December and/or March Graduation Ceremonies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

I am wondering if anyone has any information about graduation after fall or winter quarters. The website lists the dates that the degrees are conferred. I assume this means the individual college convocations. Is there any type of university-wide commencement ceremony, or are there other graduation-type activities for undergrads in December and/or March? Thanks!

2

I’m not finding any (easily accessible) info on this topic either; it might be a good idea to call or email the Commencement Office to find out.

Commencement Office
847-491-3600
commencement@northwestern.edu

Post and let us know what you find out!

3

I believe there’s only one ceremony in June every year

4

Thanks! I know there is a full commencement ceremony every June at Ryan Field that typically takes place on a Friday. This includes all graduates. Each college also has a separate convocation, usually on Saturday, which is when the diplomas are actually awarded. In June there is also a Senior Week, various receptions including a President’s Reception and a baccalaureate ceremony. The NU calendar states that degrees will be conferred on December 16, 2016 and March 24, 2017 for the upcoming school year, but I am just wondering if there are any convocation ceremonies at those times or if the graduates are just handed a diploma in some office somewhere before they leave campus. I’ll contact the commencement office. Thanks again.

5

I contacted the Commencement Office, and they responded that midyear graduates “sometimes” walk in the June commencement ceremony. When I asked about convocations or ceremonies in December or March I was told that McCormick recently starting hosting a small ceremony just for grad students, and this is only in December. I then spoke to a student who works for Weinberg who thought there had been December but not March ceremonies/convocations, but she wasn’t sure. When a representative from Weinberg called me back, she left a message stating that anyone who does not participate in the June convocation and commencement ceremonies for any reason, including midyear graduation, can pick up their diploma at the Office of the Registrar. Otherwise it is mailed to the student’s permanent address approximately two months after all requirements are completed. There was no mention of any midyear, undergraduate ceremony in her message.