Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical Community College Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

At Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), the annual commencement ceremony is a formal event where graduates don traditional academic regalia — graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), tassel, and if eligible, honor cords or stoles. OTC holds two separate commencement ceremonies each year: one at 3:00 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) and another at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), with ceremony assignment depending on the graduate’s program of study.

Graduates must report to the designated check‑in area (Hammons Student Center) at least 30 minutes before their ceremony begins. Guests enter through the main entrance of the arena.

For regalia: the cap, gown, tassel (and, if applicable, cords or stoles) are provided to graduates at no cost. They may be picked up at the OTC Bookstore (Springfield campus) or — for students at other OTC locations — ordered and shipped for pickup.

Regarding wear: graduates begin with the tassel on the right side of the cap and — at the conclusion of the ceremony, after degrees are conferred — move the tassel to the left side.

Members of the honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at OTC — via the local chapter Alpha Psi Tau — who graduate with qualifying GPA are permitted to wear a PTK honor stole, tassel, medallion and/or cord at commencement. These accessories can be obtained either through PTK or via the OTC Bookstore.

As for customizing caps: while OTC does not explicitly ban cap decoration, the Commencement FAQ emphasizes decorum. Caps with 3‑D decorations, hanging items, lighting, or anything that obstructs views or is inappropriate may lead to replacement or denial of participation.

In summary, OTC provides a complete graduation outfit — gown, cap, tassel — free for graduates, with optional honor cords or stoles for recognized honor society members. The ceremony follows a structured schedule with clear guidelines for regalia wear and decorum, ensuring a dignified celebration of academic achievement.

Ozarks Technical Community College – Commencement & Academic Regalia Guide

The commencement ceremonies at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) are held twice a year — typically two ceremonies in May — one at 3:00 pm and another at 6:00 pm, to honor graduates across degree and certificate programs.

• Cap & Gown Provision: OTC provides the graduation gown, mortarboard cap and tassel at no cost to all graduates. Items can be picked up at the OTC Bookstore (Springfield campus) or shipped to other campus centers.
• Standard Regalia Colors & Style: For Bachelor’s, Master’s, Associate or non‑degree students, the regalia consists of a black gown and a black mortarboard. The standard tassel color provided is black.
• Hoods for Bachelor’s (optional) / Discipline Representation: Bachelor’s graduates may wear a lightweight academic hood — either in the colors of their bachelor’s‑degree granting school or, optionally, lined in OTC’s official colors (Navy & White) with a light‑blue velvet trim for graduates in Education fields.
• Master’s Regalia: Master’s graduates wear a black master’s robe, black mortarboard, and standard black tassel. In addition, they may wear a master’s hood in the colors of the institution from which they earned their master’s degree.
• Doctoral Regalia: Doctoral candidates don a black doctoral robe (lightweight, non‑shiny), with black mortarboard (though a tam is often available on request), and the standard tassel color is “old gold.” The doctoral hood uses velvet trim (color representing field of study) and hood lining colors reflect the institution awarding the doctorate.
• Honor Cords & Stoles (e.g. Phi Theta Kappa / PTK): Members of PTK (or other recognized honor societies) who meet GPA and membership criteria may wear honor cords, stoles and tassels/medallion at commencement. These accessories are optional and available via OTC Bookstore.
• Faculty Regalia: Faculty and staff who participate wear at minimum a black bachelor‑style gown and mortarboard (black), with a lightweight hood — lined in OTC’s official Navy & White colors with light‑blue velvet trim for the hood where Education affiliation applies. Accessories such as cords, stoles and medallions are not normally worn by faculty unless specified by the commencement committee.

In essence, OTC’s academic regalia follows standard traditional patterns: black gowns and caps for undergraduates; black gowns plus hoods for graduates; black gowns with velvet-trimmed robes and gold tassels for doctoral level; with optional honor cords / stoles / hoods for discipline, institution or honor society affiliations. The use of OTC’s official institutional colors (Navy & White) for hood linings — plus light‑blue velvet trim for Education — helps visually represent the college identity for applicable graduates and staff.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Ozarks Technical Community College, 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.