{"id":155771,"date":"2024-12-09T08:54:29","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T13:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=155771"},"modified":"2024-12-09T10:31:50","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T15:31:50","slug":"nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 1,100 students to graduate at Wright State\u2019s fall commencement ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_155778\" style=\"width: 470px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/2024-spring-commencement-68685_512-3\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-155778\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-155778\" class=\"size-large wp-image-155778\" src=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2024\/12\/2024-spring-commencement-68685_512-508x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-155778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wright State University will hold its fall graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. in the Nutter Center. (Photos by Erin Pence)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nearly 1,100 students are expected to graduate during Wright State University\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wright.edu\/event\/graduation-and-commencement-ceremony\">fall 2024 commencement ceremonies<\/a> in the Wright State Nutter Center on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14.<\/p>\n<p>The 1,070 graduates will join more than 120,000 alumni who are making a difference throughout Raider Country, all over Ohio, across the nation and around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Wright State will hold two fall commencement ceremonies:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Graduate ceremony<\/strong>: Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.<br \/>\n<strong>Undergraduate ceremony<\/strong>: Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets are not required to attend, but graduates are asked to limit their guests to no more than 14 people so that everyone can be accommodated. Seating in the Wright State Nutter Center is first-come, first-served. Doors will open 90 minutes before the start of each ceremony. Guests should enter at gates 2, 3 and 4. Guests are limited to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wright.edu\/event\/graduation-and-commencement-ceremony\/day-of-ceremony#clear-bag\">one clear bag per person and a small clutch bag for privacy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The commencement ceremonies can be watched online Wright State\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WrightStateUniversity\/\">Facebook page<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/WrightStateU\">YouTube channel<\/a>. The recorded videos will also be available on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/WrightStateU\">YouTube<\/a> after the ceremonies.<\/p>\n<p>Commencement will feature a short congratulatory video from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.<\/p>\n<p>The summer and fall classes of 2024 include graduates with 537 bachelor\u2019s degrees, 480 master\u2019s degrees, 34 doctoral degrees and 16 associate degrees.<\/p>\n<p>The classes feature 279 international students from 22 different countries. India boasts the largest number of international graduates, with 231.<\/p>\n<p>The youngest graduating student is 19, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology. The oldest graduate is 66, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Graduates by college:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raj Soin College of Business: 174<\/li>\n<li>College of Engineering and Computer Science: 322<\/li>\n<li>College of Health, Education and Human Services: 234<\/li>\n<li>College of Liberal Arts: 123<\/li>\n<li>College of Science and Mathematics: 144<\/li>\n<li>Boonshoft School of Medicine: 47<\/li>\n<li>Lake Campus: 31<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Notable 2024 graduates<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_155798\" style=\"width: 470px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/69320-jeremy-keller-annual-giving-spring-appeal-4-5-24\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-155798\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-155798\" class=\"size-large wp-image-155798\" src=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2024\/12\/69320_005_Lexi_Ricker-508x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-155798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lexi Ricker will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology and a bachelor\u2019s degree in organizational leadership.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Lexi Ricker <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s easy to understand why Lexi Ricker describes herself as an overly busy student.<\/p>\n<p>Not only does she <a href=\"https:\/\/science-math.wright.edu\/psychology\/bachelor-of-science-in-psychology\">major in psychology<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/health-education-human-services.wright.edu\/leadership-studies-in-education-and-organizations\/bachelor-of-science-in-organizational-leadership\">organizational leadership<\/a>, but Ricker also participated in numerous student organizations, including serving as the University Activities Board president, Panhellenic Council vice president and vice president of recruitment, Student Involvement and Leadership Center involvement mentor and \u201967 Society president and Alpha Omicron PI sorority member. She was also crowned the 2024 Homecoming queen.<\/p>\n<p>As president of the University Activities Board, she helped organize some of Wright State&#8217;s largest student events, including April Craze, Fall Fest and Winter Fest.<\/p>\n<p>Ricker was also selected to speak on behalf of the class of 2024 at Wright State\u2019s commencement ceremony on Dec. 14.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to her full class schedule and campus commitments, Ricker works full-time as an overnight 911 dispatcher at the Englewood Police Department.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt just makes life so much more rewarding,\u201d said Ricker, who also minors in forensic studies.<\/p>\n<p>After graduating from Wright State, Ricker hopes to begin training to become a police officer. Her dream job is to work for the FBI, and she believes her degrees in psychology and organizational leadership will help her reach her goal.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_155787\" style=\"width: 470px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/68710-dennis-bova-student-profile-ben-kressbach-2-6-24-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-155787\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-155787\" class=\"size-large wp-image-155787\" src=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2024\/12\/Ben-Kressbach-68710_005-508x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-155787\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ben Kressbach will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in chemistry and a bachelor\u2019s degree in music.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Ben Kressbach <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Ben Kressbach and Wright State have developed good chemistry together.<\/p>\n<p>Kressbach is graduating with a <a href=\"https:\/\/science-math.wright.edu\/chemistry\/bachelor-of-science-in-chemistry\">bachelor\u2019s degree in chemistry<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/liberal-arts.wright.edu\/fine-and-performing-arts\/bachelor-of-arts-in-music\">bachelor&#8217;s degree in music<\/a> and a minor in biochemistry.<\/p>\n<p>What makes his story unusual is that as a high school student in his native San Antonio, he had never heard of Wright State until he started researching universities and discovered that Wright State would allow him to study chemistry and music.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI like that Wright State is student-centric,\u201d he said. \u201cAt other universities, I was told that I couldn\u2019t major in both, that I had to pick one or the other. At Wright State, I was told frankly that it was possible to do both. It would be a lot of work, but possible. That\u2019s exactly what I wanted to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At Wright State, Kressbach has served as a residential Peer Academic Leader, a President&#8217;s Ambassador, an officer on the Graduate and Honors Student Advisory Board and a member of the Provost&#8217;s Student Leadership Council.<\/p>\n<p>He also completed an Honors chemistry research project and was a featured soloist during the Wright State Percussion Ensemble\u2019s Nov. 25 concert.<\/p>\n<p>He also performed with the Percussion Studio, performing mostly on marimba, and has helped teach percussion at Northeastern High School in Springfield.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been able to teach, perform and explore different avenues,\u201d he said. \u201cWright State is providing me the flexibility to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kressbach has applied to several Ph.D. programs and wants to pursue a career in research in biochemistry or a related field.<\/p>\n<p>He has no plans to give up music.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI really enjoy playing in an ensemble,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I want to continue with my composition efforts. I\u2019ve written a couple percussion pieces. I\u2019m still in the learning phase. I find it fun and fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_155791\" style=\"width: 470px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/68712-dennis-bova-zach-ashby-graduate-student-profile-2-7-24-3\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-155791\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-155791\" class=\"size-large wp-image-155791\" src=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2024\/12\/Zach-Ashby-68712_008-508x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"460\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-155791\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zach Ashby will graduate with a master\u2019s degree in human factors and industrial\/organizational psychology.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Zach Ashby <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Zach Ashby found the perfect opportunity to pursue his career goals in Wright State\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science-math.wright.edu\/psychology\/master-of-science-in-human-factors-and-industrial-organizational-psychology\">Master of Science in Human Factors and Industrial\/Organizational Psychology program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was drawn to Wright State because of its combined human factors and industrial\/organizational psychology program. I had been torn between which of those to go into, but Wright State had both, and the non-thesis option,\u201d said Ashby, who lived in Provo, Utah, with his wife and infant daughter before they moved to Ohio. \u201cFrom what I found, it was the only place that offered the combined program.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ashby and his family arrived in Ohio for the start of the 2023 fall semester, and he began his studies in earnest. The plan was for him to land a job, but as the months passed, the list of job applications that led nowhere grew.<\/p>\n<p>Then a person at his church invited him to work at Barrett Paving as a consultant on a project that fit his skillset: analyzing and interpreting employee survey data and offering observations and suggestions on how to proceed.<\/p>\n<p>His project went so well that the company offered him an internship, and after graduating Ashby will join Barrett Paving as a full-time employee.<\/p>\n<p>Ashby\u2019s work has attracted attention outside the region. For example, he has worked on an employee stretching program that is being implemented company-wide, including overseas with the parent company.<\/p>\n<p>Ashby called the internship a blessing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLooking back, I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t get any of the other jobs I applied to. Even though it was a long wait, this one is so much better in every way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Ashby is also extremely glad he came to Wright State.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLooking back at my graduate journey, I&#8217;m impressed with what I see,\u201d he said. \u201cI&#8217;ve grown both personally and professionally \u2014 much more than I thought I would. I can honestly say every challenge, and penny, has been worth it. I&#8217;m extremely grateful for the people here at Wright State who have helped me and I couldn&#8217;t have done it without them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wright State will hold its fall graduate commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in the Nutter Center. <a href=\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2024\/12\/09\/nearly-1100-students-to-graduate-at-wright-states-fall-commencement-ceremonies\/\" class=\"morelink\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":155778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[722,733,729,748,2069,2107,2104,743,4859,2060,744,725,2045,731,4896,747,2016,715,2063,746,2119,2061],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","category-alumni","category-around-campus","category-business","category-chemistry","category-commencement","category-teacher-education","category-engineering-computer-science","category-fine-and-performing-arts","category-graduate","category-education-human-services","category-home-news-sidebar","category-honors-program","category-lake-campus","category-leadership-studies-in-education-organizations","category-liberal-arts","category-medicine","category-news","category-psychology","category-science-mathematics","category-university-college","category-undergraduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155771"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":155878,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155771\/revisions\/155878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}