ATTENTION ALL SP15 and SU15 GRADUATES!

As your final semester is winding down, are you finding yourself constantly wondering how you would like to spend your final days as an undergraduate/graduate/professional student? Well instead of stressing your mind for ideas, the Major Campus Events Committee (MCEC) has solved that problem for you! The Ohio State University Commencement Week is a celebration leading up to both Autumn and Spring Commencement. A series of events will occur to recognize graduates’ achievements.

“Commencement Week is your culminating experience at Ohio State. This week is an opportunity for you to explore all the hidden gems that Ohio State has to offer and to reflect on your collegiate adventure. I encourage you to partake in all the events and think of it as a sendoff into your next stage of life,” states Brett Bejeck, Commencement Week Planning Chair for MCEC. Commencement week is your culminating experience at Ohio State.

Listed below are just a few events from the official list of Buckeye spirited activities happening from May 3-9. For a full listing of Commencement Week events, please visit www.commencementweek.osu.edu. All graduates are welcome to attend. Graduates will also have the opportunity to win one of three exclusive tours – Helicopter Tour, Presidents Office Tour, or Woody Hayes Athletic Facility Tour. To enter, complete the form found on the Commencement Week website and submit a unique photo of your own Ohio State experience. Participants are able to submit up to 5 entries and the submission deadline is May 1, 2015, at 5PM.

We encourage you to make it to as many of these events as you can to celebrate the closing of this chapter as an undergraduate/graduate/professional student at the Ohio State University! (If you are not a graduating senior and would like to get involved, email Brett Bejcek at bejcek.2@osu.edu)

Comment below and let us know “What is your favorite Buckeye memory thus far?”

Sunday May 3, 2015

Grad Cap Craft Night (4PM-7PM) Performance Hall

Cap off your Ohio State experience with us by decorating your graduation cap! Individualize your cap and stand out in the crown so your family can spot you. Supplies will be provided! Not graduating? Join us in making cards for graduates.

Monday May 4, 2015

Climb the Orton Bell Tower (12PM-4PM) Orton Hall

You’ve heard them chime every 15mins on the Oval, now see how the famed Orton Chimes work. Meet in the lobby of Orton Hall during the specified time to partake in this experience. Space is limited.

Tuesday May 5, 2015

Grad Fest (12PM-2PM) Performance Hall

Did you know that you are automatically a member of the Alumni Association upon graduation? Come check out all of the great services and events they have to offer and how you can stay connected to Ohio State at this Resource fair with a DJ, door prizes, and free food!

Wednesday May 6, 2015

Senior Toast (6PM-8PM) Longaberger Alumni House

Join your fellow classmates and Alumni Association CEO Archie Griffin to toast your accomplishments at this evening reception!

OSU Planetarium Tour (7PM-8PM) Fifth Floor of Smith Lab

**LIMITED OPPORTUNITY – SIGN UP REQUIRED** 2 Shows each day (May 6-7)

Explore what few students have the opportunity to see and get an out-of-this world experience.

“The Ohio State logo as it appears on the Basketball court at the Jerome Schottenstein Arena”

Thursday May 7, 2015

Schottenstein Center Tours (1PM-4PM) The Jerome Schottenstein Center

**LIMITED OPPORTUNITY** Only Available May 7-8 at specified times

Come out to tour the Big Ten’s largest arena. Get a backstage look at the venue that hosts over 1 million guests per year. Meet at the Northeast Rotunda.

Friday May 8, 2015

Time and Change Tailgate (1PM-4PM) South Lawn of St. John Arena (following Commencement Rehearsal)

Come enjoy food, music, and door prizes as you kick back and relax with the Class of 2015. This is an event dedicated to the celebration of your time at Ohio State with friends and prepare for the change to come! The first 1,000 students in attendance get an exclusive OSU Alumni glass mug.

Saturday May 9, 2015

Ohio Stadium Tour (12PM-6PM)

**LIMITED OPPORTUNITY** Only Available on this date and time

Don’t miss this opportunity to tour the Ohio Stadium with your family and friends. Enter through the North Rotunda and explore the Horseshoe, including the Marching Band Center, press boxes, and special event areas.

“2014 Winter Graduates gather to commemorate their time at Ohio State.”

Candlelight Ceremony (9PM-10PM) Oval (Rainsite – Ohio Union)

All graduating undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as well as their families and guests are invited to the Oval for this ceremony, where graduates will receive a class pin available exclusively at the event. Special remarks by Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston and President Michael Drake. The event will include a candlelight rendition of  “Carmen Ohio” and the opportunity to reflect on graduates’ journey at Ohio State.

Spring means warmer weather and blooming flowers; it also means that Earth Day is just around the corner.

The Ohio Union has always made a point to be environmentally conscientious. Built 5 years ago, the Ohio Union is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. From the actual construction to the day-to-day operations, the Ohio Union serves as an example of eco-friendliness.

• The Ohio Union uses 30% less water than other buildings of comparable size.
• The straws in the building are made of PLA plastic derived from corn.
• Construction of the building reused many materials salvaged from the old Union.

You can find more information about the steps the Ohio Union has taken to go green by clicking here.

Take a cue from the Ohio Union and do your part to help the environment! Here are some ideas to help you get started – you can start by changing little things in your everyday routine.

• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Turn off your computer at night.
• Wash your clothing in cold water instead of warm or hot.
• Print on both sides of the paper.
• Adjust your thermostat 1 degree warmer in the summer and 1 degree cooler in the winter.

Please comment below if you have any other helpful tips.

The Oval

Spring is finally here! You could have probably realized that with the increase in the population on the Oval and the appearance of new flowers. To Ohio State students, spring means one thing: the semester is almost over. With the year coming to an end it is important to take a moment and reflect on this past semester and academic year.  A lot has happened. From Ohio State winning the football national championship, to having Dr. Drake welcomed in officially as our new President, Ohio State pride has been at its peak this year.

That being said, the students at Ohio State and their student organizations have also accomplished a lot. BuckeyeThon reached and surpassed their amazing goal of raising more than one million dollars for the kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Other student organizations like Buckeye Campaign Against Suicide and No Place for Hate have continued to help raise awareness and work towards a more inclusive environment at Ohio State.

Taking a moment to reflect helps us see how these big milestones cannot be completed in a day, or even a week. It takes countless hours of dedicated students and advisors to achieve these goals. So take a few moments to be proud of your accomplishments this year, but more importantly take a moment to thank fellow members of your student organizations for all the hard work they have done this year. Remember to also thank your student organization advisor for all their contributions to your success as well. Every member of the team is important to reach your goals as a student organization here at Ohio State.

The Ohio Union Events Team is looking for new writers! Two of our contributors (pictured below) are graduating and while they are irreplaceable, we need additional writers to ensure that the source grows and thrives in the future.

Chyna Mitchell & Ariel Balske are source contributors who are graduating.

One of our current writers, Susannah Iles, a Political Sciences major says:

“I appreciate that everyone here promotes a healthy work/life balance. The schedule is really flexible, so that you aren’t forced to prioritize work over academics. The environment here is very friendly and laid-back, but I have also gotten a lot of valuable guidance about my writing. I would recommend this job to someone who wants to feel the pulse of Ohio State Student Life and enjoys writing.”

If you are interested in joining Susannah (Susie) and writing blog posts about events/activities/topics relevant to the Ohio Union, please email: Eve Esch (esch.12@osu.edu) and she’ll be happy to share more information.

The Ohio State University’s Fashion Production Association (FPA) hosted its 22^nd Annual Fashion Show production! Each year, the student organization provides those of any major the opportunity to take part in a highly creative design show. The students imagine, sketch and create original designs to be considered for modeling on the runway for nearly 600 people. With the guidance and advice from a notable Fashion and Retail Studies professor, Dr. Rudd, designer’s garments were worn proudly by student models and strutted down the runway. The production team members execute all aspects of the fashion show – the runway design, fund-raising, marketing, silent auction, music, script and pretty much anything else pertaining to the show! Each year they strive to improve upon the shows of previous years, and were pleased to present to you this year’s show, “Unwritten: From Page to Stage”.

The theme of the show was based on genres of literature. Each of the five acts within the show will explore a specific genre of literature – Classics, Poetry, Teen Fiction, Romance and Fantasy. “The designs that the audience will see on the stage are inspired and influenced by those various literature genres, hence the term ‘from page to stage,’” states Alyssa Martig, Director of Marketing for FPA.“Unwritten: From Page to Stage” occurred on April 11, 2015, in the Archie Griffin Grand Ballroom, which is located on the second floor of the Ohio Union. The doors opened at 7 p.m. and included a silent auction. The show began at 8 followed by a small reception. All were welcomed to attend this event and encouraged to come out to support the amazing work of 29 extremely talented designers.

Presale tickets were sold for reduced rates – student tickets were $5 and all others were $10. Tickets sold at the door were $10 for students and $15 for all other attendees. All proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction will benefit Fashion and Retail Studies students by providing funds to further improve the Computer Aided Design Lab located in Campbell Hall.

If you would like more information about the show, you can find them on twitter @FPAatOSU or facebook (The OSU Fashion Production Association). You can also find their promotional video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0FUmfGYXmU&feature=youtu.be)