FINDLAY — University of Findlay will host a naturalization ceremony on April 17, welcoming approximately 60 new citizens to the United States.

The event is open to the public, and also welcomes local high school students, UF faculty, staff, and students, as well as a Northern District of Ohio Judge. The event will be held in the University of Findlay Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex beginning at 11 a.m.

For more than a decade, University of Findlay has hosted a diverse group of immigrants as they take the last step towards becoming American citizens.

“These candidates have prepared for many years to achieve a privilege most of us get at birth. Many of them have come from incredible distances and have experienced immense financial, physical, and emotional challenges on their path to American citizenship,” said Ron Tulley, Ph.D., University of Findlay Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

New citizens will begin the check-in process with court personnel at 10 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and will feature patriotic music provided by the McComb High School band, the National Anthem sung by one or more UF choral members, participation by the UF Student Government Association, and speeches by area high school students. The ceremony is expected to conclude around 12:30 p.m.

“Findlay will forever be the place that opened its doors to celebrate this amazing milestone in their life. By acting as witnesses to this beautiful ceremony, I hope those in attendance appreciate how special our citizenship in the United States is and how these individuals are honoring and preserving the time-honored tradition of contributing to this wonderful nation of immigrants,” Tulley said.