Liza Toher first grad student to speak at Commencement Eve Ceremony

The Ohio Union recently announced that for the first time a graduate student has been selected to speak at the Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony. Liza Toher, who will receive her master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at the spring Commencement ceremony, will represent her graduating class and address the audience at the ceremony to be held on Saturday, June 12 at 9 p.m. on the Main Oval. 

One student is chosen from the class to deliver an address that reflects on their time at Ohio State and embodies the meaning of the student experience at Ohio State. Toher, who will receive a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, is the first graduate student chosen for this honor. A native of Lincoln, R.I., she received her undergraduate degree at Ohio State in 2006.  In addition to serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and conducting research for the Army Research Lab, she has served as treasurer of the Council of Graduate Students and as chair of the Council on Student Affairs. After graduation, she will work for Capital One Bank in Richmond, Va.

Now in its third year, the Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony brings together students who will be receiving their Ohio State degrees during commencement exercises the following day at Ohio Stadium. All graduating students and their guests are invited to congregate on the Oval prior to the start of the program at 9 p.m. President Gordon Gee, Alumni Association CEO Archie Griffin, and others will also make remarks. Graduates will receive a 2010 class pin, exclusively at the event, which will conclude with a candlelight rendition of “Carmen Ohio,” the Ohio State alma mater.

The Candlelight Ceremony is part of Commencement Week, which also features Chalk the Walk, Graduation Cap Decoration Night, the Things You Never Got to See Tour, and the Time and Change Tailgate. Commencement Week is sponsored by the Office of Student Life and The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Additional information can be found at http://commencementweek.osu.edu.