Ohio Christian University holds its main Commencement ceremony annually (for 2025, scheduled on May 3 at 10:30 AM at the Maxwell Center Gymnasium on its Circleville campus). All graduates — residential, online, adult‑learners, and graduate‑studies — participate together.
Graduates are required to obtain official academic regalia (cap, gown, tassel; hood for applicable majors) via the approved vendor (Jostens).
For undergraduates (Associate and Bachelor), caps and gowns have prescribed colors and tassels: for example, Associate‑level gowns are solid black with a blue‑and‑white tassel; Bachelor of Arts/Science uses black and blue gowns with blue‑and‑white tassels.
For graduate-level programs, OCU uses a hood system: different degree fields receive different hood colors — e.g., Ministry students get a white hood; Education students a blue hood; Business students a drab/tan hood. The tassel remains blue-and-white (matching university style), and the cap & gown remain standard black for graduate degrees.
OCU maintains a policy discouraging decoration of mortarboards and requires that any cords, stoles, or medallions worn be officially awarded/approved by the university (e.g., honor societies, veteran recognition). For example, military/veteran graduates receive a red‑white‑blue cord, provided by the university at check‑in.
Honors societies for undergraduate students include the Pinnacle Honor Society and Spire Honor Society (for associate‑level students). Recipients may wear their respective cords or stoles — again, only if officially approved.
In short — OCU operates a structured academic‑regalia system: mandatory cap, gown, tassel (and hood if applicable), ordered via Jostens; specific hood/tassel/robe color combinations based on degree type and academic field; and optional cords/stoles only for recognized honors or veteran status.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Ohio Christian University, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.