Ohio State University: Jamie Dimon to address Ohio State graduates at spring 2021 commencement
The first in-person commencement at The Ohio State University in more than a year will feature four special guests with a diverse set of experiences. The university will welcome Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, as spring commencement speaker. Dimon’s remarks will be delivered virtually.
Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase
In addition to employing tens of thousands in central Ohio, JPMorgan Chase recruits more than 100 interns and 90 full-time hires annually from Ohio State and employs more than 3,000 Ohio State alumni. JPMorgan Chase previously partnered with Ohio State to invest $2.5 million to support and promote academic excellence for students from diverse backgrounds. This is an extension of Dimon’s work leading a variety of initiatives to support a diverse and inclusive culture within JPMorgan Chase and throughout communities served by the bank.
Joining Dimon as speakers are three pioneers in their fields. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, whose district includes Ohio State, will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, and veteran NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree. Prolific chemical engineer Robert Langer will also receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the university.
Beatty is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Ochoa was the first Hispanic director and second female director of the Johnson Space Center. Langer is one of 10 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is the highest honor awarded by the prestigious research university.
“This group of speakers offers a unique, wide-ranging perspective that mirrors that of our student body,” said President Kristina M. Johnson. “Buckeye students have a long and positive relationship with Chase, and I’m excited to hear Mr. Dimon speak. I know his experience and perspective will create an inspiring send-off for our graduates.”
Beatty has served Ohio’s Third Congressional District, which includes Ohio State’s Columbus campus, since 2013, and sits on the House Committee on Financial Services. She is chair of the influential Congressional Black Caucus and the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee, and sits on the Housing, Community Development and Insurance subcommittee. Beatty previously served as senior vice president of outreach and engagement at Ohio State.
Ochoa’s service to NASA culminated as the 11th director of the Johnson Space Center and began in 1988, when she was a research engineer at Ames Research Center. Two years later, she became an astronaut and was the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993. It was the first of four trips to outer space for Ochoa, whom NASA has recognized with its top honor, the Distinguished Service Medal.
Langer is the most cited engineer in history and is co-founder and board member of the biotech firm Moderna, one of the U.S.-based companies that utilized groundbreaking technology to quickly and safely produce a COVID-19 vaccine. He has more than 1,400 issued and pending patents and has earned more than 220 awards for his work.
After working closely with local health officials, the university this month announced plans for two in-person commencement ceremonies to take place at Ohio Stadium on May 9. Ohio State expects to issue more than 12,000 degrees and certificates to graduates this spring.
In addition to the two smaller ceremonies, the university is instituting a number of changes to commencement to promote a safe and healthy experience, including digital ticketing and a maximum of two guests to accompany each graduate. More information will be shared with graduates and their families in the near future.