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Commencement Events

Commencement Events

COMMENCEMENT EVENTS

Ottawa University 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 complete an Application for Graduation at least 90 days prior to the ceremony date. Please request an Application for Graduation from your academic advisor.

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • The Online / Overland Park / Wisconsin / EMBA ceremony on May 4, 2024 will be held in Ottawa, Kansas. Details about this ceremony can be found below in the "Wisconsin / Online / Overland Park/ EMBA" tab. The ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m.
     
  • The Ottawa (KS) campus ceremony requires tickets for entrance. Each graduate is provided 3 tickets for this year's ceremony. Ticket distribution to graduates will take place at the Graduate Reception on Thursday, May 2, or tickets may be picked-up by the graduate at the Gangwish Library, Concierge Desk on Saturday, May 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
     
    • The Graduate Reception on May 2 is open to attendance by graduates only.

 

Graduation Ceremony Details

Ottawa, Kansas (OUKS)

Graduation Ceremony Details

May 4, 2024  •  10:00 a.m.

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

  • GENERAL INFORMATION
    For general information about the Commencement, please refer to this booklet.
     

    For our residential campus in Ottawa, KS, please note that the doors to the Fredrikson Chapel will be opened for seating 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time. Due to the number of graduates and attendees, each graduate is given a predetermined number of tickets to distribute to family and friends. While there is limited seating available within the Fredrikson Chapel, the ceremony will be available via livestream.

  • TICKET DISTRIBUTION:
    Each candidate for graduation will receive 3 tickets for the ceremony. Tickets must be picked up by the graduate.

    Distribution of tickets will take place at:

     - Graduation Reception
        May 2, 2024   |   5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
        Gangwish Library, Hasty and Goppert Conference Rooms
        Open to candidates for graduation ONLY.

    - Commencement
       May 4, 2024   |   9:00 a.m.
       Gangwish Library, Scherich Atrium's Concierge Desk

    If additional space is available within the Fredrikson Chapel, extra tickets 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: 

    Ordering Your Cap and Gown
    Caps and gowns can be ordered at Grad Fair or at the following link: ottawa.shopoakhalli.com.

    Students 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 8, 2024.  

    If students would rather their caps and gowns to be delivered to another location they may do so with an additional shipping charge. Orders to be delivered to a location other than the University must be completed by March 31, 2024. 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 following link can be shared with friends and family:

    https://livestream.com/theottawau/oukscommencement2024
     
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    Integrity First Photography is the official photographer for Commencement. Following the link below, candidates or graduation need to register in advance for him/her and their family to receive access to his/her personal gallery of graduation photos following the event. Register ASAP by following the links for Ottawa Graduation ceremony at www.integrityfirstphotography.com.

     
  • LINE-UP FOR GRADUATES
    Graduates will line-up for Commencement in Gangwish Library.
    • Graduates are required to arrive at the designated location by 9:00 a.m. for the ceremony.

       
  • REHEARSAL: In lieu of an on-campus rehearsal, the following videos have been created for graduates to know what to expect as they walk in the ceremony.
    • Master's Candidates - links will be available in April
    • Bachelor's Candidates - links will be available in April
       
  • 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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Surprise, Arizona / EMBA

Wisconsin / Online / Overland Park / EMBA

Graduation Ceremony Details

In-person Graduation Ceremony Details

May 4, 2024  •  2:00 p.m. CST

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

Virtual Graduation Ceremony Details

May 4, 2024

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

LIVESTREAM LINKS: The ceremony will be livestreamed on the day of the event. The following link can be shared with friends and family:

https://livestream.com/theottawau/ouonlinecommencement2024

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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