Before medical students attend the university-wide commencement ceremony, they celebrate the academic achievement among peers from the College of Medicine. The same people that sat near them in lectures and bonded with them through clinical practice. Together, they walk across the Oval—recalling fond memories made at Ohio State—and head toward Mershon Auditorium.
The Ohio State University College of Medicine Convocation is the culmination of their hard work and dedication, celebrating the transformation of student to medical practitioner. It features an address by the professor of the year, who has been chosen for this highest teaching honor by the graduating class.
To place their hoods, students may choose a College of Medicine faculty member (MD/DO/PhD) or another physician who has been important in their choice to become a physician or who has helped them along the way. The placement of graduation hood symbolizes the additional effort put in by graduate students to continue their education after receiving their first academic degree.
Students can invite as many family and friends as they want to this important event. It’s always great to see the support our students have coming from all corners of the world.
More about graduation
The College of Medicine Convocation Day has various events scheduled throughout the day. Please be sure to check the Convocation Day schedule for more detailed information for each of the different events.
Schedule Overview
8:00 a.m. – Mandatory Hooding Rehearsal for Students at Mershon Auditorium
10:00 a.m. – Honors Celebration (by invitation only) at the Ohio Union
11:45 a.m. – Senior Barbeque Luncheon at the Hamilton Hall Quad
2:45 p.m. – Line-Up for Hooding Ceremony Procession at The Oval
3:30 p.m. – The Hooding Ceremony at Mershon Auditorium
6:00 p.m. – Reception at the Wexner Plaza adjacent to Mershon Auditorium
More detailed information about Convocation Day will be shared closer to the date of the event.
Regalia
To participate in the hooding ceremony and/or commencement, the graduate must wear the following: doctoral gown, doctoral hood, and tam (with tassel). All gowns are rented. All tassels are purchased. The graduate has the option to either purchase or rent the hood and tam.
More information about ordering regalia for the hooding ceremony will be sent to your OSUMC email. The deadline to order regalia for pick up is March 14th, and the deadline to order regalia to be shipped to you is April 16th.
Family, loved ones and friends are invited to Doctoral Convocation on Thursday, May 1, 2025! There are various events throughout the day celebrating the Class of 2025, an overview of the schedule is provided below.
All are welcome to attend; no RSVP is required. Students will be asked to provide an estimated guest count prior to Doctoral Convocation Day.
Schedule Overview
10:00 a.m. – Honors Celebration (by invitation only) at the Ohio Union
11:45 a.m. – Senior Barbeque Luncheon at Hamilton Hall Quad
3:30 p.m. – The Hooding Ceremony at Mershon Auditorium
6:00 p.m. – Reception at the Wexner Plaza adjacent to Mershon Auditorium
Parking
The various events occur in different locations across campus. Guests are welcome to park their car in a select location for the day or they can move their cars to be nearby each event’s location. Information for parking near all event locations is included below:
Regalia
To participate in the hooding ceremony and/or commencement, the hood issuer must wear the following: doctoral gown, doctoral hood, and tam (with tassel). If you do not have regalia, please rent regalia.
To order regalia, select the “Faculty & Hood Issuer” tab – then select “other doctoral degrees” to begin the online order process. Regalia orders must be placed online by April 16th. Extra regalia will not be available during the ceremony. If you have any questions about regalia, please email osugrad@bncollege.com.
Doctoral Convocation Line-Up
If you are joining the faculty procession: Please report to the center of The Oval (181 S. Oval Dr.) in your regalia by 2:45 p.m. for line-up. If there are changes to line-up and procession due to the weather, we will send an email with alternative directions.
If you are participating in the Hooding Ceremony (i.e. sitting on stage) but NOT processing across The Oval: Please arrive at Mershon Auditorium (1871 N. High St.) in your regalia by 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Please enter through the main entrance to Mershon Auditorium. Volunteers will direct you to backstage, and will direct you on how to join the processing faculty as they enter the auditorium and are seated on stage.
Highlights from Convocation
