Ohio State University has announced that former astronaut and Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden Jr. will be the commencement speaker for this spring’s graduation ceremony.
Bolden, who served as NASA’s first Black and 12th administrator from 2009 to 2017, will address approximately 12,000 graduates and other attendees at the event. During his tenure at NASA, Bolden led initiatives to advance the U.S. space program, including the transition from space shuttle missions to the International Space Station, overseeing the Mars Curiosity Rover landing, and contributing to the Juno mission’s exploration of Jupiter.
A highly decorated veteran and astronaut, Bolden did not attend Ohio State but was awarded an honorary degree in 2017 for his contributions to global sustainability and NASA. He expressed enthusiasm about returning to the campus and joining the graduates and their families for the celebration. Bolden has been affiliated with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State.
Bolden’s distinguished career includes 34 years with the Marine Corps, 14 of which were spent in NASA’s Astronaut Office. He flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War and traveled to orbit four times aboard a space shuttle between 1986 and 1994. His missions included deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and participating in the first U.S.-Russian joint shuttle mission.
He holds numerous honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and is inducted into both the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Bolden graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.
“It is quite an honor and privilege to be invited by a dear friend and fellow Naval aviator, President Ted Carter, to deliver the commencement address to The Ohio State University Class of 2025,” Bolden said.
Currently, Bolden is the founder and CEO emeritus of The Charles F. Bolden Group, a veteran-owned small business focused on space exploration, national security, health initiatives, and STEAM education.
Ohio State President Ted Carter praised Bolden’s leadership and dedication to serving the country, noting that Bolden embodies the university’s mission to serve a greater purpose. “This will be a special day for our graduates, their loved ones, and the entire Ohio State community,” Carter said.
Ohio State’s spring commencement will take place on May 4 at noon at Ohio Stadium. The announcement follows criticism of the 2024 commencement speaker, cryptocurrency enthusiast Chris Pan, whose address included a live demonstration promoting Bitcoin and a confession of using a psychedelic drug to write his speech.
