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Student being hooded

Oklahoma State University

Spring 2024 Graduate College Commencement 

Friday  May 10, 7:00pm Gallagher-Iba Arena
Congratulations on earning your advanced degree. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to celebrating with you and your friends and family. All degree candidates will be individually recognized by name and degree on stage during the ceremonies. Please see the guidance below covering the Graduate College commencement ceremonies.
Woman at commencement

Regalia Rentals

 
  • Rentals for Oklahoma State doctoral regalia will begin on Monday, April 29 at 9 a.m. in the University Store and online. They will be available for rental until graduation ceremonies. Rentals are due back to the University Store by no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

Commencement Information

 

  • Attending Commencement

    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.

  • Center of Health Sciences Commencement Information

    OSU-CHS Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony

    Thursday, May 16th, 5:00 p.m., Tulsa Mabee Center

    All fall 2023 graduates, as well as spring and summer 2024 candidates for graduation, are welcome to participate in both the reception and ceremony. For more information and to RSVP follow the link here.

  • Graduating Students 

    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 the South West doors of 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 in the practice gym.

    • 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. 

  • Graduate Student and Faculty Advisor Commencement Guidance

    Gallagher-Iba Arena

    Friday May 10, 7:00pm


     Who Can Attend

    Graduate students who are degree candidates in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. The Graduate Commencement Ceremony is distinct from the undergraduate ceremonies and is the only opportunity for advanced degree recipients to attend Commencement.


    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.


    Assembly

    Doctoral/Specialist, Master’s/Certificate candidates and all faculty attending should check in at South West doors of Gallagher Iba Arena on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 6:15 PM. Name Cards will be picked up, 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.


    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.


    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.


    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.

    If you anticipate a need for special services other than those listed above, please call (405)744-7099 prior to May 10, 2024.

     


    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, May 10

    9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.          Saturday, May 11

    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.
    • Custom camps and gown orders are due February 23, 2024 (this is for additional/new colors)
    • Oak Hall will be on campus for Doctoral fittings on February 13 (10:00 6:00) and 14 (8:00 - 4:00), 2024
    • Rentals for OSU Doctoral regalia will begin Monday, April 29, 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, May 15, 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.

    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.


    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

  • Tickets

    No tickets are required. Graduates arrive between 6:00-6:30 prior to ceremony 7:00 start time through the South West entrance of 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 and Special Accommodations 

    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

  • Local Stillwater Hotel Accommodations

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

  • Congratulations Graduates

    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! 

  • Watch the Live Stream

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

  • Join the Alumni Association

    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.

  • Commencement Questions

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


Regalia Information

 

  • Graduate Regalia 

    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.


    Hood Information

    The length of the hood worn for the bachelor's degree is three feet, for the master's degree three and one-half feet, and for the doctoral degree, 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.


    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.


    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.


    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.


    How to wear your regalia

  • How to Wear Regalia for Commencement
  • Doctoral Degree Hooding

    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.

  • Purchase and Rental Information 

    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 .

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