Congratulations Graduates!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 2, at 6 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210.
For Master’s level, those who have graduated in Summer 2024, Autumn 2024, or will graduate Spring 2025 will be recognized during this ceremony and names will be printed in the program.
For Bachelor’s level, those who will be graduating Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Autumn 2025 will be recognized during this ceremony and names will be printed in the program.
Please note diplomas will be awarded to Spring 2025 graduates at Ohio State’s Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 4. Visit commencement.osu.edu for details.
About Evening of Recognition
Friday, May 2, 6 – 8 p.m.
Students must arrive between 4:30-5p and enter through the Southwest Rotunda. Only students may enter through this entrance.
- There is no storage for personal items at the Schottenstein Center. 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 5p 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.
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.
Registration
Please RSVP using this link. There are no RSVP requirements for your guests.
If you need accommodations, please indicate so in your RSVP form.
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. This does not need to be indicated ahead of time. If you have any questions, you can review the venue’s accessibility information here. 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.
You are welcome to also reach out directly to the Event Manager if you have any questions, prince.298@osu.edu.
Pre-Ceremony
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.
- 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 4
Information regarding Ohio State’s Autumn Commencement on Sunday, December 15 or Spring Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 4, 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. Please frequently check 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.