Records and Graduation

Records and Graduation

Records

(405) 682-7512

7777 South May Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Mon: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tues: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wed: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thur: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Commencement 2024

Commencement 2024 will be hosted on the OCCC campus at the Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on Saturday, May 18.

We will be hosting division specific ceremonies at the following times:

    • 10 a.m. Science, Engineering, and Math & Associate in Science in Diversified Studies
    • 1 p.m. Arts, English, and Humanities
    • 4 p.m. Business and Information Technology & Social Sciences
    • Health Professions Pinnings/Commencement hosted by Health Professions Division in March and May

Graduates who have informed the Graduation office that they wanted to attend the Commencement ceremony via their graduation application have received an email with an RSVP link to the appropriate ceremony.

RSVPs are required for graduates to participate.  You will not be on the list to purchase your cap and gown from the OCCC bookstore without an RSVP.  The RSVP is due no later than Friday, March 29.

Once we receive all RSVP’s, the list of students will be provided to the OCCC bookstore so that you may purchase your cap and gown for the ceremony.  You must wear a black cap and gown. Caps and gowns will go on sale in the OCCC bookstore in April with an approximate cost of $49.

Tickets will be required for family and friends. Seating within the theater will be on a first-come/first-served basis for ticket holders. There will be a limited number of tickets per graduate available for pickup from the Graduation office between April 8 and April 26. Further information regarding ticket pickup will be available after all RSVPs are collected in April.

If you believe you should have received an RSVP email and did not, or have any other questions regarding the ceremony, please contact getoffice@occc.edu or by calling 405-682-7522.

Livestream: Invite your family and friends who are unable to attend to watch the livestream event at www.occc.edu.

Division of Science, Engineering, and Math; and Associate in Science in Diversified Studies
Time: 10 a.m. https://youtube.com/live/S1pkhCwO8ig

Division of Arts, English, and Humanities
Time: 1 p.m. https://youtube.com/live/1s6U9lJq0oM

Division of Business and Information Technology, and Division of Social Sciences
Time: 4 p.m. https://youtube.com/live/I55NO1oxAaM

Overflow Seating: We will have a designated area in the Main Building where any additional family and friends that want to celebrate you will be able to live stream the event here on campus.  We will have signage as well as volunteers directing you to the GDA in the Main Building.

GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATES – PLEASE READ COMPLETELY!

 Commencement will be held on the OCCC campus at the Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC).  Graduates should plan to arrive with their robes for check-in 45 minutes prior to the start of your Commencement ceremony (9:15 a.m. for 10 a.m. ceremony, 12:15 for 1 p.m. ceremony, 3:15 for 4 p.m. ceremony).

Please read the following guidelines below completely!

 ROBING

  • Graduates are required to wear black caps and gowns for Commencement. You must purchase your cap and gown package at the bookstore before the ceremony.
  • If you wear your gown straight out of the package, it will be wrinkled. We recommend ironing yours or at a minimum hanging your gown ahead of time.
  • We recommend wearing dark-colored dress clothes under your gown. Wear dark-colored, formal shoes that are comfortable for walking. You will be walking and standing for prolonged periods.
  • Wear your cap so the mortarboard is flat on your head, not tilted. Your tassel should hang on the right.

NAME CARDS

  • When you arrive, you must obtain your name card at the check-in station designated by your last name. Check the card to make sure your name is correct.
  • Your name card is very important. Do not lose or destroy your card. You will give this card to the reader to announce your name as you walk across stage.
  • If you would like to clarify the pronunciation of your name, speak to the reader prior to the lineup. The reader will be stationed in front of the robing room.

LINEUP

  • 20 minutes before the ceremony, Commencement Marshals will arrive to organize graduates for the processional. Graduates will be instructed to make two parallel lines.
  • When it is time to begin, the marshals will lead the lines of graduates out of the robing room to the theater entrance.
  • The Processional music will begin, and the Marshals will lead you to your seats in the arena.
  • Please be aware that we cannot guarantee preferred seating arrangements. What we can tell you is if you want to sit next to a certain graduate, this person should stand directly in front or behind you during lineup.

CEREMONY

  • Remain standing once you have arrived at your seat. There will be an invocation, and then you will be instructed to take your seat.
  • The college designee will ask graduates for the various degrees to stand. The President will announce graduates for conferral. You will move your tassel from the right side to the left.
  • Everyone will cheer!
  • After the conferral is announced, all graduates except the first row will be seated. Marshals will begin leading the first row out to the stage. Marshals will continue to direct graduates to the stage row by row until all graduates have walked.
  • When it is approaching your turn to go on stage, you will hand your name card to the reader. Marshals will guide you onto the stage.
  • Once on stage, you will be given a diploma cover. Your diploma will not be in the cover. Diplomas are mailed directly to you.
  • Next, you will walk across the stage and have your picture taken with the President. You will then exit the stage. A marshal will then direct you to the photography station for a professional photo.  You will then be led back to your original row.
  • At the end of the ceremony, the Marshals will lead you out of the theater at which time you can return to the robing area or find your family/friends to celebrate! Don’t forget to use your food truck voucher for a free meal!

GUEST INFORMATION

Family and friends attending Commencement will need a ticket to enter the theater.  Seating is first come/first served once you are inside the theater, aside from the reserved seats for students/faculty.  While we encourage you to celebrate your graduate, please be aware that there are no balloons or air horns allowed inside the theater.  Please be sure to give yourself plenty of time prior to the ceremony to take your seats.  Seating will not be allowed once the ceremony starts.

Where to park? There will be signs in the parking lot directing you to the VPAC on the OCCC campus once you arrive.  We recommend parking in Lot C or D for easiest access to the theater.

If you are unable to attend the ceremony, we will have it live streamed at www.occc.edu.  If you want to come celebrate your graduate but don’t have a ticket, we welcome you to come to campus and use our overflow seating area in the Main Building-General Dining Area.  We’ll have food trucks and fun yard games for after the ceremony to enjoy as well!