NORTHWESTERN COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION 

CEREMONY: Northwestern’s spring commencement ceremony will be conducted on Saturday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m., at Ranger Field in Alva. The field is located just west of the corner of Eighth and Monroe Streets near the southwest corner of campus. 

PARKING: Parking is available at Ranger Field. 

ACCESSIBILITY: Handicapped parking is available on the west side of the stadium. A valid state-issued handicapped parking permit is required. Seating for wheelchair bound guests is available on the south end of the west grandstand.   

RECEPTION: A reception honoring graduates and their families will begin immediately following the ceremony at the tent on the north end of the field. 

PHOTOGRAPHS: Each graduate will be provided with a complimentary photograph of their diploma presentation. Families will be allowed on the field to take photographs, but must stay in the designated photo area on the north end of the stage area and stay clear of official university photographers. 

RAIN LOCATION: In the event weather conditions force an indoor ceremony, Percefull Fieldhouse will become the new venue. Decisions on moving the event to Percefull Fieldhouse will be made by 8 a.m. on Saturday, and announcements will be posted on the Northwestern web site and aired on local radio stations.  

Because of the limited seating capacity of Percefull Fieldhouse, all graduates have been issued a limited number of tickets for family and friends. In the event that the ceremony is held in Percefull Fieldhouse, only those guests with a valid ticket will be allowed inside. A closed-circuit television broadcast of the ceremony may be viewed in Herod Hall Auditorium.

If commencement is moved to Percefull Fieldhouse, the reception following graduation will take place in the Ranger Room in the Student Center.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR COMMENCEMENT IN PERCEFULL FIELDHOUSE: Each guest attending graduation in Percefull Fieldhouse must have a ticket to enter. Graduates were sent six tickets with their letter of instruction last month. No additional tickets are available and tickets cannot be purchased. If any seats remain open in the gym at 10:15, they will be released to the general public.

Open seating is available in Herod Hall Auditorium with the ceremony being broadcast via closed circuit television. Additional handicapped parking for guests will be available in the Vinson Hall parking lot.

Graduates should report to the small gym by 9:45 a.m. for marching instructions. Faculty should follow the instructions sent out by Dr. Steve Lohmann concerning the line of march.

Back to News Page