Google's Boss of Branding Addresses UC Class of May 2015

It was a big day all around at the University of Cincinnati. One of the leaders of the biggest brands in the world offered advice to graduates at UC's biggest Spring Commencement.

UC alumnus Kirk Perry, president of brand solutions at Google and a former Procter & Gamble executive, gave the commencement address at UC's Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies on May 2 at Fifth Third Arena. The Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony was held May 1. This spring’s celebration set a UC record for total degrees conferred.

Google's Perry, the former president of global family care at P&G, also was given an honorary doctorate, the university's highest honor. He challenged students to live uncomfortably, for those moments in life in which we're uncomfortable often result in ones that we remember with the most pride. He also encouraged the students to run with the pack. 

"It goes against what society tells us, but few things are you able to do on your own," Perry said. "A pack helps get things done. Never run alone."

Now that's Cincinnati Smart.

The class of May 2015 is highlighted by 6,335 students eligible to graduate. They are earning 659 associate degrees, 3,663 bachelor's degrees, 1,564 master's degrees and 296 doctoral degrees for a total of 6,445 (some students earn multiple degrees). It's a record number of degrees being conferred at UC, exceeding the previous high set last spring.

UC President Santa J. Ono welcomed bachelor's and associate degree recipients Saturday. In his remarks, he compared the academic journey to a fast-paced action movie filled with deadline pressure and obstacles to navigate. He reminded the students that though many challenges remain ahead, their UC education is the key to the future and that will always be with them.

As many of these graduates step off campus and into their careers, their new UC degree will be a big help. Data collected by UC’s Career Development Center in its spring 2014 Destination Report for bachelor’s degree students show that UC graduates transition well into the workforce. Based on responses in the report:

• UC bachelor's degree graduates’ average starting salary was $44,057.
• 94 percent accepted a position related to their field of study.
• 63 percent participated in a co-op or internship before graduating.
• 69 percent who participated in a co-op or internship have full-time jobs after graduating.
• 79 Fortune 500 companies hired UC graduates.

Take a statistical look at UC’s class of May 2015 online.

COMMENCEMENT PHOTO GALLERY

Get a vivid glimpse of this year’s ceremonies.

STAND-OUT STUDENT STORIES

Read in-depth about some of this spring's graduates:

• UC Names Six Winners of Highest Award for Undergraduates
  
  
• Graduate Waited Nearly a Half Century to Walk in Commencement, Receive Lost Thesis
  
  
• Following the Trail His Grandfather Helped Blaze
  
  
• BioChem Grad Is Second Youngest to Ever Earn a UC Bachelor's Degree
  
  
• College of Allied Health Sciences Graduate Driven to Succeed
  
  
• UC Pharmacy Grads Who Pursue Residency Have High Rate of Success
  
  
• Lindner College of Business Senior Is a Stand Out on UC's Campus

• Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters: C. Francis Barrett, former chairman of the UC Board of Trustees and president and one of the founding members of the downtown Cincinnati law firm of Barrett & Weber
  
  
• Honorary Doctorate of Science: Victor Dzau, president of the Institute of Medicine and Chancellor Emeritus and James B. Duke Professor of Medicine at Duke University
  
  
• Honorary Doctorate of Science: Beverly Malone, chief executive officer of the National League for Nursing and former deputy assistant secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  
  
• Honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science: Kirk Perry, president of brand solutions at Google and a former Procter & Gamble executive
  
  
• President's Award for Excellence: Edwin Gosnell, a retired biology teacher from Towson High School in Baltimore whose service has been recognized by the National Association of Biology Teachers