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FAQs Ceremony Details

Degrees were conferred at the virtual ceremony on June 19 at 11 a.m. CDT, The ceremony recordings can be viewed here.

When will an in-person celebration occur?

Public-health experts have suggested it may be some time before it is safe to hold large-scale public gatherings, but we know that an in-person graduation ceremony is essential for our community. We believe that the soundest way to hold a top-notch ceremony, to recognize you individually and as a member of the Class of 2020, is to schedule it close to next year’s graduation ceremonies. The undergraduate ceremony will be a stand-alone event, not a joint one with the Class of 2021. As public-health guidance becomes clear, we will confirm a date, but we anticipate it will be on Saturday, June 12, 2021.

Can I still order and receive my regalia?

Visit our regalia page on our commencement website. Northwestern purchased regalia for the Class of 2020 to keep and bring back to campus next June for your in-person graduation ceremony.
"NOTE: Packages may be delayed due to street closures related to national events. If you did not receive an order confirmation email or tracking email, please check your spam/junk folder. If you still do not see anything, please send an email to staff in the University Bookstore to obtain your tracking number.

How can I get my additional regalia (honors cords, etc.)?

Directions for ordering additional regalia will be forthcoming.

Who do I call if I have questions about my Regalia?

Questions about your order can be directed to the Commencement Office, please email commencement@northwestern.edu or call 847-491-3600.

 

Do I need to register for MSA congratulatories or other events?

Yes, please register for these events on the MSA Congratulatory web page by May 11th, 2020. More information can be found on their site. 

How will I get my diploma and diploma cover?

We will mail your diploma to your home address after commencement, along with any honor cords you may have earned. To ensure delivery of these items, please log into your CAESAR profile to verify your current address is correct.

How does my convocation work?

After you watch ceremony on Friday June 19 at 11 a.m., there will be convocation elements available online. More information is forthcoming. 

Will I need VPN (a virtual private network) or other technical set-ups to watch the ceremony?

An email with a link to join the virtual ceremony on the Northwestern commencement website will be sent to you. You can choose to share with family and friends to view at any time after the link to the ceremony becomes active. All up to date information will be available on commencement website.

What sub-titled languages will be available?

The ceremony is presented in English with closed-captioning, and there are choices for Mandarin or Spanish subtitles.

Can I still come to campus to take photos in my regalia?

When travel restrictions have been lifted, campus has been re-opened and physical distancing recommendations are followed, pictures on campus can be taken.

Will I graduate with honors or other ceremony recognitions?

Contact:

Will there still be a commencement program?

Physical copies of the program are being mailed to graduates. The PDF version of the program can be found here.

 

Can I still order graduation announcements?

Yes, for graduation announcements, contact:

When do I get/pickup my yearbook or senior portraits?

Yearbook and Senior Portrait Orders – contact Syllabus Yearbook, the official undergraduate yearbook of Northwestern University. 

What about student marshal and banner carrier recognition?

All graduates will be invited to a Class of 2020 specific in-person University-wide ceremony in June 2021. At the ceremony, student banner carriers and marshals will be recognized. Details are still being worked out and more information will be shared.

What is the difference between Commencement and Convocation?

Commencement is the all-Northwestern ceremony where the Class of 2020 is commemorated as a whole. During the ceremony, student, faculty and guest speakers will address graduates and their families. Commencement will take place virtually.

Convocation is an individual school ceremony that awards each graduate. Traditionally, Convocation ceremonies are when students walk across the stage and are individually recognized. Plans for schools’ Convocations will be announced soon.

 

Where will my diploma be mailed?

Your diploma will be mailed to your permanent address, as it is listed in CAESAR. It is important that you update your permanent address in CAESAR as soon as possible in order to ensure correct delivery of your diploma.