In Photos: Spring Commencement 2024

BGSU celebrates the achievement of its Spring 2024 graduates during three Commencement ceremonies

The 309th Bowling Green State University Commencement welcomed a new generation of alumni during ceremonies on April 26 and 27, as families, loved ones and supporters gathered to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and the next steps in their lives.

University photographers Craig Bell, Justin Camuso-Stall '14, Haven Conn '22 and Keira Ellenberger documented the culmination of the graduates' journey and the excitement for students and loved ones.

The BGSU Spring 2024 graduating class included 2,528 candidates, of which 106 were presented with associate degrees, 1,898 with bachelor's degrees, 513 with master's degrees and 31 with doctoral degrees.

The commemoration of student success started at 3:30 p.m. on April 26 with a hooding ceremony and reception for doctoral degree candidates in the Thomas B. and Kathleen M. Donnell Theatre at the Wolfe Center for the Arts.

At 7 p.m. on April 26, a ceremony for all graduate degree candidates from the Graduate College and bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering took place at the Stroh Center.

On April 27, a ceremony for bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Education and Human Development and the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business took place at 10 a.m. in the Stroh Center. A final ceremony for bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Musical Arts and associate and bachelor's degree candidates from BGSU Firelands rounded out graduation weekend at 3 p.m.

BGSU also awarded two honorary doctoral degrees to recognize the accomplishments of alumni James B. Karugu ’62, posthumously, and Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin ’00, ’04.

Karugu, the second attorney general of Kenya, was honored with an honorary doctorate in public service, which was accepted by his daughter, Vicky.

Born in 1937 when Kenya was still under British colonial rule, Karugu graduated from the racially segregated St. Peter Claver’s Primary School for Africans in Nairobi City and enrolled at BGSU in 1958 with an interest in public service.

As the first Kenyan and African student to ever study at BGSU, Karugu's educational journey had many highlights, including his election as president of the International Students’ Society where he interacted with many local community groups. Karugu also babysat future Olympic ice-skating champion Scott Hamilton and won an athletic scholarship after his roommate challenged him to a race across the lawns of the former Rodgers Quadrangle residence hall. He graduated from BGSU in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in political science.

BGSU also recognized the accomplishments of Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin ’00, ’04, the 29th director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, with an honorary doctorate in music education.

With “The President’s Own,” Nowlin has arranged and composed a variety of music for the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra and small ensembles. His arrangements are frequently included in high-profile national events, including a 2013 collaboration with Beyoncé (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) and Kelly Clarkson (“America”) for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama as well as an arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for Jordin Sparks in honor of the anthem’s 200th anniversary at Fort McHenry. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in music education and conducting, both from BGSU. 

For many of the BGSU Class of 2024 graduates, the weekend Commencement ceremonies served as their first in-person, traditional graduation ceremony, having graduated from high school in 2020. Family and friends didn't miss the chance to congratulate their graduates, filling the Stroh Center to capacity for the three ceremonies.

The wit and creativity of BGSU students shone through with their choice of decorated mortarboards. From thanking family members, to touting their future professions, the colorful additions stood out in the field of graduates. Here are some of the favorites captured by BGSU photographers.

As each Commencement ceremony closed, the new graduates were united in the rituals of becoming BGSU alumni. From changing the direction of their tassels to signify the ending of a chapter in their academic careers, to standing together to sing the alma mater, the University welcomes a new flock of alumni to the Falcon family.