OSU-OKC Commencement Exercises

When you arrive at Commencement, you may park in front of the arena. Your family and friends should head into the arena immediately to find their seats. You will follow the signs to the check in area.

Check-in begins right at 5:00 PM. Please plan on arriving no later than 5:45 to ensure adequate time to get checked in, find your division, use the restroom, and get prepared for the ceremony.

The check-in table is organized by last name. If you have two last names or a hyphenated last name, you'll check in with the first letter of the first of those two names. When you check in, you will be given your name card with space to write a phonetic spelling of your name to ensure our name readers pronounce your name correctly.

Please note that there will not be an area to leave personal items, and students are not allowed to have visible items on the arena floor. Purses or other personal items should be given to your guests to keep for you, or hidden under your gown. OSU-OKC is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items.

Candid Color Photography will be on site to take professional portraits prior to the event, as well as pictures of you walking across stage. If you are interested in ordering graduation photos, you must pre-register with the photographers before you cross the stage.

Click here to register for photography.

A cap, gown, and tassel are required for participation in the ceremony. These can be purchased at the OSU-OKC bookstore on campus now through commencement. If you cannot make it to campus, the bookstore will have a small stand at commencement for purchases.

Other regalia is optional. Students may purchase stoles or cords to wear at commencement as long as they are appropriate. OSU-OKC only officially recognizes regalia associated with approved on-campus organizations and student programs. If you are interested in regalia, please reach out directly to the associated organization. This includes campus clubs, Phi Theta Kappa, Service Learning, and the OSU-OKC Honors Program.

Students who are veterans or active military, have received a 4.0 cumulative GPA, or are graduating with a Bachelor of Technology will receive regalia upon check-in.

Masks will be provided to students upon arrival. Masks are requested in the check-in area where social distancing may not be possible. Masks are not required during the ceremony.

There will not be a rehearsal for the ceremony. Please follow all staff and volunteer instructions.

Once you have checked-in, you will line up with your division. Students will walk together in two lines into the arena, followed by faculty. If you are planning to sit next to friends, be sure they are standing behind you in line.

All graduates will be given a printed program at your seat. Family and friends will not be given a separate program - instead, there will be a QR code which will be linked to a virtual program for your guests to download.

Once commencement has started, ushers will help direct students to the stage. You will hand your name card to a name reader, and walk across stage to receive your diploma cover.

Commencement starts promptly at 6:00 PM. Students who arrive late may not be allowed to participate. Please arrive to check-in no later than 5:45 to ensure your participation.

There will be ramps leading to the stage. We will also have ASL interpreters for commencement programming. Names will be projected on a screen. If you have any additional questions about accessibility at commencement, or if you need to request specific accommodations, please send an email to our Director of Campus Events, Phung (phung.yip@okstate.edu), to make arrangements.