Breaking: 42 Ohio State Student-Athletes Set to Gather Degrees at Autumn Commencement
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: 42 Ohio State Student-Athletes Set to Gather Degrees at Autumn Commencement
- 2. Notable Graduates
- 3. At a Glance: key Details
- 4. Why This Matters Now
- 5. Ment programme released by the Ohio State Office of Student Affairs (December 2025).
- 6. Who Walked the Stage?
- 7. Why the athlete Graduation Matters
- 8. Academic Paths Chosen by the 2025 Buckeye Athletes
- 9. practical Tips for Student‑Athletes Approaching Graduation
- 10. Highlights from the Ceremony
- 11. Post‑Commencement Impact on ohio State Athletics
- 12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 13. fast Reference: Key Stats from the 2025 Autumn Commencement
Columbus, Ohio – the autumn commencement at The Ohio State University will honor 42 current and former student-athletes as they recieve their degrees. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center.
This cohort features All-Americans, conference and national champions, record-setters, and competitors who have gone on to professional leagues. Hear is a look at the standout graduates from this year’s class.
Notable Graduates
- Ten football players are earning degrees, including five regulars: defensive end Caden Curry, cornerback Davison Igbinosun, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, defensive tackle Tywone Malone, and linebacker Sonny Styles. They are joined by specialists Jayden Fielding (kicker) and John Ferlmann (long snapper).
- Molly Pritchard, a 2025 all-American in women’s soccer, helped the team reach its third Elite Eight appearance. She ends her career with a program-record 32 shutouts.
- Bruce Thornton, a senior on the men’s basketball team, becomes the program’s first four-time captain. He is climbing the all-time scoring list and could become Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer during the season.
- Ronnie Dawson completed his degree through the athletics department’s degree completion program. He was instrumental in Ohio State’s 2016 Big Ten title and NCAA tournament run, earned Freshman All-America honors, and was a First-Team All-Big ten selection along with the big Ten Tournament MVP that year. Dawson later was selected in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros and made his major league debut on April 14, 2021.
- Audrey DeSantis and akemi Von Scherr from women’s cross country were part of a program that earned an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Championships; Von Scherr added All-Great Lakes Region honors in 2024.
- Zach Antoniou, Ben Mayer, and Jack McKenna were members of the Buckeyes’ 2025 Big Ten regular-season and tournament champion men’s lacrosse squad.
At a Glance: key Details
| Name | Sport | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Caden Curry | Football | Defensive end; one of ten football graduates this term, among five starters |
| Davison Igbinosun | Football | Cornerback; part of the five starting defenders among the football cohort |
| Kenyatta Jackson | Football | Defensive end; starter in the graduating group |
| Tywone Malone | Football | Defensive tackle; one of the five starting defenders |
| Sonny Styles | Football | Linebacker; starter among the graduating defenders |
| Jayden Fielding | Football | Kicker; specialist graduate |
| John Ferlmann | Football | Long snapper; specialist graduate |
| Molly Pritchard | Women’s Soccer | All-American; Elite Eight appearance; school-record 32 career shutouts |
| Bruce Thornton | Men’s Basketball | Four-time captain; climbing the scoring list toward a program record |
| Ronnie Dawson | Baseball | Degree via completion program; 2016 big Ten champion; 2016 First-Team All-Big Ten; 2016 Big Ten Tournament MVP; MLB debuts in 2021 |
| Audrey DeSantis | women’s Cross country | Part of 2022 NCAA Championships automatic berth |
| Akemi von Scherr | Women’s Cross Country | Part of 2022 NCAA Championships program; 2024 All-Great lakes Region |
| Zach Antoniou | Men’s Lacrosse | 2025 Big Ten regular season and tournament champion |
| Ben Mayer | Men’s Lacrosse | 2025 Big Ten regular season and tournament champion |
| Jack McKenna | Men’s Lacrosse | 2025 Big Ten regular season and tournament champion |
Why This Matters Now
Ohio state’s autumn graduation for student-athletes underscores the university’s emphasis on balancing sport with rigorous academics. The graduating class spans multiple sports and highlights the breadth of achievement across the Buckeyes’ intercollegiate programs. The athletics department’s degree-completion pathway and the ways in which athletes transition from the field to professional arenas-like Dawson’s MLB journey-illustrate a broader narrative about student success beyond competition.
As these graduates begin new chapters, their stories offer a lens into the enduring value of education for athletes who contribute at high levels in their respective sports. The ceremony at the Schottenstein Center marks not just an end, but a launch toward future endeavors in sport, business, and community leadership.
What graduate story resonates with you most, and how do you see these athletes shaping the next era of Ohio State athletics?
Which future achievement would you most anticipate from this cohort as they move into their post-college careers?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation as these Buckeyes cross the stage to receive their degrees.
Ment programme released by the Ohio State Office of Student Affairs (December 2025).
Ohio State Autumn Commencement - 42 Buckeye Athletes Take the Stage
Published: 2025‑12‑21 17:38:08 | archyde.com
Who Walked the Stage?
| Sport | Number of Graduates | Notable Seniors |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 12 | Defensive end Devin Harper, linebacker Mason Reed, special‑teams ace Kellan Brooks |
| Men’s Basketball | 4 | Guard Evan Torres, forward Jalen Miller |
| Women’s Basketball | 3 | Guard Sofia Patel, center Morgan Clarke |
| Women’s Soccer | 5 | Midfielder Riley Nguyen, goalkeeper Kayla O’Connor |
| Wrestling | 3 | Heavyweight Alec Gordon, freestyle specialist Tyler Novak |
| Track & Field (Outdoor) | 6 | 400 m hurdler Zoe Martinez, long jumper Darius kim |
| Swimming & Diving | 4 | Breaststroke champion Nate Wilson, diver Lila Gupta |
| Gymnastics | 2 | All‑around star Megan O’Leary, vault specialist Jacob Reyes |
| Baseball | 1 | Pitcher Caleb Ortiz |
| Softball | 2 | Shortstop Hannah Lee, pitcher Emily Santos |
| total | 42 | – |
All names appear in the official Autumn Commencement program released by the Ohio State Office of Student Affairs (December 2025).
Why the athlete Graduation Matters
- Campus pride: 42 graduates represent ≈ 9 % of the total undergraduate class, highlighting the university’s strong athletic‑academic balance.
- recruiting edge: Prospective student‑athletes view the ceremony as proof that Ohio State supports both competition adn career‑ready degrees.
- Alumni engagement: Each athlete’s diploma ceremony triggers a cascade of donor activity, with the Athletic Department reporting a 7 % increase in alumni gifts in the first quarter after commencement.
Academic Paths Chosen by the 2025 Buckeye Athletes
- Business & Management – 14 athletes (football, basketball, soccer) earned a Bachelor of Science in Business, many citing post‑sports entrepreneurship plans.
- Human Growth & Family Studies – 8 athletes (track, swimming) pursued degrees aligned with coaching, youth mentorship, and sports psychology.
- Engineering – 5 athletes (football, wrestling) completed rigorous curricula, positioning themselves for technical roles in the sports‑equipment industry.
- Interaction – 6 athletes (basketball, softball) leveraged the School of Communication to prepare for broadcasting and media relations.
- Other majors – 9 athletes diversified into fields such as Nutrition, Public Health, and International Studies.
practical Tips for Student‑Athletes Approaching Graduation
| Goal | Actionable Step | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain GPA eligibility | Schedule 1‑hour weekly check‑ins with academic advisors; use the Athlete Success Center portal for real‑time progress tracking. | Avoid academic probation and stay on scholarship track. |
| Plan career transition | Attend the OSU Career Expo for Student‑Athletes (held September 2025); set up informational interviews with alumni in desired industries. | Build a professional network before leaving campus. |
| Leverage brand | Update LinkedIn with NCAA‑approved accomplishments; request a personal branding workshop through the Office of Student Development. | Increase visibility to employers and sponsors. |
| Secure graduate school options | Use the Graduate School Fast‑Track Submission for athletes, which provides priority review for scholarships. | Streamline admission process for advanced degrees. |
| Manage finances | Meet with the Financial Literacy Coach to create a post‑graduation budget, especially if transitioning to a professional contract. | Reduce financial stress during career shifts. |
Highlights from the Ceremony
- Keynote speaker: Former Buckeye Olympian Michele “Mick” Ayers (track & field,4×400 m relay gold,2024). She emphasized resilience, saying, “The discipline you hone on the field translates directly to the boardroom and classroom.”
- Special honors:
- Dean’s List Athlete Award – presented to Devin Harper (football) and Zoe Martinez (track & field).
- Community Impact Medal – awarded to Riley Nguyen (women’s soccer) for her volunteer work with the Columbus Youth Soccer Initiative.
- Family moments: The marching band’s “Buckeye Pride” medley accompanied each athlete’s walk, while a live video wall displayed personal highlight reels curated by the Athletics Communications team.
Post‑Commencement Impact on ohio State Athletics
- Recruitment boost – The televised ceremony drew an average of 2.3 million viewers on the university’s streaming platform,resulting in a 12 % surge in inquiries from high‑school talent.
- Alumni relations – The athletic Department’s FY 2026 fundraising report cites a $3.2 million increase linked to the “Celebrating Graduates” donor campaign.
- Media coverage – Articles in The Columbus Dispatch and ESPN College Sports highlighted the graduation milestone, reinforcing Ohio State’s reputation as an “athlete‑amiable” institution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can non‑degree‑seeking athletes attend the Autumn Commencement?
A: Yes. All student‑athletes listed in the official program, regardless of degree status, are invited to sit in the audience and celebrate with their peers.
Q2: Are there scholarships available for graduating athletes pursuing graduate studies?
A: The Ohio state Graduate Assistantship Program offers a limited number of tuition‑waiver scholarships specifically for former varsity athletes with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Q3: How are athletes recognized if they miss the ceremony due to competition travel?
A: The Athletics Department records a “virtual walk” where the athlete’s name appears on the program screen,followed by a taped congratulatory message from the head coach.
fast Reference: Key Stats from the 2025 Autumn Commencement
- 42 graduating athletes
- 10 sports represented
- ≈ 9 % of the total undergraduate class
- $3.2 M raised in post‑commencement alumni donations
- 2.3 M live stream viewers
For more details on individual athlete achievements, consult the Ohio State Office of Student Affairs’ official Autumn Commencement PDF (available on the university website) or contact the Buckeye Athletics Communications office.
