The Office of Ceremonies and Special Events

Celebrating the Life of Campus

University ceremonies are celebrations in the life of campus. They keep academic traditions alive and help shape the culture of our University by preserving the formal dignity of long-standing academic traditions for students, faculty, staff and members of the community. In a similar way, special university events celebrate institutional milestones, provide excellent outreach and public relations opportunities, and help us share the culture and accomplishments of the university with the on-campus and off-campus communities. Ceremonies and university events serve the needs of students, faculty, staff, and the general public and are an integral part of the university’s university and public affairs mission.

Serving the Campus

The Office of Ceremonies & Special Events (OCSE) works closely with UND faculty, staff, administrators, and students to plan and coordinate a variety of University events and projects. Ceremonies and events are planned through OSSE to directly serve thousands of UND students, hundreds of faculty members, and staff members.

Activities range from the University’s commencement ceremonies – UND’s largest annual non-athletic events – attracting 12,000 guests each year to a dinner for 12 people having dinner with a Great Conversations speaker. The Office is responsible for many of the larger events presided over by the President or by someone representing the President.