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Convocation 2025

Convocation Events Calendar

Stay up to date on SESP Convocation deadlines by adding our Google calendar to your account!

Convocation Details

Date: June 16, 2025

Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Location: Convocation will take place in Ryan Fieldhouse. A reception with light appetizers and
beverages will follow.

Convocation Speaker

Trailblazing playwright and choreographer Larissa FastHorse, whose work blends sharp humor with social commentary, will deliver the 2025 convocation address for Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

Read Speaker Announcement

Graduation Tickets

The ticketing portal is now open! The ticket system can be accessed through the Graduation Ticketing website.

  • Log in with your NetID and password.
  • Please only request the number of tickets you need. You can donate back remaining tickets during the checkout process or share with friends who need additional tickets.
  • You DO NOT need to reserve a ticket for yourself – only your guests.
  • Children 3 years of age and under who will sit in a caregiver’s lap do not need a ticket.

You will need separate tickets for convocation and commencement as they are separate events. All SESP grads may receive up to 8 tickets for SESP convocation. Commencement tickets are distributed in three rounds:

  • Round 1, through April 1: Request up to four tickets.
  • Round 2, April 2 – 28: Request up to two additional tickets. The waitlist also turns on for additional requests.
  • Round 3, April 29 – May 30: The Graduation Office fulfills waitlist requests only during this round.
  • Waitlist ticket requests are not guaranteed and are subject to ticket availability.

Regalia

The regalia ordering portal is also now open! Visit the regalia page on the Graduation website to find ordering instructions, along with guidelines and further details.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates have three ordering options:

  1. Order before April 8 for pick up at the Northwestern Bookstore in Evanston during Grad Fair, April 16-17 (details below).
  2. Order by May 16 to ship to a residence ($15.95 shipping fee applies).
  3. Order between April 18 and May 18 for pick up at the Northwestern Bookstore on or after June 2.

Undergraduate students with financial need

The office of Undergraduate Financial Aid covers the cost of the bachelor’s degree regalia package for graduating undergraduate students receiving a certain level of financial aid. Students who qualify will receive a separate email from Undergraduate Financial Aid with additional information.

Graduate students with financial need

For graduate students with financial need, the Office of Graduation & Senior Year Experiences may provide financial assistance toward your regalia rental/purchase. Please email the Graduation Office for information.

Questions?

Email us at SESPconvocation@northwestern.edu. Additional information regarding Commencement (the university-wide ceremony) can be found on the Graduation Office's website.

Accessibility Requests

Do you or a guest need accommodations to fully celebrate the day? Northwestern's Graduation Accessibility Website has more information on how to request accommodations.

Families and Guests

We hope that you are as excited to celebrate your graduate as we are! You can find all information pertaining to guests and families on Northwestern's Family and Guests website.

Convocation FAQs

What is the difference between convocation and commencement?

Convocation is the School of Education and Social Policy graduation ceremony. This is the ceremony where graduates are individually recognized by having their name read as they cross the stage.

Commencement is the university-wide graduation ceremony. This ceremony is where the graduating class is commemorated as a whole. There are no names read at this ceremony. You can find more information on this year’s commencement via the Graduation website.

Do I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

Diplomas will not be available on June 10. Graduates will be given a diploma cover at the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed in August for Spring 2024 grads to the graduate's permanent address as it is listed in CAESAR. Please check CAESAR to ensure your permanent address is correct.

Who can participate in convocation?

Students who complete their degree between December 2023 and December 2024 are invited to participate in the June 2024 celebrations. However, September and December 2024 graduates’ names will appear in the 2024 SESP Convocation and University Commencement.

I also double majored in a program in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Do I also attend their convocation?

No, you are only able to attend the convocation for the school granting your degree.

Some of my friends and family won’t be able to join in person. Will there be a livestream?

Yes! Check this webpage as we get closer to graduation!

Convocation Email Communications Archive

SESP Graduation Update 3.17

Take a look at upcoming deadlines for ticket and regalia orders.
See Email

SESP Graduation Kickoff 2.17

Learn the basics of the graduation cycle-dates, tickets, accessibility, regalia and more.
See Email