Dear graduate,
Commencement is coming up fast – we hope to see you in-person to celebrate!
Caps and gowns are still available for purchase but online ordering is closing soon,
Online regalia orders will be available until the end of the day on Wednesday, April 3, from the Herff Jones website.
After April 3, you can only shop in person at the NKU Bookstore in the University Center. Undergraduate and master’s regalia will be available in person at the NKU Bookstore through Sunday, May 5. Visit the Cap & Gown page for the more details on what items are required and additional Cap and Gown information. If you do not see your program on the regalia list please reach out to us at specialevents@nku.edu.
What graduates can expect the day of the ceremony:
- Arrival: graduates should plan to arrive at the arena at 9:15 AM or 2:15 PM, respectively.
- Enter via the Vault entrance of the arena (volunteers and staff will direct you). Family and friends have to enter the main area entrance. They will not be permitted entrance into the Vault.
- Pick up your name card in graduate check in. This card will have your name, college, degree and honors (if applicable) on it. You will keep the card with you until you cross the stage during the ceremony. After check in, you will then be directed to your college’s lineup room, where staff will help you line up in the correct order.
- Name pronunciation – On your reader card, you can write in your name phonetically. The ceremony readers will be present at check in to ask graduates how to pronounce their name.
- Tassels: Bachelor students wear tassels on right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to left. Graduate students wear tassels on the left throughout.
- Graduates will formally process onto the arena floor when the ceremony starts. Ushers and staff will direct you where and when to go during the ceremony, there is no rehearsal for graduates.
- Ushers will direct you to the stage during the part of the ceremony when names are called. Each attending student will have their individual name called as they walk across stage.
- Three photos will be taken of each graduate by GradImages. Proofs will be emailed to you 3-5 days after the ceremony if you’d like to purchase photos.
- All graduates MUST RETURN to their seats after crossing the stage for the duration of the ceremony.
- At the end of the ceremony, graduates will formally recess out of the arena together.
- Important: Please arrive dressed in regalia and do not bring hangers and plastic bags.
Personal items (coats, umbrellas, hangers, plastic bags purses, etc.) cannot be left in the lineup room – either keep them with you on the arena floor or give them to your guests to hold for you (we suggest you don’t bring them in the arena at all).
Commencement Information: Visit www.nku.edu/commencement for the most up-to-date information about the commencement ceremonies, including guest policies, seating, accessibility, parking, FAQ and more. Have a great day!
