Northwest celebrating graduates during Dec. 12 commencement ceremonies

Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum addressed graduates and their families during the University's spring commencement last May. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University will celebrate the achievements of its most recent graduating students during two winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 12.

Northwest will host ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Bearcat Arena at the Lamkin Activity Center on the University campus. To accommodate guests who cannot attend, Northwest also offers a live online stream of each ceremony at www.nwmissouri.edu/live.

About 880 students are expected to complete degrees at the University this fall, with about 340 earning bachelor’s degrees and about 540 receiving master’s or education specialist degrees.

More than 600 others completed degrees during the summer and will be recognized during next month’s ceremonies; those graduates include about 480 students receiving master’s or education specialist degrees.

A pair of graduates celebrate after a Northwest commencement ceremony last year. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

“Commencement marks a significant achievement in the lives of our students, and our University community always enjoys welcoming our graduates’ families to celebrate this momentous occasion,” Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said. “These ceremonies signify the culmination of our students’ hard work and a beginning to the meaningful contributions they will make to the communities they serve.”

Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies may pick up caps and gowns in the Student Recreation Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, through Wednesday, Dec. 10, or between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Caps and gowns also will be available at the Student Recreation Center one hour prior to each ceremony.

Additionally, Northwest will host its Grad Fest for all graduating students from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Student Recreation Center.

For more details about commencement ceremonies at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/graduation/.