Graduation
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- Northwestern Commencement (University-wide)
- McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony
- McCormick Undergraduate Convocation
- Regalia
- Tickets
- Parking and Transportation
- Line-up and Processional
- Prohibited Items
- Security
- Stage Crossing
- Diploma
- Live Stream
- Department and Program Receptions
The 168th Annual Northwestern University Commencement
Sunday, June 14, 10:30 a.m.
Location: United Center, 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL, 60612 map it
Commencement is the all Northwestern ceremony where the graduating class is commemorated as a whole. During the ceremony, student, faculty and guest speakers will address graduates and their families.
McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony
Monday, June 15, 9 a.m.
Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL 60208 map it
Graduation Speaker
Aaron W. Saak (PhD '00, MS '97) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crane NXT, a global leader in authentication and traceability technologies with more than 6,000 employees and approximately $2 billion in annual revenue.
Mr. Saak has over two decades of experience guiding technology‑focused, multinational businesses. Before joining Crane NXT, he served as President and CEO of Mobility Solutions and President of Gilbarco Veeder‑Root (GVR), a subsidiary of Vontier Corporation. Earlier in his career, Mr. Saak held senior leadership positions at Tyco International and General Electric in engineering, product development, and business management.
Mr. Saak holds a Ph.D. in materials science and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign.
In addition to his role at Crane NXT, Mr. Saak serves on the Board of Directors of A. O. Smith Corporation.
McCormick Undergraduate Convocation
Monday, June 15, 2 p.m.
Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL, 60208 map it
Note: BS/MS graduates are invited to participate in Undergraduate Convocation. Both degrees will be recognized at this ceremony.
Graduation Speaker
Antonio Daniels ('93, MBA '15) is living proof that a foundation built in engineering can become a platform to lead industries, transform institutions, and create lasting impact at the highest levels of business and society. A dual graduate of Northwestern University, holding a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, he has built a career defined by innovation, leadership, and service.
Today, Antonio serves as Chief Information Officer of Comcast Business, where he partners with senior executives to lead large-scale technology transformation and growth initiatives. Across more than three decades of leadership, he has guided organizations through moments of complexity and change, with expertise spanning cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and post-acquisition integration.
Prior to Comcast, Antonio held senior leadership roles at Charter Communications, where he helped scale Spectrum Mobile, and with the State of Illinois, where he earned the Computerworld Laureate Award for advancing a groundbreaking shared services initiative.
He has also dedicated his time to community impact through board service with organizations including Merit School of Music, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Urban League of St. Louis.
Regalia
For those who ordered regalia and had it shipped to the Norris Bookstore, it is now available for pickup. If you have not ordered regalia, you have the option to purchase it at the bookstore. The bookstore hours are as follows:
- Monday, June 8 – Thursday, June 11: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, June 12: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, June 14: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday, June 15: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Store hours are subject to change without notice. Please contact the Norris Bookstore at 847-491-3992 with questions.
Please visit the University's regalia webpage for more information about regalia, including how it is properly worn.
Tickets
Tickets are required for all guests. Your email confirmation when you requested tickets contained all guest tickets. Please forward these tickets to your guests. If you have not received them, check your spam folder.
Contact Northwestern Engineering Events with questions.
Parking and Transportation
We highly suggest parking on campus, as parking at Welsh-Ryan Arena will be very limited. There will be campus shuttles traversing a seven-stop loop north on Sheridan Road from campus to Ryan Field. Plan travel time accordingly — shuttles take longer with stops and traffic on graduation day.
Street parking is not permitted on streets around the arena. Learn more about street parking restrictions on the City of Evanston’s website.
Line-up and Processional
McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony Participants
Line-up will take place in Trienens Performance Center, adjacent to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Please arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. to ensure you are there in time for the start of the celebration.
The ceremony in Welsh-Ryan Arena begins at 9 a.m., Monday, June 15. Graduates will enter the Trienens Performance Center (enter through the Ashland Ave. entrance) and check in at the tables to receive your reader card (how our readers will call your name on stage).
Guests will enter Welsh-Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Ave.) through the main lobby on the south side of the building. Doors open at 8 a.m. Guests will not be permitted inside inside Trienens.
McCormick Undergraduate Convocation Participants
Line-up will take place in Trienens Performance Center, adjacent to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Please arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. to ensure you are there in time for the start of the celebration.
The ceremony in Welsh-Ryan Arena begins at 2 p.m., Monday, June 15. Graduates will enter the Trienens Performance Center (enter through the Ashland Ave. entrance) and check in at the tables to receive your reader card (how our readers will call your name on stage).
Guests will enter Welsh-Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Ave.) through the main lobby on the south side of the building. Doors open at 1 p.m. Guests will not be permitted inside Trienens.
Prohibited Items
Attendees are limited to a small purse or personal bag measuring up to 10 x 6 x 2 inches, which security personnel will inspect. To promote efficient flow through security, please limit belongings to items needed for the ceremony.
The following items are prohibited at convocation and will be confiscated by University staff: noisemakers, instruments, balloons, confetti, glitter, food or drinks, long lens cameras, signs, flags, fliers, handouts, weapons, or anything else that would interfere with another guest’s sight lines or enjoyment of the ceremony. Individuals not complying with directions from University staff may be asked to leave the ceremony.
Also, please give your cameras, purses, and other personal effects to a friend or family member for safekeeping. There are no lockers or storage facilities available.
Security
Measures will be in place for individual and community safety and security. You may encounter uniformed officers directing traffic, monitoring metal detectors at entrances, and checking bags.
Stage Crossing
Graduates will cross the stage and hear their name read as they are congratulated by Dean Christopher A. Schuh. Professional photographs will be taken of each student on stage by Dynamic Photo Systems. You must register with your information to view the photos. You can submit your information on the Dynamic Photo Systems website. Questions can be directed to support@dynamicphotosystems.com.
Diploma
Graduates will be given a diploma cover at the ceremony, but it will not contain the official diploma. University policy dictates that diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s permanent address as it is listed in CAESAR. Please check CAESAR to ensure your permanent address is correct. Diplomas will be mailed later this summer.
Live Stream
Students and guests unable to join us in person can find a link to the live stream of the ceremony on the graduation website.
Watch the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony
Watch the McCormick School of Engineering Undergraduate Convocation
Department and Program Receptions
Chemical and Biological Engineering Commencement Reception
Monday, June 15, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Tech Front Plaza Tent, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Contact: Jennifer Young
Civil and Environmental Engineering Ceremony and Receptions
Undergraduate Cocktail Reception
Thursday, June 11, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Five & Dime, 1026 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Recognition Ceremony & Reception
Friday, June 12, 2-4 p.m.
Evanston Woman’s Club, 1702 Chicago Ave, Evanston
Contact: Charles Martell
Computer Science Graduation Reception
Saturday, June 13, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Mudd Lawn Tent, Mudd Library, 2233 Tech Drive
Contact: Bella Barrios
Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduation Reception
Tech Front Plaza Tent, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Friday, June 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Contact: Pooja Thakkar
Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences Undergraduate Graduation Celebration
Awards Ceremony
Friday, June 12, 2:30 p.m.
LR2, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Senior Celebration Reception
Friday, June 12, 3-5 p.m.
Tech Front Plaza Tent, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Contact: Charlotte Dezen
Materials Science and Engineering Graduation Reception
Sunday, June 14, 3–5 p.m.
Tech Front Plaza Tent, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Contact: Willie James
Mechanical Engineering Graduation Reception
Monday, June 15, 4–6p.m.
Mudd Lawn Tent, Mudd Library, 2233 Tech Drive
Event Contact: Eunae Jo
Master of Science in Information Technology Graduation Celebration
Monday, June 15, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
The Spot, 1700 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Contact: Stephen Dowling
Master of Biotechnology Program Graduation Celebration
Thursday, June 11, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Five & Dime, 1026 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Contact: Jenny Grist
Master of Engineering Management Graduation Celebration
Sunday, June 14, 3-6 p.m.
The Orrington, 1710 Orrington, Evanston, IL 60201
Contact: Ren McIntyre
MMM Graduation Celebration
MMM Ceremony
Monday, June 15, 1-2 p.m.
Ryan Family Auditorium, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
MMM Reception
Monday, June 15, 2–3:30 p.m.
Tech Front Plaza Tent, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Contact: Ren McIntyre
Master of Product Design and Development Management Graduation Reception
Monday, June 15, Noon–2 p.m.
Comida Cantina, 1928 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201
Contact: Susan Goren