Ceremony

This year’s commencement will be held on O’Dowd’s lower field - Saturday, June 3, 9:00 - 11:00am.

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Commencement Photos (stage)

Commencement Photos - Processions in and out

Commencement Photos (other)

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Senior Celebration slideshow (shown on social media and at Baccalaureate Mass.)

Baccalaureate Mass photos

 

Zoom Recording (downloadable version here)

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(event photos by Dennis Mockel and Vincent Jurgens, Zoom by Brian Payawal)

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Each graduate may invite up to 10 guests. Seven of the tickets will be assigned seating on the lower field and the additional three tickets will be for open seating in the bleachers.

Each graduate received the following during Commencement Rehearsal May 31 -

• 1 Parking Pass

• 7 Assigned Field Tickets

• 3 Open-Seating Bleacher Ticket

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Parking

Each graduate will receive ONE parking ticket to park on campus  Each graduate will receive one parking pass to park on campus. Students received the commencement parking pass and tickets at the end of the commencement practice on May 31.

• Campus - Gates will open at 7:45am and cars must present the one parking pass at the gate to the Security Team. Additional guests can park at the satellite lots (see below) or take a ride share service.

• Friend/Uber/Lyft Drop Off - We also highly encourage families to consider having a friend or paid car service provide drop-off and pick-up service to Commencement. This low stress solution avoids the complexities of parking and shuttle and ensures a smooth, safe arrival and departure after graduation. All cars dropping off individuals should do so at the 98th Avenue Drop Off Area. Commencement guests will walk up stairs to the Lower Field and present their Commencement ticket to the Security Team at the gate.

• Neighborhood Parking - For safety and to respect our neighbors, we ask that families do everything possible to avoid parking in the neighborhood.

• Satellite Parking and Shuttle Service - Additional guests can park at the satellite lots or take a ride share service.

  • North of O'Dowd: Kaleo Church - 7700 Mountain Blvd, Oakland

  • South of O'Dowd: Church of the Assumption - 1100 Fulton Ave, San Leandro

  • Shuttle service will run from these locations 7:45am - 8:15am and will shuttle guests back to the parking locations after the commencement ceremony.

  • Please note: The shuttles will drop guests off at the 98th Avenue turnaround. Anyone with mobility issues should arrive in the car parking on campus.

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Logistics and Safety

• During the two-hour ceremony, the seating is in the full sun on a turf field that heats up. Please be prepared for cool or warm weather. Bring layered clothing, hats, sunscreen, and your own bottle of water. Guests sitting in the bleachers may choose to bring a cushion to sit on.

• We will have portable restrooms for guests.

• We ask that families carefully consider the health and safety of mobility-impaired and otherwise physically vulnerable guests. All friends and family who are unable to attend may watch the livestream of the Commencement. See Streaming below.

• Out of respect of all graduates, we kindly ask that you do not bring noise makers or air horns to the ceremony. Thank you in advance!

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Attire

Graduates are to wear their cap, zipped gown, graduation stoles, pins, and any leis given by family and friends.

 

Accommodations

• We strongly recommend that any person in need of assistance getting to their seat arrives in a car parked on campus. Our buses and lower lot drop off area will not properly accommodate anyone in need of mobility assistance.

• When arriving on campus, please alert security at the gate that a person in your party will need assistance and they will direct you where to drop off your guest(s).

 

Streaming

Zoom Recording

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Diplomas

You should have received an email about name spelling by Feb. 11, and confirmed by Feb. 25.

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Ordering Caps, Gowns & Announcements

We use Achievers for caps, gowns, and announcements. The cost of the cap and gown is covered by O’Dowd. Graduation announcements are a separate cost and can be purchased from Achievers or elsewhere. Password bod510. Contact Eloy Garcia at Achievers or call 408-441-7200.

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If you have any questions about Commencement, please contact Starr Gray, Director of Student Activities.