Group of BGSU graduates viewed from above — 2023 BGSU graduates get ready for their morning Commencement ceremony on April 29. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

In Photos: Spring Commencement 2023

BGSU celebrates the achievement of its Spring 2023 graduates during three Commencement ceremonies

The 306th Bowling Green State University Commencement welcomed a new generation of alumni during ceremonies on April 28 and 29, as families, loved ones and supporters gathered to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and the next steps in their lives.

University photographers Craig Bell, Justin Camuso-Stall '14 and Haven Conn '22 documented the culmination of the graduates' journey and the excitement for students and loved ones.

Stroh Center seats are filled with famiy and friends as 2023 graduates sit in chairs on the floor during Commencement — Family members and loved ones fill the Stroh Center to watch their graduates during the 3 p.m. Commencement ceremony on April 29. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

Audience members wave at graduates — Family members and friends wave at their graduates at Commencement on April 28. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell).

Woman in Stroh Center stands hugs graduate — A graduate is hugged by a family member in the stands of the Stroh Center during the April 29 Commencement processional. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

In total, the Spring 2023 graduating class included 2,604 candidates, of which 147 were presented associate degrees, 1,913 were presented bachelor's degrees, 531 with master's degrees and 36 with doctoral degrees.

A ceremony for all graduate degree candidates, bachelor’s candidates from the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business and associate and bachelor’s candidates from Firelands College took place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28. New this year, doctoral degree candidates were honored with a separate Hooding Ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Three BGSU graduates show their diploma covers and give talons up sign — New graduates show their diploma covers - and their talons up - during the April 28 Commencement ceremony. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

BGSU graduate holds diploma cover and smiles — Homecoming King Andrew Hogle smiles after receiving his diploma cover during the April 28 Commencement. Hogle, a President's Medal recipient, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in education. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

Alumnus Bob Sebo and stepson Parker Hydrick — Bob Sebo ’58, 13 (Hon.) shakes the hand of his stepson, Parker Hydrick, after presenting Hydrick with his diploma during the April 28 Commencement ceremony as Schmidthorst College of Business Dean Dr. Jennifer Percival looks on. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

Betty Montgomery and BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers — Former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery ’70 is awarded an honorary doctorate from BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers during the April 28 Commencement. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

Bowling Green State University awarded one of its most accomplished alumnae, former Ohio Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery '70, with an honorary doctorate degree during Spring 2023 Commencement.

In her extensive law and public service career, Montgomery served the people of Ohio with distinction as attorney general. She graduated from BGSU with a bachelor of arts in 1970 and went on to earn her law degree. She was the first woman elected attorney general in Ohio, serving from 1995 to 2003.

BGSU faculty member Jenn Stucker and son Jake Stucker at Commencement — Jenn Stucker, associate professor and division chair of the BGSU Graphic Design Department, poses with her son Jake Stucker after she presented him with his diploma cover at the April 28 Commencement. Jake Stucker, a President’s Award recipient, graduated summa cum laude from the Schmidthorst College of Business with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

BGSU graduate Kyrsten Stuckey — President’s Leadership Academy scholar Kyrsten Stuckey, a BGSU student leader who spoke at TEDxBGSU and this year’s Symposium on Diversity, as well as serving as the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, waves as she walks across the Commencement stage on April 28. Stuckey graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in education. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

Graduate poses with Freddie and Frieda Falcon — New graduate Hailey Kurtz, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA, poses with her feathered friends outside the Stroh Center on April 29. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

The ceremony for bachelor’s candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health and Human Services took place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, while a ceremony for bachelor's candidates from the College of Education and Human Development, College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering and College of Musical Arts was held at 3 p.m. that same day.

Two BGSU graduates pose with a thumbs up at graduation — Jay Boyden and Hannah McFarland pose at their April 29 afternoon Commencement. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

BGSU graduate holds up diploma cover and smiles — New graduate Campbell Holben holds his diploma cover aloft during the morning Commencement on April 29. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

Provost Dr. Joe B. Whitehead Jr., Dr. David Fulton, BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers — Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Joe B. Whitehead Jr. and BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers award Dr. David Fulton, founder of the BGSU Computer Science Department, with an honorary doctorate. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

The Bowling Green State University Department of Computer Science is one of the most respected and sought-after programs in the nation today, due in large part to the vision of department founder Dr. David Fulton, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University during Spring 2023 Commencement, in recognition of his life's dedication to the field. During his tenure at BGSU from 1970-80, he led the growth of Ohio's first computer science program into the full-fledged department that it is today.

BGSU graduate Tiffany Eckert — Tiffany Eckert, a Human Development and Family Studies major, joins her fellow graduates in moving their tassels from right to left after degrees were conferred during Commencement on April 29. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

Two BGSU military students — Two military students stand to be recognized during the morning Commencement ceremony on April 29. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)

The wit and creativity of BGSU students shone through with their choice of decorated mortarboards. From thanking family members, to touting their future professions and even giving a tip of the cap to AI, the colorful additions stood out in the field of graduates. Here are some of the favorites captured by BGSU Chief Photographer, Craig Bell.

Graduation cap says, “Thanks for the inspiration” with photo of dad and daughter

Graduation cap says, “Reach out and find your Happily Ever After / RAAM ’23”

Graduation cap says “Thanks Mom + Dad” on top of a 45 record of Electric Light Orchestra’s Mr. Blue Sky

BGSU graduate pumps fist and dances on stage — An excited new graduate dances on the Commencement stage during the April 28 ceremony. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn ’22)

Dean Dawn Shinew and son Luther Shinew hug at his graduation — Dean Dr. Dawn Shinew, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, hugs her son, graduate Luther Shinew, who graduated from the Schmidthorst College of Business during the April 28 ceremony. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell).

In Photos: Spring Commencement 2023

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