Commencement Ceremony
Information about Commencement
Owensboro Community & Technical College celebrates commencement each year upon the conclusion of fall and spring semesters. Fall commencement typically takes place in December with one ceremony, while Spring commencement takes place in May with two ceremonies across two days. If you’re not sure which semester or commencement ceremony you’re supposed to attend (after applying for and being approved to graduate), you should contact your academic advisor or success coach. Not sure who your advisor is? Visit this webpage for instructions on finding your advisor.
FALL 2026 Commencement Ceremony
Owensboro Community & Technical College will hold its Commencement Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15 at the RiverPark Center, located at 101 Daviess Street in Owensboro, KY. Practice will take place on Monday, December 14 at the RiverPark Center. If you are unable to attend on your assigned date, please feel free to attend on the alternate night.
What else you need to know before you go
Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the RiverPark Center (101 Daviess St. Owensboro, KY). Please arrive at 5:30 p.m. that evening.
Practice will be held on Monday, December 14, at 3:30 p.m. at the RiverPark Center (101 Daviess St. Owensboro, KY). This session is designed to give you important information concerning your commencement. Your participation at practice will be greatly appreciated.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place at the RiverPark Center (101 Daviess St. Owensboro, KY) on Tuesday, December 15 at 4 p.m. in Cannon Hall.
Blue caps and gowns are required to walk at the graduation ceremony. You can order your cap and gown or by stopping by the OCTC Bookstore. Honor cords are provided free of charge to eligible degree and diploma graduates. Eligible graduates will receive their cord at check-in the night of the ceremony.
A limited supply will be available in the bookstore, with the final in-store purchase date being December 15, prior to commencement ceremonies.
You do not have to attend the Commencement Ceremony to receive your credential(s). All graduates will receive their credential(s) in the mail approximately 10 weeks after the end of the term in which you graduate.
You do not need to bring anything specific. Please note that all graduates must leave their belongings with their family during the ceremony. OCTC and RiverPark Center are not responsible for lost/stolen items.
Please note that the RiverPark Center does not permit strollers in Cannon Hall, where OCTC Commencement Ceremonies take place.
There is no limit on the number of guests each graduate is allowed to bring, but we do suggest no more than 10 due to limited seating. If Cannon Hall fills, there will be an overflow room for guests to view the ceremony via livestream.
Guests do not need tickets to attend the ceremony. Please be advised that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The graduate’s photo will be taken by Allen Lake. Photo order forms will be available at practice as well as the night of the ceremony. The college pays for the on-stage photos and those will be posted to Facebook.com/owensboroctc a couple of weeks following the ceremony. Graduates may download them from the Facebook page.
Please ensure that your Student Self-Service name and address is correct. This information will be used for the commencement ceremony and for mailing your credential(s).
The application for Fall 2026 graduation closed on October 2, 2026. Our next window will open for Spring 2027 graduation from January 18 – February 12, 2027. Reach out to your academic advisor for more information.
Questions?
Email octc.studentrecords@kctcs.edu or octc.info@kctcs.edu.
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