Four graduation-related events on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 will celebrate the 870 Columbus State University students who comprise the university’s Fall 2022 graduates. These events will include three ceremonies throughout the day on Friday marking the university’s 124th commencement exercises.

These events include the following—all of which will take place in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on the university’s Main Campus:

• Graduate Hooding Ceremony: Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
• College of the Arts and D. Abbott Turner College of Business Commencement Ceremony: Friday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.
• College of Letters & Sciences Commencement Ceremony: Friday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
• College of Education & Health Professions Commencement Ceremony: Friday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m.

During these ceremonies, Columbus State anticipates conferring 1,420 degrees and certificates, representing opportunities for students to earn dual degrees or certificates along with their degree. These include 42 doctoral degrees, 26 education specialist degrees, 526 master’s degrees, 639 bachelor’s degrees, 21 associate degrees, 22 nexus degrees, and 144 certificates. These also include students who completed their degrees at the end of the Summer 2022 term.

Each of Friday’s commencement ceremonies will feature GwenDolyn H. Ruff as the university’s commencement speaker. Ruff, who earned a master of science degree in administration from Columbus State in 1988, is well-known locally as a 26-year executive with Columbus Water Works; an active civic volunteer; a retired U.S. Army veteran; and a leader within the CSU Foundation, CSU Alumni Association and CSU Black Alumni Association.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will also include the conferral of Columbus State’s 36th honorary degree to Barbara “Bobsie” Carlton Swift.

Graduates and guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of the Lumpkin Center, including the university’s clear-bag policy. The university requests that guests refrain from bringing items such as balloons, confetti, posters or signs, and noisemakers inside the facility.

Free parking for the ceremonies is available throughout Main Campus, with limited accessible parking located in the parking deck next to the Lumpkin Center. Shuttles will also be moving through campus to assist any guests with limited mobility.

Additional information for graduates and guests attending these events is online at columbusstate.edu/graduation, where links to the live streams of the Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 commencement ceremonies will also be available.

Other commencement facts and figures:

Ceremony Firsts: This fall’s ceremonies will mark the first over which Dr. John M. Fuchko III will preside as interim president.

The web-based version of this release is available on the Columbus State University website at news.columbusstate.edu.