Ottawa, Kansas (OUKS) - 10 a.m. Ceremony

Graduation Ceremony Details

May 3, 2025  •  10:00 a.m.

UPDATED LOCATION

AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University
1001 South Cedar Street
Ottawa, KS  66067

UPDATED INCLEMENT WEATHER LOCATION

Ottawa University'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.

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• UPDATED ATTIRE AND REGALIA
  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 allowed. If 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.
  
  POLICY ON REGALIA
  In keeping with the dignity of the celebration, additions to the Commencement regalia adopted by students must be academic in nature, which includes appropriate cultural identification or accents that are historical in nature (traditional, academic honorary, heritage, etc.). Other decorations, including the cap / mortarboard, should NOT include offensive words or images and should be flush with the top of the cap so that the view of other graduates or spectators is not impeded. Regalia deemed as inappropriate on the day of Commencement will be replaced / removed or returned to the student after the ceremony.
   
• UPDATED TICKET INFORMATION
  As of Thursday, April 24, 2024, the Commencement ceremony has been moved to be at AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University. 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 should have received an email with their alloted ticket count should this become necessary.
   
• UPDATED TICKET DISTRIBUTION
  If you as a graduate have not received an email with your ticket allotment, please RSVP here.  
  
  Tickets must be picked up by the graduate.
  
  Distribution of tickets will take place at:
  
   - Graduation Reception
      May 1, 2025   |   5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
      Gangwish Library, Hasty and Goppert Conference Rooms
      Open to candidates for graduation ONLY.
  
  - Commencement
     May 3, 2025   |   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.
   
• UPDATED CAP AND GOWN

  Ordering Your Cap and Gown
  The ordering link for regalia has closed. If you were unable to order your regalia, please visit the Braves Fan Shop for details on available options.  

  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/removed and returned to the student after the ceremony.

• LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. The link will be made available closer to the event date.
   
• PHOTOGRAPHY
  Photos from the ceremony will be available and a link will be provided on this page for more details.
   
• UPDATED 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.
     
• UPDATED REHEARSAL: In lieu of an on-campus rehearsal, additional information will be provided the week of Commencement for graduates to review prior to the ceremony.
   
• 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.

Surprise, Arizona / EMBA

Graduation Ceremony Details

May 10, 2025  •  10:30 a.m.

Ottawa University's O'Dell Center, Faith Arena
15950 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ  85374

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• CAP AND GOWN: 

• Ordering Your Cap and Gown
  Caps and gowns can be ordered at the following link: ORDER HERE.
  
  Students earning their degree from OUAZ have the option for their caps and gowns to be delivered to the University free of charge. Orders for caps and gowns to be delivered to the University must be completed by March 18, 2025. Orders placed after that date will be subject to the additional shipping charge regardless of delivery location.
  
  Students attending the Surprise, Arizona ceremony and not earning their degree from OUAZ or any OUAZ student wishing to have their caps and gowns delivered to another location are responsible to pay the shipping charge. Orders must be completed by April 10, 2025. It is suggested students order their caps and gowns early to ensure they receive them in time.

  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.

• GRADUATION ANNOUCEMENTS: Order your official Ottawa University Arizona graduation announcements here.

• LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. The link will be made available closer to the event date.
   
• 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
  For your convenience, view more information regarding your upcoming visit to Surprise, Arizona, for Commencement.
  
  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.

Wisconsin / Online / Overland Park / EMBA

Graduation Ceremony Details

In-person Graduation Ceremony Details

May 3, 2025  •  2:00 p.m. CST

Ottawa University's Fredrikson Chapel
1001 South Cedar Street
Ottawa, KS 66067

Virtual Graduation Ceremony Details

May 3, 2025

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

RSVP ATTENDANCE:
Students wishing to participating in this ceremony must complete the RSVP form here.

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 graduates residence at the following link: ORDER HERE.

Orders must be completed by April 3, 2025. It is suggested students order their caps and gowns early to ensure they receive them in time. 

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.

LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. The link will be made available closer to the event date.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos from the ceremony will be available and a link will be provided on this page for more details.

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.