OBU will host two spring commencement ceremonies on May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. inside the RAWC, located on the OBU campus. Below is the list of schools and divisions that will be honored at their respective ceremony times.
Each graduate will be allowed to have a total of 10 guests. Tickets for guests will not be distributed. Attendance of guests will be based on the “honor system”.
Guests Requiring Assistance
Accessible parking spaces for guests will be available in two locations. These include the parking spaces directly to the west of the RAWC, and the spaces located directly north of the tennis courts. An accessibility ramp into the building is located on the west side of the RAWC.
Contact Sharon Eulberg, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Campus Life and Dean of Students, if you have questions regarding parking, entrances, or seating. Sharon can be contacted via phone at 405.585.5250 or via email at sharon.eulberg@okbu.edu.
Commencement Ceremony
OBU will conduct the Morning Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the RAWC.
Undergraduates from the following divisions and schools will participate in the Morning Commencement:
- School of Nursing
- Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts
- Hurley School of Science and Mathematics
- Division of Language and Literature
- Division of Exercise Science
- Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Graduates should arrive by 8:45 a.m. at The Mabee Suite. The Mabee Suite is located on the second floor of the Noble Complex. OBU staff will be in the Noble Complex Lobby to help direct graduates to the suite. Each graduate needs to bring their cap, gown, cords and hoods with them.
Guests may begin taking their seats at 8:45 a.m. All guests need to be seated no later than 9:45 a.m. Stanchions will be put into place at 9:50 a.m. for the graduates and faculty to begin The Walk.
Afternoon Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, May 9, 3:00 p.m. in the RAWC
Undergraduates from the following divisions and schools as well as graduate students from all academic areas will participate in the Afternoon Commencement:
- Dickinson School of Business
- McCabe Family School of Education
- Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry
- All Interdisciplinary Majors
- All Graduate Programs
Graduates should arrive by 1:45 p.m. at The Mabee Suite. The Mabee Suite is located on the second floor of the Noble Complex. OBU Staff will be in the Noble Complex Lobby to help direct graduates to the suite. Each graduate needs to bring their cap, gown, cords and hoods with them.
Guests may begin taking their seats at 1:45 p.m. All guests need to be seated no later than 2:45 p.m. Stanchions will be put into place at 2:50 p.m. for the graduates and faculty to begin The Walk.
LocationThe RAWC is located on the OBU campus just east of the intersection of West University Street and Airport Drive in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
The Walk
The Walk will take place prior to the start of both commencement ceremonies on May 9. Graduates will participate in The Walk prior to their designated ceremony. They will begin at the Noble Complex, proceed out the east doors to University Street, and head west on University Street. Graduates will enter together through the south glass doors of the RAWC.
- Morning Commencement Ceremony – The Walk will begin at 9:50 a.m.
- Afternoon Commencement Ceremony - The Walk will begin at 2:50 p.m
Nursing Pinning and Lamp Lighting Ceremony
Rehearsal: May 8, 12:30 pm
OBU Campus
Geiger Center, Rooms 219-220
Pinning Ceremony: Friday, May 8, 2:00pm
OBU Campus
Geiger Center, Rooms 219-/220
A reception will follow the Nurse Pinning and Lamp Lighting ceremony in the lower Geiger Center area. For more information, contact nursing@okbu.edu or call 405.585.4450.
Graduation Announcements
Information regarding announcements and other graduation items such as class rings can be obtained on the Jostens website.
Jostens provides the following graduation items:
- Cap
- Gown
- Tassel
- Class rings
- Graduation announcements
- Hoods (for graduates receiving their master’s degrees)
Honor Cords
OBU will provide the graduates who are Summa Cum Laude and the graduates who go through the OBU Honors Program with Baccalaureate Hoods. Any student in an honors organization or honors club will need to reach out to that organization about honors cords. The president or faculty advisor of each club will have the information on honor cords (if this applies).
Photographs
Students will receive an email from Candid Color Photography a few weeks prior to commencement with information about ordering prints.
OBU Bookstore
The OBU Bookstore will be open Saturday, May 9, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The bookstore is located on the first floor of the Geiger Center. Forgot your cap, gown, or tassel? The bookstore can help! Need a graduation gift or a diploma frame? Stop by the bookstore to discover a variety of items that might fit your needs.