As loved ones looked on, more than 1,700 Ohio State students received their diplomas Friday morning during autumn quarter commencement at St. John Arena.
OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan, who presided over the ceremony, expressed his deep admiration and excitement to the new graduates.
“As I stand here on this highly anticipated morning, I have the privilege of looking out on 1,700 of the smartest, most creative, most engaging students ever to graduate from the Ohio State University,” Kirwan said. “What a beautiful sight.”
“This is indeed a great day in your life, as your friends and family join you here to celebrate your achievement. All of us are so very proud of you,” he added.
Kenneth Lee, professor and chair of food science and technology, had the honor of addressing the graduates at the university’s 358th commencement. Lee, who is a nationally recognized scholar in the field of food processing, spoke of the support the new graduates will soon realize as they join the ever-growing network of OSU faculty, alumni and supporters.
“The power you have now is quite extraordinary,” Lee said. “It comes from people who know staying connected to our tree of Buckeyes is priceless – our branches spread worldwide and connect every field of endeavor.”
Noting that their education empowered them, Lee added, “You are ready to, as the poet Maya Angelou urges, take life by the lapels and say to it, ‘I’m with you kid, lets go,'”
By joining the Buckeye tree, Lee also told the graduates they must connect themselves to new multicultural and diverse backgrounds. As an example, he paralleled the current negative emotions often directed towards Islamic or Middle Eastern individuals in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to the anti-Asian prejudices experienced by he and his family only years ago.
Lee spoke of a personal incident during the time of the Vietnam War where he was assaulted by a drunken man calling him a “gook” on a New York subway platform. A few decades earlier during World War II, Lee said his father, despite being a U.S. citizen and a Fordham University graduate, could not find any type of employment except owning a Chinese laundromat.
While diverse people and perspectives are more valued today, Lee said the graduates must continue the progress and strive to prevent such ignorance.
“I ask for your help in making this great nation a safe place to be different,” Lee said. “Educated people realize that where your ancestors were born does not make you the enemy.”
“Diversity is a solution. It is a strength,” Lee noted.
After the address, in typical OSU tradition, each graduate was presented with a personalized diploma from his or her college dean. The ceremony ended with the singing of the university’s alma mater, “Carmen Ohio.”
