2023 Commencement

2023 Commencement Ceremony

We are excited to hold our 2023 Commencement ceremony in person on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Oakland University Athletics Center O'rena. On behalf of the OCC Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, congratulations! We look forward to celebrating this great achievement with you.

Join the Celebration!

Key Dates 

Now: Apply to graduate by making a graduation application appointment with an OCC Counselor.
April 15: Apply to graduate by this day and you can participate in the Commencement Ceremony and your name will be listed in the program.
April 16 to May 13: If you apply to graduate during this period, you can still participate in Commencement, but your name will not be in the program. 
Saturday, May 20: OCC Commencement Ceremony

Note: All Communication regarding OCC’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be sent to your OCC email address, so be sure to check it often.

Graduation Ceremony Assignment

Two commencement ceremonies will be held at 10 am and at 2 pm. You’ll participate in the commencement ceremony based on your degree / certificate program. You will learn of your assigned degree / certificate upon completing your graduation application and meeting with a counselor. 

Ceremony Time  Graduates in Attendance
10 am

Graduates receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS or AASX) or a Certificate (CT)

  • 9 am - 9:20 am Graduates check in at the OU Rec Center, which is connected to the OU O'rena.
  • 9 am - Doors open to the OU O'rena for Guest of Graduates
2 pm

Graduates receiving any of the following degrees:

  • Associate in Arts (AA)
  • Associate in Business Administration (ABA)
  • Associate in General Studies (AGS)
  • Associate in Science (ASC)
  • 1 pm - 1:20 pm Graduates check in at the OU Rec Center, which is connected to the OU O'rena.
  • 1 pm - Doors open to the OU O'rena for Guest of Graduates

* Students receiving more than one degree or certificate who are eligible to attend either ceremony should attend the 10 a.m. Ceremony.

Tickets

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The morning ceremony is at capacity and there are no remaining tickets. Graduates needing tickets, and their guests, are invited to participate in the afternoon ceremony. Tickets for the 2 p.m. ceremony are available in the bookstore of your choice until Tuesday, May 16.

Please note: Tickets for the afternoon ceremony will not grant admission to the morning ceremony. To ensure safety, guests presenting the wrong ceremony ticket will not be permitted to enter. 

The O’rena has limited seating. You will be issued four (4) tickets for your guests.  

  • Tickets will be available starting April 3 at the OCC bookstores, and color-coded for the 10 am and the 2 pm ceremonies.
  • Tickets will be distributed at the campus bookstores until May 12. Please plan to personally pick up your tickets. You will be asked to show appropriate ID. Sorry, tickets will not be mailed.
  • Distribution of tickets will be subject to bookstore hours. On Fridays, campus bookstores close at 2 pm, including the day before the ceremony. 

Additional Tickets May Be Available: On Monday, May 15 and Tuesday May 16, any remaining tickets will be made available at the campus bookstores. Available tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. No more than ten (10) additional tickets will be distributed per graduate. May 16 is the last day that tickets will be available. 

Ceremony Gown/Adornments

  • Purchase your cap/gown/tassel and announcements at a campus bookstore April 1 through May 19. Bookstores close at 2 pm on Friday, including the day before the commencement ceremony.  
  • Honor cords, veteran cords, and separate pieces (cap, gown, or tassel) are also available at a campus bookstore for your convenience.
  • Allowable gown adornments include Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) stoles, honor cords, National Society for Leadership Success regalia, and/or veteran cords. 

Commencement Photos

  • New this year, we have contracted with GradImages® to capture your big moment walking across the stage. Pre-register for your commencement ceremony photos at www.gradimages.com/Preregistration and receive a 20% discount.
  • After the ceremony:
    • Finding your photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit GradImages to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact GradImages® at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

Diploma Information

For information regarding your diploma, contact Enrollment Services.

Get Social!

We’ll be sharing YOUR pictures and videos leading up to the commencement ceremony and all day on May 20. There are many ways to get involved:

  • Follow our Facebook page to watch the ceremonies live: 
  • Share your graduation story on social media
  • Get creative and decorate your graduation cap
  • Take pictures in your cap and gown
    … and share it all with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #OCCGrad2023 and tagging @OCCollege.

Keep in Touch

Keep in touch with your OCC family. Let us know about your accolades and triumphs. If you can overcome a global pandemic … nothing stands in your way! Good luck and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. 

OCC Alumni: Begin Your Tradition

Our graduates tell us how grateful they are for the help they received as students. You may have had encouragement from an outstanding instructor, received guidance from a trustworthy counselor, or been awarded a scholarship to pay for classes from the OCC Foundation.

As you enter a new chapter in your life as OCC alumni, what impact will you have on the next generation of students at OCC? Consider beginning a tradition of giving back: Honor the person who helped you most at OCC with a gift to the Student Success Fund, or support a scholarship for students in your program of study by giving online.

For more information: 248.341.2137 or OCCFoundation@oaklandcc.edu

Contact Information

Auburn Hills
Anne Palmer
Phone: 248.232.4136

Ordering (cap, gowns, etc.)
Auburn Hills Bookstore
Phone: 248.232.4320

Highland Lakes
Sue Henke
Phone:  248.942.3335

Orchard Ridge
Michelle Rodgers
Phone:  248.522.3510

Ordering (cap, gowns, etc.)
Orchard Ridge Bookstore
Phone:  248.522.3420

Royal Oak/Southfield
Kim Combs
Phone:  248.246.2611

Ordering (caps, gowns, etc.)
Royal Oak Bookstore
Phone:  248.246.2420

Disability Assistance
Michelle McLane
Phone: 248.522.3481

For the hearing impaired,
please use Michigan Relay
Phone: 800.649.3777

Co-Chairs
Steve Linden
Ken Faulk