Graduate Commencement
Important News/Announcements
- Commencement Speaker Announced
Dr. James W. Mahoney, executive director of Battelle for Kids, will be the speaker at the commencement ceremony.
Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization that provides strategic counsel and solutions to address complex educational improvement challenges. Read more about Dr. Mahoney here. - Graduate Commencement Questionnaire is Due
This form in now available online here (you will be asked to log in with your network credentials). If you prefer, you can download a PDF file of the Graduate Commencement Questionnaire to fill in by hand. This form is the only way to confirm your plans to participate in the ceremony with the Registrar's Office. It is due May 15. - Tickets are not required for your guests to attend the commencement ceremony on May 18. You may wish to let your guests know that there is no reserved seating. The doors to Cowan will open at 3 pm.
Preparing for Graduation
> Pictures
Grad Images will take each graduate's picture as he/she shakes hands with President Krendl. A proof and order form will be mailed by the latter part of May. By June the proof, order form, and check or money order should be received by Grad Images. All orders received by June 1 will be delivered by July 1. Late orders will be accepted until December 31. You are under no obligation to purchase the pictures or respond to the Grad Images correspondence.
> Graduate Ceremony Guest Seating
No tickets are required for this ceremony. Please inform members of your party, particularly grandparents, that:
- All seating is first-come, first-served (seating is not reserved)
- Cowan Hall doors open at 3:00 p.m.
- All seating is soft cushioned auditorium style
- Guests will be sitting approximately 1 hour
- Cowan Hall is air-conditioned
- Special needs guests, with wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, walkers, etc.,may sit in the last three reserved rows on either side of the auditorium with one escort, ask the ushers for assistance
- Placing chairs in any location, standing in any location, sitting in aisles, etc., are fire code violations and will not be permitted
Graduation Day - Saturday, May 18, 2013
> Graduate Commencement Ceremony
The Graduate Commencement Ceremony of 2013 will witness approximately 100 graduates receiving degrees. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 18, at 3:30 p.m. in Cowan Hall. The ceremony will end at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Hooding will start promptly at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, on the North Plaza (side lawn) of Roush Hall. The march from Roush Hall to Cowan Hall will begin at exactly 3:25 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the hooding and line formation will be moved to the basement of Cowan Hall. Notices regarding this will be posted at Towers Hall, Cowan Hall and the Campus Center.
See Marching Instructions (PDF) for more details.
> Security Precautions
The following items will be prohibited in the Rike Center: alcoholic beverages, coolers, backpacks, large handbags, metal folding seat cushions, seats that clamp to bleachers, noise making devises, mace or similar substances, signs, sticks, poles, and weapons of any kind. Please be aware that guests are subject to visual inspection of person. bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items.
> Commencement Reception
You and your guests are invited to attend a reception immediately following commencement on the Roush Hall North Plaza (side lawn).
You are also invited to a Baccalaureate Service on Sunday, May 19, at 9:00 a.m. in Cowan Hall. You and your guests may take any unreserved seats in Cowan Hall. Academic regalia and a procession are not part of the Baccalaureate Service. Both Bachelor's and Graduate degree students are invited to attend.
Leaving the 'Bein
The Registrar’s Office would like to encourage you to log in to My Banner and print a copy of your unofficial transcript to keep with your diploma. You may also find it helpful to print a copy of your degree evaluation which will include information such as gpa in your major and the specific courses which applied to your major. Our office often receives phone calls from graduates who are searching for information that is found on the transcript or degree evaluation. Unfortunately we cannot usually provide such information over the phone, so you may find it helpful to have a copy of your academic record and keeping it with your diploma should make it easy to find!
You may also find it helpful to keep a record of your Banner Student ID# and PIN, and Otterbein Network ID and Password in order to be able to access your online information in the future. With Google Apps, students are able to keep their email accounts after leaving Otterbein. By keeping a record of your Banner log-in information you will also be able to access My Banner which will often provide information you may need in regard to future education plans or job searches.
Best wishes for your future success as you join the ranks of Otterbein Alumni!