photos courtesy of B.L. Bishop Photography
Photo: B.L. Bishop Photography
MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Ohio State University at Mansfield celebrated the graduation of more than 150 students during the annual celebration ceremony May 1 in Conard Hall.
Students were recognized for earning Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as the Associate of Arts degree, from autumn 2024 through spring 2025.
Jason Opal, dean and director of Ohio State Mansfield, reminded graduates that college “is a season of life,” and now they’re about to enter the next season.
“Graduates of 2025, you have just completed one season of life. In that season you were able to study and reflect, and explore, rather than just to react,” said Opal. “I hope that your season at Ohio State University will be a source of comfort and inspiration, of strength and guidance as you go forth into the great wide world.”
The spring semester marked the 67th class to graduate from Ohio State Mansfield, and the 154th to graduate from The Ohio State University, which held the official graduation ceremony May 4 in Columbus.
Keynote speaker Kris Knapp, mayor of Ontario, Ohio, shared his experience growing up locally and serving his community. Knapp is a retired high school teacher and became mayor in August 2024.
Thirty-seven years ago, I sat exactly where you are now. I was filled with hope, a little uncertainty but a lot of excitement,” he said.
Knapp reminded the graduates they will face challenges and opportunities, but the path they take “is yours to follow.”
A year into his marriage to his wife, Shelly, a house fire destroyed nearly all of their physical possessions, but a family relative reminded them of what they still had left.
Photo: B.L. Bishop Photography
“My wife’s grandfather told us, ‘it’s going to be okay. You may have lost all your high school and college possessions, but there’s one thing that no one can take away from you,’ and that’s your education, your experiences, and that’s what you have received today.”
Knapp shared another important piece of advice: “always treat people with respect,” because you never know when you may be working with the same people down the road. In Knapp’s case, he now works for three council members who were former students.
In closing, he encouraged graduates to “embrace the moment. Be present and know that life will come to you in many unexpected ways, but your path is yours to follow.”
Following the celebration, students participated in a dessert social.
Olivia Hellinger, a primary education graduate from Ontario, said she is excited to finish her degree and begin teaching this fall.
“I’m thankful to be done and I have a job lined up for the fall in Mount Gilead that I am excited to start,” she said.
Hellinger was supported by a large cheering section – her parents and stepparents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, cousins and boyfriend.
Lillian Ferguson, Associate of Arts, said she is gearing up to return to Ohio State Mansfield to earn her Bachelor of Education degree.
“It’s so nice to see that all of the work is doing toward something, and it is a good push forward into the right direction.”
Ferguson is from Strongsville and was in attendance with her parents, sister and brother.
Learn more about Ohio State Mansfield at mansfield.osu.edu
Photo: B.L. Bishop Photography