草榴社区 Undergraduate and Graduate School Commencement Information
Commencement is the culmination of your 草榴社区 experience. Whether you鈥檙e earning your undergraduate or graduate degree, you are better prepared to take on the world! This is the opportunity to celebrate all you鈥檝e achieved.
The Commencement ceremonies during 草榴社区鈥檚 177th year will take place on聽Sunday, April 28, 2024. The Undergraduate Ceremony will be held at 草榴社区鈥檚 Clements Recreation Center. The Graduate Ceremony will be held at 草榴社区鈥檚 Fritsche Theatre in Cowan Hall.
Contact Us:
Email commencement@otterbein.edu if you have any questions about our聽Commencement ceremonies.
General Information for Family and Guests
Commencement FAQs
What happens if someone in my group loses their tickets or if one of my guests doesn鈥檛 have access to my tickets?
Tickets will be emailed to the graduating students. Graduates will need to forward their electronic tickets to their guests. Guests will also be permitted to display the ticket QR code to enter the ceremony.
An event box office at the Clements Recreation Center will be open one hour prior to each ceremony to assist guests with lost tickets.
Does my family need to come for me to participate in the ceremony?
We are proud of our graduates and look forward to celebrating this achievement as an 草榴社区 community. When you confirm your plans to attend as part of the online form, you will also be asked to confirm whether you need guest tickets and how many of your up to six allotted tickets you want to utilize.
Where can I get my honor cords?
Honor cords are distributed by different departments on campus. Not all departments have honor cords or stoles. If you have questions about where to get a departmental cord, please contact your department administrator. Students eligible for the Five Cardinal Experiences cords can pick up their items at the Grad Fair on Wednesday, April 3.
Is 草榴社区 selling flowers for the event?
Families can pre-order flowers to pick up on their way into the The Clements Recreation Center.
What commemorative items are available to celebrate and mark this occasion?
Jostens has a variety of special items to commemorate your college achievements and commencement day memories. To learn more about those items, you can visit their website for details about how to order announcements, rings and more.
Commencement Hotels in Westerville
Aloft Columbus Westerville (1.7 miles)
Contact Information:
Address: 32 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: 614-899-6560
The Renaissance Westerville-Polaris (1.5 miles)
Contact Information:
Address: 409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082
Phone: 614-882-6800
Other places to stay
We are excited to welcome you to 草榴社区鈥檚 campus. If you need overnight accommodations for your visit to 草榴社区, you鈥檒l find a variety of hotels conveniently located near campus.
Westerville Hotels
Ask about the 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate or book your stay at a discount via the
409 Altair Parkway
Westerville, OH 43082
614-882-6800
Ask about the 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate
32 Heatherdown Dr
Westerville, OH 43081
614-899-6560 x7114
Nearby Hotels
Ask about 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate
8411 Pulsar Place
Columbus, OH 43240
614-885-8400
Ask about 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate
2700 Corporate Exchange Drive
Columbus, OH 43231
614-890-8600
Ask about 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate
55 Hutchinson Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43235
614-977-0520 (Hotel Main Number)
614-896-8452 (Direct Line)
cyannayon@EmeraldHospitality.com
Ask about 草榴社区 Parent/Friend Rate
7411 Vantage Drive
Columbus, OH 43235
614-436-7070
9000 Worthington Road
Westerville, OH 43082
614-568-0770
8670 Orion Place
Columbus, Ohio 43240
888-465-4329
8515 Lyra Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43240
877-226-3539
8555 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-431-5522
8700 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-885-1600
8535 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-846-8884
8400 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH, 43240
614-791-9700
Note: 草榴社区 does not in any way endorse these businesses, products, or services. This listing is provided as a resource only and are subject to change.
Parking
Part of an enjoyable visit to 草榴社区鈥檚 campus means ensuring you understand your parking options and that you have the opportunity to plan for your family鈥檚 unique circumstances.
To allow all of our guests to have a pleasant arrival and departure, we ask guests to honor the following:
- If possible, we ask that you consider traveling with your family or guests. Doing so ensures that the majority of guests will be able to park within a short distance of the venue.
- As we will be welcoming many guests to campus throughout the weekend, we ask that you please arrive no earlier than one hour of your scheduled ceremony and that you plan to depart no later than one hour after your ceremony鈥檚 conclusion.
Special Needs Drop-Off:
Guests who would have difficulty walking from the parking lot to the Clements Recreation Center (Undergraduate Ceremony), or Cowan Hall (Graduate Ceremony) can be dropped off closer to the building entrance.
Reserved handicapped parking is available. Guests will only need to show their accessible seating section tickets to be granted access to this reserved parking.
Graduation Photos
Grad Images will take each graduate鈥檚 picture as they cross the stage. A proof and order form will be mailed by the latter part of May.
According to Grad Images, all orders received by June 1 will be fulfilled and delivered by July 1. Late orders will be accepted until Dec. 31. You are under no obligation to purchase the pictures or respond to the Grad Images correspondence. Grad Images may be contacted via their聽聽or at 1-800-261-2576.
Security Precautions
Please be aware that guests are subject to visual inspection of person, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items.
The following items are prohibited:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coolers
- Backpacks
- Large handbags
- Metal folding seat cushions
- Seats that clamp to bleachers
- Noise making devices
- Mace or similar substances
- Signs
- Sticks
- Poles
- Weapons of any kind
- Balloons and other items that would obstruct the sightline of any guests