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Commencement Events

Commencement Events

COMMENCEMENT EVENTS

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ invites and encourages family and friends to attend and participate in celebrating our graduates annually at one of our commencement ceremonies. The commencement season is filled with hope and purpose as our graduates achieve a meaningful milestone and pursue new career opportunities. We recognize and applaud our graduates and their respective families during graduation ceremonies conducted at each campus.

All candidates for graduation must adhere to the steps to participate in a Commencement ceremony as outlined below. 

The University's commencement ceremony dates, times and locations are detailed below.

Important Notes

  • Students at the Ottawa, Kansas campus

    • The ceremony on May 2, 2026 will be held in Ottawa, Kansas at 10:00 a.m.
    • The ceremony is planned to be held outside. Should inclement weather become a factor, the ceremony will be moved inside to the Fredrikson Chapel and tickets will be required. 
    • Ticket distribution to graduates will take place at the Graduate Reception on Thursday, April 30, or tickets may be picked-up by the graduate at the Gangwish Library, Concierge Desk on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

    • The Grad Reception on April 30 is open to attendance by graduates ONLY.
       

  • Students at the Surprise, Arizona campus (including EMBA)

    • The OUAZ ceremony will be on May 2, 2026 in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's O'Dell Center, Faith Arena at 10:30 a.m.

    • No tickets are required for attendance at the ceremony.
       

  • Students at the Kansas City, Online, Phoenix, or Milwaukee Campuses (including EMBA)

    • The ceremony on May 2, 2026 will be held in Ottawa, Kansas at 2:00 p.m.

    • No tickets are required for attendance at the ceremony.

    • The Nurse Pinning Ceremony will take place on April 30, 2026 at the Aspiria Campus. Details will be provided at a later date.

Steps to Participate in a Commencement Ceremony

  1. Complete the Grad App – due by 9/30
    (www.ottawa.edu/GradApp)
     
  2. Degree Audit – due by 12/1
    • IMPORTANT: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the degree audit is submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
       
    • STEPS TO FIND INFORMATION ON THE PORTAL
      • Residential Undergraduate Students
        • Once you log into MyOttawa () you will go to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Tab, then Student Resources.
        • Under the Registrar’s Form, you will find a Graduation Plan Cover Sheet. You will need to complete this form with your faculty advisor.
        • Your advisor will run a degree audit to ensure all requirements are met and you have a plan for completing any outstanding coursework.
        • The degree audit must be signed by the student and faculty advisor prior to submission to the Office of the Registrar.
        • Coordinate with your faculty advisor to ensure your degree audit is submitted prior to the 12/1 deadline for participation in the May ceremony.
      • Residential Graduate Students
        • Reach out to your academic advisor to ensure that your degree plan has been submitted for approval.
      • Professional and Online Campuses Students
        (Kansas City, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Online)
        • Reach out to your academic advisor to ensure that your degree plan has been submitted for approval.
           
    • Approval by the Office of Registrar (if degree audit was received by 12/1) will be received by the start of Spring 2 (3/9/26)​
      • If changes are necessary to the degree audit, they will be provided to the faculty advisor.
      • If you have not received approval by this date, follow up with your faculty advisor on the status.
      • All degree audits MUST be approved by the Office of the Registrar by 4/1 in order to participate in the May ceremony.
         
    • NOTE: Students cannot be added to the Commencement participation list until Office of the Registrar approval of the degree audit is confirmed.
  3. Transcripts – students must request official transcripts from other institutions be sent to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office of the Registrar as courses are completed.
    1. IMPORTANT: Transcripts received after 4/1 will be considered missing courses when assessing course completion for participation in the May Commencement ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony Details

Students at the Ottawa, Kansas Campus

Graduation Ceremony Details

May 2, 2026  •  10:00 a.m.

LOCATION

AdventHealth Field at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
1001 South Cedar Street
Ottawa, KS  66067

 INCLEMENT WEATHER LOCATION

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Fredrikson Chapel
1001 South Cedar Street
Ottawa, KS  66067
Doors will be opened for ticketed seating 1-hour prior to the start of the ceremony. No food or drink is allowed in the Chapel.

  • GRAD FAIR
    The Grad Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in the Gangwish Library, Schendel Conference Center. 

    If you are unable to attend, please be sure to watch your OU email for details about Commencement and important deadlines for participation.
     
  • TICKET INFORMATION
    If the Commencement ceremony is schedule to be at AdventHealth Field at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. This will be an outside ceremony and tickets will NOT be required. 

    In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved back inside to Fredrikson Chapel and tickets will be required. All participating graduates will receive an email with their alloted ticket count should this become necessary.
     
  • TICKET DISTRIBUTION
    Only graduates are able to pick-up Commencement tickets. For that reason, as outlined below should the ceremony need to be moved inside. There may be limited time on the morning of the ceremony to distribute tickets, so it is important that graduates do their best to attend the Graduation Reception to collect their tickets. 

    Tickets must be picked up by the graduate.

    Distribution of tickets will take place at:

     - Graduation Reception
        April 30, 2026   |   5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
        Gangwish Library, Hasty and Goppert Conference Rooms
        Open to candidates for graduation ONLY.

    - Commencement
       May 2, 2026   |   8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
       Gangwish Library, Scherich Atrium's Concierge Desk

    Any tickets not picked up by 9:30 a.m. will be distributed in the overflow / livestream viewing room (Gangwish Library, Schendel Conference Center) shortly before the ceremony begins. Please understand that additional tickets are NOT guaranteed to be available.
     
  • CAP AND GOWN / ATTIRE

    Ordering Your Cap and Gown
    You will have the option of having it shipped to your home or to campus; however, there are different deadlines for both options. .

    Ship to Campus
    If you would like to have your cap and gown shipped to campus, your order must be placed no later than February 17, 2026. There is no shipping cost applied to this option. Details for picking your order up on campus will be provided at a later date.

    Ship to Home 
    If you would like to have your cap and gown shipped to your home, your order must be placed no later than April 8, 2026, to ensure delivery in time for the ceremony. The student is responsible for shipping charges when selecting this option. 


    Preparation of Gown 
    Gowns are packaged in plastic bags and should be removed and hung to allow the wrinkles to come out. You may find it helpful to hang it in the bathroom area to allow steam from a hot shower to help pull out wrinkles, or you may choose to steam them. Due to the gown material, a hot iron should NOT be used to remove wrinkles. Graduates are responsible for the preaparion of their gown.


    Student Commencement Regalia 
    Adornments, paraphernalia, messaging, or any other additions to commencement regalia issued to students specifically for this ceremony MUST be academic in nature, which includes appropriate cultural identification or accents that are historical in nature (tradition, academic honorary, heritage, etc.). Other decorations, including the cap/mortarboard, should NOT include offensive words or images AND must be flush with the top of the cap so that the view of other graduates or spectators is not impeded. Regalia deemed inappropriate on the day of Commencement will be replaced and returned to the student after the ceremony.

    Prior to ordering any items, such as stoles, please check with the Office of the Registrar for approval to ensure you will be allowed to wear them for the ceremony. 
     

    Attire
    Graduates are expected to dress nicely (business attire) as this is a significant step in your life and one that should be celebrated. Sunglasses, if necessary, need to be removed before leaving your seat to receive your diploma. NO high heels can be worn as they will damage the facility; flats or wedges are allowedIf graduates are unsure if their shoes will be approved, please check with Janet Eaton-Smith or have a backup plan for the day of Commencement, as they will not be allowed to participate otherwise.
     

  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    Photos from the ceremony will be available and a link will be provided on this page following the ceremony.
     
  • LINE-UP FOR GRADUATES
    Graduates will line-up for Commencement in Mabee Center.
    • Graduates are required to arrive at the designated location by 8:30 a.m. to line up for the ceremony.
       
  • REHEARSAL: There will be no rehearsal for the ceremony. Graduates will receive information prior to the ceremony for a guideline.
     
  • Guests from out of town, visit our Community Resources page to find lodging and dining information.
     

QUESTIONS

If you have questions regarding Commencement, please complete the form below and someone will be in touch with you.

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Students at the Surprise, Arizona Campus

Graduation Ceremony Details

May 2, 2026  •  10:30 a.m.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's O'Dell Center, Faith Arena
15950 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374

  • CAP AND GOWN: 

  • Ordering Your Cap and Gown
    You will have the option of having it shipped to your home or to campus; however, there are different deadlines for both options. . 

    SHIP TO CAMPUS
    If you are planning to have your cap and gown shipped to campus, your order must be placed no later than February 10, 2026. Details for picking your order up on campus will be provided at a later date.

    SHIP TO HOME
    If you would like to have your cap and gown shipped to your home, your order must be placed no later than April 8, 2026, to ensure delivery in time for the ceremony.

    Preparation of Gown 
    Gowns are packaged in plastic bags and should be removed and hung to allow the wrinkles to come out. You may find it helpful to hang it in the bathroom area to allow steam from a hot shower to help pull out wrinkles, or you may choose to steam them. Due to the gown material, a hot iron should NOT be used to remove wrinkles. Graduates are responsible for the preaparion of their gown.

    Student Commencement Regalia 
    Adornments, paraphernalia, messaging, or any other additions to commencement regalia issued to students specifically for this ceremony MUST be academic in nature, which includes appropriate cultural identification or accents that are historical in nature (tradition, academic honorary, heritage, etc.). Other decorations, including the cap/mortarboard, should NOT include offensive words or images AND must be flush with the top of the cap so that the view of other graduates or spectators is not impeded. Regalia deemed inappropriate on the day of Commencement will be replaced and returned to the student after the ceremony.

    Prior to ordering any items, such as stoles, please check with the Office of the Registrar for approval to ensure you will be allowed to wear them for the ceremony.
     

  • GRADUATION ANNOUCEMENTS: Order your official ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Arizona graduation announcements .
     

  • LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. To access the livestream link, visit www.ottawa.edu/OUAZCeremony.
     
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    A week after graduation, all graduation photos will be posted to flickr.com/OUAZ. Students may view and download photos for FREE (courtesy of the alumni association).
     
  • LINE-UP FOR GRADUATES
    Graduates will line-up for Commencement in the O'Dell Center.
     
  • OTHER INFORMATION
    Doors Open - The O'Dell Center, Faith Arena gates will open at 9:30 a.m. (1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony) for friends and family to enter and find seating prior to the event.

    Tickets - Tickets are NOT required for your family and guests. Seating in Faith Arena will be on a first-come basis (NO reserved seating) with primary seating in the stands for guests. Graduating students will be seated on the arena floor in front of the stage area, with additional floor seating behind them available for guests as well.

    Parking - Ample parking is available around campus and the stadium. Click here to see a map that shows parking throughout campus.
     
  • COMMUNITY INFORMATION
    There are a variety of hotels in the area, and there are three that are situated right close to campus:
    Hilton Garden Inn
    16601 North Stadium Way  |  Surprise, AZ  85374
    Holiday Inn Express and Suites
    16540 North Bullard Avenue  |  Surprise, AZ  85374
    Residence Inn by Marriott
    16418 North Bullard Avenue  |  Surprise, AZ  85374

QUESTIONS

If you have questions regarding Commencement, please complete the form below and someone will be in touch with you.

( ) -

Students at the Kansas City, Online, Phoenix, or Wisconsin Campus

Graduation Ceremony Details

In-person Graduation Ceremony Details

May 2, 2026  •  2:00 p.m. CST

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Fredrikson Chapel
1001 South Cedar Street
Ottawa, KS 66067

Virtual Graduation Ceremony Details

May 2, 2026

Information will be emailed directly to the students for this ceremony.

LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. To access the ceremony livestream, visit www.ottawa.edu/OUOLCeremony.

TICKETS:
No tickets are required for admission to the Commencement ceremony.

DOORS OPEN FOR SEATING:
Doors to the Fredrikson Chapel will be opened for seating 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time. While there is limited seating available within the Fredrikson Chapel, the ceremony will be available via livestream.

CAP AND GOWN: 

Ordering Your Cap and Gown
Caps and gowns can be ordered online to be shipped to the graduate's residence. To place your order, .

Orders must be placed by April 8, 2026 to guarantee arrival prior to the ceremony.

Preparation of Gown 
Gowns are packaged in plastic bags and should be removed and hung to allow the wrinkles to come out. You may find it helpful to hang it in the bathroom area to allow steam from a hot shower to help pull out wrinkles, or you may choose to steam them. Due to the gown material, a hot iron should NOT be used to remove wrinkles. 

Student Commencement Regalia 
Adornments, paraphernalia, messaging, or any other additions to commencement regalia issued to students specifically for this ceremony MUST be academic in nature, which includes appropriate cultural identification or accents that are historical in nature (tradition, academic honorary, heritage, etc.). Other decorations, including the cap/mortarboard, should NOT include offensive words or images AND must be flush with the top of the cap so that the view of other graduates or spectators is not impeded. Regalia deemed inappropriate on the day of Commencement will be replaced and returned to the student after the ceremony.

Prior to ordering any items, such as stoles, please check with the Office of the Registrar for approval to ensure you will be allowed to wear them for the ceremony. 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos from the ceremony will be available at no charge and a link will be provided on this page within one week of the ceremony.

LINE-UP FOR GRADUATES
Graduates will line-up for Commencement in Gangwish Library. Graduates are required to arrive at the designated location by 1:00 p.m. for the ceremony.

RESOURCES
Guests from out of town, visit our Community Resources page to find lodging and dining information.

QUESTIONS

Additional information about details surrounding the ceremony will be released in the spring.

If you have questions regarding Commencement, please complete the form below and someone will be in touch with you.

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Post-ceremony Details

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