From: Office of the Registrar
Commencement Day in the Life of a Graduating OSU Student
It’s the big day!
You wake up, grab your regalia (cap, gown, and tassel), after a quick fit check, you run out the door to get to campus by 9 am. After three steps of running, you realize - these are not the shoes to be wearing. You head back inside, change into comfortable shoes, and grab the clear bag you left on the counter with water, snacks, sunscreen, and your phone.
On the way to campus, you remind your guests that Reser Stadium doors open at 9 am and make sure they know where you’ll be sitting on the field. You also remind them where you’ll meet them after the ceremony since cell service isn’t great when the stadium is full.
Time to line up...
You head to the area where your college is lining up and look for the alpha sign for your last name. The marshal near the sign gives you your commencement card which you cannot lose. You take a pic with your phone to be safe.
You find your friends in your college- since you don’t have to sit in alphabetical order. You have a minute until the processional actually starts moving so you set up your account for commencement photos (instructions are on your commencement card) and then take some ussies with your friends.
The spectacular processional begins!
You had no idea that traveling in a sea of your fellow graduates would be so awesome! You are so glad you changed your shoes. It may not be 3 full miles but it’s a good distance to the stadium and a lot of standing.
You enter the stadium to loud cheers and applause from the stands and follow your marshal to an empty row of chairs on the field. You don’t even care that it takes a while to get everyone into the stadium. The energy is everywhere!
Fortunately, you spot bottled water and portable restrooms as the ceremony lasts a few hours.
The ceremony begins...
You enjoy the quick speeches but really want to get to the recognition of the graduates. Doctoral students go first and they cross the stage and have their names read as they get their diplomas. (You wish that your name could be read, too, but then realize that would mean the ceremony would last All. Day. Long!)
Next master’s students are recognized and then each college announces the undergraduate degree candidates- one of the best parts of the day- which college can make the most noise in the stadium! Finally, what you’ve been waiting for...
Diplomas!
Thank goodness that you sent your friends and family the maps from the commencement website! This way they can make sure to sit near where you get your diploma.
Your marshal indicates it’s your row’s turn to head toward the diploma distribution tent. You find the correct tent for your last name and get in line. While you wait in a short line, you take it all in: the people in the stands, the music, the pride and excitement.
You get to the front of the line and hand your card to the tent staff so they can find your diploma. You are glad you didn’t lose it! You shake hands with a dean from your college while they hand you your diploma case and photographers from The Grad Team take a photo. You move along the side of the tent to have another photo taken.
You did it!!! You make sure you have your diploma case and your clear bag with your other belongings. Time to meet up with your guests to keep celebrating.
Rest and Relaxation...
Whew! What an exciting and exhausting day. Congratulations, grad!
Check out the Know Before You Go Information
Commencement Questions?