For the first time in years, the University of Cincinnati is rationing tickets for its all-campus commencement in Shoemaker Center.

        The reason: Bill Cosby is to be the June 8 speaker.

        UC spokesman Greg Hand said each graduate may have four tickets for friends and family. Graduates get in without a ticket.

Cosby

        This year, UC estimates it will graduate about 2,800 students from its colleges.

        Shoemaker's 13,976 seats can accommodate all of the expected grads and their guests, Mr. Hand said.

        Not every grad will need four tickets. If any tickets are not claimed, graduates may request more. None will be available to the public.

        Historically, tickets were mandatory for UC's June commencement, which was held on Sundays.

        Recently, however, the Sunday ceremony lost favor as more students attended ceremonies at their UC colleges before commencement.

        By the mid-1990s, so many students skipped the multicampus ceremony that fewer than 4,000 people — including grads, friends and families — showed up, and UC abandoned tickets.

        Speakers — who are awarded honorary degrees — are chosen by seniors and President Joseph Steger.

        Mr. Cosby was chosen late last year. Like most UC commencement speakers, Mr. Cosby is waiving his regular lecture fee, Mr. Hand said. That was not unusual for Mr. Cosby, he added, who has a long and generous personal commitment to education.

Cosby the draw for UC ceremony
Cover-up by Cosco infuriates area moms
School welcomes immigrants' kids
Traffic-stop data scrutinized
Blank facade will remain on Freedom Center
Church to care for city playgrounds
Dispute growing over mold at Sharonville grade school
Zoning may stall hospital move
Butler Democrats fill vacancy
New Fairfield police station to provide extra benefits
St. Ursula unveils building
Blacks form majority of GOP slate
Campaign reform lawsuit plotted
City wants good watchdog to guard riverfront
Councilman wonders if city's getting cheated on storm water
GOP school package introduced
Grant Co. compromises on calendar
Kent State students appeal commemoration decision
Ky.'s prescription tracking system helps convict woman
Low-income tenants want church management ousted
Man accused of spending taxpayer money for porn
Man pleads not guilty in two slayings
Mount Healthy OKs new pool
Murder charge in crash raises questions
Murder charge in baby's death leaves Murray campus in 'shock'
Pair are taken off coal study panel
Proposed runway gets thumbs down on Ohio side
PULFER: McVeigh book
Rally at XU casts light on union's efforts at company
Relations award honors four
Schools offering home program
Showcase set to expand
Sloppy Joe's gives way to One Riverfront Row banquet complex
State spends thousands for worker 'humor' sessions
Student accused of firing gun in Columbus school restroom
Teacher jobs draw interest
9-year-old hit riding bicycle remains critical
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report