UF Commencement is Saturday

FINDLAY — The University of Findlay will host Commencement ceremonies for 2026 graduates Saturday in the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex. The Class of 2026 is comprised of 841 students, ranging from the ages of 18 to 63. They have completed 19 associate degrees, 504 bachelor's degrees, 210 master's degrees and 122 doctoral degrees. Graduates come from 28 countries and 30 states, including 565 from Ohio. Seven are veterans or currently serving members of the United States military. One College Credit Plus (CCP) student is graduating from high school this spring – and also graduating from UF with an associate of arts in general studies, gaining a jump start on a college career. The Class of 2026 joins 28,408 living alumni of Findlay College and University of Findlay around the world. Christine Denecker, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs, will serve as the keynote speaker for the morning's graduate ceremony. She oversees five colleges and more than 80 academic programs. At the afternoon undergraduate ceremony, Chris Ostrander, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, will address the graduates and will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Business Leadership. With nearly three decades of executive leadership experience, Ostrander's career brought him, his wife Dina, and their family to Findlay through Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, where he served as president of the Americas business from 2011 to 2015. He currently is president of Nokian Tyres North America, following five years of service on Nokian Tyres' board of directors in Helsinki, Finland. He also is a limited partner and board advisor for Tamarind Hill Management, strategic partner for SKV Invest GmbH and a member of the board of advisors for Bluegrass Alpha Partners – all active in the venture capital sector. Ostrander served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also holds a master's degree in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He has been involved in community service on the boards of several Findlay-area organizations, including the United Way of Hancock County, Findlay Family YMCA, Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County, and the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The graduate ceremony's formal procession begins at 9 a.m. For the undergraduate ceremony, the formal procession begins at 2 p.m. Following each ceremony, graduates will participate in Findlay's long-standing tradition of marching back through the Griffith Memorial Arch. Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live by UFTV on its YouTube Channel, UFTV Productions. Additionally, a Baccalaureate Worship Service will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, May 1 in the TLB auditorium of Winebrenner to honor and support the graduating Class of 2026 with encouragement and prayers. The Christian faith-based ceremony invites all participants to reflect, celebrate and send the UF graduates forward with hope and blessings.