The pageantry and pomp of herald trumpets and the Kiowa Black Leggings Society as well as the Pipes and Drums of the Highlanders will usher in the University of Oklahoma’s 127th Commencement ceremony, to be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10, at The Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 1185 Asp Ave.

Soledad O’Brien will serve as OU’s 2019 Commencement speaker. O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, documentarian, entrepreneur and philanthropist and current host of Matter of Fact.

Doctoral candidates should arrive at the Barry Switzer Center by 6 p.m. Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates should arrive at their assigned gate by 6 p.m. Gate assignments are online at ou.edu/commencement/graduates/processional.

During the pre-Commencement concert, beginning at 6:20 p.m., family and friends of graduates may view a presentation on SoonerVision.

The processional of the president’s platform party, faculty and graduates to the stadium begins at 7 p.m. Friday. Music is provided by the University Commencement Choir. International and Native American Nations flags representing OU’s international and Native American students and faculty will be displayed during the ceremony.

The Commencement ceremony will feature the official conferring of degrees by OU President

James L. Gallogly. During Commencement, OU expects to confer degrees to more than 7,800 students who completed their coursework during the spring 2019 semester, as well as summer and December 2018 graduates. This year, OU will award approximately 4,797 bachelor’s degrees, 2,017 master’s degrees, 256 doctoral degrees, 763 professional degrees and 238 college-level certificates. The ceremony will be capped off with a fireworks display as a salute to the Classes of 2018 and 2019. Also, this year’s Commencement ceremony will be available for livestreaming at ondemand.ou.edu.

Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and guests will be seated in upper sections 1-5 and 31-35. Due to stadium construction, Gates 1, 2, 11 and 12 will be open for entrance. Sign language interpreting services for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available in section 2, and captioning will be available on the north and south screens. Gate 9 is the preferred accessibility entrance for guests who need special accommodations. To obtain accessibility parking and seating passes, please contact the Graduation Office at (405) 325-0841.

PARKING

Parking is available at Lloyd Noble Center, and complimentary shuttle service will run continuously from 5 p.m. until the last shuttle leaves from the stadium at 11 p.m. for those attending Commencement. Shuttles will run between Lloyd Noble Center and four stadium locations:

• Jenkins Avenue at stadium gates 11 and 12 (GUEST ENTRANCE)
• Jenkins Avenue at stadium gate 7 (GRADUATE ENTRANCE)
• Asp Avenue across from stadium gates 1 and 2 (GUEST ENTRANCE)
• Asp Avenue across from stadium gate 3 (GRADUATE ENTRANCE)

SECURITY

To assist with making graduation weekend safe, the following safety procedures are in place for college convocations held in athletics facilities, such as the T. Howard McCasland Field House and Lloyd Noble Center, and the university-wide Commencement ceremony.

Enhanced screening will be used at each entrance, with medical lanes for those who require alternate screening methods. The clear bag policy also is in effect. The approved clear plastic bag size is a maximum of 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Stadium policy will allow non-transparent clutch purses that are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bags that are necessary for medical equipment will be searched at marked medical lanes at each gate. No other bags or purses, including diaper bags, will be permitted and the limit on bags is one per person.

Express lanes will remain in place at each gate for those who do not bring bags to the stadium.

Items that are allowed for Commencement and Convocations include:

• Clear plastic bags (1 per person) no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (1 per person)
• Non-transparent clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" (1 per person)
• Bags necessary for approved medical equipment
• Approved family care items (diapers, formula, etc.) must be in a clear plastic bag
• EMPTY, clear plastic water bottles less than 17 oz.
• Seat cushions and chair backs smaller than 16" wide and without frames or armrests
• Still photography cameras
• Video cameras

Prohibited items must be returned to the owner’s car or discarded, and any unlawful items are subject to confiscation.

• Alcohol (in all forms)
• Baby Seats
• Baby Strollers
• Backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, fanny packs, purses or binocular cases
• Balloons
• Banners/signs
• Beach balls, footballs, balls or other sporting equipment
• Coolers, containers or ice chests
• Explosives, firearms or weapons
• Folding chairs or stools
• Food or drink
• Gift-wrapped packages
• Laptops
• Laser pointers
• Noise makers of any type (i.e., air horns, plastic horns, whistles, etc.)
• Personal heaters
• Pets (with the exception of registered service dogs)
• Selfie sticks, bi pods, monopods, etc.
• Umbrellas (except in the event of relocation to Lloyd Noble Center)

Security officers will search all bags before attendees will be permitted to enter. Those with prohibited items will be turned away.

Guests also are reminded that all OU facilities are tobacco, electronic cigarette and vaping device-free. The use of all tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices is prohibited anywhere on the OU grounds or campus.

INCLEMENT WEATHER LOCATION

In the event of severe weather, Commencement will be moved to Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 S. Jenkins Ave. For additional information on Commencement and the inclement weather plan, please visit www.ou.edu/commencement. “Inclement Weather Plan” is located under “Commencement Information” in the left submenu of the website. Confirmation of the Commencement location will be available on the website or by calling (405) 325-0841.

For the latest information on the individual college convocations and receptions, please visit www.ou.edu/commencement or contact the Graduation Office at (405) 325-0841. To receive text alerts related to Commencement, text OUGRAD19 to 67283 or follow the OU Graduation Office on Twitter at @OUGradOffice.