Grads share experience directing films, screening at The Athena
The end of the semester is a busy time for any senior. Many students are completing their capstone projects. For Scarlett Fried and Eli Kaltenecker, however, it’s the culmination of months of hard work, as they are both screening their respective films at The Athena.
Early in April, Fried, a senior studying media arts production, screened her film “Rooted” at The Athena.
Wanting to create a “love story that was like a drama on a farm,” Fried drew inspiration from several films, including “Little Women” and “Dirty Dancing.”
Fried is a self-described “theater girl” who loves musicals. Her love of music extends to “Rooted,” as the identity of the film is informed by music.
“That was like a big aspect for this film,” Fried said, “to have a lot of music in the background.”
When asked about her experience screening “Rooted” at The Athena, Fried said it was “such a blast” to see her name on the marquee and watch her film on the big screen. “I’ve only watched it on my laptop until I saw it with a whole crowd of people.”
Highlighting some of the greatest graduating athletes
Local photographers capture Bobcat graduates
CAITLYN VANCE | FOR THE POST
As Ohio University’s spring 2026 commencement draws near, popped champagne caps cover the Court Street bricks, and caps and gowns fill College Green.
With Ohio University days away from the 2025-26 academic year ending, now is the perfect time to take a look
Graduation photos are considered a rite of passage for multiple Bobcats. Graduates hire local photographers or students to capture their final weeks on campus.
This year was a very successful year for Ohio and its sports teams, as sports like football, volleyball, women’s basketball and softball had very solid years with lots of great seniors suiting up for them.
Plenty of students plan their pictures months ahead in hopes of achieving a memorable photoshoot.
“I have them send me a Pinterest board, show me what they kind of want, as well as locations they really want, especially on campus,” Kelly Prim, a junior studying commercial photography who captures senior portraits, said.
Pinterest is a popular app where users can find and save images based on their aesthetic or interests. Prim, who has taken photographs since the COVID-19 pandemic, does graduation shoots for other colleges, notably Marietta College.
Prim’s senior packages cost $300 for a two to three hour shoot, according to her website. Prim’s graduation season schedule for OU shoots fluctuates by year, affected by how many graduates she knows personally.
“My freshman year, I had no photos here,” Prim said. “My sophomore year, I did about 20 people ... this year I have two people, close friends that are graduating.”
Prim said with a typical graduation session, clients will receive about 50 photos.
Career uncertainty grows for recent graduates
On March 21, Fortune Magazine published an article stating the entry-level job market is worse now than it has been in 37 years.
According to The Associated Press, U.S. job openings rose to nearly 6.95 million in January; however, in February, employers cut 92,000 jobs.
Previously, 2025 was the weakest hiring year since 2002, with the job market adding fewer than 10,000 jobs a month. The AP attributes all of those problems to the lingering effects of high interest rates, uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s policies and the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
Craig Davis, an Ohio University journalism professor, said he is unsure of the claims mentioned in Fortune Magazine’s article
because he has not had many students face severe obstacles when it comes to finding a job.
“I haven’t had students come up against the wall in terms of getting jobs,” Davis said. “I do know that it’s dropped off and it’s harder, but we don’t have tangible evidence.”
Historically, when the job market is weak, graduate programs see an increase in applications, as many people seek to further their education in times of economic uncertainty, according to Candace Boeninger, the vice president for enrollment management at OU.
OU does not currently have its enrollment numbers for the graduate program next year. However, this academic year, there were 5,017 students pursuing graduate degrees at the Athens campus, an increase of 117, according to enrollment data.
GRADUATION PHOTOS BY ETHAN HERX, PEARL SPURLOCK, RYAN GRZYBOWSKI
ART BY ABBY DOENCH | ASST DESIGN DIRECTOR
BOBCAT GRAD PHOTOS
BY RYAN GRZYBOWSKI
Ramaswamy mentions plan to consolidate, close Ohio universities
FINN SMITH NEWS STAFF WRITER
Vivek Ramaswamy, the leading Republican candidate in Ohio’s Gubernatorial race, recently mentioned a plan to consolidate and close some of Ohio’s public universities. Ramaswamy made the remarks initially in a campaign speech.
“I love universities in Ohio, I want us to have the best universities,” Ramaswamy said in a video posted on Threads. “We have too many of them. They need to be consolidated. And when you consolidate them, they can actually be centers of excellence who are actually the best in their respective domains, instead of trying to create replicas and clones of one another.”
Ramaswamy’s team was unable to provide a comment to The Post.
David Pepper, the running mate of the leading Democratic candidate, Dr. Amy Acton, said the two of them have had good conversations with higher education leaders, and stated their goal is to have higher education connect young people and communities to jobs of the 21st century.
“We want to make sure that we’re making investments to do that,” Pepper said. “But that once those investments are made, that schools across the state are really effectively connecting young people to not just the education that makes them good citizens, but also the education that leads them into good jobs and creates a workforce that employers around the state can rely on for 21st century jobs.”
Ohio has 14 public universities with 24 regional branch campuses, 22 community colleges and over 70 adult workforce education and training centers, according to the Ohio Department of Education.
A main concern many opponents have with Ramaswamy’s plan is the impact some universities in Ohio have on the towns they are situated in.
Nicholas Stroup, assistant professor of higher education at Ohio University, mentioned what the loss of colleges would mean for the local areas surrounding them.
“It would mean a loss of local business, industry in the area, professional training for people who might move and stay there,” Stroup said. “We know that universities are these drivers of economic activity, and so it would make a big difference in those local communities.”
OU is most likely not one of the colleges being considered by Ramaswamy due to its position on the national scale, Stroup said. OU is the largest employer in Athens and has a positive impact on the economy in Athens, according to an OU press release.
Job
Market /
Another concern that has arisen since Ramaswamy’s statements is the loss of access to education. Ramaswamy mentioned the proximity of schools to one another, stating many universities are too close together.
Pepper responded to those claims, saying people all across the state in every region deserve the opportunity to attend a university next door.
“This is a guy who didn’t go to school here, who hasn’t even taken the time to understand these schools,” Pepper said. “And he just, in this very sort of dismissive way, says they’re all clones of one another … to an extent, there is some overlap. Well, that’s because kids in one part of the state want an opportunity in their region of the state that kids in another region of the state also want.”
Stroup discussed the harm that closing schools close to small communities could have, recognizing that many people are unable to make the journey to go to farther schools.
“There would be great harm to communities where there is not nearby access to take away the closer university, the closer college, because that’s going to diminish the opportunities for so many people who can’t get away because they have other work to be doing,” Stroup said. “They can’t balance their caretaking needs with family, with their studies, because commutes make a big difference.”
Gov. Mike DeWine, who endorsed Ramaswamy, disagreed with the plan. According to the Statehouse News Bureau, DeWine is not in favor of consolidation because it is important to give people all across the state access to commute to school.
Additionally, Ramaswamy backs his plan up by noting the lowering enrollment in universities across the state; however, Stroup argued there are other ways to increase
enrollment.
“The college-age learner is not the majority of learners in post-secondary education in the U.S. today,” Stroup said. “And if colleges were serious about addressing questions related to enrollment dips, there would be more wraparound support for nontraditional-aged learners.”
Stroup mentioned some policies that would work to implement that, such as online education, academic forgiveness and academic fresh starts. OU recently passed both academic forgiveness and academic fresh start programs.
Ramaswamy is not the first person to propose a plan to consolidate and close universities. Stroup said they surface almost every election cycle in states across the country, and there were about 20 similar cases in the last five years.
Stroup discussed how similar plans that were implemented look.
“In other attempts to consolidate public universities, we’ve seen that they typically result in a lot of administrative overhead,” Stroup said. “And even though the goal is to cut costs, they actually increase costs … what we would see is likely a reduction of access for students who are seeking to attend college where they live.”
continued from pg 1
“I haven’t had students come up against the wall in terms of getting jobs,” Davis said. “I do know that it’s dropped off and it’s harder, but we don’t have tangible evidence.”
Historically, when the job market is weak, graduate programs see an increase in applications, as many people seek to further their education in times of economic uncertainty, according to Candace Boeninger, the vice president for enrollment management at OU.
OU does not currently have its enrollment numbers for the graduate program next year. However, this academic year, there were 5,017 students pursuing graduate degrees at the Athens campus, an increase of 117, according to enrollment data.
“Overall, OHIO’s strategic enrollment plan calls for a gradual growth in the proportion of doctoral students and a slight decrease in master’s enrollment over time, with the total number of graduate students remaining relatively stable,” Boeninger said in an email.
Lauren Park, a senior at OU studying political science and international studies, war and peace, plans to do a one-year graduate program at OU following graduation. She said she is doing this because it is easier than searching for a job in the current job market for her specialization.
Park believes the job market is heavily impacted by the field and the career someone is going into.
“I think if you’re in an on-demand career like nursing or engineering … you have more of them (opportunities),” Park said. “Whereas with political science and some of those social sciences, a lot of
our jobs are very unsure.”
Some students are choosing to come back for their graduate program now.
Thomas Krauss, a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in osteopathic medicine, took a gap year before pursuing his Ph.D.
Krauss majored in microbiology at Auburn University and tried to find a job in Birmingham, Alabama, after graduation.
“Birmingham just didn’t have a lot of jobs in the field I was looking for, so I just couldn’t really find much to do,” Krauss said.
Amari Thompson, a senior studying political science at OU, recently got a job at OU’s Dublin campus as an administrative assistant at their medical school after consistently applying for jobs.
“I applied to Dublin’s campus in February and did not hear back until late March,” Thompson said. “It’s just like a struggle of ‘what’s your next plan? Where are you going?’ You get those questions a lot as a senior, so it was more of a stressful experience of what’s going to happen next if I don’t get a job.”
Students have many resources on campus to help them find jobs and internships. One example is Career Services, which is located on the fifth floor of Baker University Center.
Amelia Criswell, a junior at OU studying studio art, works as a peer coach for Career Services. Criswell discussed the goal of Career Services.
“We’re not necessarily promising that these people are going to be finding a job for sure,” Criswell said. “But we’re
more preparing them for that step of finding a job,”
Criswell said Career Services does that by having peer coaches look over students’ resumes, teach them LinkedIn and other networking social media, and prepare and practice for interviews.
In addition, Career Services offers the Career Closet, where students can get free professional clothes for interviews. There are also networking and professional development organizations, such as the Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre. The center’s focus is to help students with a sales certificate or interest in the industry, and has a 100% job placement post-graduation.
Greg Scott, the managing director of the Schey Sales Centre, discussed the best skills to have during the hiring process
“I almost think about it as a bunch of little mini games,” Scott said. “... As an example, it isn’t just a ‘you need to have the best resume in the world or you won’t get the job.’ You need a good enough resume to get the interview, but after you get the interview, realistically, the resume is not that important.”
Scott said he believes interpersonal skills and communication will always be important when finding a job
Davis takes time in and beyond his classes to help students find and prepare for jobs. Every semester, he reviews every one of his student’s resumes in front of the class so they can learn how to adjust and tweak their resume.
“For the job hiring process, you need to be resilient,” Davis said. “You need to network, and you need to keep at it all the time. Every person is asked to do that. They leverage their network, they send out resumes, they talk to people and get out there.”
Viveck Ramaswamy Courtesy of Vivek For Ohio
As any Ohio University student can attest, one of the most commonly heard phrases across campus is “experiential learning.” Those two words are stamped on grant proposals, departmental flyers and almost every university webpage. It’s one of those overused terms that borders on a cliché and lacks a clear definition on its surface, but as I reach the end of my eighth semester as a Bobcat, I can confidently say experiential learning has been the highlight of my college experience.
Not one of my four years passed by without presenting a new experiential opportunity. The first instance was during my freshman year when I attended an open house in The Post newsroom. By mid-September, my name was on the byline of multiple Entertainment stories, and I slowly developed my involvement and eventually
Well, it’s here. It’s the final week in Athens for around 14,000 undergraduates. Days are filled with saying goodbyes, rallying through senior shot shuffles and wrapping up bucket-list items. Court Street is packed beyond recognition and College Green is crawling with those looking for one last moment on the bricks.
It’s the final week of college, and all I can think about is the 15-year-old me who never thought I’d be here.
There is really no one reason my teenage self believed that. College seemed so far off, and I was worried about making it through the rest of high school. All of the typical teenage worries crowded my life. But something shifted when I began to explore subjects outside of my comfort zone. For the first time, education
Rooks Reflects | The final reflection
ROOKSBERRY | MANAGING EDITOR
SOPHIA
served in leadership roles within the Human Interest section.
With each new position, The Post threw me deeper and deeper into the whirlwind reality of running a newsroom that serves a vast community and comprises hundreds of staff members. My time as Managing Editor was full of engaging challenges and exciting developments, and it’s heartbreaking to believe my time in the executive office is almost over.
While most of my journalistic skills are a product of my time with the newspaper, the rest were forged in the crucible of my internships, which are a key pillar of experiential learning. My connections and associated reputation provided by the *E.W. Scripps School of Journalism earned me experiences in Washington, San Diego and Austin, expanding my skills into videography and social media while learning from some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Even outside of my primary discipline, my minor and certificate programs weren’t immune to the experiential
learning fever. I have performed in concerts and engaged in musical workshops for my *Music minor, and I spent the past year in and out of the *Kennedy Museum of Art, co-curating an exhibition for my Museum Studies Certificate. However, my favorite experiential learning opportunity within my secondary fields of study was my semester abroad in *Leipzig, Germany. I left halfway through my sophomore year in pursuit of my German Minor, and I returned in the fall a more confident, well-rounded version of myself.
Looking forward, all of these experiences have made me a well-equipped journalist who feels prepared for whatever comes next. Looking back, experiential learning gave me more than transferable skills and a solid resume; it gave me the people who are making this impending goodbye seem so impossible.
All of those challenges and developments I faced at The Post were tackled alongside a team of my best friends.
*Jackson McCoy, Alex Hopkins and Abby Waechter have
been my North Stars during
the hardest parts of this year, and will remain some of my biggest inspirations for years to come. I would not be half the journalist or human being I am today without them or The Post.
Those bright minds I learned from during my internships are not confined to those of my supervisors and bosses.
*Riley Clark and Darcie Zudell are truly some of the sharpest and most dedicated women I have the privilege of calling my friends, and I can’t imagine a future where we aren’t traveling the country together, kicking a-- on the job.
My semester in Leipzig gave me more than just a minor and a new worldview. The friends I made during those five months remain some of my strongest connections, and neither the English nor German language holds enough words to describe what those girls did for me.
*Meine Katzen, ich liebe euch immer.
The last group I’ll gush over is the one I didn’t meet during an extracurricular or at an internship. My four roommates, whom I met by chance my freshman year and
haven’t parted from since, are the unwavering river of continuity flowing through my undergraduate years. Sofie, Grace, Noa and Alex, I hope the five of us share a porch together in every lifetime, and I hope you all know there is no me without you.
No matter how tacky they look, the words on the doors of *Chubb Hall are undeniably true: “Everything is experience. Experience is everything.” My experiences at OU have truly meant everything to me, from the friends I made to the skills I gained. No matter what experience is in store for me next, I feel prepared to take it all in stride, to rely on the support system I built in Athens, and to never stop learning.
is a senior studying journalism. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Sophia know by emailing her at @sr320421@ohio.edu.
Alex’s Addendum: It has been a privilege
wasn’t a chore; it was a tool. College suddenly felt like an obtainable goal. Two years later, I was moving into Washington Hall on East Green.
My college experience was based on the foundation of journalism, but it wasn’t built on it. In the past four years, multidisciplinary work in geology and anthropology became the most rewarding part of my time in Athens.
In fact, the best journalistic advice I received in college was given to me by Dr. Diane Ciekawy, associate professor of anthropology at Ohio University. Over the past couple of years, I have forgotten her exact wording, but the message has sustained: “Believe that others believe.”
It’s an incredibly simple, almost obvious, piece of advice on face value. In practice, however, it means listening without question and recognizing that others’ realities are shaped by experiences different from my own. For me, this piece of advice became the foundation for how I move through the world.
However, I can’t be amiss to
forget the incredible journalism professors who have made it all possible. Thank you for pushing me to become a better, more empathic journalist. I owe it all to you.
Today, I have a black-andwhite picture of Malala Yousafzai above my desk in the newsroom. What began as a joke, something I hung up while searching for motivation to push through my senior honors thesis, turned into something representing a whole lot more. It’s a reminder of how much access I’ve been given, and how easy it can be to take that for granted. The ability to sit in a newsroom, to write and learn, to question our administration, none of that is guaranteed.
The late nights I spent at my desk, whether for The Post or for my thesis project, were exhausting, but were also some of the most rewarding. Somewhere between the deadlines, I realized I had become someone I never pictured myself being.
I never imagined holding a leadership role or committing myself to a long-term research
project requiring so much patience and confidence. But in the moments of reflection, I realized it wasn’t just me who had helped me get here. It was my friends and peers who supported me.
To all of the people I have met and interacted with, with whom I have forged deep connections, and even those I’ve only spoken with in passing, you have left an Athens-shaped imprint on my heart. The city itself is something incredibly special, but something that is only made possible by the wonderful people within it.
Finally, to Lori Stewart Gonzalez, I was thrilled to see the first woman sit in the presidential chair at Ohio University during my time as a student. And it has been incredibly disappointing to see how you have failed your student body.
In a time with constantly growing restrictions to bar people from being themselves, and in spite of an inept college administration, Athens and OU stand as a beacon for what is possible if people weren’t afraid of a better world.
College was something I approached with a lot of hesitation, but now I am graduating without fear of what's next because I know the support systems I’ve created will uplift me. It has been a privilege and an honor to work at The Post. And an even greater adventure to have experienced OU in all its green and white glory. Thank you.
Alexandra Hopkins is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Alexandra? Email her at ah875121@ohio.edu.
Sophia Rooksberry
ALEXANDRA HOPKINS | COMMUNITY STANDARDS EDITOR
I always knew graduation day would come, but I thought I’d be a mess when it did. I figured I’d be emotional, dramatic, maybe inconsolable for a few hours. But there is something so beautiful about how normal it all feels.
The sun still rises over Athens. Court Street still hums. Someone is still missing a deadline. Life keeps moving, even on the days we expect it to stop and stare with us.
And maybe that is the lesson. The fact that it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.
Not that long ago, I was a freshman at a high school workshop pretending I knew what strategic communication was. I was making it all up. I had no real idea what the
Graduation is the end of an era and the start of something new. That sentiment becomes common as we approach the sappiest time of year for any college student. As a senior whose turn on the graduation chopping block has finally come, I’ve been reflecting on my time at school and my relationship with knowledge. That’s why I’ve found some people’s reaction to graduation to be strange and concerning. I sympathize with Alice Cooper’s sentiment, “No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers, dirty looks.” I hate Canvas as much as the next guy. Unfortunately, I am here to rain on your parade. Just because your formal education might end in May, doesn’t mean learning ever should.
We are inundated with more information than ever before. On one hand, this is overwhelming and depressing. To be aware of the evils of the whole world all at once is new in the history of
People say Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, and while I have no intention of offending Mickey Mouse, those people are plain wrong. Any Bobcat, past or present, will tell you it’s right here on these bricks. Ohio University in Athens is truly the “happiest place on Earth.”
Last weekend, I was out with my friends, and we discussed this notion with an alumnus after he graciously bought us a round of drinks at our favorite bar, C.I. Even though we had never met before, we talked about how OU is, hands down, the best place to be. Missing this place will never leave a Bobcat.
Even though I had my heart set on another school, the smiles and joy I found while walking along Court Street during my prospective student tour solidified my decision. Everyone was genuinely happy here. OU felt like home the moment I set foot on this campus – the foothills were
Undeniably Abby: Be the unicorn
ABBY WAECHTER | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS STRATEGY
major meant, what the career path looked like or where it would take me. I just knew it sounded interesting.
Then suddenly, somehow, I blinked, and I’m here.
So if I could leave one piece of advice, it would be this: be the unicorn.
Be the person who doesn’t fit neatly into the box that people expect. Be the combination no one saw coming. Be willing to look a little different. Be the commanding woman who scares people a little. Be the diva, and if the university president scolds you for “chastising” her, wear it well. Don’t let anyone – not a professor, not a man, not anyone – convince you to shrink yourself.
I’m a public relations major working at a student news publication, and I’ve loved every second of it. Some people might say those worlds don’t go together, and I think that’s exactly why they should. Journalism taught
me to ask sharper questions, think critically and care about truth. Public relations taught me how to communicate with intention, strategy and empathy. I never wanted to choose one lane when I could build my own.
In college, the best parts of life often come from unexpected combinations. I met my two best friends, Cassie Dye and Sofia Osio, who made Athens my home and every semester more fun than the last. I found a second family in student media with Jackson McCoy, Sophia Rooksberry and Alex Hopkins, where long nights, big ideas, occasional chaos and nearlawsuits became some of my favorite memories.
Know that life can get serious in an instant. My mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I watched her fight through it with a kind of strength that changed everyone around her. Then I watched her beat it. Moments like that remind you what matters and how quickly
everything can change. They also remind you how many people carry you along the way.
My parents believed in me long before I knew what I was doing. My siblings, Matt, Lily and Zach, kept me grounded, entertained and honest.
Andrea Lewis saw something in me early, then kept pushing me toward the version of myself I was still becoming. MacKenzie Fitzgerald showed me what it looks like to be a bold woman who leads with confidence and empathy.
The world can open quickly when you keep saying yes.
One day you’re in Athens, the next you’re at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, wondering how your life got so interesting.
I worked hard. I took chances. I had opportunities that younger me would have thought belonged to someone else. And now, soon, I’ll begin my next chapter with RTX in a role that once felt far off but now feels earned.
That’s the funny part about time. While you are busy doubting yourself, comparing yourself or trying to have it all figured out, life is quietly building something for you. Lately, I’ve been listening to “Landslide,” and I keep coming back to the same truth: change can be scary, but it can also be proof that you lived.
So if you still have time left here, use it well. Join the thing that makes no sense on paper. Apply for the role you think is out of reach. Meet people who change your life. Care deeply. Work hard. Let yourself become someone new.
Most of all, be the unicorn. Because the people who do things differently are usually the ones who end up exactly where they’re meant to be.
Abby Waechter is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Have something to say? Email Abby at aw087421@ ohio.edu.
Famous Last Words: You’re not done learning
NICHOLAS
KOBE | FOR THE POST
humanity. On the other hand, the information age blesses humanity with the ability to learn from our mistakes better than ever before.
As someone who minored in history and classical civilization, it’s remarkable how easily accessible very niche knowledge about our past can be. The fact that everyone is carrying in their pockets a repository of a large chunk of human knowledge and history that’s been compounding over centuries is remarkable.
As the generation with this “great power,” we have the “great responsibility” to use it. That means learning. With the dawning of the digital age, the classic “we didn’t know any better” excuse is being eroded away. More people than ever can “know better.”
People have the ability to learn new information every day. To best succeed as a society, we have to effectively use that privilege to stay upto-date, and try our best to keep the world from repeating its same mistakes.
Of course, easier said than done. In a world of gerrymandering and increased executive power, it feels
more difficult than ever for democracy to work as intended, and for people to actually make the changes they want in the world.
However, that doesn’t negate the fact we know that. It’s easier than ever to access information to learn about history, politics, economics and culture.
That’s why generative artificial intelligence and the rise of anti-intellectualism scare me so much. By normalizing either not caring or shortcutting learning, we’re cutting ourselves off from one of the only advantages younger generations have in a world where we’ve constantly had the ladder pulled up away from us.
That’s why it’s more important than ever that learning doesn’t stop after graduation. Just because you have that degree, doesn’t mean you’re the smartest person in the room, or that you’re ever done learning and improving yourself. That’s how we end up with people living and dying by “facts” they learned in third grade, and dismissing any new information by throwing up their hands and saying, “Well, it wasn’t like that when I was in school.”
If you have the means to keep learning, it’s entirely on you to do so, and if you don’t, then in some ways you’re doing more harm than if you never became “educated” in the first place.
Of course, constantly staying informed and challenging yourself isn’t easy. When we’re trudging through an onslaught of depressing information, designed to incite outrage, it can be really tempting to bury your head in the sand.
However, this act of selfpreservation, while sometimes necessary, is inherently selfish. By ignoring the problems, you’re simply just buying time. Consciously or not, you’re just hoping that they become someone else’s problem. Lack of information leads to lack of action. Lack of action causes a lack of change. If you have the means to keep learning, you owe it to yourself and your community to do so. Your decision to stay encumbered with your antiquated beliefs has impacts beyond yourself. By voting, raising children, or simply living your life, you will have an impact on the next generation.
I don’t plan on having kids, but I don’t wish this feeling of
hopelessness on anyone. The only way that my generation and I can keep that promise is to keep learning. To not cling to the familiar as a crutch, and instead actively work towards updating our viewpoints every time we consume new information.
Even beyond the information I need to consume to be an effective journalist, I plan on staying up to date on world events via the news and continuing to study history and culture via reading books and watching lectures on subjects that fascinate me. Everyone is going to have their own approach, but as long as the gears keep turning, and you’re challenging yourself intellectually, you’re doing your part to keep yourself up-to-date in a world that is changing more than ever.
Nicholas is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Nicholas about his column? Email him at nk696121@ohio.edu.
Clara’s Commentary | Athens, happiest place on Earth
CLARA LEDER | ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR
welcoming me to where my heart has always rested.
My freshman year, I joined the Post, and my senior year self can’t thank the journalists surrounding me enough for giving me, an education major with a passion for writing, a chance to sit at your table. It has been a privilege to learn and work alongside such talented people.
In my sophomore year, I joined the C.A.R.E. program (with an all-female cohort), and through long days and carpools, I found my passion for education and became part of the Athens community beyond campus. I was welcomed into Federal Hocking with open arms and found mentors and lifelong role models that I will never forget.
This year, I got to spend every day with my seventh graders. To my students, it has truly been a gift to teach you, and I will hold every single one of you in my heart. You will always be my first class of students. I hope I never forget your infectious laughs and genuine care. You have made
even the hard days fun and lifted my life in ways I couldn’t imagine. I will brag about you forever and miss you greatly. Don’t get me wrong, these bricks are not always happy – I have been miserable and drained (ask my sophomore year version of myself), and the impending doom of senior year ending has been a topic since the first day I arrived.
It’s one I’ve been stressed about, cried and worried about a great deal. In fact, we lovingly refer to it as the g-word in my house. Mainly, I’ve avoided the thought of graduating because how are you supposed to leave the happiest place on Earth?
The path between Jefferson and the end of East Green by Tiffin Hall, seeing Caamp at Casa Nueva with my best friends, nights spent drowned in laughter in my RiverPark living room: I hope I never forget the pure joy of walking anywhere on this campus, seeing college life unfold and knowing that nothing will ever be as carefree as being a college student in Athens, Ohio.
Luckily for me, I have been blessed to cross paths with not only experiences, but amazing people, too. To my partner in crime, Daphne, thank you. Your energy is contagious, and I am so glad you chose me to be your Assistant Editor and friend. Thank you, Ann. I will miss teaching with you every second. You are truly the best role model a girl could ask for. And to Rowan, thank you for being the truest of friends and the kind of teacher I strive to become; you are a gift.
To Kristin Distel, Joseph McLaughlin, Linda Rice, Elizabeth Hendrickson and Bill Elasky, thank you for showing me what it means to be a good educator and a good person. You have made my academic spaces feel like home and inspired me greatly. I love you all.
To Jill, Kirsten and Lauren, my Mill girls, thank you for becoming my family and my roommates for the past three years. My biggest and best memories are with you, and I can’t fathom leaving you three.
To Ali, Suzie, Raina and Ashley, thank you for the endless laughter and memories I
wish I could freeze in time. It wouldn’t have been hOUme without you. I hope I have you all by my side for life.
And to my family for supporting me every step of the way. Specifically, my mom for every word of encouragement and good morning text.
I’m notoriously awful at goodbyes and wish so badly I could rewind the clock and do it all again. I don’t want to leave, not now, not ever, but I will leave knowing that Athens will always be home, and the “happiest place on Earth” to me.
OU, I will sing your praises forever, and I can’t wait to be the alumnus who never stops talking about how Athens changed my life. Thank you for the best four years.
Clara is a senior studying education and journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Clara about their column? Email them at cl125221@ohio.edu.
Women's Golf: How Mackenzie McRee's passion changed Bobcat culture
JACKSON
Rory McIlroy once said, “It’s not always about results, it’s about the journey.”
Mackenzie McRee’s golf journey is one built on family, resilience and a stubborn commitment to enjoying the game even when the stakes get high.
A standout from Tucson, Arizona, who carved her own path from backyard plastic clubs to collegiate tournament champion, McRee mixes a competitive fire with an easygoing approach that helps her manage the notoriously mental game of golf.
“My dad wanted it to be a thing my entire family did,” McRee, a senior, said. “The family atmosphere … my younger sister plays … my mom doesn’t play, but she’ll still go out and walk with us.”
That foundation helped McRee grow comfortable with the sport’s pressures and kept the emphasis on enjoyment at a time when many young athletes get consumed by results.
“I never try to take it too seriously,” McRee said. “I just
get up and hit it, so I feel the longer I take, the more I overthink things.”
McRee intentionally plays fast to avoid overthinking an approach that balances instinct, confidence and clarity under pressure.
Her early experiences included opportunities most kids would only dream of. At 14 years old, McRee earned a slot to take part in the Chip, Drive and Putt event at Augusta National Golf Club, the famed site of the Masters Tournament.
“Most of the competition, I was so nervous, I don’t even remember a lot of it,” McRee said. “Just getting to go there was amazing.”
McRee’s talent translated to high school accolades in Arizona, as she was a Division II state champion as a freshman and later named Arizona Player of the Year as a senior.
But success in high school didn’t mean a seamless transition to college golf. Moving from Tucson to Ohio required an adjustment both on and off the course.
Opportunities to play in Ohio are more weather-depen-
dent, and the local culture is less saturated with golf. Yet, McRee found college golf to be a change for the better in terms of competitiveness and team cohesion.
“In high school, it’s a lot of beginners who want to go out and try it for fun,” McRee said.
“Once you’re in college, everyone’s taking it seriously … everyone’s really competitive, playing games against each other, beating each other and pushing each other.”
That shift spawned a stronger sense of shared leadership on her small team.
McRee said “everyone steps up” and communal responsibility helped her grow into a team leader.
One of McRee’s collegiate highlights came when she led her team to its first tournament title since 2017, while also winning her first and only individual title.
The victory validated years of persistence through early struggles and elevated the team’s belief in what they could accomplish together.
“Having that team atmosphere, me individually also playing really well, it was just
Graduating athletes
/continued from pg 1
other side of the ball, safety Adonis Williams Jr. was an anchor of an elite Ohio defense.
With Ohio University days away from the 2025-26 academic year ending, now is the time to take a look at and honor some of the best senior athletes who finished their college careers with the Bobcats this season.
This year was a successful year for Ohio and its sports teams, including football, volleyball, women's basketball and softball. These teams had solid years with lots of great seniors suiting up for them.
Football
There were a multitude of seniors who helped lead Ohio to another very solid year in football, with the team ending the year with nine wins and a win in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. One of the most important pieces was quarterback Parker Navarro, who spent four years with the Bobcats and led them to the 2024 Mid-American Conference title.
Navarro ended his Ohio career with 5026 yards and 30 touchdowns passing the ball, and 2114 yards and 27 touchdowns running the ball. On the
The Cleveland native Williams spent four years with Ohio, and ended his career as a twotime captain while racking up 183 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a Bobcat.
Volleyball
Ohio only had two seniors suit up for the Volleyball season this past year, with setter Kendall White and middle blocker Leah Rogers each playing their final collegiate seasons with Ohio.
Rogers played in just nine sets last season and finished her career with 13 kills. White started her career at Kent State, but was great in her last year at Ohio.
She was huge for Ohio’s hot streak in MAC play, as she tallied 670 aces, 52 kills and 163 digs in 2025.
Men’s Basketball
The Bobcats had two fouryear seniors end their careers with Ohio this season in guard Ajay Sheldon and forward Aidan Hadaway. Both players committed to Ohio out of high school and stayed in Athens for all four years.
Sheldon finished his career averaging 7.5 points per game this season while shooting over 37% from three, while being ever active on the defensive side of the ball.
Hadaway capped his four years with Ohio after putting up 14.4 points per game in 2025-26 while also grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game.
Women’s Basketball
Bob Boldon and his team had a trio of graduate students playing their final year of college basketball this past season, with Aliah McWhorter, Elli Garnett and Aja Austin all finishing their careers with Ohio this season.
McWhorter put up 7.5 points per game on 44% shooting from the floor in her last year. She started her career with Wake Forest but spent the last two years with Ohio.
Garnett is the sister of former Ohio player and current Ohio coach Abby Garnett, and she had a great year in her last and only season with the Bobcats, going for 8.5 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Austin played her first year of college with Delaware, but she spent the final four years as a Bobcat. She only played in two of those years due to injury, as she played in 33 games over her career as a Bobcat.
Hockey
The Bobcats had a total of nine seniors on their 2025-26 national championship-winning roster, with players like Luc Reeve, Hollander Thompson and Laker Aldridge all being key parts of a title-winning squad.
In net, all three of Ohio’s goalies this season were seniors, with Matt Zazon, Garrett Alderman and Scott Bird all winning a national title in their final year.
a lot of fun,” McRee said. “It pushed our drive a little bit for everything that came after, too.”
McRee credits much of her resilience to her internal drive.
“I would go out on my own and keep doing it because I knew I had it in me,” she said.
Not all of McRee’s recent chapters have been easy. A mid-season back injury forced her to step away from competition and reassess her priorities.
McRee is taking a fifth year to finish school without competing in golf, a difficult decision influenced by concerns about travel and recovery.
“I stayed an extra year to play, and then not getting to play, that’s really what frustrated me,” McRee said. “I still went to pretty much all the workouts, all the practices, just to still be involved in the team and be around everyone … they’re all super supportive.”
That support and McRee’s own perspective guided her final months as a collegiate athlete. With her remaining tournaments winding down, she wants to avoid pushing
through pain for the sake of performance.
“It’s my last couple of tournaments winding down … I’m just trying to enjoy it and have fun,” McRee said.
Accepting that some tournaments may not match her peak performance allowed McRee to savor what drew her to golf in the first place: time with family, the teammate camaraderie and the inherent pleasure of playing.
From plastic clubs in her backyard to the manicured fairways of Augusta and the highs of collegiate victory, McRee’s story is one of balanced ambition. She competes with intensity but keeps fun at the center, which is an approach that has helped her lead, recover and continue pursuing both academic and athletic goals with perspective and grit.
Quarterback Parker Navarro before the Bobcats game against Ohio State, Sept. 13, 2025. The Bobcats lost to Ohio State 37-9 in Ohio Stadium. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)
CHARLIE FADEL SPORTS EDITOR
BY AMANDA HESKETH
BY PETER CANGIANO
International Bobcats prepare for graduation
Ohio University has welcomed international students for over 100 years. With both undergraduate and graduate programs available, international students are able to gain experiential learning This school year, OU recognizes 212 international students graduating across undergraduate, graduate and medical programs.
For many, moving away from home is a hard transition. Some students are able to visit home throughout the year; some even have the luxury of going home every weekend. For international students, home is much farther than a quick drive.
The decision to go abroad can be one of the hardest to make. Leaving home, starting fresh, all while focusing on an academic career, can be challenging. Deborah James, a sophomore studying business management, said she knew she had made the right decision once she visited OU. Coming from Hertfordshire, England, James decided on OU to live out her dream of playing field hockey in the U.S.
“As soon as I got onto campus, me and my dad were absolutely taken away with all the facilities, not just sports, but the lecture halls and classrooms,” James said. “It just seemed somewhere that I really wanted to be … I felt like it was home away from home.”
For those coming from abroad and facing this transition, resources like the International Student and Scholar Services are in place. The ISSS offers advising, admitted student guidance and faculty support to international students. In addition to the ISSS, OU has resources available to all students to get the most out of their time on campus.
Javier Serrano, a junior studying chemical engineering, said the sense of community on campus is what helped him thrive. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Serrano came to the U.S. with his mother when she applied for a Ph.D program at OU. After experiencing Athens and Ohio University, he decided it was the place for him.
Although he is still an undergraduate student, Serrano has been working on his graduate school application for a long time. His involvement with numerous on-campus organizations and work as a global ambassador for undergraduate admissions set him up for success when thinking about his post-graduation plans.
“Academically, I feel like the best thing OU has to offer is this R1 research institution degree that they have,” Serrano
said.
OU is an R1 research institution. This means the university is among the highest-level research institutions in the country, as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Serrano has taken advantage of resources like the Clippinger Laboratories and compiled his research to be published before he graduates. With plans to pursue a Ph.D in material science and physical chemistry, he made the most out of his time in Athens.
Preparing for graduation is not always a smooth process. Kosisochukwu Kalu-Uwagwu, a junior studying nursing, and Rishabh Dev, also a junior studying nursing, expressed their concerns when planning for after graduation.
Originally from Abia State, Nigeria, Kalu-Uwagwu came to OU in search of something different.
“I wanted to get the American experience,” Kalu-Uwagwu said. “I didn’t mind if I was the only international student.”
She noted that at times, this has caused challenges and hardships, but the environment at OU made it worthwhile.
“Even though sometimes I feel different, I feel like everyone has been very welcoming here,” Kalu-Uwagwu said.
Kalu-Uwagwu noted her process toward graduation has not been one of ease. Through struggles with a student visa and dealing with the current job market, both Kalu-Uwagwu and Dev are focused on getting through the
Graduation photos /continued from pg 1
Anna Spence, a senior studying hearing, speech and language sciences, had a friend from her hometown visit Athens to take photos the weekend before the final week of classes.
“She’s a photography minor at another school,” Spence said.
To prepare for the shoot, Spence said she made a mood board and planned her outfit, which is the same she plans to wear for the ceremony.
When finding her inspiration photos, Spence considered what color palettes her friends used and how her preferences compare.
“I was going for more of an airy look,” Spence said. “One of my friends went for a more darker, dark academia type of look.”
As for location, Spence planned to mostly stick with outdoor settings including College Green, Alumni Gateway and Emeriti Park.
“I think I’m going to stay outside mostly, but maybe go to the library,” Spence said.
Although Spence had the shoot planned for a few weeks before, many of her friends do not plan on doing the same.
“I don’t think all of my friends are getting photos taken,” Spence said. “I think some of them are just gonna have a photo or two after graduation when we’re in our gowns.”
When planning the shoot, Spence anticipated waiting for a turn at the more popular photo locations, given many graduates spend the final weekends of the semester with the same plans.
“Everyone at this time of year, no matter what time of day, what day it is, someone is taking pictures, and you’re probably in the back of it if you’re on College Green,” Spence said.
Jacki Brinsley, a local full-time photographer since 2001, began doing senior shoots last year. Her first senior client was a mutual friend’s daughter.
The Post
rest of their undergraduate time as smoothly as possible.
“Some of my friends who were in the process of getting a work release are also not getting it now,” Dev said.
One student took this process headon, with plans from the start. Thien Pham, a senior studying communication studies, is ready to graduate and start graduate school. Pham is originally from Danang, Vietnam, and decided on OU for its communication program.
Figuring out what she wanted to do was the first step, and doing everything she could to achieve it was her plan.
“I’ve known that I want to do research since my freshman year,” Pham said, “I went to conferences, I wrote papers, I collaborated with faculty members. I reach out to them and ask ‘Do you have anything for me?’ basically.”
Although Pham does not plan on staying in Athens for her graduate school, she noted that OU influenced her academic career. Looking back to what she was able to do with her time on campus and the place she was able to call home for four years, she looks at graduation as a bittersweet time.
“I feel like I’m going to miss the fact that a lot of people cared for me so much.” Pham said, “They do care a lot, and they do create so many opportunities for me to thrive and to grow, and I just realized that it wouldn't be the same.”
LJ934424@OHIO.EDU
“We did her grad pictures, and then did a surprise proposal for her brother,” Brinsley said.
Before last year, Brinsley was mostly shooting couples and families, but made the switch to full-time senior photography.
“I just enjoy their energy and their creativeness that they have for their photos,” Brinsley said. “They just have so much fun in their pictures.”
This graduation season has been especially busy for Brinsley as she took photos for fall commencement as well.
“It’s busy in the fall, and then we get a little break,” she said. “If somebody wants to do pictures in the winter, it’s inside. Then in the spring, it starts picking back up again.”
Brinsley charges $25 for a 30-minute session at any campus location of the client’s choosing.
Brinsley said she tries to make shoots as affordable as possible, keeping in mind that many college students cannot afford expensive sessions.
“I normally do College Green. I just feel like there’s more space there,” Brinsley said. “But if you want to switch it up, that’s fine.”
Brinsley said that she enjoys capturing the graduation milestone and student accomplishments.
“Everybody makes a more big deal of it now than it was when I was growing up,” Brinsley said. “I just think it’s so much fun now.”
Brinsley explained that when her husband graduates from OU, they plan to take photos on campus.
“You only graduate once from college,” Prim said. “Getting a senior photo, or just a photo of yourself, is a very large accomplishment.”
Speakers talk during the Commencement Ceremony, May 3, 2025, in The Convo, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)
Two children examine a flag while their parent looks on during Ohio University's International Street Fair, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Athens, Ohio.
(DANNY ARENSBERG | FOR THE POST)
Songs that encapsulate comingof-age, young adulthood
DAWNELLE BLAKE FOR THE POST
Graduation is around the corner. Navigating the stages of early adulthood, such as relationships, breakups, career and self-discovery, can be difficult.
People expressed these sentiments in a plethora of ways, from movies, to books and music. Music can provide the soundtrack for this era of life, and many songs encapsulate the emotions that come with young adulthood, transition and coming of age.
“CTRL,” SZA’s 2017 debut album, is packed with introspective songs examining themes of tumultuous romantic relationships, heart break, loneliness and self-worth as well as coping with adulthood.
“20 Something,” the last song on the album’s track list, details SZA’s frustra tion with the progress she is making in life. The artist laments about the lack of ownership, people and time moving on; feeling stagnated in her life.
The song “Prom” from “CTRL” also addresses the same fears. The song opens with her anxiety about not doing enough, maturing slowly and missing important mile stones in her adult life. She dreams of a future where money erases the pain and current mistakes dissipate, asking the world and people around her for forgiveness.
life. Comparing herself to a plane pilot, she comforts herself and the listener, assuring that despite the crashes and turbulence, she continues to soar and find her way.
Tame Impala’s “Currents” album hosts a range of songs, similar to Lenae’s “Pilot,” encouraging listeners to go with the flow and not feel the pressure of the impending future.
Both “Let It Happen” and “The Moment” embody the themes of
the song at 22-years-old, after divorcing her first husband and father of her child, whom she was with since age 13.
In this song, Solange lists the coping mechanisms she practiced to overcome her sadness because it casts over her metal cranes in construction sites.
Many listeners have been in Solange’s position, trying to escape and cope with the struggles and transitions of life.
Though the entirety of “CTRL” is a quintessential coming-of-age album, the album’s third single, which is eight times platinum in the U.S., “Broken Clocks,” stands out. On this track, SZA displays the fleetingness of time as her inability to balance all the events and relationships in her life.
The track resonates with listeners using the majority of their time building professional experience at the cost of deteriorating relationships with friends, family and partners.
Moving away from “CTRL,” Ravyn Lenae’s last album, “Bird’s Eye,” featured “Pilot” constitutes a quintessential coming-of-age despite its recent release.
On “Pilot,” Lenae offers assurance and perspective on what seems to be aimlessness in her
Kaltenecker, a senior studying film, has not shown his film, “The Misfired Affair” yet. The film is a period piece inspired by works such as “Chinatown,” “Carol” and “The Asphalt Jungle.”
“The Misfired Affair” centers on the female protagonist, Evelyn Gardner. Kaltenecker shared over email that Evelyn’s character was “built from my own family history and my perspective on domestic violence.”
The idea for Kaltenecker’s film “began in a sophomore screenwriting class,” and took off from there. Likewise, Fried’s idea for “Rooted” took shape in her junior writing class. Fried shared that while she didn’t write the final script, what she wrote for class was the basis for her project.
Both students had advice for incoming freshmen interested in filmmaking.
Fried said that it can be hard to go on set if you aren’t engaged with the story.
“This was my favorite film project to work on, because it was something that I was passionate about,” Fried said. “And
adaptability and flexibility with the “currents” of life.
Khalid’s “American Teen” song and album, despite being created as he was transitioning from high school, can easily extend to fit the themes of post-college graduation. The opening and title track, “American Teen,” itself is bittersweet, enjoying the current moments of celebration and youth with the bittersweetness of transition and change lingering in the back of Khalid’s mind.
With “eyes on grey skies” and hoping to be awoken in the springtime, Khalid chooses to grapple with impending changes through the celebration of youth.
“Cranes in the Sky” by Solange is a redirection and reflection song, grappling with whatever issues life presents someone with. Solange wrote
so, like, getting on film sets that you are just as passionate about the script and like, makes it so much better.”
Kaltenecker also had a similar message for freshman film students.
“If you do not know what stories you want to tell yet, go out and experience life,”
Kaltenecker said in an email.
“Those stories will find you soon enough.”
Fried also emphasized the importance of taking on any and every role available to students during the filmmaking process.
“I’ve done producing, directing, screenwriting, even though I don’t like it, but I did it for the class,” Fried said. “ I’ve done grip, I’ve done sound, I’ve done set and props, like, get on every role you can on the set, because it helps you become a better director.”
As they prepare to graduate, both students reflected on their journey as filmmakers.
Kaltenecker said the School of Film showed him the possibility of what he could achieve.
“The program threw me onto countless sets and into situations where I had to
“Pink +White,” one of Frank Ocean’s signature songs, reflects on lessons he learned from a friend who died. It was produced by Pharrell and featured background vocals from Beyonce. Its musical components, in combination with its introspective lyrics examining tragedy, mortality and reflection, serve as a more melancholic coming-of-age track.
“Didn’t Cha Know” from Erykah Badu’s sophomore album “Mama’s Gun” is another song that explores the feeling of aimlessness. However, Badu fully realises she “was born to make mistakes,” and is unbothered by the small bumps she makes on her journey, trusting her “heart will guide me back.”
“Didn’t Cha Know” gives the listener a level of security in understanding they don’t have to be perfect and eventually they will figure things out.
“Young, Fresh N’ New” by Kelis is different from many of the somber and slow-paced songs on this list. “Young, Fresh N’ New” is bold, with Neptunes production, which instantly grabs the attention of the listener.
Kelis expresses her need to get away from the things holding her back from her full potential including location and family. This song emphasizes leaving behind the familiar and embracing the young, fresh and new.
@DAWNE.JPG
DB948724@OHIO.EDU
ART BY ALAINA DACKERMANN
rely entirely on my intuition,” Kaltenecker said in an email.
“Through that grind, I discovered the specific paths I wanted to explore.”
Fried shared similar sentiments.
“I was just like, I want to be a film producer, and I joined the Media School, and here I am making and directing my own film,” Fried said.
Before studying at OU, Fried didn’t have a background in film or camera experience.
“Everything I learned [was] because of being in the School of Media Arts and Studies,” Fried said.
Fried added that the support from her advisor, Brian Plow, “was just amazing.”
“The Misfired Affair” premieres at The Athena on May 1, at 7 p.m.
Five things to add to your bucket list before graduation
ANNA HANES FOR THE POST
Graduation is right around the corner. For many, it is an ode to walk down memory lane, and for others, it is the last chance to try something new. There is a reason people say Athens is home away from home. Many of those who have experienced it confirm it is a town that will touch hearts.
The final week of the semester means much more than finals; it also means spending the last time with friends on the front porch.
It is the last time to restock the fridge and visit local bar’s game nights.
It might also be the last time to deal with a squeaky faucet or, on the flip side, a dream room. While planning a final week itinerary. Between graduation pictures and packing, here are some ideas to make a student wish their stay in Athens were a little longer.
Be one with nature, at Athens’ beach
One of the greatest perks of Athens is the nature that surrounds it. To get outdoors, Strouds Run State Park is a go-to place for many students who want to disconnect and enjoy the sun. Located on 11661 State Park Rd., Strouds offers a range of activities, including volleyball, swimming, boating, hiking and picnicking.
Take a walk and breathe in the fresh air
For an option closer to campus, put a twist on a typical walk with the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Trail. This roughly 22-mile paved path connects Athens and Nelsonville and is for public use.
Instead of taking a shorter route, consider planning a day to walk a marathon, half-marathon, 5K or simply explore a new stretch of the trail with friends. Pack snacks, water, a portable charger and sunscreen.
Bring what feels right and explore Athens in a different way. With music, good company and the right supplies, explorers might create a memorable moment on the trail.
Try local eats
Eclipse Company Store is a restaurant located in The Plains known for its local beers, Blackberry Mules, sandwiches and barbecue.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating.
The Eclipse Company Town once stood in the restaurant’s location, with the main building serving as the original “Company Store.” Built in the early 1900s, the Hocking Valley Coal Company created a space for people to live and work while mining coal, operating as a small, self-contained town. Nestled next to abandoned railroad tracks and a walking path, the area still includes some of its original homes, where families live today. The restaurant is now a spot for locals and visitors, often featuring live music.
Discover wineries
For those wanting to venture out to dinner, Shade is home to Shade Winery, a restaurant and vineyard on 401 Gilkey Ridge Rd.. With a variety of wine flavors and rotating menu options, many students can reminisce about their time in Athens with a view.
Closer to campus, Pleasant Hill Winery on 5015 Pleasant Hill Rd. is another option with wines and food. Students might find it a relaxing destination for an afternoon study break, with both indoor and outdoor seating options.
Attend campus events
Many campus events are scheduled during the final week of the spring semester to celebrate the end of the term. Activities including de-stressing with therapy animals offer a chance to meet new people and discover study spots. Even for those finished with finals, participating in events can make the most of the final days on campus.
For those who would rather appreciate the campus environment, taking a walk and revisiting dining halls, former dorms or discovering new areas allows student to take in OU.
