from GradImages. It is crucial you check to make sure all information provided to the company is correct and legible.

If you do not receive your images or have any issues or concerns, you can reach out to them directly at 800-261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

The Ohio State University Bookstore offers a College of Social Work diploma frame that features a cherry finish frame, color medallion of university seal, red and black mats, and silver beaded detail. If you’d like to learn more or make a purchase, visitThe Ohio State University Bookstore offers a College of Social Work diploma frame that features a cherry finish frame, color medallion of university seal, red and black mats, and silver beaded detail. If you’d like to learn more or make a purchase, visit Barnes & Nobles.

Framed Ohio State University diploma with College of Social Work inscription.

Bag Policy and Venue Information

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 10

Information regarding Ohio State’s Spring Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 10, can be found at commencement.osu.edu. If you are requesting your diploma as you will not be attending commencement, please visit this webpage.

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 as well as your Buckeyemail.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 manager.