Gown and diploma

Graduation

Jump to a Section

The 166th Annual Northwestern University Commencement

Sunday, June 9, 2024, 10:30am

Location: United Center, 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612

Commencement is the Northwestern Ceremony where the graduating class is commemorated as a whole. During the ceremony, students, faculty, and guest speakers will address graduates and their families.

Visit the graduation website

McCormick PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony

Monday, June 10, 2024, 9 a.m.

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave map it

Graduation Speaker

Grace Wang began as Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) 17th president in April 2023. She is also a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WPI.

Grace Wang

Wang came to WPI from The Ohio State University where she served as executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge, and as a professor of materials science and engineering. Prior to that, Wang served in leadership roles at the State University of New York (SUNY), including vice chancellor for research and economic development, senior vice chancellor for research and economic development, and interim provost.

Before SUNY, Wang served as deputy assistant director for engineering and later as acting assistant director for engineering at the US National Science Foundation (NSF) where she oversaw a funding portfolio of more than $900 million, investing in frontier engineering research, supporting engineering education, and fostering innovation and technology commercialization.

A holder of seven US patents, Wang was appointed by the White House in 2022 to serve on the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. She is a council member of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She is a member of the board of governors for the New York Academy of Sciences. She also serves on the Board of Massachusetts High Technology Council.

Wang earned a PhD in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University.

McCormick Undergraduate Convocation

Monday, June 10, 2024, 2 p.m.

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave map it

Note: BS/MS graduates are invited to participate in Undergraduate Convocation. Both degrees will be recognized at this ceremony.

Graduation Speaker

Sheila Gujrathi is a biotechnology entrepreneur and executive, healthcare investor, and drug developer with more than 25 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She has founded, built, and run numerous biotech companies and led the development and approval of multiple life-changing pharmaceutical drugs for patients with immunology and oncology diseases. In addition to founding and investing in her own companies in the biotech industry, Gujrathi currently serves as a chairwoman, board director, strategic adviser, and consultant to multiple startup companies and investment healthcare funds.

Sheila Gujrathi

Gujrathi is chairwoman of the board of directors for Ventyx Biosciences, ADARx Pharmaceuticals, and ImmPACT Bio, and director of Janux Therapeutics. She previously served as chair of the board of directors of Turning Point Therapeutics, which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb.

She is the cofounder and former CEO of Gossamer Bio. Prior to Gossamer Bio, she served as chief medical officer of Receptos (acquired by Celgene). Previously, she was vice president of the global clinical development group in immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb, and held multiple roles in immunology and oncology at Genentech.

Gujrathi completed the accelerated Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University, graduating with her MD and her BS in biomedical engineering with highest distinction. She completed her internal medicine internship and residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and additional fellowship training in allergy and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford University.

Register for Your Ceremony

Graduates who wish to attend the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition or the Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony must register by May 10:

  1. Visit northwestern.marchingorder.com.
  2. Select 'Register’ under New Users.
  3. Register using your northwestern email address.
  4. Instructions for setting your password will be sent to your email address. Select the ‘Set Password’ link included in the email.
  5. Your ceremony will appear after you have finished logging in. Select 'Register Here.'
  6. Complete the registration form and select ‘Submit.’ If there are any errors on your registration form or if you have any questions, please reach out to northwestern-engineering-events@northwestern.edu.

Register for the Ceremony

Order Regalia

Regalia must be worn by all participating graduates. MS students must purchase regalia. PhD students have the option to purchase or rent regalia. It is important to order as soon as possible.

Please visit the University's regalia webpage and follow the ordering instructions.

Key Dates to Order PhD Regalia

  • February 26 - March 22 – Dates for purchasing fine quality PhD regalia to own and to be shipped to your residence.
  • February 26 - April 26 – Dates for renting regalia to be shipped to the bookstore for pickup.

Key Dates to Order Master's Regalia

  • February 26 - April 12 – Dates for ordering regalia to be picked up at the Grad Fair on April 17 or April 18.
  • February 26 - May 10 – Dates for ordering regalia to be shipped to your residence.
  • April 13 - May 10 – Dates for ordering regalia to be picked up at the University Center Bookstore (orders arrive on a rolling basis).

Key Dates to Order Undergraduate Regalia

  • February 26 - April 12 – Ordering dates for bachelor’s and master's degree graduates who will pick up their order at the Grad Fair in the Norris Bookstore on April 17 or April 18. Graduates who choose this option MUST pick up regalia at the Grad Fair.
  • April 13 - May 10 – Ordering dates for bachelor's and master's degree graduates to the Norris bookstore.
  • February 26 - May 10 – Ordering dates for bachelor's degree graduates wishing to have their order shipped to their residence. (An additional shipping fee will apply).

Note: McCormick BS/MS graduates will be recognized at our Undergraduate Convocation and should wear Master's regalia.

For questions about ordering regalia, please contact the Graduation Office or Northwestern Engineering Events.

Order Regalia

Order Ceremony Tickets

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement and school convocations.

Login instructions for the Graduation Tickets website are sent to eligible students via email. If you have not received instructions, you can look at the emails previously sent to the Class of 2024 or send an email to the Graduation Office, noting your school name.

Graduates may order UP TO 10 tickets to the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony.

Ticket restrictions for other ceremonies vary, including University Commencement at the United Center. Please review the Graduation Tickets webpage for important information on ordering deadlines, waitlists, and maximum ticket allotments for all Commencement and school convocation events.

Order Tickets

Other Celebrations

School-wide Reception

Dean Christopher Schuh will host a school-wide reception on Monday, June 10, following the PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony. Additional information will be available in the coming weeks.

Department and Program Celebrations

Our departments and programs are planning other opportunities to celebrate during Commencement weekend. More information will be posted here as it is finalized.