Lavender Graduation

The 13th annual Lavender Graduation is a pre-commencement event hosted by FreeZone, Tri Iota, WGSS, and the Office of Social Justice and Activism. Lavender Graduation affirms the achievements of LBGTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, nonbinary) graduates and their allies.

At the Lavender Graduation celebration, each student receives lavender cords to wear at their commencement ceremony and has a chance to share something about their experience and thank their support circle. The cords and the event validate a student’s strength and resilience — their commitment to their education, ambitions, and personhood.

Lavender Graduation will be held TBD.  Friends and family are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

You can request and wear the cords even if you do not attend the ceremony.

Noble Transitions

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at TBD time at Fritsche Theatre in Cowan Hall

The Office of Social Justice and Activism (OSJA) hosts a multicultural pre-graduation ceremony, Noble Transitions, to celebrate graduating students of color, international, and first-generation students. It is a time to officially celebrate their accomplishments as well as those of their friends and peers who are graduating.

During the ceremony, students will receive a kente stole, share a senior reflection, and thank those who have been influential in their success. Students often invite family, friends, faculty, and staff who have been instrumental in their Otterbein journey. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact the OSJA at 614-823-1312.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 5:15pm on Towers Lawn (Northeast side, Main Plaza)

Join us for a toast that brings together reflection, community, and celebration. We’ll highlight moments from the Class of 2026, shared by classmates, faculty, and campus leaders who have witnessed their journey. Graduates and their families are invited to be part of this meaningful event, complete with light refreshments.

At 5:30 p.m., gather around for President Comerford’s official toast to the Class of 2026 —an occasion you won’t want to miss.

As the celebration concludes, we welcome you into the Otterbein University alumni family— where your connection to this community continues to grow, and your next chapter is just beginning.

The undergraduate and graduate school ceremony requires pre-registration. A link to request tickets will be available closer to. It will be shared through email with those that have applied to graduate.

Undergraduates Commencement
Please note that tickets are free of charge, and the selling of tickets is considered inappropriate activity and may result in disciplinary action. Tickets will be distributed via email the later part of the week of the event.

Graduate School Commencement
All graduates will take part in the 2:00 p.m. ceremony. Please register for your guest tickets via a Grad Link email you will receive closer to the event so we have an understanding of how many guests to expect. Please note that tickets are free of charge, and the selling of tickets is considered inappropriate activity and may result in disciplinary action. Tickets will be distributed via email the later part of the week of the event.

Live Streaming
Commencement will be streamed live for virtual access to the ceremony as well. If your guests are not able to attend the ceremony in person, it will be streamed live. A link will be posted on this page close to the event date.

Doors will open an hour before the ceremony. Each guest must present an electronic or printed ticket in order to be admitted. Ticket holders must be seated by the start of the ceremony.

Seating for Young Children
All children over the age of one must have a ticket.

Seating for Special Needs Guests
Special needs guests with wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, walkers, hearing impairments, etc., will be assisted to their seat. Access to the venue does not require the use of stairs.

Where is the Celeste Center at The Ohio Expo Center located?
717 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211. This address is just north of downtown Columbus, with access from I-71 via the 17th Avenue exit.

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 9.

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

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 >

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

Nearby Hotels

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.

Part of an enjoyable event experience is ensuring you understand your parking options and that you have the opportunity to plan for your family’s unique circumstances.

The Ohio Expo Center can accommodate a large number of guests with parking available for more than 12,000 vehicles. All parking operations are conducted by SP+.

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

• Parking at the Expo Center is $7 for a one-time entry. Price subject to change.
• 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.
• Handicap parking is available on a first come first served basis.
• As we will be welcoming many guests to campus throughout the weekend, we ask that guests please arrive no earlier than one hour before the scheduled ceremony and that you plan to depart no later than one hour after your ceremony’s conclusion.

Please note, the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds is in the middle of a construction project slated for completion by summer 2026 or earlier. The facility is working hard to minimize impacts on events. Please continue to check this website for further updates as the construction finalizes as parking routes may change and special messaging may be noted (and emailed) with day of things to consider.

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.

To enhance public safety and expedite entry into the venue, a clear bag policy is in effect for our event. This policy limits the size and type of bags permitted inside the venue. Please be aware that guests are subject to visual inspection of person, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items.

Approved Bags

Each guest may bring one (1) of the following:

• One clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bag not exceeding 12″ x 6″ x 12″, OR
• One one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)

In addition, guests may carry one small clutch or wallet, with or without a handle or strap, no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″.

Exceptions for medically necessary items and diaper bags will be made following proper inspection by security personnel.

All bags are subject to search upon entry. Prohibited bags will not be stored at the venue; guests will be required to return them to their vehicles or discard them.

Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted inside the venue. This list is not all-inclusive and may be updated at the discretion of venue management or security:

• Bags that do not meet clear bag policy guidelines (including backpacks, briefcases, coolers, cinch bags, luggage, large camera bags, etc.) will be asked to bring back to their vehicle.
• Weapons of any kind (firearms, knives, mace, pepper spray, brass knuckles, etc.)
• Outside food and beverages
• Alcohol, illegal drugs, or other prohibited substances
• Glass containers, cans, or hard-sided coolers
• Noisemakers (horns, whistles, cowbells, etc.)
• Laser pointers
• Banners or signs larger than 11″ x 17″, or any that obstruct views or contain offensive language
• Sticks, poles, or pipes
• Aerosol cans
• Skateboards, roller skates, hoverboards, or similar items
• Balloons
• Seats that clamp to bleachers
• Folding chairs
• Sticks
• Poles

Guests arriving with prohibited items will be asked to remove them from the venue or dispose of them. Failure to comply with the bag policy or prohibited items list may result in denied entry or ejection from the event.