Commencement 2023 was a great celebration

The Commencement ceremony held May 7, 2023, at Cintas Center was a joyful experience for Cincinnati State graduates and their family members as well as the employees and friends of the College who attended.

In her Commencement Address, Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece enthusiastically urged graduates to tell future employers “If you have a problem, I’m the solution.”

Reece praised the Class of 2023 for “not giving up in tough times” and told graduates “you are prepared for changing times.”

She noted that the diverse group of graduates included “high school students to senior citizens” and said “There is no graduation like this one.”

Student speaker Savannah Cawood, who earned an Associate of Arts degree, stated that “none of us in the graduating class had a typical experience.”

Cawood thanked the “brilliant mentors and compassionate advisors” who helped her succeed at Cincinnati State, and encouraged her classmates to continue to “look for the helpers, and we will be OK.”

Platform guests at the ceremony included Gary Cates, Senior Vice Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

John Silverman, Chairperson of the College Board of Trustees, presented an honorary degree to Jeanne Weiland, daughter of the late Richard “Dick” Weiland, Cincinnati philanthropist, lobbyist, and past Cincinnati State Trustee.

Dillon Ruby, President of the Alumni Association, presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to Ron Rohlfing, ’90, Vice President of Operations for UC Health West Chester Hospital.

Provost Robbin Hoopes praised the graduates for their achievements and commended the faculty who helped graduates “unlock your intellectual potential.”

Decorated caps (below) added important and festive messages to the day of celebration.

And there’s nothing like a confetti cannon to punctuate the end of the ceremony.