<p>Went to S’s graduation this past weekend @ OSU. It was the first time I had seen the campus, and yes it is big-- like a town itself. All types of architecture from stone buildings built in the 1800s to brick towers, but not too urban looking. Lots of big old trees, a pond with a fountain and ducks, stonewalls, lawns and benches. </p>
<p>S missed the graduation rehersal so we didn’t know what to expect. They have graduations every quarter. Over 7900 students graduated this quarter, but 6000 showed up for the ceremony. They only read the phDs names along with their advisor’s names. They didn’t even read the MDs names. The different schools were told to stand up in a group and then they were applauded. The school of arts & sciences all stood up together, BS and MS. </p>
<p>If you go during the summer, bring water bottles and come early to find a seat under an overhang to stay in the shade. Don’t worry about finding a seat close because there are so many graduating chances are you won’t find your student anyhow.</p>
<p>Most colleges aren't in the business of reading names at graduation, not even smaller, elite schools like Harvard.</p>
<p>Most students that attend Ohio State look forward to graduating Spring Quarter as the culmination of their four years at OSU. I didn't particpate in commencement exercises because I thought I was going to get a personalized graduation ceremony like in high school, but I participated because I was getting a degree in front of 50,000 people and nearly 8000 of my peers in the greatest venue in the world on a BEAUTIFUL sunny day in Columbus.</p>
<p>I was able to find my parents in the crowd (they snapped a few really good pictures of me receiving my degree) and they enjoyed seeing the hooplah that comes with an Ohio State graduation. Think about it, there were over 6000 people on the field Sunday each receiving their OWN degree, with their name on it and everything directly from the dean of their college. Just to put that in perspective with some of our academic rivals, University of Michigan has a commencement ceremony, and then the degrees are mailed to the student later in the month. Ohio University (who graduated just 3000 this past quarter), has two separate graduation ceremonies for undergraduates...degrees are mailed to them 8 weeks later. </p>
<p>The sheer coordination and logistics that goes into something like the Ohio State commencement ceremony is incredible. Not to mention we got to hear from the outgoing president of the university, a two-time Heisman trophy winner, and the 42nd President of the United States. And at the end of the day, I graduated in Ohio Stadium with my degree in my hand from the largest institution in country.</p>
<p>Getting a personalized diploma right away was very nice. They could've reduced the honorary degrees and speeches presenting them though. </p>
<p>Being from upstate NY, the one thing we all noticed was at 9 pm in Columbus it was light out like at 7 pm in NY. High Street was fun in the evening with the different restaurants. S said the winters aren't nearly as bad as in NY- said he hardly needed his heavy winter coat. </p>
<p>We walked and walked since S said parking was difficult at campus. His apartment was about 30 min walk to the campus and we passed dozens of frat & sorority houses on the way. The architecture of some of these houses was amazing. He said he usually catches a bus, but they weren't running because the quarter was over. S really enjoyed going to OSU and would've liked to worked in Columbus, but got a job OOS.</p>