Tickets, Parking & Guest Information

Tickets to Commencement will be made available in late April 2023. Graduates must first RSVP to participate in Commencement to reserve tickets. If you have not already let us know your plans for May 6, click here to RSVP.

If you have any questions, please email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@ohiodominican.edu.

Parking for Baccalaureate and Commencement will be available in the GOLD Parking Lot as well as along Panther Parkway. Please follow all directional signage as well as the direction of ODU Public Safety and Columbus Division of Police officers.

The Gold Lot is accessed from the light at Sunbury Rd and St. Dominic way, and is on the West side of Sunbury Rd.

• Get Google Map directions to the Gold Lot
  
   
• View the campus map to see where buildings and appropriate parking is located.
• View driving directions to Ohio Dominican.  

Baccalaureate at Ohio Dominican University takes place as a Mass giving thanks for the blessings of our graduates and of prayers for their continued success in life.

• Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: Matesich Theatre, 2nd Floor Erskine Hall

Advance registration and ticket reservation are not required for Baccalaureate attendance. Food and beverages are not permitted in the theater.

Mass includes the traditional Baccalaureate sermon and may include other ceremonies. All graduates are invited to this Mass regardless of religious background. Your presence and participation are welcome and encouraged!

Although communion is reserved to Catholics in good standing, participation in the Scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and intercessions is considered appropriate and is encouraged.

Graduates may wear their robes to Baccalaureate.

• Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Location: Panther Stadium

All three south gates at Panther Stadium will open at 10:15 a.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be required to show their ticket upon entrance. Commencement will begin promptly at 11 a.m.

Seating for Commencement will be available in the home (west) bleachers as well as on the field. To ensure that there is adequate seating for all participants and guests, we ask that you please NOT move chairs. As you enter the stadium, you may choose to sit in the stands or on the field as space allows. Some reserved seating will be marked off for graduates, faculty and other guests.

If you or a guest will need access to handicapped seating, please contact studentdevelopment@ohiodominican.edu. Please feel free to ask a volunteer for directions or if you have any questions.

Commencement will take place inside Panther Stadium rain or shine. Seating on the field can tend to run about 10 degrees warmer than in the stands, so please dress and prepare accordingly. To ensure that you do not block the view of others in the event of inclement weather, umbrellas will not be permitted inside the stadium. Instead, the university will provide plastic rain ponchos should the need arise. The Griffin Student Center will serve as a shelter in the event of severe weather.

Please keep in mind that the artificial field turf in Panther Stadium can be difficult to walk on, so we encourage you to not wear shoes that have high heels that could potentially become caught on the field material. We recommend that you wear flat-bottomed shoes to mitigate any tripping hazard.

You will be permitted to bring bottled water and light snacks into the stadium. Bottles of water also will be available.

To help ensure that safe social distancing is maintained throughout the event, please remain in your seat at all times, and do not approach the stage to take photos. A professional photographer has been hired and you will be provided photos to consider purchasing following the event. You are welcome to take photos from your seat.

A livestream of Baccalaureate and Commencement will be available at ohiodominican.edu/Livestream.

If you need any last-minute items or regalia for Commencement, ODU’s Bookstore is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. The Bookstore also will be open on the day of Commencement immediately prior to and following the ceremony.

Subconnection in the Griffin Student Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of Commencement.