Graduation

Know Before You Go

The big day is almost here! We want to make sure your celebration goes as smoothly as possible, so please review and share the following information with your guests.

Weinberg College Graduation Reception

Friday, June 12, 2026 | 5-7 p.m.
Cohen Lawn Tent at Norris Center

Dean Adrian Randolph invites you and your family to join your '26 classmates for refreshments, music, and photo ops.

Weinberg College Convocation

Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 3 p.m.
Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL 60208
Doors open for graduates and their guests at 1:30 p.m.

Graduate Check-In

Location: Trienens Hall at Welsh-Ryan Arena
Time: 1:30pm to 2:45pm
Check-in overview:

• Travel light - all students and guests are limited to a small purse or personal bag no larger than 10x6x2 inches
• All graduates will enter through metal detectors and bags will be checked
• To make entry quicker, please leave backpacks, cameras, and other personal effects at home
• There are no lockers or storage facilities available
• Keep regalia unzipped at entry
• Receive your printed name card
• Process immediately in to Welsh-Ryan to be seated
• Groups must enter together - saving seats is not permitted

Check Your Tickets and Transfer Tickets to Your Guests

Log into your Graduation Ticketing account to transfer tickets to your guests in advance of the ceremony. For transfer instructions, please see the Graduation Weekend website.

Please note the following:

• At this time, all available tickets have been fully allocated. Please consider this when finalizing your Graduation Weekend plans. While ceremonies are ticketed, there is no limit to the number of guests you can bring to the Friday evening reception and many other celebrations throughout Graduation Weekend.
• For security reasons, those without tickets will NOT be admitted into the venue.
• Additional tickets will NOT be available at Welsh-Ryan Arena on June 13.
• If you ordered too many tickets, please return what you don't need. Unused tickets equal empty seats that could have been distributed to others. In the Graduation Ticketing Portal, click your name from the right corner of the homepage, then Your Orders, then the Order ID, and the red Return Ticket button.
• Please note that while graduation tickets may be transferred, selling them for profit is strictly prohibited. Any tickets found to have been resold will be cancelled and considered invalid for entry into the ceremony.
• All guests MUST have a ticket (except children under the age of 3).
• All tickets are general admission.
• For those unable to join us in person, we will be live streaming the ceremony on the graduation website.

Transportation and Parking

• Free shuttle bus service will be available all day between the main Evanston campus and Welsh-Ryan Arena beginning at 8 a.m.
• Plan travel time: take shuttles from the main campus early to avoid long wait times at shuttle stops
• Parking on campus is open and free of charge to all guests during Graduation Weekend
• Limited parking will be available in the Welsh-Ryan Arena parking lot and street parking in the surrounding neighborhood is prohibited by the City of Evanston
• If you have guests with reserved Accessible Seating or Wheelchair seating tickets, you may drop them off for entry at Welsh-Ryan Arena
• More information on transportation and parking can be found on the Graduation website

Security and Guest Entry

• Security measures will be in place for individual and community safety
• You may encounter uniformed officers directing traffic, monitoring metal detectors at entrances, and inspecting bags
• All guests will pass through metal detectors when arriving at Welsh-Ryan Arena
• Travel light! All guests are limited to a small purse or personal bag up to 10x6x2 inches, which security personnel will inspect
• Clear, plastic factory-sealed waters or empty, reusable water bottles (non-glass) will be allowed in the venue

Prohibited items at all graduation venues include: air horns or any other artificial noise makers (including instruments), alcohol, animals (excluding service animals), balloons, banners, bottles or cans, cameras with detachable lenses, confetti of any kind, coolers, fireworks, flags, flyers and handouts, glitter, laser pens or laser products of any type, masks (except when medically necessary), outside food, poles or sticks, projectiles, selfie sticks, signs, tents, umbrellas (any size), weapons of any kind, including guns, knives, ammunition, explosives, pepper spray and mace, and anything else that would interfere with another guest?s sight lines or enjoyment of the ceremony.

Check Your Regalia

• You must wear regalia to participate in the ceremony
• Check to make sure you have your regalia and it is correct
• Regalia will only be available for pickup at the Norris Bookstore during the following times:
  • Thursday, June 11: 9am - 5pm
  • Friday, June 12: 9am - 7pm
  • Saturday, June 13: 8am - 5pm
  • Store hours are subject to change without notice

Stage-Crossing

• Graduates will cross the stage and hear their name read as they receive a diploma cover
• Professional photographs will be taken of each student on stage by Dynamic Photo Systems
• You must register to view the photos, and you can submit your information on the Dynamic Photo Systems website
• Questions can be directed to support@dynamicphotosystems.com

Diplomas - Verify Your Mailing Address

• Diplomas will NOT be distributed on June 13
• Graduates will be given a diploma cover at the ceremony
• Diplomas for June graduates will be mailed in August to the graduate's diploma address as it is listed in CAESAR
• Please check CAESAR to ensure that you have entered a diploma address and it is correct. Without a diploma address on record, the Registrar will withhold the diploma until you provide an address
• Please contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions

Download the Commencement App

Additional Information

Questions? Email wcas-events@northwestern.edu. 

Additional information regarding Commencement (the university-wide ceremony) can be found on the Graduation Office's website. 

CONGRATULATIONS 2025 GRADUATES!

Download the 2025 Convocation program

Watch the 2025 ceremony video