FTMBA, MAcc, SMF, and WPMBA
Fisher Pre-Commencement Ceremony

All information is subject to change. Please check back periodically for current information.

Pre-Commencement Details for FTMBA, MAcc, SMF, WPMBA
  • Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
  • Location: Mershon Auditorium 
  • Address: 1871 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43210
  • Live Stream

About the Ceremony

Fisher College of Business holds a special Spring Pre-Commencement Ceremony for graduate students, separate from the OSU Commencement Ceremony. It is a unique time for Fisher graduates to be recognized by administration, faculty, and peers for their accomplishments and successes. Participation in the event does not equate to satisfying degree requirements and graduating. The ceremony celebrates the following graduate programs:

  • Full-Time MBA
  • Master of Accounting
  • Specialized Master in Finance
  • Working Professional MBA

The ceremony consists of a keynote speaker, hooding presentation, honor cord recognition, award presentations, and a student photo slideshow. The ceremony will last for about 2 hours.

Students will not receive a diploma at this ceremony; that occurs at the OSU Commencement ceremony. Details about OSU Commencement are at the bottom of this page.


About the Reception

Immediately following the ceremony is a reception for graduates and their guests, on the north plaza outside the auditorium. Graduates and guests are invited to stay and enjoy light refreshments. The reception will end by 1:30 p.m. ET

  • Graduates

    RSVP

    There are no tickets for this event. Your RSVP will simply reserve a seat for yourself and your guests. RSVP here.

    RSVP now for Pre-Commencement

    Please note, if you have more than seven guests attending the pre-commencement ceremony, contact Lauren Faherty (faherty.17@osu.edu).

    Directions and Parking

    Mershon Auditorium is located at 1871 North High Street. To get to Mershon from Route 315, exit at Lane Avenue, turn east (right if you're going north and left if you're going south), and take the first right on Fyffe Road. At the next light, turn left onto Woody Hayes Drive. This will turn into Woodruff Avenue. Continue on Woodruff Avenue until you see College Road (it is a major intersection with a light). The Arps garage will be the first garage on your left. You can continue on College Road to get to the Ohio Union garages if and when the Arps garage fills. 

    Disability Accommodations

    There is limited handicap parking on Mershon Drive that runs on the east side of the building. To access this parking, enter the Wexner 17th Avenue Plaza. You will be able to get there by turning east onto 17th Avenue from College Road. Transportation & Parking officers will be on site to direct you to Mershon Drive. There is a ramp that leads to the east doors of the building, and there are also four sections in the rear of the auditorium for wheelchair seating with one companion. If you have questions about access or accommodations for yourself or a guest with a disability, please contact Lauren Faherty (faherty.17@osu.edu) by April 29th.

    Arrival Location

    Graduating students will enter Mershon Auditorium at the loading dock entrance (High Street side). A detailed map will be emailed to attendees the week before Pre-Commencement. Upon arrival, a Graduate Programs staff member will check you in and direct you to your program's designated area.

    Virtual Guests

    If you have family or guests that would like to view the event virtually, they can use the pre-commencement virtual link.

    Attire

    Full graduation regalia (cap, gown, tassel, and hood). Fisher's hood color is drab and tassel color is black. Business professional dress is required under your gown. Please do not bring personal items with you; there is not a secure place to store them backstage.

    Master's caps and gowns may be purchased from the Barnes & Noble Ohio State University Bookstore.

  • Guests

    Directions and Parking

    Mershon Auditorium is located at 1871 North High Street. To get to Mershon from Route 315, exit at Lane Avenue, turn east (right if you're going north and left if you're going south), and take the first right on Fyffe Road. At the next light, turn left onto Woody Hayes Drive. This will turn into Woodruff Avenue. Continue on Woodruff Avenue until you see College Road (it is a major intersection with a light). The Arps garage will be the first garage on your left. You can continue on College Road to get to the Ohio Union garages if and when the Arps garage fills.

    Arrival Time

    Doors to Mershon Auditorium will open to the public at 9 a.m. ET

    Arrival Location

    Guests will enter Mershon Auditorium's main lobby doors from either the College Road entrance (faces the Wexner Center) or the High Street entrance.

    Seating

    Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The first few rows of the main floor are reserved for graduates. Wheelchair spaces are located on the main floor toward the back of the auditorium.

    Mershon Auditorium Seating Chart

    Restricted Items

    The following items are not permitted in the Mershon Auditorium and must be left unattended in the lobby of the building:

    • Strollers
    • Balloons
    • Camera tripods
    • Food and drinks
  • International

    Fisher follows the OSU Office of International Affairs (OIA) policies for international students inviting visitors from outside the U.S. to the Fisher &/or OSU graduation ceremony. Students may follow these steps:


    The Ohio State University Commencement Ceremony: Fisher students graduating in Spring Semester are also invited to The Ohio State University Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 5, 2024. All information can be found at commencement.osu.edu.