WILBERFORCE — Sixteen states, the District of Columbia and three African countries will be represented when Central State University holds its annual commencement Saturday, May 6.

In all, 230 graduates — three of whom come from Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe — and will receive their diplomas during the ceremony that begins 10 a.m. at the Dayton Convention Center.

Rhesa Davis, from New Friendship, Md., is the Senior Class Top Scholar, which is equivalent to a valedictorian, according to school officials.

Jennifer Benjamin Pinckney, the widow of slain South Carolina state senator and pastor the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, is the keynote speaker.

CSU will hold a baccalaureate 5 p.m. Friday, May 5 at the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center. Dr. Larry L. Macon Sr., senior pastor of the Mt. Zion Church in suburban Cleveland will be the guest speaker.

Tickets are required for the graduation, and were distributed through the students. No tickets are required for the baccalaureate, which is open to the public. Those attending the graduation are asked to be seated by 9:40 a.m. to allow the processional to begin on time. Convention Center doors open 8 a.m. Parking is available in the Transportation Center Parking Garage, which is connected to the Convention Center, and in surrounding surface parking lots. The garage is located on Fifth Street at Jefferson.

The university will be streaming both ceremonies on Facebook Live.