While graduates typically attend the ceremony for the semester they graduate, OSU Graduate College recognizes there are instances where the date does not work for traveling family members or graduation occurs in the summer when there are no ceremonies. In these cases, the graduate is welcome to attend an earlier or later ceremony. For example, a summer graduate can attend the spring ceremony before the actual graduation or attend the fall ceremony afterwards. No matter when you are attending commencement, you should only “walk” in one ceremony and you will need to RSVP to the Graduate College here.

OSU-CHS Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony

 

All Graduates 

• Please RSVP here to let us know YES you are attending or NO you are not attending the Ceremony

• All graduates should arrive to Gallagher-Iba Arena 6:00pm-6:30pm. All graduates should be wearing their regalia with Doctoral graduates carrying their hoods across the left arm. 

• Nothing other than a cellphone is allowed to be brought into the stadium or arena. Please leave all purses, bags etc. in your vehicle. 

• Graduates will pick up their pre-printed reader cards.

• Graduates can scan the available QR codes to inform OSU of their post-graduation plans.

• Graduates and Doctoral Hooding Advisors will then proceed into Gallagher-Iba Arena to await the ceremony start.

• On each chair will be a ceremony program. Diploma cover, lithograph and OSU Alumni invitation, will be given to you onstage 

• After taking their graduation walk, all graduates will return to their original seats for the remainder of the ceremony.

• All graduates will be dismissed together.

Doctoral Students 

• Doctoral Students will need to make arrangements to meet their Hooding Advisor prior to entry into Gallagher-Iba Arena. They will need to stay together so that they are seated together in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Graduates needing assistance with mobility issues please contact Lory Ferguson with Graduate College. 

Gallagher-Iba Arena

Friday December 13, 7:00pm

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 Who Can Attend

 The Graduate Commencement Ceremony is distinct from the undergraduate ceremonies and is the only opportunity for advanced degree recipients to attend Commencement.

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Name Cards

Pre-printed name cards will be available for pick-up at Gallagher-Iba on the night of Commencement. There will also be blank name cards if needed.

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Assembly 

 

Doctoral/Specialist, Master’s/Certificate candidates and all faculty attending should check in at Gate 1 South of Boone Pickens Stadium on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 6:15 PM. Name Cards will be picked up at that time, and then graduates and hooding faculty will be directed into the arena for the ceremony. Faculty marshals will be present to assist candidates to their seats.

 

Leave bags, purses and other items at home. We do not have a secure place for you to store any items you bring with you, so please plan accordingly.

 

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Hoods

Master’s degree candidates should wear their hoods as they enter the arena. Doctoral candidates should carry their hoods on their left arm. Doctoral advisors will hood their doctoral candidates. Another designated university official will assist in the hooding of doctoral candidates whose advisor is not present.  Please note all faculty participating in the hooding ceremony must be members of the OSU Graduate Faculty.

After the candidates have been presented on stage, they should exit the stage and follow the usher’s direction to their original seats.

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Photographs

To ensure that all candidates are appropriately recognized for their achievement, guests will not be allowed onto the arena floor to take photographs.

Professional photographers will be present to take pictures.

The Photographer will contact you by mail at the address on your name card.

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Special Needs

The Graduate College is committed to making activities as accessible as possible. The University provides a range of special services for persons with disabilities (e.g., accessible seating and sign language interpretation).

                            

Handicap parking is available in Lot 5A, across from Gallagher-Iba: http://osu.okstate.edu/commencement/images/parking.jpg. Also, there is plenty of seating on the main concourse for those who have difficulties with stairs; elevators are located on the north and south sides of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

 

 

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CAP AND GOWN INFORMATION:

• LOCATION: University Store at the Student Union (For information call 405-744-5237 or toll free at 800-831-4678 or visit the Universities website at http://commencement.okstate.edu/.)

Hours:           

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.          Monday and Thursday

8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.          Friday, December 13

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.          Saturday, December 14

CLOSED                                  Sunday

 

• Master's regalia does not need to be reserved in advance. They are available now in the University Store at the Student Union.
• Rentals for OSU Doctoral regalia will begin Monday, Deceber 2, 2024 in the University Store and online at shopokstate.com
• Mail orders may be placed for Master's regalia only. Please call 800-831-4678
• Rentals must be returned (or postmarked) by Wednesday, December 18, 2024
• Personalized announcements may be ordered online at shopokstate.com. Click on "Graduation Info" then click on "Announcements". Announcements can also be ordered and picked up in the University Store.

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Gallagher-Iba Arena Security Policy

 

Oklahoma State University places an emphasis on safety and security at all commencement events.

Please arrive early to avoid any possible delay in entering venues for commencement activities. Please see the Gallagher-Iba Arena policies below as they pertain to commencement activities.

 

All persons are subject to search. This includes but is not limited to graduates, guests, faculty and staff. Graduates and faculty for the Friday ceremonies will enter via a security checkpoint, and should refrain from bringing personal items (i.e., handbags, backpacks, etc.) with them on commencement day. Allowable bags must be smaller than 12"x12"x12" and are subject to search. Backpacks are prohibited inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

 

All guests will be subject to a security search upon entry into Gallagher-Iba Arena. Service animals for guests with disabilities are permitted. All other animals are prohibited. Inappropriate spirit banners, flags, or signs will be removed and confiscated by management. The use of poles to display these items is prohibited. Patrons will not be allowed to re-enter the facility once they have exited the arena.

 

The following items are prohibited in Gallagher-Iba Arena: alcoholic beverages, car seats, baby strollers, artificial noisemakers, beach balls, explosives, weapons, food, beverage, ice chests, backpacks, video cameras, cameras with removable lens longer than 3 inches, flash photography, tripods, and monopods.

 

OSU is designated as a tobacco free campus. Tobacco and smoking preparation (electronic cigarettes, vapor devices, etc.) use is prohibited on university property. No soliciting allowed in arena.

 

For further questions about the Spring 2024 Commencement security checkpoint, please contact Trent Davis at (405) 744-4372.

 

We appreciate your patience, cooperation and understanding.

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Commencement Day Parking and Accessibility

Parking is available on the northwest, south and west sides of the stadium. On Friday and Saturday, accessible parking will be available in lot 4 which is directly North of Gallagher-Iba Arena. Please see the parking map for details. Wheelchair seating is available on the second level (Concourse Level) in the arena and is accessible by elevator. For questions regarding elevator access and seating locations, please see the security personnel at Gallagher-Iba.

 

Sign language interpreting will be provided on the overhead video screens. Section 214 has reserved seating for sign language accessibility. If you have any questions, please VoIP or voice 405-744-7116.

 

Assistive listening receivers are available for check-out above Section 210 along the walkway. These receivers require a driver's license to check-out and operate on an FM system with single earbud and neckloop devices available.

 

To reserve a recreational vehicle (RV) parking spot, please see details at www.parking.okstate.edu. 

No tickets are required. Graduates arrive between 6:00-6:30 prior to ceremony 7:00 start time at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Doors on the southeast side of Gallagher-Iba Arena will open for guests one hour prior to the ceremony start time.

Parking is available on the northwest, south and west sides of the stadium. On Friday and Saturday, accessible parking will be available in lot 4 which is directly north of Gallagher-Iba Arena. Please see the parking map for details. Wheelchair seating is available on the second level (Concourse Level) in the arena and is accessible by elevator. For questions regarding elevator access and seating locations, please see the security personnel at Gallagher-Iba.

 

Sign language interpreting will be provided on the overhead video screens. Section 214 has reserved seating for sign language accessibility. If you have any questions, please VoIP or voice 405-744-7116.

 

Assistive listening receivers are available for check-out above Section 210 along the walkway. These receivers require a driver's license to check-out and operate on an FM system with single earbud and neckloop devices available.

 

To reserve a recreational vehicle (RV) parking spot, please see details at www.parking.okstate.edu. 

Please visit the Visit Stillwater website for a list of hotels in the area:  www.visitstillwater.org/Visitors/Lodging

Congratulations, we are so proud of your accomplishments and what you will do in the future as an OSU graduate. You have demonstrated intellect and tenacity in earning your advanced degree. We have enjoyed seeing you develop as a scholar. The educational community is a better place because of the contributions you have made.

Now it is time to share and celebrate your accomplishments! If you choose share your photos, your fondest memories of your time at OSU, or what’s next for you on social media, please tag us on instagram  twitter & LinkedIn. We'd love for you to connect with us on these platforms as well and stay in touch! 

For friends and family not able to attend, a streaming video of the ceremony is available. More information found on the OSU Commencement website.

Our members are the definition of Loyal & True, and they're proud to support America's Brightest Orange! Membership in OSU the Alumni Association, which is open to all graduates, students, fans and friends, is the most recognizable way of expressing your loyalty and affinity to Oklahoma State.

Join here.

Contact grad.dean@okstate.edu with commencement questions.

Gown Information

Gowns recommended for use in the colleges and universities have the following characteristics. The gown for the bachelor's degree has pointed sleeves. It is designed to be worn closed. The gown for the master's degree has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist. The gown for the doctor's degree has bell-shaped sleeves.

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Hood Information

The length of the hood worn for the bachelor's degree is three feet, the master's degree sleeve is three and one-half feet, and for the doctoral degree, sleeve is four feet. The hood worn for the doctoral degree only shall have panels at the sides. The colors in the hood lining present the institutional color scheme.

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Multiple Degrees

Regalia representing the individual’s highest degree is worn. In the case of dual degrees being awarded, only one hood is selected and worn. Both degrees will be acknowledged by the speaker at the commencement ceremony if the individual’s reader card lists them.

Graduate Certificates

Certificates do not have specific academic regalia associated with them and the individual should wear the regalia associated with the highest degree.

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Tassel

If you already have a degree, such as bachelor’s, your tassel should already be moved to the left side of the cap. OSU tassels are orange and not related to the discipline.

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Order of Accoutrements (e.g., cords and medallions)

The gown is the bottom layer of the regalia followed by any cords (e.g., honors or military service) or medallions (e.g., OSU commencement medallion), followed by the hood. The hood should always be on top of the regalia.

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How to wear your regalia

How to Wear Master's Regalia 

How to Wear Doctoral Regalia 

How to Wear Faculty Regalia 

How to Hood a Student's Regalia

Doctoral degree candidates are hooded by members of the OSU Graduate Faculty on stage at the Graduate College commencement ceremonies. Only members of the OSU Graduate Faculty may participate in the ceremonies. Typically, it is the student’s advisor who participates in the hooding ritual; however, if that person is unavailable, another graduate faculty member may be asked to attend in their place. Smaller college or Tulsa campus ceremonies may also hood

master’s degree candidates.

Typically caps/gowns start to be available two weeks before the ceremony.  Dates and times can be found on the university's commencement website and reserved directly through the University Store.

 

Stillwater -  University Store at the Student Union (For information call  405-744-5237 or toll free at 800-831-4678 or visit the University's web site.

Mail orders may be placed for Master's Regalia only:  Call-800-831-4678.

Personalized announcements, diploma frames, and other graduation accessories can be found here .