Northern’s 2025 Commencement & Graduation Ceremonies

For Northern Faculty, Staff, Students, Regents, and Guests

You are invited to attend the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of Northern students who have completed their degree requirements and are graduating.

• High School Equivalence & Adult Education graduation: Wednesday, May 14 at 5pm Eagle Gym
• Nurse Pinning Ceremony, Friday, May 16 at 2pm, Center for the Arts
• Main Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, May 17 at 10am, Eagle Gym

We hope that you will join us to celebrate and congratulate our graduates!

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Time and Location Northern’s main Commencement ceremony begins at 10am in the Eagle Gym.
• Photographs LifeTouch Photography will take your picture when you cross and exit the platform. Soon after commencement, the company will make photos available to the college and you, using your nnmc email account. If you have questions, please contact the  Registrar’s Office at (505)747-2110 or registrar@nnmc.edu.
• Children Children are welcome to attend this wonderful celebration. However, keep in mind the ceremony may last a couple of hours and children may become restless.
• Disability Accommodations We want to make sure that everyone who wishes to participate is able to do so. If you or a member of your family is in need of auxiliary aids or services in order to participate in Commencement, please contact Brenda Janot, brenda.janot@nnmc.edu, (505) 747-2152.
• Some special supports such as ASL interpreters take time to arrange, so please make sure to notify the Accessibility Resource Center as soon as possible if you or a member of your family will need special support.

INFORMATION FOR FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS

• Faculty will arrive by 9:30 am with appropriate regalia.
• Processional Line Order Faculty will line up by College and Department. Faculty marshals will lead the processional  line from staging areas to the seating area.
• Commencement Opening The Provost will announce the opening of the ceremony. Remain standing until the  conclusion of the national anthem. (Please remove your caps during the anthem.)
• Commencement Programs Commencement programs will be distributed to graduates at their seats and guests as they walk into the gym.
• Recessional Line When the ceremony is finished, the platform party will exit the stage first, followed by faculty and then the graduating class. Commencement marshals will guide students outside. Family and guests can meet their graduates in front parking lot.  

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

• Important: Leave your valuables (purses, backpacks, etc.) with your family or friends. There is no place to store them  securely.
• Commencement Rehearsal Commencement rehearsal will begin promptly on Thursday, May 15. It is important that  all graduates attend so that you know what is expected at Commencement.
• Arrival Time and Location Graduating students will begin checking-in at 9:00am. Signs will direct you to the student check-in area. Please do not be late; the ceremony begins at exactly 10:00am.
• Parking Student parking will be located in the Library Area.
• Processional and Seating Department assistants will line graduates up by department, and degree, from certificate to bachelor’s degree. Commencement marshals will escort graduating students to the seating area. Everyone will remain standing through the National Anthem. (Male graduates remove their caps at the beginning of the anthem and replace them after the anthem.)
• Caps and Gowns Wear or bring your regalia to the commencement. Remember, the caps, gowns, and tassels are yours to keep after the Commencement Exercises. Unless you have a loaner, you will return your cap/gown on the day specified. Wear your cap straight so that it covers your forehead and place  your tassel on the left, front corner of your cap. The Arts and Human Sciences Department has some caps and gowns that students may borrow for the ceremony. Students will need to purchase their tassel through http://nnmc.shopoakhall.com or contact Arts and Human Sciences Admin.
• Name Cards You will receive your name card when you check in. Make certain that you keep it with you. If you are receiving academic honors, you will receive your honor cord at the time you check in.
• Presentation of Candidates The Provost will ask the candidates to rise according to their College. Marshals will direct    students to the platform row by row. You will give your name card to the individual reading your name when you approach the stage. Your name, degree, and honors will be announced as you walk across the stage. *Please do not keep your reader card, it will stay at the podium.
• When you receive your diploma cover, pause to allow the professional photographer to take your picture, exit the  stage, give your photo card to the Registrar, get your picture taken again, then quickly return to your seat and remain standing until signaled to sit by the ceremony marshals.
• After all graduates have walked across the stage, the President of the College will ask you to move your tassel from the left side of your cap to the right side.
• Recessional Graduates will stand when the recessional music begins. The platform party will lead the recessional,  followed by the faculty, and then the graduates. Commencement Marshals will direct your exit, starting with the first  row of students.
• Receiving Line Northern does not include a receiving line in the scheduled ceremony.
• *Family, guests, and friends will meet you outside in the main parking lot. Students will be walking out to avoid disruption in the main lobby. Pictures can be taken inside after students have been walked out to the main parking lot. 

INFORMATION FOR GUESTS

• Parking Parking lots are located throughout the campus and will accommodate guest parking.
• Arrival Time Guests may begin arriving at 9am. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10am.
• Seating Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; no tickets are required. Please follow commencement marshals’ directions to guest seating areas. Once you have been seated, please remain in your seats, so that the ceremony can proceed without interruptions. No guests, family, or friends will be allowed to walk in front of the recessional, processional or graduates once the ceremony has begun. Security and commencement marshals will stop you and direct you.
• Recessional Please remain standing and allow the faculty and students to exit the stage area first. Commencement  marshals will direct your exit. Go directly to the main parking lot. Students will join their guests as they are lead to the area.
• Photographs Professional photographers will take pictures of students as they cross and exit the platform. Guests will have many chances to take photographs before and after the ceremony. For the safety of the graduates and to allow all guests to see the ceremony, please follow the commencement marshals direction for taking photographs. We ask that no one block aisles or stay for an extended time near the front of the stage.
• Electronic Devices Please silence your phones, pagers, pads, and other electronic devices.

SAFETY & SECURITY

We will be fully staffed and monitoring all of the ceremonies.
We ask that no backpacks or large bags be brought into the Gym or Center for the Arts.
All bags will be subject to search at the entrance to all ceremony events. This screening is taking place as a security measure for everyone’s protection.

For more information about the Commencement events, please contact the Registrar’s office at registrar@nnmc.edu, (505)747-2115 or (505)747-2138.