The largest graduating class in Ohio State history, their families and friends gathered in Ohio Stadium for the annualSpring Commencement on May 8.

At Fisher College of Business, more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students earned degrees in disciplines and specializations that will shape their professional careers. Fisher’s Class of 2016 included:

• 1,217 undergraduate students
• 385 from the Master of Accounting, Master of Human Resource Management, Full-Time MBA, MBA for Working Professionals and Specialized Master in Business-Finance programs

The college and university marked the 2016 commencement celebrations with numerous events, beginning with the Undergraduate Graduation Celebration, which recognized the accomplishments of Fisher undergrads.

Fisher also welcomed back a pair of alumni to deliver Pre-Commencement remarks. Max Carrier (’80), the National Partner-in-Charge of eAudIT, Global Delivery Center and Audit Data & Analytics, served as the keynote speaker to MAcc graduates.

“At Ohio State, there’s a call to pay forward,” he said. “Pay forward in your careers and in your lives for the careers and lives of others. Be active in and support causes you have a passion for. Pay forward to those causes with your time, your talent and your treasure, because the relationships you build with passion will become your strongest, your longest and your most cherished relationships.”

Max Carrier ('80) speaks to MAcc graduates at the 2016 MAcc Pre-Commencement ceremony.

Jesse Tyson (MBA ’76), CEO of the National Black MBA Association, highlighted Fisher’s pre-commencement ceremony. Tyson, who also spent 35 years as a leader at Exxon Mobil, delivered the keynote address to Fisher’s other four graduate programs.

“As a group, to reach your potential doesn’t mean you all get to the same place,” Tyson said. “However, armed with a degree from Fisher, you have a quicker start. If you run the race like fellow Buckeye Jesse Owens, a slightly quicker start is really all you need. Your degree is just a glimpse of your future. And the best is yet to come.”

Alum Jesse Tyson delivers the keynote address at Fisher's 2016 Pre-Commencement ceremony.