The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate the achievements of approximately 1,302 graduates during the Spring 2021 commencement ceremonies May 7-8 at Central’s Wantland Stadium.

Gov. George Nigh, former UCO president and Oklahoma’s 22nd governor, will address graduates at the 10 a.m. ceremony Friday, May 7.

UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar also will offer comments at each of the university’s three ceremonies.

Local graduates set to be honored include:

Cashion – Ashten Evans, bachelor’s in early childhood education; Karsyn Green, bachelor’s in kinesiology-exercise/ fitness management; Ryan Harrel, Summa Cum Laude, bachelor’s in kinesiology-exercise/fitness management; Braden Schenk, bachelor’s in industrial safety; Jack Suntken, bachelor’s in biology-biomedical sciences

Crescent - Taryn Heiden, bachelor’s in general studies

Hennessey - Miguel Renteria, bachelor’s in accounting

Kingfisher - Isabel Tarango, bachelor’s in accounting; Isaac Waltman, bachelor’s in physical education/health; Jordan Waltman, bachelor’s in early childhood education

Okarche - Jordan Cox, Magna Cum Laude, bachelor’s in finance

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled as follows:

10 a.m., Friday, May 7: College of Education and Professional Studies and College of Fine Arts and Design;

2 p.m., Friday, May 7: College of Business and Jackson College of Graduate Studies; and,

10 a.m., Saturday, May 8: College of Liberal Arts and College of Mathematics and Science.

Guests must maintain socially distanced seating in groups of four within Wantland Stadium. Masks are required for students and guests. All guests ages 3 and up are required to have a ticket.

Metal detectors will be used at the gates for all participants. Guests and students are asked to minimize the number of items carried inside. Students must wear flat-soled shoes to participate in commencement.

Limited parking to the west of Wantland Stadium will be reserved for those with disabilities. All campus parking spaces, except those in the reserved lot, will be open during the commencement events for those attending ceremonies.

The ceremonies may also be viewed online at www.uco.edu, with livestreaming beginning approximately 15 minutes before each ceremony.

Additionally, Central will livestream each commencement ceremony on UCO’s Facebook page. The Facebook Live stream will capture the traditional graduate walk from Old North to Wantland Stadium, weather permitting.

For more information on Central’s graduation, visit www.uco.edu/commencement.