Northwest to celebrate spring graduates April 26-27

March 28, 2024

Northwest to celebrate spring graduates April 26-27

Northwest Missouri State University will celebrate the achievements of its latest class of graduating students during spring commencement ceremonies in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest will host four ceremonies at 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, April 26, and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27. The ceremonies will honor University students completing degrees during the spring semester as well as students completing degrees during the institution's summer session.

"Northwest's commencement ceremonies are a momentous time for our graduates, and we look forward to the opportunity at the end of each semester to celebrate their accomplishments at the University, along with the support of their loved ones," Dr. Jamie Hooyman, Northwest's provost and chief academic officer, said. "Commencement symbolizes the culmination of our students' hard work, perseverance and growth - as well as a celebration of the possibilities ahead of them as they leave Northwest."

More than 1,300 students are expected to complete degrees at the University this spring and summer, with about 720 earning bachelor's degrees, more than 530 receiving master's degrees and at least 100 earning education specialist degrees.

Students must apply for graduation through CatPAWS, by clicking the Student tab under Student Records. Once approved for degree completion by the Office of the Registrar or the Graduate Office, students begin receiving information, via email, with information regarding their participation in a commencement ceremony.

Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies may pick up caps and gowns between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, April 22, through Thursday, April 25, in the Student Recreation Center or at Northwest-Kansas City by emailing a request to [email protected] by Monday, April 15.

Caps and gowns also are available at the Student Recreation Center one hour before each ceremony.

Due to the high number of graduates participating in commencement ceremonies this spring, Northwest is requiring tickets for all attendees. Each participating graduate will have the option to reserve up to seven tickets, beginning Monday, April 8.

To accommodate guests who cannot attend, Northwest is offering a live online stream of each ceremony at www.nwmissouri.edu/live. Northwest encourages graduates, families and friends to interact with Northwest social media before, during and after the commencement ceremonies by using the hashtag #NWGrad.

For more details about commencement ceremonies at Northwest, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/graduation/.