The Ohio State University
12/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/22/2025 07:37
President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. to graduates: Tell the truth, be loyal and be on time
Students celebrate the 2025 Autumn Commencement at Ohio State
Photo: The Ohio State University
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22
December
2025
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08:33 AM
America/New_York
President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. to graduates: Tell the truth, be loyal and be on time
At autumn commencement, 3,584 degrees and certificates awarded
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Franny Lazarus
Ohio State News
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President of The Ohio State University Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. served as commencement speaker Sunday at the 441st ceremony. His message was a simple one, he said.
"I'm going to give you three what I call 'behavioral principles,' some things that I have observed that, if you take these things into your life, I promise you, not only will you be successful, you will change the entire trajectory of your life."
The first revolved around the truth.
"Be a truth speaker, a truth seeker and a truth receiver," he said. The final point, a reminder to students that hearing the truth, even when it's unwelcome, is a necessary part of life.
"Never shoot the messenger, no matter how bad the message is," he said.
Carter's second principle was to be loyal.
"I'm not talking about blind loyalty," he said. "I'm talking about the type of loyalty that starts with yourself."
Students should be loyal to themselves, to their communities and their environments, he said.
The final principle was more concrete: Be on time.
"I don't know of anybody that's ever been successful in their career and been late at doing it," he said. "If you can deliver your product or service … with success and on time, you will separate yourself from everybody else."
Carter chose to be the commencement speaker, he said, in part, so he could keep things brief.
"I know what the date is," he said. "I know how close we are to the holidays. This is an attempt for me to streamline the system just a little bit."
Board of Trustees Vice Chair Elizabeth Kessler presented Distinguished Service Awards to Patricia L. Brundige and Gerald H. Newsome, in honor of their dedication to the university.
Of the 3,584 degrees and certificates awarded, 175 were doctorates, 570 master's, eight professional and 2,831 undergraduate and associate degrees and certificates. Nearly 70 countries were represented at the ceremony, with students from Chile, Greece, India, Mexico, Zimbabwe and more.
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President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. to graduates: Tell the truth, be loyal and be on time
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The Ohio State University published this content on December 22, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 22, 2025 at 13:37 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]