The class of 2001 made their mark as they received their diplomas at Ohio State’s 356th Spring Commencement the morning of June 8 on the Oval. Comedian Bill Cosby gave the commencement speech to a total of 5,789 graduates including former Ohio State athletes Eddie George and Scoonie Penn.
“It is a glorious day for a graduation,” said Richard A. Hollingsworth, special assistant for Housing, Food Services and Event Centers, as he welcomed the graduates and their friends and family.
Cosby encouraged the graduates to go out into the real world and start working.
“It is all right to take any job and then quit if you don’t like it. But you got to get out and begin to work,” Cosby said.
He also told the graduates that when they do find a real job, they should take the time to listen to those who have worked at the job for some time.
“I want you to go to the janitor, to the lady cleaning out the trash, the men and the women that you don’t see. Take one or two of them and say, ‘Tell me about this place. What is real, what isn’t?’ You’ll get an awful lot of information,” Cosby said.
He also told the graduates to remember their parents because they are older and have a sense of integrity.
“I want you to fall in love with your parents. Fall in love with integrity. And from my experience as a father and as a child, I want you to fall in love with being honest with them,” Cosby said.
There was a feeling of pride and accomplishment that exuded from the graduates as they received their diplomas.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Becky Ribich, a graduate in nursing.
Some graduates chose to decorate their caps to standout for the occasion.
“It’s a Jell-O box for Bill Cosby,” said Ryan Holdren, communications and public relations major.
