Updated: Fall 2020 Graduate Celebrations

Dear Graduates and Families of Spring, Summer and Fall 2020,

Thank you for your patience as we all continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic together. The health and safety of our graduates and your families is the most important consideration as we near the time of the semester for recognizing this milestone accomplishment.

We are pleased to share information about the upcoming Graduate Celebration Events, scheduled for Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12.

Through the Student Government Association Town Hall process and other engagements, the university has heard from students that it is most important to walk across the stage, in cap and gown if you prefer, and take photos with family and supporters present. We will not be able to hold our traditional large-format commencement ceremonies in December, in keeping with our PNW guidelines to protect the health and safety of everyone.

However, we are happy to provide the opportunity take photos on a stage, and to invite graduates’ families to campus for these events. The Graduate Celebration Events are open to all PNW graduates of Spring, Summer and Fall 2020.

We hope that many of you will come to campus on the designated dates in December to safely celebrate with those who have supported you through your educational journey, and to commemorate your accomplishments with keepsake photos. PNW plans to provide one free professional portrait of each graduate participating on these dates, and you will have the opportunity to purchase additional photos and take your own photos.

General information is shared below so that you can start planning. Please watch your email and the PNW website in the coming weeks for more details.

Please also check the PNW website at pnw.edu/commencement starting Dec. 4 for videos, stories and more celebrating the Class of 2020. Congratulations to each and every one of you for powering onward to your degree!

Graduate Celebration Events

• A unique opportunity to walk the stage and take photos with family to celebrate your accomplishments. A few surprises are planned to celebrate YOU!
• Special photo opportunities will be set up around both campuses, indoor and outdoor, to give you additional locations to commemorate your graduation from PNW.

When

• Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dworkin Student Services and Activity Center, Westville Campus
• Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dworkin Student Services and Activity Center, Westville Campus
• Friday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Alumni Hall, Student Union & Library, Hammond Campus
• Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alumni Hall, Student Union & Library, Hammond Campus

Please note: Reserved time slots will be required to participate, to ensure social distancing.

Graduate Celebration Signup (Hammond)

Graduate Celebration Signup (Westville)

Be sure to share your photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #PNWGrad, and tag PurdueNorthwest!

Important Guidelines

• All COVID-19 Protocols MUST be followed. Please share responsibility for keeping everyone safe and healthy.
• Face coverings must be worn while inside campus buildings, and any time individuals are fewer than six feet apart outside. PNW staff will indicate the limited times when face coverings can be removed for photographs.
• Social distancing standards are in effect. Therefore, no group photos of students who are not from the same family will be allowed.
• All spaces will be cleaned and disinfected regularly to help ensure the safety of all visitors and staff.

Yohlunda Mosley, Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

PNW is offering four Graduate Celebration Events, a unique opportunity to take photos with family to celebrate your accomplishments. These events are open to all PNW graduates of Spring, Summer and Fall 2020. You can reserve a time to take photos on a stage that will be set up in the Great Hall (Westville) and Alumni Hall (Hammond).

Graduate Celebration Signup (Hammond)

Graduate Celebration Signup (Westville)

A few surprises are planned to celebrate YOU! Special photo opportunities will be set up around both campuses, indoor and outdoor, to give you additional locations to commemorate your graduation from PNW.

PNW plans to provide one free professional portrait of each graduate participating on these dates, and you will have the opportunity to purchase additional photos and take your own photos.

• Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Great Hall, Dworkin Student Services and Activity Center, Westville Campus
• Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Great Hall, Dworkin Student Services and Activity Center, Westville Campus
• Friday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Alumni Hall, Student Union & Library, Hammond Campus
• Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alumni Hall, SUL, Hammond Campus

Please note: Reserved time slots will be required to participate, to ensure social distancing.

Graduate Celebration Signup (Hammond)

Graduate Celebration Signup (Westville)

The registration process will open on Friday, Nov. 6, at noon CT via a link here and on the commencement website. Registration is open to all graduates of Spring, Summer and Fall 2020.

Graduate Celebration Signup (Hammond)

Graduate Celebration Signup (Westville)

Each graduate is welcome to register to bring up to four guests to one event. This is the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated during the events, to allow for proper social distancing in the indoor space available and to give as many graduates as possible the opportunity to participate in the time available.

Unfortunately, no. The health and safety of our graduates and your families is the most important consideration as we near the time of the semester for recognizing this milestone accomplishment. We will not be able to hold our traditional large-format commencement ceremonies in December, in keeping with our PNW guidelines to protect the health and safety of everyone.

While we know it is disappointing to not have a formal commencement ceremony, we hope that many of you will participate in the on-campus, celebratory photo events. We all have a shared responsibility to protect the health and safety of people on our campuses and in the greater community during the ongoing pandemic.

The university is working hard to provide a way to celebrate your accomplishments given the current conditions. We will follow all health and safety protocols and, should the situation in the surrounding community cause a change in our plans for these events, we would notify everyone as soon as possible.

We do not expect to be able to invite graduates of past semesters to participate in a future commencement ceremony, in consideration of the uncertainty of the resolution of the global pandemic, available space and other important factors.

You are not required to wear a cap and gown for the Graduate Celebration Events; however, if you are interested in doing so, or in obtaining your cap and gown for your personal use, please contact the Bookstore at PNW for more information.

You can visit the bookstore on the Hammond Campus to shop in person (Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.), or shop online. Graduates having their regalia shipped to them should place their order by Nov. 19 to ensure it arrives in time for the Graduate Celebration events.

You are welcome to participate in any of the Graduation Celebration Events. Please just pre-register for the time and location that is most convenient for you and your guests. To ensure social distancing for the protection of everyone’s health and safety, pre-registration will be required.

Each semester, diplomas are prepared after final grades have been verified. Following fall semester, diplomas typically are ready in mid- to late January. The Office of the Registrar will contact graduates to notify you that diplomas can be picked up on campus.

Diplomas for candidates who are unable to pick them up from the Office of the Registrar will be mailed to the graduate’s current mailing address as noted in our student information system. For more information, see the diplomas page.

Yes, please share your photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #PNWGrad, and tag PurdueNorthwest. We want to celebrate with you!

Please contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@pnw.edu.