OSU AD Gene Smith to be Ohio State University autumn commencement speaker
Gene Smith will take center stage at Ohio State University's autumn commencement ceremony in December.
The Ohio State athletic director will address the approximately 3,600 students that will receive degrees or certificates at the ceremony, which will be held at the Schottenstein Center at 2. p.m. Dec. 17.
Smith announced in August he would retire his post as Ohio State Athletic Director in July 2024.
“Commencement is an exciting day for our graduates and their loved ones. I am humbled and honored to serve as commencement speaker. I look forward to sharing a message to inspire these new Buckeye graduates as they embark on the next step of their lives,” Smith said in a statement. “I have become close to many of the students who will receive their degrees at this ceremony, and I hope to share some more wisdom and advice as they conclude their academic career.”
Smith has served as Ohio State's athletic director for the past 18 years. In that time, the Buckeyes have recorded 115 team and 369 individual Big Ten championships, and 32 team and 117 individual national championships.
In 2022-23, Ohio State reported 765 scholar-athletes, 190 Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars and six academic All-Americans.
“Gene Smith has led one of the nation’s premier athletic departments for nearly two decades and has been a dedicated and innovative supporter, leader and mentor to thousands of students and student-athletes over his career,” Peter J. Mohler, PhD, acting president and executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge, said in a statement. “Beyond Ohio State, Gene has been a pioneer in shaping the future of collegiate athletics at the national level to support the student-athlete. He is an inspirational leader whose message will resonate with our graduates, their families and friends, and our Buckeye community.”
Smith's final day as Ohio State athletic director will be June 30, 2024. Smith's successor has yet to be determined.
He was previously the athletic director at Arizona State, Iowa State and Eastern Michigan.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gene Smith, OSU athletic director, to speak at Ohio State commencement
