More than 780 graduates received degrees during Spring 2008 Commencement Saturday, May 3, at The University of Findlay.

Click here to visit the University’s Picasa Web album. Anyone can view, download and print photos from the site. You’ll find three albums with pre-ceremony, ceremony and arch ceremony pictures. Click on the album cover to view all of the photos in the album.

Click here to read a list of students who were expected to receive degrees.

A baccalaureate service started the day, with graduating seniors Emily Wisbar, Katie Hause, Joshua Niese and William Miller III leading portions of the service. Pastor Will Miller, director of Christian ministries, delivered the message.

Graduates and their families gathered in the Ritz Auditorium in Old Main for the traditional baccalaureate service.

The commencement brunch gave seniors and their family and friends an opportunity to enjoy time together prior to the ceremony. Approximately 800 people attended the brunch.

Approximately 800 people enjoyed brunch in the Alumni Memorial Union.

Jeremy Brown snaps a photo of Heather Speicher, Jen Westhoven and Jennifer MacDonald during line-up.	Kim Haddix gets some help putting on her master’s degree hood.
Two grads give their feet a break while waiting for the processional to begin.	Kelly Lynn Vereker, an ESOH graduate, shows off her custom graduation cap.
Ashley Taylor, right, poses with a friend for a quick picture before the ceremony.	Pete Dalpiaz, center, Brittany Davis, right, and fellow graduates wait for their classmates to file in.

At 1:45 p.m., the processional into the Koehler Complex began, with graduates walking into a packed house. Faculty, staff, friends and family proudly watched as the graduates marched in and took their seats.

Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court Thomas J. Moyer gave the commencement address. “Looking out in the audience, I can see all the cameras. Take those pictures and capture all the smiles,” he said. “But remember, this is more than a Kodak moment – maybe with today’s technology I should say this is a YouTube moment.”

He encouraged graduates to participate in civic society and fully participate as Americans. Moyer also encouraged graduates to take the risk to become involved in a political campaign for a ballot issue or a candidate. “Speak up. Take action. Challenge a meaningless convention at the risk of being embarrassed. And remember, you don’t have to be James Madison, Martin Luther King or a war hero to say, ‘Here am I.’”

Click here to read the full text of Moyer’s remarks.

Mariann Dana Younger was honored during the ceremony with an honorary doctor of fine art degree. Click here to read more about Younger.

Mariann Dana Younger receives a doctoral hood from Dr. Daniel May and Dr. C. Richard Beckett.	Dee Dee Spraw, director of alumni and parent relations, hands Kendra Agee, the first graduate to walk across the stage, an alumni pin.

Following the ceremony, the faculty processional led the graduates to the front lawn for the traditional march through the Griffith Memorial Arch, where those who didn’t mind a little rain participated in one of Findlay’s longest held traditions.

The faculty processional lines up for a wet Arch Ceremony.

An MBA graduate proudly walks toward the arch, despite the rain.	A new graduate welcomes the next phase of his life.
A master’s degree graduate makes her way to the arch as faculty applaud.	The rain paused long enough for Nada Ahmed Alhusayni, MBA graduate, to get a few pictures.

Just before their freshman year, students marched in through the arch to signify their beginning at Findlay as they were greeted by the faculty.

During their undergraduate years, students were careful not to walk through the arch until graduation in homage to the light-hearted superstition that those who go through sooner wouldn’t make it to graduation. After commencement, the graduates marked the completion of their time at UF by marching out through the arch as they were applauded by the faculty who were lined up on both sides.

Click here to read more about campus traditions.

Click here if you are interested in alumni activities.