Information for Degree Candidates

  1. Home
  2. Information for Degree Candidates

Who qualifies for this year’s ceremony?

The 2023 Commencement includes anyone who had their degree conferred for Fall 2022, is on pace for conferral for Spring 2023, or meets the criteria to participate but will be a Summer 2023 conferral. Your eligibility to participate is included in the official review information that is provided after you apply for graduation.

If a student wants to be allowed to participate in the other Commencement group, they need to submit an Academic Appeal providing context to their request.

Graduation Application

Graduating students must submit a degree application through their student account by Monday, May 1, 2023 to be eligible to participate in Spring 2023 Commencement activities. Any graduation applications received after May 1, 2023 may result in a student’s name not being listed in the Commencement program and a delay in receiving a physical diploma.

Degree candidates must finish “Incomplete” grades and send any necessary official transcripts prior to having a degree conferred. To participate in Commencement activities and receive a diploma, degree candidates must also clear all holds on their account.

If you have any doubt that all holds have been cleared from your record, please visit your OASIS Student Account and the Student Planning module to see if there are any holds listed there. Learn more about the graduation application process.

Cap and Gown Packages from Herff Jones

The online order deadline for ordering a cap and gown from Herff Jones is March 20, 2023. The cap and gown website will not be available after this date. Students have the option of shipping their cap and gowns to their home for a shipping fee, or picking them up on campus at no extra charge. Graduates will receive a 2023 tassel.  Order online here!

Order your cap and gown on campus:

  • February 15, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Turner Lynch Campus Center
  • March 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Turner Lynch Campus Center

Pick up your cap and gown on these distribution dates:

  • May 1, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Turner Lynch Campus Center
  • May 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Turner Lynch Campus Center

Additional products are available on the Herff Jones website, including personalized graduation announcements, Oglethorpe rings, and diploma frames.

Rehearsal

Graduates will be expected to participate in a rehearsal prior to the ceremony. Rehearsal will be held on Thursday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. Please check back for location.

Carillon Ceremony

The Carillon Ceremony will be held immediately following rehearsal on Thursday, May 18, at Lupton Hall. Graduating seniors will have the chance to climb the Lupton bell tower and ring the carillon bells. A photographer will be on hand to capture the special moment! A toast to the graduating class, led by the Senior Class President, will conclude the ceremony.

Graduate Attire

Acceptable attire includes:

  • Short-sleeved white or light colored shirt/blouse (with dark tie)
  • Light-weight dark-colored trousers/pants
  • Light-weight dress
  • Dark shoes
  • Dress sandals (as long as they are not loud when walking)

Unacceptable attire includes:

  • Jeans
  • Shorts
  • Athletic shoes
  • Sandals
  • Flip-flops
  • Stilettos
  • Platform shoes

Arrival Time for Graduates

Graduates should arrive by 8 a.m. on the day of their ceremony. Please check back for the location.