GRADUATION

Dear Prospective Graduate,

We are almost at the end of the Spring Quarter – less than two weeks away from Graduation Weekend! Please take these important steps to ensure your weekend goes as smoothly as possible: 

    •    Pick Up Your Regalia: If you ordered your regalia for pick-up at the Northwestern Bookstore in the Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, please pick it up. Regalia for all schools is now available for pickup. See the Commencement website for the pickup schedule.

    •    Download and Transfer Your Tickets: To enter Commencement or school convocations, all guests must have an e-ticket displayed on a mobile device. This afternoon (June 2) you will receive an email titled Your NU Graduation Tickets from Northwestern Athletics with your tickets attached. Please check your spam folders if you do not receive this email. Follow the instructions in the email to transfer your tickets to your guests or visit the NU Sports website for detailed instructions. Contact the Athletics Department about problems retrieving your tickets at cat-tix@northwestern.edu.

    •    Plan your Weekend with Your Guests: Get the latest information about Commencement, school convocations, celebrations and events by visiting the Northwestern Graduation website. It includes details about events, travel and more. Keep your guests updated on Commencement and convocation, including where to park and how to get around campus using free shuttle transportation.

    •    Note Key Times: For the all-school Commencement ceremony, graduates must be at Ryan Field on Central Street for Commencement and in your lineup areas at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, June 12. Shuttles start at 7:30 a.m. Plan travel time accordingly -- shuttles take longer on Commencement day due to heavier traffic. A shuttle loop from campus to the stadium can take as long as 45 minutes.

    •   Download the Commencement App: Guidebook, the mobile app for Graduation Weekend, is live. Enable push notifications so you can get up-to-date information about events and ceremonies, as well as start time reminders. See our website for instructions on how to download the app on your Apple or Android device.

    •    Share your Graduation Weekend: Download fun GIF stickers and share on social media with #NU2023.
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu.
 
Good luck with finals and final projects. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!
 
Matt Lengen
Executive Director, Graduation and Senior Year Experiences

(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2022 and have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and (excepting TGS) Summer 2023. It is important to understand that receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)


Previous messages from the Graduation Office can be found on the Student Emails page of the Graduation Website.

Dear Prospective Graduate, 

Just as March Through the Arch was a symbolic start to your Northwestern career, March Back Through the Arch is the bookend. This year we have combined it with a new social event – Senior Send-Off – for a night of food, drinks, and dancing!

What is Senior Send-Off?

Senior Send-Off is a celebratory event exclusively for the Class of 2023 undergraduates. After the check-in on Deering Meadow, President Schill will kick off the march with remarks and your class will process through the arch then directly to the east lawn of Norris, where the party will go on until 10:30 pm.

This event is FREE for Class of 2023 undergraduates. Additional drink tickets and a limited number of guest tickets will be available for pre-purchase.

How do I sign up?

1. Reserve your tickets between April 24 – May 31 through the Norris Box Office – MBTTA/Senior Send-Off
2. Check in at Deering Meadow on Saturday, June 3 from 5:30-6:00 pm to receive your wristband with drink ticket(s)
3. March kicks off with spoken remarks on Deering Meadow, 6:00 pm
4. Walk with your friends in March Back Through the Arch, and enjoy the Senior Send-Off at Norris

When you reserve a ticket to the Senior Send-Off, you will also have the ability to buy a guest ticket; your guest does not have to be a Northwestern senior. There will NOT be a cash bar at the event – all drinks must be purchased in advance, and all participants will be asked to provide proper identification before being served. All purchases are final. No refunds will be given.

• NU Senior (food and one drink ticket) – FREE  
• NU Senior (food and TWO drink tickets) -- $6
• NU Senior (food and THREE drink tickets) -- $12
• Guest of NU Senior (food and one drink ticket) -- $15
• Guest of NU Senior (food and TWO drink tickets) -- $20
• Guest of NU Senior (food and THREE drink tickets) -- $25

We look forward to celebrating with you on June 3!

Thank you,

Matt Lengen

Executive Director, Graduation and Senior Year Experiences

Dear Prospective Graduate,

We hope that you and your guests are getting excited about Graduation Weekend. We wanted to keep a few key things in front of you so you can plan and don’t miss any deadlines.

Regalia – April 21 Order Deadline

• Order by April 21 for free shipping to the bookstore and all PhD regalia.
• Order by May 12 for Bachelor’s and Master’s ship to home (additional shipping fees apply)

Visit the Regalia webpage to order your cap and gown.

Commencement and Convocation Guest Tickets – May 23 Order Deadline

Students must reserve guest tickets by Tuesday, May 23 for Commencement and school convocations. To order tickets to Commencement (taking place at 9 a.m. Monday, June 12 at Ryan Field on Central Street) please see the instructions from February 28 in the archived (this page) Class of 2023 Student Emails. Each school will also host its own celebratory convocation during which students will be individually recognized. Refer to the email you received directly from your school(s) to order school convocation tickets. Please note these other important details about tickets:

• Only Northwestern University students may reserve tickets for the Commencement and convocation ceremonies. 
• Tickets are electronic and are general admission.
• All tickets will be delivered via email on or about June 1, and will include directions for electronically transferring to your guests.
• Students may order up to 10 tickets for each event and are welcome to share any extras.
• If you are unsure about which events you should attend, please contact the Graduation Office.
• If you have trouble logging in to order tickets, please contact the Athletics Department at cat-tix@northwestern.edu, 847-491-2287 or 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).

Accessibility needs

• If any of your guests are using wheelchairs or have limited mobility you will need to indicate that during the ticketing process. These seats will count toward your ticket allotment for Commencement and convocations. Please have conversations with your guests before ordering so you will know if you need any wheelchair seats or mobility access (no stairs, limited walking) seats.
• If your guests have other accessibility needs besides seating, please visit the Guests with Accessibility Needs webpage for additional information about accommodations.

Senior Celebration Events

Be sure to take part in some of these exciting events to celebrate your senior year and upcoming graduation

• March Back Through the Arch – Just as March Through the Arch was a symbolic start to your Northwestern career, March Back Through the Arch is the bookend. March the reverse of the original path, beginning at Deering Meadow at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3. This event will culminate in an exciting Senior Send-Off Celebration on the Norris East Lawn. This event is for students only. Information about tickets will be sent directly to your Northwestern email.
• Photos at the Arch – Get your picture at one of the most iconic campus landmarks. Our Graduation photographer, Dynamic Photo Systems, will be at the Weber Arch on Friday, June 9, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. to start off your graduation weekend.
• Baccalaureate – Attend this interfaith service at 5 p.m. June 9 in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This ceremony incorporates the many traditions of the University through diverse readings of scripture, inspiring student reflections and musical interludes.
• President’s Reception – You and your guests are invited join President Schill on the east lawn of Norris Student Center at 5 p.m. June 10 for a celebration honoring all of this year’s graduates.
• Multicultural Student Affairs Senior Congratulatory Events – A number of additional cultural and identity-based celebrations will take place in the coming weeks, including the Native American and Indigenous Community Celebration (May 21), Lavender Graduation (June 7), Latinx Congratulatory (June 8), APIDA Senior Send-Off (June 9) and The JOY: NU’s Black Congratulatory (June 9). Registration is required for these events by April 27.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduation Office. Once again, congratulations on your pending achievement. We look forward to celebrating with you and your guests in June!

 

Thank you,

 

Matt Lengen

Executive Director, Graduation and Senior Year Experiences

 

(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2022 and have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and (excepting TGS) Summer 2023. It is important to understand that receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)

Hello 2022-23 Graduates,

We invite you to stop by the Wildcat Room in Norris TOMORROW, Thursday, March 2, anytime between 10 am and 5 pm for Grad Fair. The following offices and services will be on hand to answer your questions:

Tickets – experts will answer questions and help you through the ordering process (see your Northwestern email for more information on ordering tickets)

Regalia – experts will answer sizing questions and help you order 

Balfour – see graduation announcements and class rings 

MSA – get more information about the identity-based celebrations in June 

Class Gift – donate to the 2023 Class Gift and learn more about events for your class 

Alumni Association – find out more about what they can do for you post-graduation 

Dynamic Photo – register for your photo viewing account from our graduation photographer. Also providing complimentary candids at Grad Fair.

Diploma Frame drawing – bring your Wildcard to enter a drawing for a free diploma frame, compliments of the Northwestern Barnes & Noble Bookstore

Light refreshments will be served.

Can’t make it to Grad Fair on March 2? Check out the Grad Fair page on the Graduation Website after the event. We will update it with links and information from the organizations that were there.

The Graduation website is regularly updated, but if you have specific questions, please contact the Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847-491-3600. 



Thank you,

Matt Lengen

Executive Director, Graduation and Senior Year Experiences



(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2022 and have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and (excepting TGS) Summer 2023. It is important to understand that receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)

Hello 2022-23 Graduates,

It’s time to order your regalia and tickets for Graduation Weekend! Donning your purple gown and inviting guests is an excellent way to mark your achievements, and we look forward to celebrating with you in June. 

Graduation Attire  

Ordering for graduation attire, also called regalia, opens today, Tuesday, February 28. Visit the regalia page of the Graduation website to find the link, along with guidelines and further details. There are several key dates for regalia ordering:

• April 21 – Ordering deadline for Bachelor’s and Master’s shipping to Evanston bookstore and ALL PhD regalia
• May 12 – Ordering deadline for Bachelor’s and Master’s ship to home (additional shipping fees apply)
• May 24 – Regalia pick-up begins for orders shipped to Evanston bookstore

Undergraduate Students with Financial Need

The office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, in partnership with Student Enrichment Services, covers the cost of the Bachelor’s Degree regalia package for graduating undergraduate students receiving a certain level of financial aid. Students who qualify will receive a separate email from Undergraduate Financial Aid with additional information.

Graduate Students with Financial Need

For graduate students with financial need for rental regalia, please e-mail the Graduation Office for information on the application process. If approved, we will order your regalia for you. We are not able to offer reimbursements for regalia already ordered, so please complete the application process first. All applications must be finalized by Wednesday, April 19.

Commencement Tickets

You may reserve guest tickets for 2023 Commencement beginning today on the Graduation tickets website. Log-in with the following promotion code:

COMM23+ StudentID 
(Example: if your seven-digit student ID/Emplid = 1234567; then promotion code = COMM23+1234567)

• Be sure to finish the entire ordering process. Don’t forget to click the Place Your Order button on the Enter Payment Information screen (tickets are free so you will see a $0 balance).
• You may order up to 10 tickets for Commencement. All seats are general admission. If you order fewer than 10 but later want to order more (not to exceed 10) please see the additional ordering instructions on the Tickets page of the Commencement website.
• Place ticket reservations by May 23. Tickets will be sent to you at the beginning of June.
• For log-in issues please contact the Athletics Department at cat-tix@northwestern.edu or 847-491-2287 or 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).

Convocation tickets

Instructions for ordering convocation tickets will come from your school if you are an undergraduate. Master’s and PhD students will receive information from their school or program, depending on who hosts their ceremony.

Accessibility needs

• If any of your guests are using wheelchairs or have limited mobility you will need to indicate that during the ticketing process. These seats will count toward your ticket allotment for Commencement and convocations. Please have conversations with your guests before ordering so you will know if you need any wheelchair seats or mobility access (no stairs, limited walking) seats.
• If your guests have other accessibility needs besides seating, please visit the Guests with Accessibility Needs webpage for additional information about accommodations.

Grad Fair

We invite you to stop by the Grad Fair on Thursday, March 2 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Norris Wildcat Room. Representatives will be on hand to answer your questions on tickets and regalia and help you through the ordering process. There will also be representatives from the Alumni Association, Class Gift, Balfour (announcements and class rings), and others to help answer your questions about graduation weekend.

The Graduation website is regularly updated, but if you have specific questions, please contact the Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847.491.3600. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments during this year’s Graduation Weekend.

Thank you,

Matt Lengen

Executive Director, Graduation and Senior Year Experiences

(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2022 and have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and (excepting TGS) Summer 2023. It is important to understand that receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)

Dear 2023 Degree Candidates:

I am pleased to announce that Northwestern University will hold its One Hundred and Sixty-Fifth Annual Commencement at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023 at Ryan Field. We look forward to welcoming you and your family members and friends to celebrate your achievements.

As you plan for the 2023 Graduation Weekend, I want to make you aware of a few things:

• You will be invited to two ceremonies: your school’s convocation (where you will be individually recognized and hear your name read), and the University-wide Commencement ceremony. If you are in a graduate program that does not participate in a school convocation, your program will communicate alternate arrangements.
• Each participating degree candidate can receive up to 10 guest tickets for the University-wide Commencement ceremony held at Ryan Field. Ticket ordering instructions will be sent to your Northwestern email on February 27, 2023. That same message will also contain information about ordering your regalia.
• Individual school convocations, where graduates are recognized by name, will be held at various times between Saturday, June 10, and Monday, June 12. A complete list of convocations can be found on the Graduation website. You may also order up to 10 tickets for this ceremony. Convocation information will be sent to you by your school, and additional questions concerning convocations should be directed to individual school offices.
• SAVE THE DATE: Grad Fair is Thursday, March 2. Although not required, this is a great opportunity for students to get things done early! Drop in to the Wildcat Room in Norris any time between 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to order your tickets and regalia, try on class rings, and get your graduation questions answered. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a Northwestern Diploma Frame, and light refreshments will be served!

The Graduation website offers more details and helpful information. If you have specific questions regarding Graduation Weekend 2023, please contact the Northwestern Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847-491-3600. 

I look forward to seeing you during Graduation Weekend!

Sincerely,

Matt Lengen
Executive Director, Office of Graduation and Senior Year Experiences
 
(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2022 and have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and (excepting TGS) Summer 2023. It is important to understand that receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)