OBU Winter Commencement Returns to Campus for the First Time Since 2023 Tornado

October 28, 2025

Oklahoma Baptist University will celebrate its Winter Commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in the Recreation and Wellness Center (RAWC) – marking the first time the ceremony has been held on the OBU campus since the April 2023 EF 2 tornado.

The change in location follows five Spring/Winter commencement ceremonies at First Southern Baptist Church in Del City. Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium, OBU’s traditional commencement venue since 1961, remains closed due to the tornado damage, with renewal efforts ongoing.

"The Walk" will be held immediately before commencement. It will begin at the Noble Complex with graduates proceeding out the east doors, to the sidewalk, down the south side of the RAWC. Graduates will enter through the south glass doors of the RAWC. In this OBU tradition, all new students initially take “The Walk” during Welcome Week from the Oval to the steps of Raley Chapel. That symbolizes this walk that they take on graduation day.

No tickets are required to attend the ceremony.

For questions about parking, entrances, or seating, contact Sharon Eulberg, administrative assistant to the vice president of campus life and dean of students, at 405-585-5250 or by email at sharon.eulberg@okbu.edu.

For more information visit  okbu.edu/student-life/commencement.