The anticipation of Anthony Mullen’s graduation from OSU’s psychology program turned tragic as a person fell from the stadium stands and died during the commencement ceremony, leaving his family from Canton devastated.
The incident, occurring around 12:25 p.m., cast a shadow over the celebratory atmosphere, yet the university did not acknowledge the death during the three-hour event, causing distress among attendees.
While the circumstances leading to the fall remain unclear, OSU police are actively investigating the incident.
Dr. Pranav Jani, a prominent figure on campus, empathizes with the administration’s perspective but believes more should have been done to address the situation.
The lack of acknowledgment during the ceremony left students like Mullen in a state of panic, compounded by shock and anger upon learning of the tragedy through external channels.
Despite the grim reality, Mullen and others recognize the logistical challenges of halting the entire event but feel the university could have handled the situation with greater sensitivity.
In response to inquiries, university spokesperson Ben Johnson cited respect for the family and an ongoing public safety response as reasons for not mentioning the incident during the ceremony.
While details remain scarce, the university is offering counseling services to support those affected by the tragedy.
