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From: Office of the Registrar

OSU’s 154th Commencement Ceremony is Tomorrow!!

What to Bring/What Not to Bring

  • Bring a small clear bag with snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
    • There will be one water bottle under your chair and extras available in the back.
    • If you bring a water bottle for the processional, it will need to be empty before entering the stadium.
  • Remember to have all your regalia including cap, gown, and tassel.
    • Regalia is required for participation in the ceremony and must be a black cap and gown.
    • The OSU Beaver Store will open at 8 a.m. on commencement day and have regalia available.
  • Remember that alcohol and other drugs are prohibited on campus.
  • Commencement will occur rain or shine.
    • Umbrellas are not permitted to be open in Reser Stadium.

Lineup & Processional

9:00 a.m. All graduation candidates must report to their designated lineup location. Undergraduates, your college is listed in the top block in MyDegrees. 

Check out the map! 

  • Undergraduates and master’s, find the marshal in your college who is next to the sign with your alpha split to get your card. You can then line up in any order within your college.
  • Ph.D.s must line up by number, guided by your marshal.  Double degrees will have received communication about which college to join for the lineup. 
    • CEOAS, Engineering, Forestry: Line up on 26th Street near Dixon.
    • Agricultural Sciences: Line up at the corner of 26th and Jefferson Way. 
    • PHHS, Science: Line up across from the Women's Building in the Memorial Union Quad.
    • Liberal Arts, Business: Line up near the corner of SW Waldo Way and Jefferson Way between the SEC and the Valley Library. 
    • Education, Master’s: Line up on the Valley Library Quad near the Clock Tower and Pioneer Place.
    • Ph.D.s: Line up on Jefferson Way near the Kerr Administration Building. 

Commencement Card

  • You will receive your commencement card from your college’s marshal when you line up.
  • KEEP YOUR CARD; it is your pass to the ceremony, photographs, and diploma. A physical card is required to get your diploma case – DO NOT LOSE YOUR CARD!

Need Assistance?

  • An information tent is located in the MU Quad to help answer questions and give directions. You DO NOT need to check in at this tent it is only there if you have questions. You can also ask for help from any of the volunteers at the event.
  • Signs and maps will be posted throughout the processional route to help you find the correct location for your lineup.

Keep it Comfortable

  • Be prepared to process up to three miles and with lots of waiting – thousands of graduates will be participating. Comfortable shoes are key!
  • Restrooms will be available in the Memorial Union. There will be some portable restrooms along the processional route and on the field but lines can be long so it is recommended to use the restroom before joining the lineup. 

And so, It Begins

10:00 a.m. SHARP Processional begins 

10:30 a.m. Processional enters Reser Stadium 

       Please note that guests are not permitted on the field at any time.

Ceremony, Photos & Diplomas

11:00 a.m. Commencement Ceremony begins 

  • Speeches and remarks 
  • Presentation and conferral of degrees 
    • Doctoral and Master’s students will be invited to stand and have their degrees conferred.
    • Undergraduate students will be invited to stand with their college and have their degrees conferred.
  • Doctoral graduates’ names are read as they cross the stage and receive their diplomas/cases.

Diploma/Case Distribution & Photography

Closing remarks conclude and the marshals will begin releasing the rows one by one to go to the diploma distribution tents (reminder, guests are not allowed on the field).

  • Undergraduates go to their college’s tent.
  • Master’s go to the main stage.
  • There will be marshals and volunteers to guide you.
  • Pay attention to the alpha split for each line so you can enter the correct one.
  • Commencement Card: Hand off your card when you get to the tent. It is critical that you have your physical card.
  • Receive your diploma case from your college dean.
  • Have a self-portrait taken along with your diploma/case on the side of the tent before you exit the stadium to celebrate.
    • Photos will be sent to each graduate the week following commencement. 
    • You can pre-register to get your proof images faster at thegradteam.com/osu.
  • Diploma/Case: You will receive your diploma/case from the dean of your college.
    • Double-degree students will go to the tent of the college they processed with to receive both of their diplomas/cases.
    • Most graduates leave the field after receiving their diploma/case.
    • Remember to take your personal belongings with you. 
    • Students who RSVP'd to Commencement but are unable to attend will be able to come to the Office of the Registrar after 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, to pick up their diploma if it’s releasable.

~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes 

Diplomas at Commencement

  • Every student who participates in commencement will receive a diploma case.
  • Students with no outstanding graduation requirements, and with sufficient preliminary grades, will receive their actual diploma in the case.*
  • Students who have already received their diploma or still have graduation requirements to complete will have a letter in the diploma case.

*IMPORTANT

  • Your OSU diploma is not your official record of earning your degree.
  • Students who are completing their requirements in spring still need to have their degrees officially awarded once final grades are posted.
  • Your degree is not yet awarded until you have completed all your requirements with sufficient grades and the end-of-term review is complete.
  • Monitor your OSU email for communication regarding your degree status.
  • You should hear from the Degree Completion Team within a few weeks after commencement as they work through the final grade reviews.
  • Once a degree is awarded, it will appear on your official OSU transcript.

Helpful Information & Resources

Remember to Be Safe

  • Alcohol and other drugs are prohibited on campus.
  • Celebrate responsibly before, during, and after the event.
  • Be mindful of individual and interpersonal safety and remember we are all celebrating together.

Seating for Graduates and Guests 

Want to let your guests know where to focus their attention for your college?  

Graduate seating 

Guest seating   

Have Questions? 

Check out the Commencement page and helpful FAQs.  

Additional Resources 

Live viewing of the event 

Commencement Accommodations 

Corvallis events, dining, and lodging 

Parking at Commencement

Grads Give Back 

Give your gown to a future graduate afterward! Check out Grads Give Back for more details.

Quick Guide

  • Bring all your regalia
  • Wear appropriate attire, including comfortable shoes
  • Find your marshal and get your card
  • Do not lose your card
  • Restrooms are available but it is recommended to use the restroom before the lineup
  • Keep your personal belongings with you and take them when you leave

9 a.m. Lineup

10:00 a.m. Processional begins

10:30 a.m. Processional enters Reser Stadium

11:00 a.m. Commencement Ceremony begins

  • Speeches and remarks
  • Presentation and conferral of degrees
  • Closing Remarks
  • Marshals will release each row - go to your college’s distribution area for photos and your diploma/case

~1:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony Concludes

Congratulations!

Send Date: 
Friday, June 16, 2023