Students, staff, and faculty with The Ohio State University at Lima gathered Friday evening for the 2024 Academic Celebration. The celebration at OSU Lima recognizes the academic achievements of students, teaching, mentoring and research accomplishments of faculty, and service provided by staff. 54 students were recognized for earning their Associate of Arts degree with 22 students earning a Bachelor of Arts and 68 students earning a Bachelor of Science. New this year is the Inclusive Excellence Recognition Award which is bestowed to an OSU Lima community member who strives to positively improve campus diversity and inclusiveness. With so many being recognized Friday night, campus officials say Friday night was one of the university's favorite nights of the year.

On Friday night, Ohio State campuses, including OSU Lima, came together and walked to raise awareness about a topic that many find difficult to talk about. Fellow Buckeyes at OSU Lima walked around the Quad for the "Out of the Darkness" campus walk to honor the lives lost and affected by suicide and mental illness while displaying fellowship, camaraderie, and support for those currently struggling. The annual walk is organized by the Ohio State Suicide Prevention Program and collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Many of Friday night's walkers have been affected in some way by suicide and mental health, and there is one particular message of hope they want to share.

A new scholarship is on the way at Ohio State Lima that honors the legacy of one local woman in social work. Beginning Autumn 2023, OSU Lima will offer students the Phyllis Neff Social Work Scholarship. The scholarship was created by Phyllis Neff's daughters, Rachel and Sarah Neff, to remember the everlasting impact their mother made to Lima in her 32-year career at Crime Victim Services.

The academic and scholar excellence of students, staff, and faculty at OSU Lima were recognized and celebrated Friday evening.

The commencement speaker was Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger, whose company announced this year a $20 billion investment in Ohio to build factories to make semiconductor chips. Gelsinger was given an honorary doctorate for engineering. Plus, outgoing Senator Rob Portman also received an honorary doctorate for public service from Ohio State. Among all the graduates, 700 were from the college of nursing, which is a record number for a single graduating class from that particular college.

Ohio State University along with 4H has recognized the need of integrating art with STEM, inviting younger students to explore the endless possibilities of creativity you can bring in a STEM career. 

The Ohio State University is now requiring all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine on August 23.

OSU Lima held their dean's convocation ceremony for the students - their first major on-campus event. Both first and second-year students heard from the dean of OSU Lima, plus a few of their fellow students about the variety of opportunities that are available on campus, as students are able to return to in-person classes and activities once again.

As part of their survey class, freshman from The Ohio State University Lima in various majors participate in the school's Success Series. It gives them a chance to see how skills they learn in the classroom can be applied to careers right in their area. It also helps those undecided in their studies to create a path for the future. On Thursday, students visited The Met and spoke to the owner about his journey to culinary success.