Pomp and Circumstance

I think graduation is one of the best times of the academic year. Everyone is happy. Really, really happy. As they should be. The hard work is done and it is time to celebrate one of life’s major accomplishments. To that end, I want to tell you about the convocation ceremony for the College, as well as the all-campus graduation celebration.

The College of Liberal Studies convocation will be held Saturday, May 15. This is a festive occasion just for our graduates and you can meet CLS faculty, administrators and deans, as well as see them in their full academic regalia. This year we have invited Oklahoma head women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale to be our convocation speaker. I am really looking forward to hearing her and am sure you will find her very inspirational.

For convocation, you will dress in traditional academic ceremonial costume, be recognized by name, have your photo taken and receive your official degree cover from CLS Dean James Pappas.
Plan on arriving at the Rupel Jones Theater, on the corner of Boyd and Elm Streets, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will start at 10:30. There is a parking garage is right across the street.

In addition to convocation, you also can participate in the university-wide commencement ceremony Friday night, May 14. All summer, December and May graduates can participate. I highly recommend you walk in this exciting event held in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It is filled with pageantry and includes an address from OU President David Boren and commencement speaker, Pulitzer Prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

All-university graduation concludes with a mammoth fireworks display. More information is on the OU Commencement Web site.

Looking forward to seeing you!