Northwest is committed to the health and safety of its graduates and guests. As part of its mitigation strategy to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Northwest is altering its previously announced plans for its Aug. 8 commencement ceremonies. Please carefully read all of the information provided below and forward to your family and friends who will be in attendance for this special celebration.
One large ceremony will take place in Bearcat Stadium.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be canceled.
The time and location of the commencement ceremony has been changed to implement COVID-19 mitigation and safety measures. Moving the time of the ceremony to 6 p.m. provides a more comfortable environment for our graduates and guests with reduced heat and sun exposure.
Tickets are NOT required for the ceremony, however, we respectfully request that all individuals wear a face covering while attending the commencement ceremony. Wearing a face covering not only protects you; it protects your loved ones and individuals around you.
If you are no longer able to attend commencement, please contact Jordyn Greenhaw at jordyng@nwmissouri.edu.
Graduates have three options to pick up their cap and gown.
Caps and gowns cannot be mailed.
You may have someone pick up your cap and gown for you, but they need to have your 919#.
Please iron gowns on the wrong side (inside out), or hang in the shower to reduce wrinkling. Ironing boards will be available at cap and gown pickup.
Graduates who are eligible for honor cords will receive them with their cap and gown order.
Honors are based on both a graduate’s current Northwest and cumulative grade-point averages. Honors for transcripts and diplomas are adjusted after final grades have been calculated. Honors are not awarded to master’s degree candidates.
Graduates who believe they should have received honor cords and did not should contact the Registrar’s Office at 660.562.1151.
The cap is yours to keep, and you are welcome to decorate your keepsake cap and show your Bearcat pride, creativity and style.
Make sure that you look inside the cap to determine which side is the front and decorate accordingly.
Rules for decorations:
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the platform party and faculty will pass your seat. At that time you are free to move as you wish. The gates will open and your family and friends may come on the football field for photos. Wear your face covering if you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others. You must return your gown to Bearcat Arena within 45 minutes of the conclusion of the ceremony.
Personal belongings placed on chairs or bleachers are your responsibility and Northwest is not liable if they go missing.
You should find a colored card in your cap and gown bag that has your full name printed on it. You must bring this to the ceremony with you. This will be scanned for your entry to the Student Recreation Center and the reader will use it as you cross the stage to announce your name. If you prefer to leave part of your name out (for example, your middle name), cross it out on the card. If any part of your name needs to be changed on your card (for example, incorrect spelling, married name, etc.), be sure to mention the change when you visit the check-in table.
Please also write your email and mailing address on this card for our photographers. They will use your email and mailing address to send your proof pictures.
This information will be projected on the screen as you cross the stage:
If you have a name that is difficult to pronounce, write the phonetic spelling on the card. An assistant on the stage may ask you how to pronounce your name. We want to make every effort to get it right.
Your gown must be returned to the Student Recreation Center within 45 minutes of the conclusion of the ceremony.
After that time, the doors will be locked and you will have to mail your gown back to the University at your own expense.
Mail your gown to:
Kaley Coulter
Cashiering
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
All parking lots on campus will be open and available to guests. The circle drive west of Bearcat Stadium, Scott Bostwick Drive, near the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts will be designated for ADA drop-off only. Please review a map with all campus parking lots.
Disabled resources are available, and we want to make sure our graduates and guests are safe and comfortable on this special occasion. Please review our accommodations at www.nwmissouri.edu/graduation/accessibility.htm or the information below.
Elderly or mobility impaired guests may be unloaded at the circle drive west of Bearcat Stadium. A lot designated for disabled parking is located northwest of Bearcat Stadium; vehicles must have a state disabled parking permit.
The west and southeast entrances will be used for guests to enter. Guests may use stairwells on either the west or east grandstands to access the seating areas.
For guests who need elevator services, please enter through the west entrance of Bearcat Stadium.
With so many guests attending, you should consider choosing a location for your family to meet after the ceremony. Your family members will not be allowed access to the Student Recreation Center after the ceremony when you return your gown. Weather permitting, you may want to meet your family for pictures by Colden Pond, the Hughes Fieldhouse, the Kissing Bridge, the Peace Pavilion or another area.
Northwest will provide a live webcast of the commencement ceremony for guests who cannot attend. If you or your guests are feeling ill or are uncomfortable with attending the ceremony, please access the live webcast to view the ceremony.
To view the webcast, go to www.nwmissouri.edu/live. The footage from our audio/visual production company will be uploaded to the Northwest YouTube channel within a few weeks of the ceremony. Watch past ceremonies at: www.youtube.com/NorthwestVideo/.
For the safety of graduates exiting the stage, guests may not take photos in aisles or on the football field.
Graduates will have three photos taken by professional photographers from Grad Images; one as you approach the stage, a second as you cross the stage, and a third directly off the stage while holding your diploma cover in front of a Northwest backdrop. Proofs will be emailed or mailed directly to you within one week, and you may order photos at your convenience.
Spring graduates should have been mailed their diploma within 6-8 weeks after the May 8 conclusion of the spring semester. Summer graduates will be mailed their diploma within 6-8 weeks after Aug. 14 end of the summer term. Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the application for degree that you submitted to the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Office. Any change in address should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
As you walk across the stage, you will receive an empty diploma cover, which is yours to keep and preserve your diploma.
If you have questions pertaining to commencement, reply to this email. You also may find Northwest commencement information online.
Thank you, and congratulations!
Jordyn Greenhaw
University Event Coordinator
