Congratulations, Graduate! You are receiving your degree or certificate!
OPE电子竞技官网’s commencement ceremony is held annually to recognize students who have graduated or are projected to graduate in the current academic year (fall, winter, spring, and summer terms).
2024-25 Commencement Ceremony:
Graduates must arrive no later than 30 minutes before the ceremony to prepare to line-up.
Friday, May 9th, 2025
2:00 PM – doors open at 12:30 PM
7:00 PM – doors open at 05:30 PM
Location: UNO Baxter Arena (2425 S. 67th St., Omaha, NE 68106)
before the ceremony:
- Submit graduation application: submit a graduation application and fill in the ceremony information (see the Graduation Application Process page). There is no separate application for ceremony participation. Summer Graduates are also celebrated at the ceremony. Please select the summer term when applying for graduation. This will not affect your eligibility for attending the ceremony.
- Purchase a cap and gown (April). Each graduating participant must arrive at the ceremony wearing a black, college-approved cap and gown. Caps and gowns will NOT be available for purchase at the venue. Visit this page after April 1st for updated information.
If you need to change your ceremony time:
- go back to your graduation application in Self-Service, select a different time and SAVE.
- email to commencement@xyschool.net.
If you need to update other information for the ceremony:
- go back to your graduation application in Self-Service, update information and SAVE.
- e-mail to commencement@xyschool.net and/or registrarsoffice@xyschool.net
Accessibility
For Graduates:
Please reach out to Disability Support Services Counselor Lisa Fleming Haile at
lrfleminghaile@xyschool.net or 531.622.1416 by Monday, May 5th, to inform us if you need accommodation.
For guests:
If guests need accommodations, please contact Baxter Arena at info@baxterarena.com
For more information about Baxter Arena's Accessibility Accommodations, visit the
Baxter Arena Accessibility page.
Commencement Program
All graduates who submitted the graduation application by April 1st will have their name listed in the Commencement Program. If you applied after April 1st, your name will not be listed in the program, however you may participate in the ceremony.
Link to the digital version of the Commencement program:
2024
faqs
- Q: Can I watch the ceremony on live stream?
Yes. Check the bottom of this page the week of the ceremony for the live stream address.
- Q: How can I purchase the ceremony pictures?
A professional photographer will be there to document the ceremonies. A link will be posted on the bottom of this page when pictures are available for purchase.
- Q: When is the next ceremony?
2024-25 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 9th, 2025. We will have 2 ceremonies, one at 2:00 PM and one at 7:00 PM.
The ceremony is for graduates of the 2024-2025 academic year for the following quarters: 2024 Fall, 2024-25 Winter, 2024-25 Spring and 2025 Summer.
- Q: How do I change the time of the ceremony I will be attending?
Update your time directly at the graduation application page and SAVE. You can also e-mail to commencement@xyschool.net. Include your name, student ID number, and the time of the ceremony you wish to attend.
- Q: Do I need to register to walk?
Yes. You are registered once you have submitted the graduation application and purchased your cap and gown from the bookstore on one of the main campuses (Fort, Elkhorn, South).
- Q: How do I order my cap and gown?
No advanced orders are required, caps and gowns are available at the OPE电子竞技官网 bookstores at one of the main campuses (Fort, Elkhorn, and South Campus) beginning mid-April.
- Q: Can I buy my cap and gown at Baxter arena on the day of the ceremony?
Caps and gowns WILL NOT be available for pick up or purchase at the arena.
- Q: Can I decorate my cap?
Yes, if it is tastefully done and contained to the top of the cap.
- Q: What can honor society members wear?
Members of Alpha Delta Omega, Kappa Beta Delta, National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa are eligible to wear the pin, sash/stole or medallion and tassel of their honor society.
Contact your honor society chapter for information on ordering. Please see the OPE电子竞技官网 Organizations webpage for contact information.
- Q: How will I know if I graduate with Honors?
To graduate with honors, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above (degrees and certificates of achievement only).
Honor graduates will receive a gold honors medallion to wear during the ceremony. The medallions will be available for pick up at the ceremony check-in at the arena the day of the event.
- Q: How do I confirm the pronunciation of my name?
Complete the name pronunciation field on the graduation application. If you have already submitted the application and did not provide this information, please e-mail the Registrar's Office (registrarsoffice@xyschool.net) the phonetic spelling of your name with your phone number. A reader will contact you to verify pronunciation, if needed.
- Q: Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
You will receive a diploma cover when you cross the stage. Diplomas and certificates for each quarter are mailed after the end of the quarter the student is graduating from. For example, if a student has applied for graduation during the fall quarter, their diploma is mailed after fall quarter.
- Q: Where should my family, friends, and I park?
Please refer to the Baxter Arena parking map and utilize the street entrances suggested. It is highly recommended that you give yourself plenty of time to arrive and park.
- Q: Do I need tickets for my guests?
Tickets are not needed. There is no limit to the number of guests and there is open seating.
- Q: Will my family be able to take pictures?
Professional photographers will take pictures of the graduates as they receive their awards. Friends and family are not allowed onto the processional floor, and they can take pictures from the seats.
Additional personal photos may be taken outside of the main arena floor.
- Q. When do I arrive for the ceremony?
If you are attending the 2:00 PM ceremony, the doors will open at 12:30 PM. Graduates must be in place by 1:30 PM to prepare to line-up.
If you are attending the 7:00 PM ceremony, the doors will open at 5:30 PM. Graduates must be in place by 6:30 PM to prepare to line up.
- Q: What do I do on the day of the ceremony?
Enter via the main entrance. You will be directed down the side hallway.
Wear your gown, cap, and tassel. Wear the tassel over the right front of the cap.
Once seated, graduates will remain in their seats until the end of the ceremony.
When your name is called, the graduate will walk across the stage to a marked spot, stop and turn to the audience/photographer, then exit the stage.
A second photograph will be taken off-stage.
Graduates will then return to their seats until the end of the ceremony.
After the ceremony graduates will be led directly to the exit.
- Q: Can I bring personal items with me to the ceremony?
Leave coats, purses and other personal items with your guests or family members. The graduates WILL NOT be returning to the pre-ceremony staging area. If you require medications, please bring those items with you.
For further information about the commencement ceremony: contact the Registrar's Office at 531-OPE电子竞技官网-2353 or registrarsoffice@xyschool.net.
For GED graduation ceremony information: contact Adult Basic Education, 531-OPE电子竞技官网-2312
2025 Graduation Streaming of live event on Zoom: Meeting ID: TBA
2025 Commencement Ceremony photos: Ceremony Photos