President Richard Nixon became the first incumbent president to visit OSU's campus and deliver the commencement address on May 11, 1974. Nixon spoke before a crowd of more than 32,000 people, including 4,045 graduates, at the 79th commencement, which was held at Lewis Field. He was greeted by a few protesters, but overall, the stadium was full of admirers who gave him a warm and cheerful welcome. Click on the link below to read his complete message. Nixon announced his resignation from office a few months later, Aug. 9, 1974. He died in 1994.
