Commencement marks the pinnacle of academic achievement, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University proudly celebrates the occasion with formal pomp and circumstance. We are committed to maintaining a safe campus environment for all members of the university community.

Graduation

Graduation Applications

 Applications for graduation are due March 1 in order to participate in December’s commencement.

May 2024 Graduation Events

Graduates and guests are invited to in-person graduation weekend events on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, 2024, in the Chapel Fine Arts Center at OKWU. Please take a look at the schedule listed below for more details.

All graduation weekend events are non-ticketed, with seating on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please take a look at the Guest Information below for more details.

Graduation Schedule

Friday MAY 3

1 PM: School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony at Chapel Fine Arts Center

The OKWU Nursing Pinning Ceremony is a commissioning service for Nursing students to share with their families, friends, and colleagues as they celebrate their educational achievements and earn their BSN, RN-BSN, or MSN, respectively. This distinguished occasion is marked by the blessing of the hands in which our graduates are anointed to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they enter the next phase of their careers. 

7 PM: Celebration Service at Chapel Fine Arts Center

The OKWU Celebration Service includes worship, communion, and award recognition celebrating the successes of our student graduates. This service is REQUIRED for all Traditional graduates; we also highly encourage our GPS graduates to attend if possible. There will be no regalia required and no seating arrangements. 

Saturday MAY 4
10:30 AM: Commencement Ceremony at Chapel Fine Arts Center

The OKWU Commencement Ceremony includes the ceremonial diploma conferral for our graduates in front of family and friends.

     9:15 AM: Student Check-In (Lyon Hall entrance-east circle drive)
     9:30 AM: Auditorium doors open for guests
     10:30 AM: Commencement Ceremony

Immediately following the commencement ceremony, graduates will recess to the lower west patio and open area outside the lower west double doors of the Chapel Fine Arts Center (if inclement weather arises, we will recess to the chapel foyer). The Alumni Association will provide a small gift to each graduate upon exit of the chapel building. Families and friends can gather with graduates and faculty for picture opportunities and fellowship time.

Photography

OKWU will provide photography during the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday. Images from the ceremony will be available to students about one week after graduation via a secure image repository link sent directly to graduates. 

Graduates can hire private photographers to take images outside the chapel building following the ceremony or at a more personal convenient time. Private photography is prohibited in the chapel before, during, or immediately following the ceremony. If you have questions about photography, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Guest Information

  All graduation weekend events are non-ticketed, with seating on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please take a look at the Guest Information below for more details.

Nursing Pinning: doors open for seating at 12:00 PM. All nursing students must communicate with Melissa Little (mlittle@okwu.edu) regarding the number of attendees, seating arrangements for this service, and any other special requests. 

Celebration Service: doors open for seating at 6:15 PM. There are no seating assignments; get there early for the best seat availability. TRAD graduates are required to attend, and we encourage our GPS graduates to attend as well. Please bring your family to celebrate in worship with us. 

Commencement Ceremony: doors open for seating at 9:30 AM. There are no seating assignments for families; seat saving is discouraged – please have your family and friends as early as possible to get the best seats available. 

Guests are encouraged to sit towards the center of rows for optimal seating; ushers will help families and those with accessibility issues find the optimum seating areas. Overflow seating will be available in Lyon Hall after 10:20 AM. 

Main parking areas are listed on the Campus Map, with designated handicap-accessible parking located at the northeast parking lot at the main entrance to the Chapel Fine Arts Center (Admissions entrance). Alternate parking will be located across Silver Lake Road south of the main campus entry.

No health restrictions or regulations will be enforced during graduation weekend events. OKWU continues to monitor health protocols and will take necessary measures to provide safety and well-being for our community members. Please keep an eye on this webpage for updated health information. 

For those unable to attend the commencement ceremony in person, a live broadcast link to our YouTube feed will be available at the top of this page starting just before the ceremony, approximately around 10:20 AM

Following the commencement ceremony, graduates and guests will recess through the lower west double doors to the outdoor patio and open green space, weather permitting (alternate day of changes will be announced in case of inclement weather concerns). 

Graduates will be given an alumni gift as they exit the chapel building. Opportunities for photos with OKWU Staff and Faculty will be available during the post-commencement gathering time. 

Doc Lacy’s Coffee Shop WILL NOT BE open after the ceremony’s conclusion. OKWU merchandise is also available for purchase on the bookstore website.

Graduate Checklist
  • Graduation Application *see above link for graduate applications*
  • Order cap & gown *see ‘Regalia’ below for ordering information*
  • Commencement day information
    • Check in: 9:15 AM at circle drive Lyon Hall main entrance on the upper east side. 
    • Ceremony Instructions and Information for Graduates: 9:55 AM Lyon Hall
    • Graduate Processional Line up: 10:20 AM Chapel Foyer
    • Commencement Ceremony: 10:30 AM Chapel Fine Arts Center
    • Recessional to lower west outdoor patio and open area for pictures and social interaction
  • Do I have a plan for someone to hold my things during commencement?
    • Make sure you have someone available to care for your personal items
  • Did I convey the necessary info to my guests?
    • Make sure you have given your family and friends pertinent information regarding parking, seating, and commencement schedules (see Campus Map for parking areas)
  • How do I fill out exit counseling information for student loans?
    • Federal Student loans:
      • Go to: https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/
        You will need your ID and two references with complete names, addresses, and phone numbers for these steps
        File the form and click ‘Submit’ at the end
      • The Office of Financial Aid will receive an automated notification when you have completed the process
    • TEACH Grant:
    • Private loans:
      • Please get in touch with your private lender and file the necessary paperwork with that entity
Regalia and Dress Code

Graduates can order cap and gown regalia on the Herff Jones website. Select the graduate status that applies (Traditional, Graduate, or Nursing DNP), select your degree, select Shop, and order the appropriate materials needed.

Rented Doctoral regalia or purchased Master’s and Bachelor’s are due April 9, 2024. All purchased Doctoral regalia are due March, 13, 2024. 

You may decorate your cap if it is consistent with OKWU community standards, described as OKWU distinctives (page 5) and conduct expectations (pages 38-43) in our Student Handbook. If it is deemed inconsistent, you may be unable to walk in the ceremony.

Acceptable dress code expectations will follow the OKWU Dress Code policy on page 41 of the Student Handbook. Please note this is a formal event, and graduates should wear proper attire acceptable in a professional setting. DO NOT wear shorts, t-shirts, sandals, jeans, or other attire that is not of a professional standard.

If you have any questions regarding regalia or dress code items, please contact:

Jimmy Neill
Administrative Specialist to the Provost
918.335.6288
jneill@okwu.edu

Health and Safety
  • Stay home if sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or other health concerns. Live streaming of the commencement will be available on this webpage for those unable to attend.
  • Practice good hygiene. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout university facilities.
  • Food and beverages (except water) are prohibited inside the chapel auditorium.
  • School safety officials, local law enforcement, and local EMT services will be located on-site to handle any situation outside the control of school staff or faculty. We ask that you please give them your highest level of respect when approached during any situation requiring their assistance.
Diplomas and Transcripts
  • If your alumni mailing address has changed since completing your graduation application, you can update it in the link below. OKWU will make the address you submit in the link your address of record with OKWU. However, if your address changes at any time in the future, please update it using this link.
  • Diplomas will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks after your degree is conferred, which is the last date of the term/semester when all graduation requirements are completed. Transcripts are available for order through this link within 7-10 days after the end of the term.
  • Contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions.
Event Contact Information

For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding graduation weekend events, please contact:

Jimmy Neill
Administrative Specialist to the Provost
918.335.6288
jneill@okwu.edu

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