Commencement
Commencement Weekend Celebrating the Classes of 2020 and 2021
Commencement weekend festivities will begin on Thursday, May 6, as we honor the late Dr. John Starkey. Join us from 1 to 2 p.m. for an interfaith tree and bench dedication ceremony, north of the Bishop Angie W. Smith Chapel.
NOTE: Children age 2 and younger are permitted to be treated as lap children, and will not count toward a graduate’s four-person guest limit.
Class of 2020 | Friday, May 7th
The Class of 2020 will be celebrated from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 7, at the Freede Center. Class of 2020 graduates are asked to arrive outside the north doors of the Freede Center. Class of 2020 alumni are requested to RSVP by April 9, 2021. Alumni will each be allowed to bring up to four guests; additional guests are invited to watch graduates walk across the stage via a live-stream on the OCU website. Festivities for the Class of 2020 will include virtual baccalaureate (prior to Friday), walking across a stage in the Freede Center in traditional cap and gown for a photo opportunity with President Burger, the inauguration of the first ever “Sign the Gold Star” graduation event, and photo opportunities with iconic OCU backdrops. An outdoor space will be provided for the Class of 2020 to gather to see friends, classmates and faculty as OCU celebrates their unique achievements.
Class of 2021 | Saturday, May 8th
The Class of 2021 commencement ceremonies will occur on Saturday, May 8, at the Freede Center. Graduates will each be allowed to bring up to four guests; additional guests are invited to watch graduates walk across the stage via a live-stream on the OCU website. Commencement for the Class of 2021 will be spread out over the course of the day by school to account for social distancing (see timeline below). Celebrations will be accomplished in manners unique to OCU, complete with prerecorded videos, virtual baccalaureate (Saturday morning), walking across a stage in the Freede Center in cap and gown to be recognized for the achievement of their OCU degree by President Burger, participation in the newly inaugurated “Sign the Gold Star” graduation event, and photo opportunities with iconic OCU backdrops. Outdoor spaces will be provided for the Class of 2021 to gather to conclude their student experience and be formally welcomed as new Star alumni. The class of 2021 schedule is as follows:
(Graduates are asked to congregate, socially distanced, at the Freede Center north doors at least 15 minutes prior to their assigned graduation time)
POD 1 | 9 to 11 a.m.
(8:45 a.m. arrival time)
Dance and Theatre degrees
POD 2 | 10 a.m. to noon
(9:45 arrival time)
Music degrees
POD 3 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(10:45 a.m. arrival time)
Petree Undergraduate degrees
POD 4 | 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
(1:15 p.m. arrival time)
PA degrees & Petree Graduate degrees
POD 5 | 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.
(2:30 p.m. arrival time)
Business degrees
POD 6 | 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
(3:30 p.m. arrival time)
Nursing degrees
Application for Graduation
The deadline date to apply for your diploma and graduation is February 12, 2021.
Undergraduate Application for Graduation
Graduate Application for Graduation
Oklahoma City University School of Law Graduation Date: TBD
Special Needs
Class of 2020 alumni and Class of 2021 graduates will be allowed to bring four guests to campus. The events on May 7th and May 8th will be indoor/outdoor and will utilize various locations across the University. Graduates, alumni and/or guests with special needs or accommodation requests are asked to contact Academic Affairs at (405) 208-5287.
Tickets
Class of 2020 alumni and Class of 2021 graduates will be allowed to bring four guests to campus. Information about how tickets will be disseminated is forthcoming.
Senior Class Gift
Each year, graduating students give back through a contribution to the Senior Class Gift. Learn more at www.okcu.edu/classgift.
Parking
Use the map on this page to find parking for your event.
Purchase Regalia
To purchase a cap and gown, please visit the Jostens website.