️ A Milestone Ceremony at Ohio State
On Sunday, August 3, at precisely 2 p.m., the Schottenstein Center buzzed with pride and celebration as 39 current and former Ohio State student‑athletes walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Representing a wide range of collegiate sports, the group includes national champions, All‑Americans, conference title‑winners, and exceptional academic performers.
This summer ceremony marks one of Ohio State’s three commencement seasons—spring, summer, and autumn—taking place annually. It offers an opportunity for student‑athletes who completed degrees outside the main spring ceremony to join the graduation festivities.
Notable Student‑Athlete Graduates: Champions Both On and Off the Field
1. Katherine Zenick – Women’s Swimming
- Accolades: 25 All‑America honors; multiple Big Ten titles in the 100‑yard butterfly and 50‑yard freestyle.
- Academics: Four-time First‑Team All‑Big Ten selection; recognized for excellence both athletically and academically.
2. Carson Kharchla – Wrestling
- Athletic achievements: Three-time NCAA qualifier, 2022 All‑American.
- Academic achievements: Five-time Academic All‑Big Ten, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, two-time NWCA Scholar All‑America, and a five‑time Ohio State Scholar‑Athlete.
3. Daniel Baltes – Men’s Swimming
- Athletics: Six‑time All‑American; semifinalist in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials (50 free).
- Academics: Three‑time Academic All‑Big Ten, four‑time Ohio State Scholar‑Athlete honoree.
4. Daniella Santos – Cross Country & Track & Field
- Records: Program record holder in indoor 5000 m and outdoor 10,000 m (twice); top 5 in outdoor 5000 m.
- Accolades: Two-time NCAA individual qualifier; First Team All‑Great Lakes Region three times; two-time All‑Big Ten.
5. Nolan Williams – Men’s Fencing
- Highlights: Two-time NCAA qualifier; three-time all-conference; two-time all-region.
- Leadership: 2025 CCFC saber champion and key contributor to five straight conference championships.
6. Gannon Matthews – Men’s Lacrosse
- Athletics: Honorable Mention USILA All‑American in 2025; part of Big Ten regular-season and tournament championship teams—the first in program history.
- Academics: Recognized as USILA Scholar All‑America; now playing professionally.
Academic Excellence Across Disciplines
These standout figures reflect just a portion of the 39 graduates. Across all sports, degrees ranged from communication, education, sport industry, family sciences, finance, and more.
Ohio State student‑athletes consistently exhibit strong academic performance—with academic honors like Academic All‑Big Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and Ohio State Scholar‑Athlete status being common among them.
Notably, across the board, OSU student‑athletes maintained an average GPA of 3.37 in the 2023‑24 academic year, with the football team posting an average GPA of 3.3. Ohio State also achieved a perfect Academic Progress Rate in football—an elite distinction shared only with Harvard among Division I programs.
⚽ The Broader Context: Student‑Athletes at Ohio State
Spring 2025 Context
- At the Spring Commencement on May 4, 2025, 212 current and former student‑athletes received their degrees during an enormous ceremony at Ohio Stadium—part of a total of 12,357 degrees and certificates conferred that day.
- Included were 14 football players, such as JT Tuimoloau (communications), Jordan Hancock (human development and family science), Carson Hinzman (sport industry), and others like Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Sr., who completed their degrees via the degree completion program.
Summer 2024 Precedent
- The previous summer ceremony in 2024 featured 42 student‑athletes, including standouts like Greg Oden (master’s in sport coaching), Devin Smith (communication), and national champions from synchronized swimming, women’s hockey, diving, basketball, wrestling, rowing, and volleyball.
Why This Matters: The Student‑Athlete Experience Beyond Sports
1. Balancing Dual Demands
Being a student‑athlete at a powerhouse like Ohio State requires remarkable time management, discipline, and resilience. These individuals balance travel, rigorous training, and competitions with full academic schedules, internships, and pagework—or in graduate programs.
2. Academic Support Infrastructure
Ohio State offers robust support for athletes: academic advisors, study halls, tutoring, eligibility compliance support, and degree completion pathways for former athletes finishing their education. This ensures athletes remain on track regardless of athletic status.
3. Academic Honors Reflect Holistic Excellence
Honors like Academic All‑Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar are not just decorative—they require sustained high academic achievement. They reflect a deep commitment to intellectual and athletic excellence.
4. Creating Opportunities After Graduation
Data indicates that 96% of student‑athletes graduating in 2023‑24 secured a job, enrolled in graduate school, or continued playing professionally. Ohio State’s degree completion programs also empower former athletes—regardless of when they attended—to graduate and transition to the next chapter.
Lessons and Inspirational Takeaways
- Graduation is not just about sports victories—it is a measure of personal growth, persistence, and academic success.
- Division of student‑athlete roles is evolving. Ohio State’s success demonstrates its commitment to nurturing both athletic and academics.
- Programs like this summer’s enable lifelong learners—former student‑athletes—to return and complete their education, showcasing the university’s inclusive approach.
Conclusion: Celebrating Scholar‑Athlete Excellence
As the summer of 2025 ushers in this inspiring group of 39 graduates, Ohio State continues to demonstrate that sporting achievement and academic success go hand in hand. With their diplomas in hand, these Buckeyes take forward into new arenas—equipped not only with medals and records but with degrees, skills, and stories of perseverance.
May their journey encourage others: success is multidimensional; championships count, but so do classroom achievements, late-night study sessions, and personal growth. Here’s to the 2025 Summer Commencement student‑athlete graduates—leaders today, alumni and role models tomorrow.
For More Information
- The official Ohio State Athletics website provides full listing of athletes and their fields of study.
- The Office of the Registrar and University Commencement site explain ceremonies, diploma pickup, and degree completion services.
