Christopher Pan, social entrepreneur, musician and inspirational speaker, will be the commencement speaker at The Ohio State University’s spring commencement.

The ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 5, at noon in Ohio Stadium. Approximately 12,000 diplomas will be issued. 

Pan, who graduated from Ohio State in 1999, worked for PepsiCo and Facebook before starting his own company, MyIntent. MyIntent makes bracelets with a customer-chosen word that helps the wearer remember to live intentionally. In addition, Pan’s umbrella organization SpiritLab promotes spiritual health and growth through experimentation. 

“Christopher Pan is an incredible example of taking everything you gain at Ohio State and applying it to find solutions that improve the world after graduation,” said Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “As we celebrate commencement, I am confident Chris will inspire our graduates to make their own impact as they begin their journey as lifelong Buckeyes.”

Pan was named homecoming king in 1998. The milestone remains significant to him.

“I made a commitment to use that recognition to help others,” he said. “It’s an honor to come back 25 years later to share what I’ve learned to help others live free and authentic lives for a harmonious and prosperous society.”

Honorary degrees will be awarded to Pierre Agostini (in absentia), Dennis C. Liotta and John M. Murray. Agostini, an emeritus professor of physics at Ohio State, won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work using attosecond light pulses to capture electrons. He received a Doctor of Science in April.

Liotta, who performed his postdoctoral research at Ohio State, co-invented the anti-viral drugs emtricitabine and lamivudine, which are used to treat HIV infection. He was elected to the National Academy of Inventors in 2014 and the Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame in 2010. He will receive a Doctor of Science.

Murray is a 1982 Ohio State graduate and has led a distinguished career in the United States Army, serving in leadership roles at home and abroad. He has received four Bronze Stars for his service in senior command positions in Afghanistan between 2004 and 2015. Murray is one of only two Army officers from Ohio State to achieve the rank of four-star general since its founding. He will receive a Doctor of Public Service.

In addition, Distinguished Service Awards will be given to Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross, as well as Lawrence “Larry” Williamson, Jr.