GRADUATION

April 8, 2024

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 so you don’t miss any deadlines.

Regalia – Last chance to order for pick-up at Grad Fair

Order your regalia by Friday, April 12 for pick-up at Grad Fair. We are expecting about 1000 graduates to stop by this year and meet representatives from the Alumni Association, Senior Class Gift, the Graduation Office (ticket questions), and register for the Campus Inclusion and Community events. Our graduation photographer will also be on-hand to do a free photo of you in your regalia, or you can wear something nice and get a free professional head shot. Depending on when you stop by, you may even get a photo with Willie! Drop-in Wednesday, April 17 from 2 pm – 6:30 pm, and/orThursday, April 18 from 10 am – 2 pm, Norris Bookstore, Evanston campus.

 If you can’t order for Grad Fair, don’t forget these other regalia deadlines:

Order your tickets, if you haven’t already

Ticket ordering is still available if you have not yet ordered. Waitlist requests can also be made through the system if you need more tickets, but please do not reserve additional tickets unless you know that you need them. Requests will be filled through May 23 based on availability and waitlist tickets are not guaranteed. Please access the ticketing portal through the Northwestern Graduation Weekend Tickets page. 

The wait list is open for Commencement and for the school convocations. If you have confirmed guests beyond the number of tickets that you currently hold, you may request additional tickets via the waitlist. 

If any of your guests’ plans have changed and they can no longer attend, please email the Graduation Office with the name of the ceremony and the number of tickets that you would like to return. The office will be able to share them with someone else.

President’s Reception and Fireworks

All graduates and their guests are welcome for a picnic-style dinner at the President’s Reception on Sunday, June 9. This event is free and does not require tickets or advance reservations. The reception tent will be near the north entrance to the lakefill and will begin at 7:00 pm with a fireworks show over the lake anticipated to start about 8:45 pm.

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 2023 or Winter 2024, or have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Spring 2024, or non-TGS Summer 2024. Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)  

March 26, 2023

 

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 so you don’t miss any deadlines.

Commencement Tickets – Round 2 opens Tuesday, March 26

Round 2 ordering begins today. If you know that you have additional guests who will attend you may order up to 2 additional tickets for Commencement (taking place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 at the United Center). Please do not reserve additional tickets unless you know that you need them. Please access the ticketing portal through the Northwestern Graduation Weekend Tickets page.

The wait list opens today for Commencement and for the school convocations. If you have confirmed guests beyond the number of tickets that you currently hold, you may request additional tickets via the waitlist. Requests will be filled through May 23 based on availability and waitlist tickets are not guaranteed. 

If any of your guests’ plans have changed and they can no longer attend, please email the Graduation Office with the name of the ceremony and the number of tickets that you would like to return. The office will be able to share them with someone else. 

Regalia – Last chance to order for Grad Fair

Order your Bachelor’s or Master’s regalia by Friday, April 12 for pick-up at Grad Fair on April 17-18. Get your regalia early for photos, or just to cross it off your “to do” list. If you can’t order for Grad Fair, don’t forget these other regalia deadlines:

• Order by April 26 all PhD regalia

• Order by May 10 for Bachelor’s and Master’s ship to home (additional shipping fees apply) or pick-up at bookstore 

Visit the Regalia webpage to order.

Grad Fair

Mark your calendars for our Grad Fair on April 17-18 at the bookstore in Evanston Norris Student Center. Besides picking up your pre-ordered regalia, drop in any time during the two days to see representatives from the Alumni Association, Class Gift, the Graduation Office (ticket questions), and register for the Campus Inclusion and Community events. Our graduation photographer will also be on-hand to do a free photo of you in your regalia, or wear something nice and get a free professional head shot. We hope to see you there! Wednesday, April 17 from 2 pm – 6:30 pm, and Thursday, April 18 from 10 am – 2 pm, Norris Bookstore, Evanston campus 

Senior Celebration Events

As you’re planning your activities for Graduation Weekend, be sure to join us for these special celebrations:

• Baccalaureate – Join this interfaith service from 4 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, 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. 
• March Back Through the Arch – March Back Through the Arch, beginning at Deering Meadow at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Invite your family and friends to watch this symbolic bookend to your Northwestern experience. This event directly precedes the President’s reception. March Back Through the Arch is an undergraduate student event.
• President’s Reception – You and your guests are invited join President Schill any time between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 for a celebration honoring all of this year’s graduates. Enjoy a picnic dinner on the lakefill with a special fireworks show honoring the Class of 2024, beginning at 8:45 pm.
• Campus Inclusion and Community 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 19), AIPDA Senior Send-Off (May 31), Lavender Graduation (June 5), Latinx Congratulatory (June 7), and The JOY: NU’s Black Congratulatory (June 7). Registration is required for these events by April 21.

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 2023 or Winter 2024, or have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Spring 2024, or non-TGS Summer 2024. Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)   

Dear Class of 2024:
 

We’re thrilled to announce the speaker for Northwestern’s 166th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 9 at the United Center.

Better yet, we decided to let this 1995 graduate of Northwestern, a Screen Actors Guild and Emmy nominee who will star in her own Marvel/Disney+ limited series later this year and has been seen in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and "WandaVision,” speak for herself:
 

If you’re having trouble viewing this video, please click here to view it directly on YouTube.
 

The Graduation Weekend website is your primary source of information for schedules, tickets, family and guest content, accessibility information and frequently asked questions about the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
 

We look forward to celebrating with you!
 

Sincerely,
 

The Graduation & Senior Year Experiences Team
(Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)

 

 

February 26, 2024

Hello 2023-24 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. 

Regalia

Regalia ordering opens today, Monday, February 26. Visit the regalia page on the Graduation website to find ordering instructions, along with guidelines and further details.

Bachelor’s and Master’s candidates have three ordering options:

• Order between 2/26/24 and 4/12/24 for pick-up at Grad Fair, April 17-18
• Order between 2/26/24 and 5/10/24 for ship to a residence ($15.95 shipping fee applies)
• Order between 4/13/24 and 5/10/24 for Bookstore pick-up after Grad Fair (rolling basis)

Doctoral candidates have two ordering options:

• Order RENTAL regalia between 2/26/24 and 4/26/24 for Bookstore pick-up on or after 5/28/24
• Purchase FINE QUALITY regalia between 2/26/24 and 3/22/24 to ship to a residence

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, the Office of Graduation & Senior Year Experiences may provide financial assistance toward your regalia rental/purchase. Please email the Graduation Office for information.

Tickets for the all-University Commencement ceremony

You may reserve guest tickets for the 2024 Commencement ceremony at the United Center beginning today on the NU Graduation Tickets website.

• Log in with your NetID and password.
• Please only request the number of tickets you need. You can donate back remaining tickets during the checkout process or share with friends who need additional tickets.
• You DO NOT need to reserve a ticket for yourself – only your guests.
• Children 3 years of age and under who will sit in a caregiver’s lap do not need a ticket.

Commencement tickets are distributed in 3 rounds:

• Round 1: Request up to 4 tickets (Feb 26 – March 25)
• Round 2: Request up to 2 additional tickets (March 26 – April 29) and waitlist turns on for additional requests
• Round 3: Graduation Office is fulfilling waitlist requests only (April 30 – June 6)
  • Waitlist ticket requests are not guaranteed and are subject to ticket availability

Tickets for your school convocation

You will be able to order convocation tickets at the same time as you order Commencement tickets. Please see the NU Graduation Tickets website for more specific ticket information about each convocation ceremony. If you have questions about the ordering process or the ticketing system, please contact the Graduation Office.

Accessibility Accommodations

• All tickets to all ceremonies are general admission. When ordering tickets, the system will prompt you to enter how many guests in your party require accessible seating for a guest who uses a wheelchair. Please note: every wheelchair space has one companion seat included. Because these spaces are limited and in high demand, we are not able to seat entire parties.  
• If your guests have other accessibility needs besides wheelchair seating, please visit the Guests with Accessibility Needs webpage for additional information.

Grad Fair

We invite you to stop by the Grad Fair on April 17 from 2:00pm-6:30pm and/or April 18 from 10:00am-2:00pm in the Northwestern Bookstore in the Norris University Center. Order your regalia for pick-up at the event! Grad Fair will include representatives from the Alumni Association, Class Gift, Campus Inclusion & Community, Multicultural Student Affairs, and others to help answer your questions about graduation celebrations.

The Graduation website is a great resource for information. If you have more specific questions please contact the Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu. 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 2023 or have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2024, Spring 2024, or non-TGS Summer 2024. Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)  

Dear 2024 degree candidates,

We look forward to celebrating your achievements with family and friends at Northwestern’s 2024 Graduation Weekend! In the interest of providing the best service for our graduates and their guests, please review the following information about our ticketing process, new for this spring’s ceremonies.

The Graduation Weekend ticketing portal will open Monday, February 26. At that time, all eligible graduates will receive a message to their Northwestern email with detailed instructions about how to log into the system and how to order tickets for their school convocation and the all-Northwestern Commencement ceremony. Please note: Only students are able to order tickets and will be responsible for transferring them to their guests. Self-ordering will end on April 29 and only waitlist requests will be filled after that.

Weinberg College convocation will take place Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. CT in Welsh-Ryan Arena on Northwestern’s Evanston campus, and the 166th annual Commencement ceremony will be held Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT at the United Center in Chicago. While we anticipate ample capacity based on historical attendance numbers, graduates should order only the number of tickets they need.

Graduates may order up to a total of six tickets for the all-university Commencement ceremony at the United Center. Those participating in Weinberg College convocation may order up to a total of six tickets for their convocation ceremony at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Please note: Students in other schools may have a different ticketing process, due to class size and venue capacity.

Please have your guests’ email addresses and/or phone numbers at hand when you place your order so you can send them their tickets. If at any time your guests’ plans change and you are not going to use a ticket, you may share it with a friend or return it to the waitlist pool through the ticketing system. Selling Commencement or convocation tickets is strictly prohibited.

Weinberg College convocation and Commencement will both use the same ticketing platform and process. Ticketing for Weinberg College convocation and Commencement will be held in two rounds this year. Round 1 will begin February 26, and graduates may reserve up to four tickets for each ceremony. Round 2 will open March 26, and graduates who need more than four tickets will be able to reserve up to two additional tickets for each ceremony. During Round 2, graduates may also join the waitlist if they have more than six guests and would like to request additional tickets to either ceremony, subject to availability. If students order only the number of tickets they plan to use, more waitlist tickets will be available to those who have larger parties.

All ticket ordering will end April 29, but graduates will continue to have access to the system to distribute their claimed tickets to guests or request additional tickets through the waitlist. Beginning April 29, any unreserved tickets will be added to the waitlist pool for distribution. 

Weinberg College and Commencement Ticketing Process

ticket allocation

Round	Date	# Tickets
1	Feb 26	Up to 4 for each ceremony
2	March 26	Up to 2 additional for each ceremony
3	April 29	Waitlist requests only

If you have questions about the ticketing process, please contact the Office of Graduation and Senior Year Experiences. 

(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2023 or have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and non-TGS Summer 2024. Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)

Dear 2024 degree candidates,

We look forward to celebrating your achievements with family and friends at Northwestern’s 2024 Graduation Weekend! In the interest of providing the best service for our graduates and their guests, please review the following information about our ticketing process, new for this spring’s ceremonies.

The Graduation Weekend ticketing portal will open Monday, February 26. At that time, all eligible graduates will receive a message to their Northwestern email with detailed instructions about how to log into the system and how to order tickets for their school convocation and the all-Northwestern Commencement ceremony. Please note: Only students are able to order tickets and will be responsible for transferring them to their guests. Self-ordering will end on April 29, and only waitlist requests will begin to be filled after that.

Graduates may order up to a total of six tickets for the all-university Commencement ceremony at the United Center. Those participating in the following school convocations may order up to 10 tickets for their convocation ceremony: Bienen, School of Communication (undergraduates only), McCormick, The Family Institute, The Graduate School, Medill, SESP, and the School of Professional Studies. Please note: Students in other schools may have a different ticketing process due to class size and venue capacity.

Please identify your guests and collect their email addresses and/or phone numbers before February 26 so you can distribute the tickets to them when you order. If at any time your guests’ plans change and you are not going to use a ticket, you may share it with a friend or return it to the waitlist pool through the ticketing system. Selling Commencement or convocation tickets is strictly prohibited.

Commencement Tickets

The 166th annual Commencement ceremony will take place Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT at the United Center in Chicago. While there is ample capacity for an audience that could exceed our historical attendance numbers, we encourage graduates to order only the number of tickets that they need, so tickets are available for the guests of other graduates.

Commencement ticketing will be held in two rounds this year. Round 1 will begin February 26, and graduates may order up to four tickets. Round 2 will open March 26, and graduates who need more than four tickets will be able to order up to two additional tickets. During Round 2, graduates may also join the waitlist if they have more than six guests and would like to request additional tickets, subject to availability. If students order only the number of tickets they plan to use, more waitlist tickets will be available to those who have larger parties.

All ticket ordering will end April 29, but graduates will continue to have access to the system to distribute their claimed tickets to guests or request additional tickets through the waitlist. Beginning April 29, any unreserved tickets will be added to the waitlist pool for distribution.

Commencement Ticketing Process

ticket allocation

Round	Date	# Tickets
1	Feb 26	Up to 4
2	March 26	Up to 2
3	April 29	Waitlist requests only

 If you have questions about the ticketing process, please contact the Office of Graduation and Senior Year Experiences. 

(This letter is being sent to students who earned degrees in Fall 2023 or have been reported to the Office of the Registrar as potential candidates for degrees in Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and non-TGS Summer 2024. Receipt of this letter does not imply confirmation of your eligibility to graduate.)