To commemorate spring 2020 graduates, Northern State University will post a short video to Facebook and Twitter at 10:30 a.m. CST Saturday, May 9, which will address commencement and confer degrees. Diplomas will be mailed out over the summer. View the Spring 2020 Commencement Program.
Spring graduates will also be recognized during homecoming, Sept. 21-26, 2020. They are also encouraged to take part in winter commencement ceremony, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12, 2020, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Tickets are not required; the public is welcome. Doors open at least an hour before the ceremony. The winter ceremony lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours and Spring, about 2 hours. We encourage all guests to stay until the end of the ceremony to honor all graduates.
Watch President Downs' Spring 2020 Commencement Address
Discover details about the ceremony, places to stay in Aberdeen and directions to campus.
Johnson Fine Arts Center (winter commencement)
- Accessible parking near main entrance - see JFAC Parking Map
- Wheelchair accessible, including restrooms
- Wheelchair spaces available next to regular seats
- Accessible entrances located on east and west sides
- Assisted listening devices available
- Sign language interpreters available; contact Doris Stusiak (below) in advance
- Service animals welcome
Barnett Center (spring commencement)
- Wheelchair accessible, including restrooms
- Wheelchair spaces on floor next to chair rows
- Accessible entrance and parking located on north side, accessed from State Street
- Sign language interpreters available; contact Doris Stusiak (below) in advance
- Service animals welcome
Information and Assistance
If you have questions about accessibility or need additional accommodations, please contact:
- Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Judy Lapka, judy.lapka@northern.edu or 605-626-2524; or
- Disability Services Director Doris Stusiak, doris.stusiak@northern.edu or 605-626-2371
Ready to purchase apparel and announcements for your big day? We've got you covered!
Northern's graduation vendor, Balfour, has created one-stop shops for these items:
You can order an entire outfit (cap/gown/tassel/hood/etc.) or individual items. Please note: For timely delivery, you're encouraged to order apparel no later than two weeks before the ceremony.
For rental orders, contact the NSU Wolf Shoppe for assistance, or call Balfour directly at 1-800-683-4771.
DVD recordings of the entire ceremony are available through NSU Media Services. Cost is $2 for NSU faculty, staff and students and $10 for all others. Postage cost will be added if applicable.
