Mark Torrez
Graduating Senior from Toledo Chosen to Speak at Commencement Eve Ceremony
The Ohio State University – The Ohio Union announced today that graduating senior Mark Torrez will represent his graduating class by speaking at the 2009 Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony. The ceremony will be held Saturday, June 13 at 9 pm on the Main Oval.
Mark Torrez was chosen among several worthy graduates who applied to be the speaker at the Commencement Eve Ceremony. Applicants were asked to submit a short speech to reflect on their time at Ohio State and to embody the meaning of the student experience at the university. Torrez is a Strategic Communications major and is involved with Sphinx, Ohio Staters Inc., Buckeyethon and Orientation among other organizations and programs on campus. “Mark exemplifies spirit, integrity, and passion for Ohio State,” says Matt Couch, Senior Assistant Director for the Ohio Union. “Mark is also celebrating the fact that he will be the first person in his family to graduate from college, so his speech will be inspirational for many reasons.” Torrez plans to attend the University of Georgia, where he will have a graduate assistantship in the Center for Leadership and Service. He will work to obtain a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration.
All graduating students are invited to congregate on the Main Oval for the Commencement Eve Ceremony, where graduates will receive a class pin available exclusively at the event. Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee and Vice President for Student Life Dr. Javaune Gaston-Adams will speak. OSU alumna and broadcast journalist Erin Moriarty, who will receive an honorary degree at the next day’s Commencement ceremony, will represent the Alumni Association. The event will also include a candlelight rendition of “Carmen Ohio” and the opportunity to reflect on their journey at Ohio State.
In addition to the Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony, Commencement Week will feature activities such as Chalk the Walk, the Things You Never Got to See Tour and the Time and Change Tailgate. Commencement Week is sponsored by the Office of Student Life and the Ohio State Alumni Association. Additional information about Commencement Week can be found at http://commencementweek.osu.edu.