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Graduation and COVID-19

The graduation ceremony at Oklahoma Christian University will look different this year due to COVID-19.

The graduation ceremony will be held on May 7 at Oklahoma Christian. The first ceremony  will start at 9:30 a.m. for graduates of the College of Humanities and Bible and the Division of Natural and Health Sciences.  The second will start at 1:30 p.m. for graduates of the School of Businesses and the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Although some COVID-19 restrictions have eased in the U.S., Oklahoma Christian will still have some rules to provide a safe graduation ceremony. Oklahoma Christian announced their excitement for the  graduation ceremony on the official website.

“We cannot wait to celebrate with you, graduates! It’s time to leave the nest,” Oklahoma Christian said. “As you prepare to graduate, we have prepared a safe, celebratory graduation for you!”

To follow COVID-19 safety protocols regarding distancing, the ceremony will be held outside this year. The ceremony will happen in the parking lot north of the Mabee Learning Center. 

If weather prevents an outdoor ceremony, it will move inside the Payne Athletic Center. Only guests with a ticket would be allowed to enter the PAC. Each student has four tickets, but students can share tickets if they do not need all of them.

Kristy Ausland, a senior student at Oklahoma Christian graduating this spring, is excited about the ceremony regardless of the restrictions.

“I think that the regulations are perfectly fine. I just hope the weather will stay clear for the ceremony,” Ausland said. “My high school graduation was outside, so that part is pretty normal to me.”

For family and friends who cannot come to the ceremony or are not allowed to enter the building due to limited space, the ceremony will be live streamed at oc.edu/live.

Additionally, graduating students will not have escorts, and all family and friends attending the ceremony will be in the audience. 

Also, all audience members are required to wear masks before, during and after the ceremony. 

Peyton Chenault, another graduating senior, said the requirements are inconvenient but still important.

“Families will be coming from all over the county, and I think these precautions are very necessary to protect everyone attending graduation,” Chenault said. “I will be a little disappointed if my grandparents or some of my siblings can’t physically see me graduate, but I also want to do my best to love my neighbor and keep others safe and healthy.”

Even though COVID-19 regulations will change graduation, Oklahoma Christian plans to hold a safe yet exciting celebration.

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