Hooding Ceremony

Mark your calendars for May 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. as we gather in the Mershon Auditorium to witness this momentous occasion. Share in their pride as they embark on their new endeavors, armed with knowledge and the potential to make a lasting impact.

Mershon Auditorium will open to the public at 1:00 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required. An accessible seating area is located at the rear of the main floor of the auditorium. Accessible restrooms are located off the main floor lobby.

Location

Mershon Auditorium
1871 N High St.
Columbus, OH 43201

Parking

Paid parking will be available in the Union South Parking Garage (Garage Directions), which is approximately 0.2 miles from Mershon Auditorium.  Please note that you may enter the Union South Parking Garage from either the High Street entrance or the College Avenue entrance. Traffic on High Street tends to back up from people entering there. Thus, you may want to use the College Avenue entrance. Guests may also wish to consider the South Campus Gateway Garage (Garage Directions), which is approximately 0.7 miles from Mershon Auditorium.  

Guests arriving by a car service or an app-based car service should be dropped off at the small metered parking area on the High Street side ofershon Auditorium.

Video

For those guests who will be unable to attending Hooding, the college will be pleased to offer the livestream video. To access the livestream, click here.

Accessibility

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact law-moritz-dap@osu.edu. Mershon Auditorium does not have an elevator. Main floor wheelchair accessible seating is available for guests with mobility-based needs and their companions. Current ADA standards allow for companion seating of 3 people maximum. Accessible restrooms are located off the main floor lobby. Wheelchairs are available with a valid ID on a first-come, first-served basis at the main floor coat check. 

To plan accessible seating or make other accommodation requests, contact Mershon Auditorium at accessibility@wexarts.org or call (614) 688-3890. For further accommodation assistance, Tammy Eckard, Accessibility Manager, can be reached at teckard@wexarts.org or (614) 292-7539.

Quiet Room

A soundproof quiet room is available at the back of the auditorium for guests who may need a space for children to move around or make noise. You are welcome to use this room at any time during the ceremony. 

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include weapons, glass, cans, fireworks, back packs/large bags bigger than 8"x5"x1", laser pens, confetti cannons, noise makers, projectiles, smoking/vape devices, balloons, professional cameras/equipment/external flashes, outside food and beverages, poles, sticks, and large signs or flags that obstruct views. Empty non-glass water bottles are permitted.

Security

There will be 5 magnetometers (metal detectors or “mags”) in place for all events open to the public. Three are located at the High St. entrance and two are located at the College Rd. entrance. All guests will be required to walk through the mags. There will be a police officer on-site to deal with any issues. BEST Security will run the mags and check for prohibited items. All bags are subject to search.