Commencement is our time to honor you and your accomplishments, and your time to celebrate all that you have achieved with your family and friends.

Otterbein Undergraduate and Graduate School Commencement Information

Commencement is the culmination of your Otterbein experience. Whether you’re earning your undergraduate or graduate degree, you are better prepared to take on the world! This is the opportunity to celebrate all you’ve achieved.

The Commencement ceremonies during Otterbein’s 177th year will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Otterbein’s Clements Recreation Center.

General Information for Family and Guests

Commencement FAQs

What happens if someone in my group loses their tickets or if one of my guests doesn’t have access to my tickets?
Tickets will be emailed to the graduating students. Graduates will need to forward their electronic tickets to their guests. Guests will also be permitted to display the ticket QR code to enter the ceremony.

An event box office at the Clements Recreation Center will be open one hour prior to each ceremony to assist guests with lost tickets.

Does my family need to come for me to participate in the ceremony?
We are proud of our graduates and look forward to celebrating this achievement as an Otterbein community. When you confirm your plans to attend as part of the online form, you will also be asked to confirm whether you need guest tickets and how many of your up to six allotted tickets you want to utilize.

Where can I get my honor cords?
Honor cords are distributed by different departments on campus. Not all departments have honor cords or stoles. If you have questions about where to get a departmental cord, please contact your department administrator. Students eligible for the Five Cardinal Experiences cords can pick up their items at the Grad Fair on Wednesday, April 3.

Is Otterbein selling flowers for the event?
Families can pre-order flowers to pick up on their way into the The Clements Recreation Center.

What commemorative items are available to celebrate and mark this occasion?
Jostens has a variety of special items to commemorate your college achievements and commencement day memories. To learn more about those items, you can visit their website for details about how to order announcements, rings and more.

Commencement Hotels in Westerville

Aloft Exterior

Aloft Columbus Westerville (1.7 miles)
Contact Information:
Address: 32 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: 614-899-6560
Hotel Website >

Renaissance

The Renaissance Westerville-Polaris (1.5 miles)
Otterbein Commencement “Neighborhood” Reservations >

Contact Information:
Address: 409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082
Phone: 614-882-6800
Hotel Website >

Other places to stay

We are excited to welcome you to Otterbein’s campus. If you need overnight accommodations for your visit to Otterbein, you’ll find a variety of hotels conveniently located near campus.

Westerville Hotels

Renaissance Westerville Hotel (1.5 miles)
Ask about the Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate or book your stay at a discount via the Renaissance “Neighborhood” page
409 Altair Parkway
Westerville, OH 43082
614-882-6800

Aloft Westerville Hotel (1.7 miles) Ask about the Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate
32 Heatherdown Dr
Westerville, OH 43081
614-899-6560 x7114

Nearby Hotels

Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Polaris (2.6 miles)
Ask about Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate
8411 Pulsar Place
Columbus, OH 43240
614-885-8400

Embassy Suites (2.7 miles)
Ask about Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate
2700 Corporate Exchange Drive
Columbus, OH 43231
614-890-8600

Holiday Inn Express Columbus-Worthington (5 miles)
Ask about Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate
55 Hutchinson Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43235
614-977-0520 (Hotel Main Number)
614-896-8452 (Direct Line)
cyannayon@EmeraldHospitality.com

Courtyard by Marriott (5.1 miles)
Ask about Otterbein Parent/Friend Rate
7411 Vantage Drive
Columbus, OH 43235
614-436-7070

Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris (2.4 miles) 
9000 Worthington Road
Westerville, OH 43082
614-568-0770

Holiday Inn Express – Polaris (2.7 miles)
8670 Orion Place
Columbus, Ohio 43240
888-465-4329

Candlewood Suites Polaris (3.4 miles)
8515 Lyra Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43240
877-226-3539

Extended Stay America (3.4 miles)
8555 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-431-5522

Hilton – Columbus / Polaris (3.4 miles)
8700 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-885-1600

Hilton Garden Inn (3.4 miles)
8535 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-846-8884

Comfort Inn North/Polaris (3.6 miles)
8400 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH, 43240
614-791-9700

Note: Otterbein does not in any way endorse these businesses, products, or services. This listing is provided as a resource only and are subject to change.

Parking

Part of an enjoyable visit to Otterbein’s campus means ensuring you understand your parking options and that you have the opportunity to plan for your family’s unique circumstances.

To allow all of our guests to have a pleasant arrival and departure, we ask guests to honor the following:

  • If possible, we ask that you consider traveling with your family or guests. Doing so ensures that the majority of guests will be able to park within a short distance of the venue.
  • As we will be welcoming many guests to campus throughout the weekend, we ask that you please arrive no earlier than one hour of your scheduled ceremony and that you plan to depart no later than one hour after your ceremony’s conclusion.

Special Needs Drop-Off:
Guests who would have difficulty walking from the parking lot to the Clements Recreation Center can be dropped off closer to the building entrance.

Reserved handicapped parking is available. Guests will only need to show their accessible seating section tickets to be granted access to this reserved parking.

Graduation Photos

Grad Images will take each graduate’s picture as they cross the stage. A proof and order form will be mailed by the latter part of May.

According to Grad Images, all orders received by June 1 will be fulfilled and delivered by July 1. Late orders will be accepted until Dec. 31. You are under no obligation to purchase the pictures or respond to the Grad Images correspondence. Grad Images may be contacted via their website or at 1-800-261-2576.

Security Precautions

Please be aware that guests are subject to visual inspection of person, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items.

The following items are prohibited:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Coolers
  • Backpacks
  • Large handbags
  • Metal folding seat cushions
  • Seats that clamp to bleachers
  • Noise making devices
  • Mace or similar substances
  • Signs
  • Sticks
  • Poles
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Balloons and other items that would obstruct the sightline of any guests