For Graduating Students and Families

The links below offer important information to help graduates and families prepare for the commencement ceremony. Please review carefully.

Eligibility to Graduate 

Students who have questions about their eligibility to participate in Commencement exercises should send an email to daudit@oberlin.edu or call (440) 775-8450.

In general, a student must be registered for work sufficient to complete all requirements for the degree(s) sought by the end of the last semester in residence in order to be eligible to participate in the annual Commencement exercises following that semester. Students who have permission to finish their work away from Oberlin may participate in Commencement exercises only after all requirements have been met.

Mid-year graduates and their families are invited to participate in all Commencement and Milestone Reunion Weekend festivities, including Commencement.

Checklist for Commencement Weekend

Name Pronunciation

To ensure your name is pronounced correctly during the Commencement ceremony, you may record your name in MarchingOrder when you register to attend commencement. MarchingOrder invitations will be sent to eligible students prior to the ceremony. If you have applied to graduate and do not receive an email, email the degree auditors at daudit@oberlin.edu.

Graduation Announcements

You may order graduation announcements and class rings from Jostens .

Photography

A photographer from GradImages will be at your ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition.

  • You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5-7 days following the ceremony.
  • Questions? Send email to giservice@gradimages.net.
  • After the ceremony you may order online or call 800-261-2576.
  • Since photographs will be available, we encourage family members and guests to remain in their seats, relax, and enjoy the ceremony.
  • Before the ceremony: To preregister your permanent email address, visit www.gradimages.com and select "Pre-Event Registration." You may add contact information for up to six additional relatives and or friends.

GradImages never has and never will sell or share the contact information (postal address or email) provided to us to any other vendor.

Florist

You may order flowers through Carlyle Shop:
Carlyle Shop
17 W. College St.
440-775-3871

Cap and Gown

You may order academic regalia from:

Caps and gowns are not required to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Meal and Event Registrations

Certain meals and events require advance registration and/or tickets. Please see the Commencement calendar listings for more information.

Family Lodging and Accommodations

You can find a list of hotels near campus on the accommodations page linked below. Please note: the Hotel at Oberlin is currently full and will be unavailable.

Local Accommodations

 

Commencement Exercises

Graduating seniors and mid-year graduates who have registered to walk in Commencement via Marching Order will receive email communications with additional instructions for the morning of the Ceremony (e.g., check-in time, line-up instructions, etc.).

Congratulatory Yard Sign

Congratulate your Obie with a yard sign! Take this 18" x 24" design to a local or online print shop (Office Depot, Staples, etc.) and make a sign for your yard. Don’t have a yard? You can also use this file to make a poster or sign for your window or door.

Contact Information

Direct your questions about the Commencement ceremony to:

Office of the Secretary
(440) 775-8401
secretary.office@oberlin.edu