Graduation Caps in Air
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  2. Commencement

Commencement

Saturday, May 9 at 1 pm

Congratulations Class of 2026!

As you prepare for a very special day, we want to make sure you have answers to all your questions. We will continue to add helpful information about the Commencement Ceremony in the coming weeks. This year’s Commencement ceremony is expected to be the largest in Rio’s 150‑year history. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as heavy traffic and delays are possible.

Rio graduates pose for picture with thumbs up

Cap and Gown

Graduates may pick-up their cap and gown in the Records Office in Rhodes Center. Rain tickets are attached to caps and gowns.

Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Commencement Details

Graduates should assemble in cap and gown on Saturday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. in their assigned area in front of Davis Library. The academic procession will start at 1:00 p.m. Graduates who cannot attend must get permission from the Registrar, Olivia Bevan (ext. 7370) or obevan@rio.edu. These students will graduate in absentia.

We are anticipating roadwork taking place in and near the village in May. Please allow extra time when traveling in case of delays. 

Commencement Practice

Rehearsal for Commencement will be held on Friday, May 8, at 10 am. Although this is not required, attendance is strongly encouraged. Additional information will be posted as it's available. Please meet in the area at the front entrance of Davis library to receive your line-up instructions. Practice should conclude by 11 am. 

In case of inclement weather, practice will be held in Lyne Center.

Thursday, May 7
Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Berry Fine & Performing Arts Center - Christensen Theatre
(Traditional RN and on-campus LPN to RN)


Friday, May 8
Allied Health Pinning Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Berry Fine & Performing Arts Center - Christensen Theatre

Saturday, May 9 at 11 am

Berry Fine & Performing Arts Center - Christensen Theatre

Graduates should arrive robed by 10:30 am. 

View Map

Village of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Campus Police Departments will be directing traffic and parking beginning at 10 a.m.

Handicap Parking will be available on North College Avenue, in the Greer Museum Lot and the lot across from Ohio Valley Bank.  Guests who do not have handicapped parking, but need to drop someone off, can pull into Ohio Valley Bank, drop off the guest and then pull through the bank to return to SR 325 to find parking. 

Guests arriving from the West/North (US 35):

Exit onto SR 325. Parking is available in the following lots:

  • Across from Ohio Valley Bank
  • Cherry Ridge
  • Rhodes Student Center
  • Lyne Center
  • Bob Evans Farms Hall

Guests arriving from the East/South (US 35):

To help avoid traffic congestion, please consider using the alternate to exit onto it onto SR 850, turn right onto SR 588, then turn left onto Bevo Francis Drive. Parking is available in the Bob Evans Farms Hall Parking Lot. 

This exit is prior to the SR 325 Exit at Rio Grande. 

View Map

The entire ceremony will be livestreamed so your family and friends can be part of your special day wherever they are.  

Please invite them to view the ceremony on Rio's YouTube channel.

Photographs: Roots Photography is excited to be Rio’s commencement photographer. All graduates will be photographed during the ceremony and photos and digital downloads will be available for purchase. If you have any questions, please visit Roots Photography.

Videos: DVDs of the Commencement ceremony will be available for purchase. E-mail Mike Thompson at miket@rio.edu. Cost: $20.00 (includes shipping).


Guests must not block aisles or stage ramps while taking their own photographs and videos.

Outdoor seating is first come, first served. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. Please, no tents or canopies. After the benediction, any personal chairs located in the circle on the green will need to be removed to make room for the singing of the Alma Mater.

Out of courtesy to others, we ask that you not block viewers behind you. Christensen Theatre in Berry Fine Arts is available for seating indoors, if needed.

On Saturday, May 9, the Rio Bookstore will be open from 9-11 am. There will also be a concession stand available from 11 am through the close of the graduation ceremony. Find the bookstore on Facebook or visit our website.

39 North Coffee Shop will be open from 10 am to 1 pm 

A concession stand will be open near the green from 11 am until the end of the ceremony

This year's address will be given by Matt Stutzman. Learn more about Mr. Stutzman.

Name Pronunciation

Graduates who want to ensure proper name pronunciation should contact their Dean during Practice or within two days of the ceremony.

Lynley Carey

IN CASE OF RAIN

Lyne Center’s Newt Oliver Arena is the backup facility in case of inclement weather. If the ceremony is in Lyne Center, seating is on the bleachers and requires a ticket for admission. Graduates will receive four tickets for their guests when they pick up their caps and gowns. Guest seating will be available beginning at noon. Graduates must make arrangements to distribute the rain tickets to their guests before the ceremony. These tickets will be used only in case of rain. 

Out of respect for our graduates and families, we must limit the number of tickets per graduate to four. Children two and under do not require a ticket. 

If graduates have more than four guests, additional guests may view the ceremony via simulcast in the Christensen Theatre, Berry Arts Center.

Live stream available on Rio's YouTube Channel. 

In case of rain, announcements regarding moving the ceremony indoors will be made by 11:00 a.m. on local radio stations, Rio.edu, and Rio's social media pages. 

DIPLOMAS

Graduates completing degree requirements in spring semester will receive an email when diplomas are ready for pickup. Diplomas not picked up will be mailed via USPS. An e-diploma will also be sent to your student email.

Summer graduates will receive diplomas via USPS after final grades and degrees have been posted. Please notify the Office of the Registrar at 740-245-7369, or email at records@rio.edu if you prefer to pick up your diploma instead of having it mailed. 

Have Questions

If you need additional information, email Commencement Coordinator Annette Ward. 

Annette Ward

  • Chief of Staff