{"id":3600,"date":"2026-04-30T15:28:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T19:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/?p=3600"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:59:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:59:50","slug":"10-days-till-commencement-find-your-comprehensive-guide-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/10-days-till-commencement-find-your-comprehensive-guide-here\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Days till Commencement! Find your Comprehensive Guide here!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>To ensure your Commencement experience is as smooth and celebratory as possible, we have compiled this all-inclusive information hub. Please save this email and refer to it as you prepare for the big day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Important Dates &amp; Deadlines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>April 30 &#8211; May 7 (Noon):<\/strong>&nbsp;Pickup window for indoor Commencement tickets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Thursday, May 7:<\/strong>&nbsp;Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, Final Lap, and Senior Party.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Friday, May 8 (7:00 PM):<\/strong>&nbsp;Baccalaureate Service in Gray Chapel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saturday, May 9:<\/strong>&nbsp;Commencement Day!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Indoor Tickets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the goal is an outdoor ceremony,&nbsp;<strong>indoor tickets<\/strong>&nbsp;are required if the event moves to the Gordon Field House due to inclement weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Allotment:<\/strong>&nbsp;Each graduate receives&nbsp;<strong>6 indoor tickets<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pickup Location:<\/strong>&nbsp;Academic Affairs Office (University Hall, Room 107).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pickup Hours:<\/strong>&nbsp;Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. &#8211; 5:00 p.m. (Starting 4\/30\/2026 &#8211; must be picked up by&nbsp;<strong>noon on May 7<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Important Rules:<\/strong>&nbsp;You&nbsp;<strong>must<\/strong>&nbsp;pick up your own tickets; friends cannot collect them for you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Will Call:<\/strong>&nbsp;If you cannot pick them up, tickets will be available for guests at the Field House east entrance starting at 11:00 a.m. on Commencement Day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Mandatory Rehearsal (Thursday, May 7)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Attendance is required for all students on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong>&nbsp;Branch Rickey Arena.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Schedule:<\/strong>&nbsp;Check-in begins at&nbsp;<strong>3:30 p.m.<\/strong>; rehearsal starts at&nbsp;<strong>4:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What to Expect:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Taking the final class photo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirming name card details and pronunciation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practicing the line-up and processional (indoor and outdoor versions).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post-Rehearsal Events:<\/strong>&nbsp;Join the &#8220;Final Lap&#8221; around campus at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Senior Party in the Benes Rooms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Commencement Day (Saturday, May 9)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Morning Brunch:<\/strong>&nbsp;9:00 a.m. &#8211; 11:00 a.m. in the Benes Rooms for seniors and families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check-in:<\/strong>&nbsp;11:30 a.m. &#8211; 12:30 p.m. You must check in to receive your name card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Processional:<\/strong>&nbsp;Begins at&nbsp;<strong>1:00 p.m. sharp<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Locations:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Outdoor:<\/strong>&nbsp;Phillips parking lot (across from Selby).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indoor (Rain):<\/strong>&nbsp;Branch Rickey Arena.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Line-up Order:<\/strong>&nbsp;Alphabetical by degree group (BFA, BM, BS, BA).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diplomas:<\/strong>&nbsp;You will receive a commemorative diploma cover on stage. Your official digital and printed diplomas will be mailed to your home address later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Cords, Stoles, and Regalia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cords and stoles are&nbsp;<strong>not<\/strong>&nbsp;distributed by the Bookstore or Registrar. Please contact the following directly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Athletics:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your coach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clubs\/Greek Life:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your organization president or chapter officer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Departments\/Programs:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your department chair or program director.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Honor Societies:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your department\u2019s academic assistant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phi Beta Kappa:<\/strong>&nbsp;Order through the national society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Final Success Checklist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before May 9, please ensure you have cleared all requirements with these offices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Office<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Action Item<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:registrar@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Registrar<\/a><\/td><td>Confirm graduation status.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:libraries@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Library<\/a><\/td><td>Return materials and clear your account.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:financialaid@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Financial Aid<\/a><\/td><td>Wrap up final aid details.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:studentaccounts@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Accounts<\/a><\/td><td>Ensure your balance is paid.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:rjfletcher@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bookstore<\/a><\/td><td>Pick up your cap and gown.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What if it rains?<\/strong>\u00a0We do our best to keep the ceremony outdoors on the Rock Quad in front of Merrick Hall. If there is light rain, we will stay outside\u2014please bring a poncho (we ask that you skip umbrellas so everyone can see the stage).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How will I know if it\u2019s moved indoors?<\/strong>\u00a0If the weather doesn\u2019t cooperate, we will announce a move to the Gordon Field House by\u00a0<strong>9:00 AM<\/strong>\u00a0that morning. Check<a href=\"http:\/\/owu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a0owu.edu<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.owu.edu\/academics\/commencement-week\/?utm_source=OWU_Website&amp;utm_medium=Header_QuickLink_Pay_My_Deposit&amp;utm_campaign=OWU_Website_Header_QuickLink_Pay_My_Deposit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Commencement webpage<\/a>, or OWU\u2019s social media for updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do we need tickets?<\/strong>\u00a0Tickets are\u00a0<strong>only<\/strong>\u00a0required if the ceremony moves indoors due to weather. Each graduate receives six indoor tickets. If you haven&#8217;t picked them up, your family can visit the Will Call table at the Field House (inside the East garage door) on Saturday morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Will there be professional photos?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes! Professional photographers will capture a photo of you with President vandenBerg and in front of an OWU backdrop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Will I receive my diploma?<\/strong>\u00a0You will receive a commemorative OWU diploma cover during the ceremony. The official printed diploma will be mailed shortly after, and you will also receive a digital version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What if guests can\u2019t make it in person?<\/strong>\u00a0No worries\u2014the ceremony will be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/owu.edu\/stream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">live-streamed!<\/a>\u00a0Extra guests without indoor tickets can also watch the stream on a big screen at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.owu.edu\/campus-map\/?map=606&amp;marker=13669&amp;zoom=2&amp;x=5155.274044&amp;y=-2029.04231&amp;layer=academic+buildings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chappelear Drama Center.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Not sure where to go?\u00a0<\/strong>Reference the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.owu.edu\/commencement-map\">Commencement Map<\/a>\u00a0for easy navigation to all events on Saturday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any issues or cannot attend rehearsal, email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:provost@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"mailto:provost@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">provost@owu.edu<\/a>\u00a0immediately.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OWU Sponsoring Organization\/Office:<\/strong>&nbsp;Academic Affairs &#8211; Provost Office<br><strong>Contact:<\/strong>&nbsp;Viridiana Leonard at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:provost@owu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">provost@owu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To ensure your Commencement experience is as smooth and celebratory as possible, we have compiled this all-inclusive information hub. Please save this email and refer to it as you prepare for the big day.&nbsp; &nbsp;Important Dates &amp; Deadlines &nbsp;Indoor Tickets While the goal is an outdoor ceremony,&nbsp;indoor tickets&nbsp;are required if the event moves to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2249,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[373],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-posts"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2249"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3600"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3618,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600\/revisions\/3618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/seniorsatowu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}