Commencement

2025 commencement

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 graduates!

The Commencement ceremony was held Saturday, May 3^rd at 11:00 am in USAO’s Te Ata Auditorium in Troutt Hall.

Commencement Photos

Important Dates & Information

Senior Exit Exam

Before your diploma is released, you must complete a Senior Exit Exam. This is specific to your major. Some exits are completed with your department and others are exams administered in the Assessment Office. Contact the Assessment Office in Troutt Hall 318A, by phone at 405-574-1281 or email assessment@usao.edu for more information.

Holds

All debts to the university must be cleared, financial aid paperwork completed, and all library materials be returned in order for your diploma and final transcript to be released.

Transfer Credit

Official transcripts for courses taken off campus must be received by May 9, 2025 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Spring 2025 or August 15, 2025 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Summer 2025.

Incomplete Grades

If you have an incomplete grade, the grade change form from the instructor must be submitted to my office by May 9, 2025 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Spring 2025 or August 15, 2025 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Summer 2025.

Diplomas and Final Transcript

Graduates will be notified by email when final transcripts and diplomas are ready to be picked up. Diplomas not picked up within the specified time frame will be mailed to the address indicated on your graduation application. USAO is not liable for diplomas once they are mailed. Please notify the Registrar’s Office (registrar@usao.edu) if your address has changed.

Cap and Gown

The Bookstore ordered your cap and gown using standard sizes based off of the height you reported on your graduation application. Your cap and gown will be ready to pick up in the Bookstore on April 15^th. Please plan to wear any of your honor society stoles and/or cords, or any other stoles, cords, medallions you have earned while attending USAO to the ceremony. The Bookstore also has additional university approved stoles available for purchase. You are also permitted to decorate the top of your cap if you would like!

Cap and Gown Pictures

The USAO Alumni & University Development Office will provide free professional cap & gown photos! Please come to the Marcomm Office, Troutt Hall Rm. 102 on Monday, April 28^th between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm to have your picture taken. We will also offer make up photos on May 3^rd at 9:00 am before commencement. 

Diplomas and Drafts

The USAO Alumni & University Development Office will be hosting a Diplomas & Drafts event at the Alumni House on Friday, April 25^th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The event is open to all graduates from the 2024-2025 year. Grads can pick up a swag bag and enjoy food & drinks!

Rehearsal

Rehearsal will be Friday, May 2^nd  at 3:30 pm. Please meet in the Te Ata Auditorium in Troutt Hall at 3:30 pm. Rehearsal is required for all Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 graduates participating in the Commencement Ceremony.

Guests and Tickets

Tickets will not be required for guests to attend. Seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis and there will be plenty of standing room for those who do not have a seat. Guests may begin arriving at 10:00 am.

Accommodations

If you have any accommodation needs for yourself or your guests, please email disabilityservices@usao.edu by Wednesday, April 23^rd.

Inclement Weather

We will move the ceremony to Te Ata Memorial Auditorium should the decision be made to move the ceremony indoors due to inclement weather. In this case, there will be a limited number of guests allowed to attend per graduate. Guests who are not able to attend can view the ceremony live at the top of this page.

Photo Video

The MarComm Office is working on a video to show before commencement while guests are being seated. Please send 5-10 photos of your time at USAO to include. We will make sure you get a copy of the final video as well. Submit your photos by Wednesday, April 23^rd to bmckinnis@usao.edu.