ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – On Friday, Oct. 17, Columbia Southern University will welcome 1,200 graduates from across the globe to attend to its annual commencement ceremonies at the Foley Event Center at OWA. The university will hold two ceremonies to accommodate graduates, their families and friends.

• What: CSU Commencement Ceremonies
• When: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Where: Foley Event Center at OWA, 1001 E. Pride Blvd., Foley, AL 36535

The keynote speaker will be Rick Rigsby, an internationally acclaimed speaker, who has won numerous awards as a former journalist and professor. He is most notably known for his encouraging speeches on hope that have been viewed by more than 160 million people worldwide. He is the CEO of Rick Rigsby Communications and author of “Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout” and “Afraid to Hope.”

Media may email CSU-Communications@ColumbiaSouthern.edu for more information.