New Student Matriculation Ceremony

Friday, August 22, 2008 at 5:30pm
Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel

The Matriculation Ceremony at University of the Ozarks is very symbolic, representing each student's beginning at Ozarks and what it means to be a part of this university.

Dressed in full academic regalia, the faculty and staff of the university officially welcome the new class of students. University of the Ozarks 24th President, Dr. Rick Niece, greets each student personally as he or she signs his or her name in the university's matriculation book in recognition of the university mission statement.

Immediately following the ceremony, new students are escorted out of the Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel through a gauntlet of applauding professors and staff who will guide them for the next four years of their lives. Four years later, these same students will experience a similar event that will mark their successful completion of an undergraduate degree, as they recess onto the mall following a Baccalaureate Ceremony in the chapel.

This ceremonial process parallels a prevailing philosophy at Ozarks: That each student is important from the day they walk onto this campus; throughout their four year stay and continuing on after graduation as University of the Ozarks Alumni.

Families are encouraged to attend along with students. "Seasonal-Dress-Casual" is suggested for the event. Cameras are most definitely ALLOWED and in fact, ENCOURAGED, during the Matriculation Ceremony!