Biggest crowd for the biggest graduation

Biggest crowd for the biggest graduation

Record spring commencement draws largest crowd in UC history

The University of Cincinnati celebrated a record graduating class and the city's biggest-ever commencement in four ceremonies at Fifth Third Arena and Nippert Stadium.

UC recognized 7,836 graduates earning 7,967 degrees, according to preliminary numbers from UC's Office of Institutional Research. Some graduates earned multiple degrees.

Among those recognized was Lindner College of Business graduate Jenice Mario, who delivered the student address at the Master's Recognition Ceremony.

"The University of Cincinnati didn't just teach us concepts. It challenged how we think. It pushed us to ask better questions and called us into leadership, even when it wasn't easy," Mario said.

"Bearcats, this is who we are now. We are problem solvers. We are leaders. We are people who don't wait for change; we create it."

Pinto recognized the 247 student veterans or dependents of veterans among the graduating class. He also paid tribute to students graduating through UC's Joint Co-op Institute, which allows students from China to earn dual degrees from UC and Chongqing University.

"Graduates, your work reflects the broader mission of this university: individuals who can think critically, apply knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society," Pinto said. "The true value of your education will be reflected in your ability to listen, to collaborate and to lead with integrity."

Miss the ceremony? Watch it here.

Students toss their caps in the air at the conclusion of commencement at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

Record graduating class by the numbers

UC awarded 599 associate degrees; 5,052 bachelor's degrees; 1,790 master's degrees; 238 doctoral degrees and 288 professional degrees. About 46% of degrees are in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math or medicine.

Students in this record graduating class at UC hailed from 80 countries on six of the seven continents, as far away as Australia and Malaysia, and 49 states. But two-thirds of graduates are from Ohio, representing 81 of its 88 counties.

Seth Engelhardt, UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business graduate

The youngest grad, earning an associate degree, is 17; the oldest, earning a bachelor's degree, is 69. About 17% of graduates are first-generation college students. And 229 students graduated from Cincinnati Public Schools.

Pinto recognized three students with the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence, given to students who exemplify scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the university. Pinto singled out UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning graduate Varsha Vinod, UC College of Medicine and UC College of Arts and Sciences graduate Rosalyn Davis and UC College of Medicine graduate Advika Sumit.

UC President Neville Pinto, left, and Board of Trustees Chairman Greg Hartmann awarded an honorary degree to UC alumna E. Jean Savage during commencement at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

Honorary degree recognizes engineering alumna and CEO

The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees awarded an honorary doctor of engineering to UC alumna E. Jean Savage, chief executive officer and president of the publicly traded company Trinity Industries.

Previously, Savage served in numerous senior leadership positions at Caterpillar, Inc. She is a member of the WestRock Board of Directors and serves on the boards of trade groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

Savage earned a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering from UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science and a master's degree from the University of Dayton before working for nine years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.

"Your distinguished career as an engineer, veteran and chief executive has strengthened the industries that power our nation," Pinto said. "Jean Savage, your life's work reflects the very best of what the University of Cincinnati stands for: curiosity, resilience and transformative impact."

Lindner College of Business graduate Seth Engelhardt delivers the student commencement address during the morning ceremony Friday at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

Student speakers challenge classmates to lead and serve

UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business graduate Seth Engelhardt delivered the undergraduate student address at the morning ceremony Friday. The operations management major came to UC for its nationally renowned co-op program. And Engelhardt made the most of it, getting a job offer from one of his co-op employers, GE Aerospace.

"Now that college is over, what are you going to chase next?" Engelhardt asked his class of 2026 peers, mentioning financial success, career advancement and family.

Engelhardt urged his peers to make service a part of their futures.

"UC's mission written into the foundation of this institution is to serve the people of Ohio, the nation and the world. Not to accumulate, not to achieve, but to serve," he said. "Serving a greater mission beyond ourselves is how we can shine bright."

Engelhardt has a lot to celebrate. His fiancée, UC College of Nursing student Elizabeth Keith, is also graduating this week. The couple are getting married next month.

In his address to doctoral students, UC College of Nursing graduate Matthew Depenbrock noted that the path to a doctoral degree starts with a common notion: should I take my education further?

"We imagine the discoveries we'll make; the impact we'll have," he said. "What nobody tells you is how much courage it takes to get from that moment to this one."

UC students didn't let a little rain dampen their spirits during spring commencement at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

First-generation and nontraditional graduates overcome obstacles

Every student faces unique challenges to reach the commencement stage. That was true for UC College of Arts and Sciences graduate Markeisha Davis, a psychology major from Cincinnati.

Davis is a single mother of two boys, 6-year-old Michael who wants to be a teacher and 10-year-old Jahleel who is into every sport. She has been dealing with serious health issues that put her in the hospital.

There were times when she wanted to quit her studies. The demands of pursuing a bachelor's degree on top of raising a family and supporting her own health felt overwhelming at times.

Some UC students took portraits with their families at the newly reinstalled Fighting Bearcat sculpture. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

"When you become a mom, that's a priority for you. So everything gets put on the back-burner, including education," she said. "And that limits you, because how can I further my career without education?"

But Davis did what she could when she could and kept at her studies around her doctors' visits and parenting duties.

UC recognized graduates from 48 states and 80 countries during spring commencement. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

A graduate accepts a congratulatory high-five on the field at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

UC celebrated commencement with four ceremonies over two days. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students took the stage at Nippert Stadium to be recognized during spring commencement at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students gathered at Fifth Third Arena for the Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition ceremonies. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students were all smiles during spring commencement. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

A student accepts congratulations on stage at Fifth Third Arena during the Master's Recognition ceremony. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

Thousands of spectators attended two undergraduate ceremonies at Nippert Stadium on Friday. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

Students decorated their mortarboards for the occasion. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand

UC celebrated its largest-ever spring graduating class with four commencement ceremonies. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students decorated their mortarboards for the occasion. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

UC President Neville Pinto presides over the morning commencement ceremony at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students celebrate at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Jenna Adkins-Manuel/UC Marketing + Brand

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