9i果冻制作厂

This Sunday, more than 550 9i果冻制作厂 students will be nervous as they perform the final ceremonial step of their education 鈥� crossing the commencement stage. Equally nervous will be Professor Andrew Mills, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, who has the unenviable task of reading each graduate鈥檚 name before they step onto the stage.

Mills has been reading the names of Otterbein鈥檚 graduates at its commencement ceremonies since 2019 鈥� a role he considers an honor. 鈥淚 enjoy being a small part of this small moment as they finish their time at Otterbein. I have the privilege of saying their name and being a small part of their life story,鈥� he said.

For Mills, it鈥檚 also a book-end moment, since he meets many of them when they are new to campus through an orientation course called It鈥檚 Not 13th Grade and others through his Philosophy courses. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a particular honor to see students I have taught cross the stage,鈥� he said.

Preparation for this important role begins the Friday before the ceremony, when Mills picks up the name cards from Registrar鈥檚 Office. When they register to graduate, each student submits their name as they want it read, including any specific pronunciation. 鈥淎 student who has a name that is often mispronounced will usually include a note that says, 鈥榬hymes with…,鈥欌�� he explained.  

鈥淥ur names are important to us. It is a kindness to be called what you want to be called, and I want to get it right for the student and for their family,鈥� he said.  

Once he has the cards, Mills reads through each one; if he is unsure about the pronunciation, he pulls aside the card. He marks those cards, usually 20-30 each year, with a question mark so when the students check in on Sunday for lineup before their ceremony, they can be informed that he needs clarification. 

Mills said he gets nervous, but after a couple of names, it starts moving so quickly that there is no time for nerves. 鈥淭he student carries their card up, hands it to me, sometimes folded, then I read it, and put it in a basket so that the photographer on the other side of the stage can match the names with the photos later,鈥� he explained.

As if that isn鈥檛 enough pressure, he must keep an eye on the stage to keep an appropriate pace and sneak drinks of water as needed without skipping a beat.

For some, this might be too much pressure. For Mills, it鈥檚 a rewarding experience. 鈥淚 really enjoy reading the names, so much so that I even did it when I was on sabbatical,鈥� he said.

You can hear Mills in action at the .

You can watch the 2025 Commencement Ceremonies live on Sunday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.