Ohio Northern University celebrated Commencement 2024 the weekend of May 18-19 with three ceremonies: the College of Law ceremony held on Saturday, and the College of Pharmacy and Undergraduate/MSA ceremonies held on Sunday.
ONU’s first commencement took place in 1874, making 2024 the 150th year of the University launching well-prepared graduates into the workforce.
Approximately 678 individuals completed their degree programs at ONU during the 2023-24 academic year. The majority already have jobs lined up or have been accepted into graduate school programs. Every year, ONU graduates have exceptionally high placement rates; last year’s 2023 graduates had a 96 percent placement rate within six months of graduation.
During ONU’s weekend ceremonies, the University awarded four honorary doctorates. James Halderman, BSEd ’68, Hon.D. ’24, educator and entrepreneur, received a Doctor of Humane Letters.
Three honorary doctorate recipients also served as featured speakers and shared words of wisdom with graduates.
Pettit College of Law ceremony
The Honorable Stephanie L. Haines, JD ’95, Hon.D. ’24, U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, spoke at the College of Law ceremony.
“ALWAYS keep your eyes, ears, mind, and heart open to unforeseen and unanticipated opportunities,” she advised, noting that she was inspired to join the military after an ONU Law presentation she hadn’t wanted to attend.
She shared 10 principles that have guided her career and told the law graduates: “Your time at ONU has prepared and equipped each of you with academic tools to BE a lawyer. Your conscience, your courage, and your character will guide and direct you to SUCCEED as a lawyer.”
Raabe College of Pharmacy ceremony
Dr. Patrick Garman, BSPh ’91, Hon.D. ’24, spoke at the College of Pharmacy ceremony. He spent over 29 years in the U.S. Army where he achieved more with a pharmacy degree in the military than any pharmacy officer who came before him. After retiring at the rank of full Colonel, he accepted a position in Pfizer Inc.’s Vaccines Medical Affairs Division, currently serving as senior director and team leader for the Western U.S.
The opportunity to address the graduating class at his alma mater, said Garman, “is one of the great honors of my life and meaningful beyond words.”
In his speech, he noted that every ONU pharmacy graduate is already a leader, having developed skills in self-discipline, accountability, and service, during their time at ONU. These three attributes, he added, are necessary to lead effectively.
He told the assembled graduates to accept the call to lead.
“Your College of Pharmacy has a tradition of being influential in helping to lead at the state and national level for both the profession of pharmacy and the larger American medical system.”
Undergraduate & MSA (Master of Science in Accounting) ceremony
Bishop Gregory Palmer, Hon.D. ’24, of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, spoke at the Undergraduate & MSA ceremony. He’s served the church for 46 years.
He reminded student to make gratitude a hallmark of their way of being in the world. But most importantly, he urged them to find the central question of their life.
“How will you live your life?” he asked. “What will add value to your life, what will contribute to the common good?”
He urged students to build community with others, a community where relationships aren’t superficial, where truth reigns, where people can learn from one another and not “cancel” those with whom they disagree.
A sign of resiliency of a community, he said, is a “widening of the circle of table of people brought in connection with others.”