An image of a graduate being hooded at commencement

OUWB Commencement 2023

Friday, May 12, 2023
2 p.m.
Athletics Center O'rena
On the campus of Oakland University
569 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482

Commencement Parking Map

Livestream

Regalia

The link to order regalia is https://ouwbsom.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome

The last day to order regalia is March 1.

Note: Please order regalia through the official vendor using the link above. In years previous, we’ve had students order through outside vendors and they ended up with the wrong regalia.

Flowers & Graduation Gifts
Flowers and graduation gifts will be available for purchase on-site at commencement. Pre-order in advance and skip the line on the day-of by purchasing  here
Commencement Rehearsal

Students are invited to attend a rehearsal on Thursday, May 11 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the O'rena on the campus of Oakland University. This is not mandatory but will allow you to practice the commencement procedures prior to the real ceremony. Student Affairs staff will be present to answer any last-minute questions. This will end prior to Honors Convocation starting.
This event is for students only; guests and family are not permitted to attend.

Arrival Times

Students should arrive to the indoor track in the Rec. Center by Noon on Friday, May 12. Light refreshments will be available. Please do not plan to leave any personal items such as hangers, purses, water bottles, etc. in the Rec. Center during the ceremony. These items will be left with Rec. Center staff and added to their lost and found. OUWB is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Guests and families are not permitted in the Rec. Center.

The doors to the O'rena will open promptly at 1 p.m. for general seating for guests and families. (Note: There will be time for pictures in regalia after the event). Guest(s) who arrive prior to 1 p.m. will not be permitted into the Rec. Center or the O'rena.

Professional Photos

We will have Jewell Photography on site to take headshots, PRISM groups, and class photos prior to the start of the ceremony.

Jewell Photography will also be on site in the Oakland Center rooms 129 and 130 to take post commencement family hooding photos. Rooms 129 and 130 are on the main floor behind the food court. Enter the Oakland Center from the Elliot Tower side, turn right past the Habitat and continue down the hallway where you will see the ID office, bank and Dean of Students Office. The rooms are on the left side before you get to the stairs.

Payment will not be accepted on the day of Commencement. All of the images will be posted online within a week and can be purchased directly from Jewell's website. Click the 'Find Your Photos' button in the upper right corner and search the recent events.

Any questions regarding photography can be directed to Jewell Photography.

Mask Policy

Campus community members and guests may choose to wear a mask at their own discretion. Masks are not provided.

Guest Questions
No tickets will be required for the event. Students are allowed up to 10 guests.
Wheelchairs are available to guests who need assistance. They will be located inside the main lobby of the O'rena. 
Sign language interpreters will be on stage during the ceremony. When looking at the stage, they will be on the right-hand side of the stage. 
Concessions will be available for purchase inside the O'rena. Guests are not permitted inside the Rec. Center. 
Bag Policy

No bags, purses, etc. will be allowed inside the O'rena for graduates or their guests. Please make arrangements to leave them in a secure place of your choosing. This is an OUPD policy. Please review the policy here.

Reception

The reception will begin immediately following the ceremony at the Elliot Tower. Graduates will be instructed during the ceremony to follow the bag pipers across the street to meet their guests at the tower. There will be light appetizers and beverages. All guests, family and attendees of the ceremony are welcome to join. The reception is not mandatory.

If there is inclement weather, we will host the reception inside the Oakland Center Ballrooms (same location as Match Day). This announcement will be made during the Commencement ceremony.


Be sure to stop by the OUWB Store outside of O'Dowd Hall to pick up any last minute OUWB Merch!

Returning Regalia

The bookstore will have tables inside of O'Dowd Hall (outside of CMSS - O'Dowd Hall, Room 216) where you can return all rented items after the ceremony. Please return items by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023.

OUWB 2023 Commencement Speaker:
Ben Schwartz, M.D.
President, Corewell Health East

An image of Ben SchwartzBenjamin Schwartz, M.D., MHCM, FACOG, FACS, is president of Corewell Health East. Corewell Health was formerly Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health.

Dr. Schwartz leads strategy and corporate decision-making for eight hospitals, 155 outpatient sites, nearly 5,000 affiliated physicians, 1,800 advance practice providers, 9,000 nurses and 2,000 volunteers across three counties in Southeast Michigan. Benjamin also serves as a member of the Corewell Health leadership team.

Dr. Schwartz is an energetic, visionary health care leader with a passion for making health care exceptional, equitable and affordable. He is committed to fostering the culture of Corewell Health to support its mission, vision and values, and to develop partnerships with its team members, physicians, nurses and community members. Benjamin seeks to advance Corewell Health’s reputation for excellence in clinical care, education and research. As a teacher, Dr. Schwartz is passionate about inspiring the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Schwartz previously served as senior vice president and the physician executive for the eastern region of Northwell Health in New York. His 27-year career has increasingly widened his circle of influence—both as a practicing physician and as an administrator and leader. He is passionate about teaching and inspiring the next generation of physicians, serving as an associate professor at several institutions and administering oral exams for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dallas.

Dr. Schwartz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, a medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and a Master of Healthcare Management from Harvard University. He is board certified in gynecologic oncology as well as obstetrics and gynecology. 

He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and served as administrative chief resident. During his residency, Dr. Schwartz completed a Galloway Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. He then completed subspecialty training in a three-year fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Schwartz is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He was named “Top Doctor” in Gynecologic Oncology by New York magazine for six straight years.

OUWB Alumni Speaker
Kala Seawright, M.D.
Class of 2021

An image of Kala Seawright M.D.Kala Seawright, M.D. is a member of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Class of 2021. She is a current obstetrics and gynecology resident at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. While attending OUWB she served as a social chair of the medical student government, a member of the Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Council, a youth mentor for the Hispanic outreach service, and president of the Student National Medical Association.

Dr. Seawright’s current passions have not deviated from her undergraduate and graduate training. She continues to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the graduate medical education level. Inspired by her experiences at OUWB, she has a newfound passion for teaching and mentoring medical students. Dr. Seawright was recently appointed the assistant resident clerkship director. She works alongside the OBGYN clerkship director to provide academic and organizational support for medical students.

Dr. Seawright was raised in both Pontiac and Oxford, Michigan. After graduating from Oxford High School, she studied biochemistry at Oakland University before matriculating into the 2021 class at OUWB.

OUWB Commencement 2022

Highlights from the OUWB 2022 commencement ceremony can be found below.