Northland's 101^st Commencement is on Saturday, May 26, 2012. Both Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises will be held on that day. Students who are eligible to participate in May 2012 Commencement exercises, are those students expected to complete graduation requirements by December 2011 and May 2012.

This occasion is an important and exciting milestone in the lives of our graduating seniors. It is our hope that family and friends will be able to share it with them and with us. One of the special qualities of Northland is the genuine friendship that students, faculty, and staff share. We would like you to experience this with us. We strongly encourage our graduates and their families to participate in both the Baccalaureate service and Commencement ceremony.

Schedule

Thursday, May 24, 2012

• Senior Champagne Toast at 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the home of President Michael A. Miller and Mary Trettin. In case of rain, it will be held in the Alvord Theatre.
• Last Lecture Series featuring Alicia Juskewycz, at 7 p.m. in the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Sentry Room
   

Saturday, May 26, 2012

• 10:00 a.m. - Gathering of the Class; Procession across Wheeler Bridge
• 10:30 a.m. - Baccalaureate* at the Presbyterian-Congregational Church, 214 Vaughn Avenue, Ashland, WI
• 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Buffet Luncheon, Craig A. Ponzio Campus Center
• 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Campus Buildings Open House
• 2:30 p.m. - Commencement, Kendrigan Lawn (If rain, the event will be in the Kendrigan Gymnasium)
• The President's Reception will immediately follow the Commencement ceremony

*At the Baccalaureate service, graduates are invested with the privilege of wearing the baccalaureate cap and gown. Graduates are given the charge that along with the accomplishment and privilege of earning a baccalaureate degree, they have a responsibility to work for the common good.

Buffet Luncheon

If you plan to participate in the buffet luncheon, please reserve your tickets online or please click here to download a .pdf form and mail it back with a check. Reservations may be completed online or at the event. Students may pick up the tickets in the cafeteria office in the Craig A. Ponzio Campus Center during the week of May 21-25, 2012. Please direct any questions about the buffet luncheon to chartwells@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1339.

Gown Rentals

Students will rent their gowns rather than purchase them. This approach reinforces our environmental mission. All graduates planning to participate in Commencement activities are required to wear a cap and gown. The wearing of this common attire places the common concern of academics -- the search for truth -- above individual personalities. The academic garb carries great honor and pride, and all graduates are to be robed appropriately.

To rent a gown, students must contact Darlene Zar in the bookstore by Friday, March 9, 2012. After this date, students will be charged a late fee for gown orders. She can be reached at dzar@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1277.

Invitations

Students may create or use any vendor to order their own invitations.

Student Responsibilities

Please note that receipt of this information does not guarantee that a student will be eligible to participate in Commencement activities. Only students who have completed or registered for all course requirements, or those who show evidence that all requirements will be met by August 2012, will be allowed to participated in Commencement.

Any student who does not meet the graduation requirements within this time limit will not be eligible to participate in Commencement. However, a student may file a petition requesting he or she be allowed to participate early if there are extenuating circumstances. Petitions for early participation must be filed with the Registrar's Office by April 13, 2012. Please direct any questions about petitions to registrar@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1227.

Special Accommodations

Any student or family member requiring special accommodations for any of the May 2012 Commencement events, please contact Shellie Heglund at mheglund@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1227.

*For lodging accommodations, please see "Area Accommodations."

Diploma

Students participating in Commencement will not receive a diploma, but will receive a diploma cover. Graduates must complete all course requirements and have their accounts paid in full in the Business Office in order to receive their diploma. Graduates, who have completed all requirements by May 25, 2012 and have no balance due on their account, will have their diplomas mailed to them in July. Please direct any questions about diplomas to registrar@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1227.

Graduation Fee

A Graduation Fee of $35 will be charged to all students to cover the rental of a gown (graduates keep their cap and tassel) and the cost of a professional photography service, which will provide a photograph of each graduate receiving his or her diploma cover in the ceremony. All graduates, whether or not they participate in the Commencement ceremony, will be assessed this fee. Please direct any questions about the graduation fee to registrar@northland.edu or by phone at (715) 682-1227.

Area Accommodations

Family and friends are encouraged to make reservations early because of our community's busy tourist season. The following hotels are offering discounted rates for those attending Commencement and Baccalaureate Ceremonies. Mention Northland College Commencement when making reservations.

AmericInn Motel and Suites
3009 Lake Shore Drive East
Ashland, WI
(866) 378-9950

Hotel Chequamegon*
101 Lakeshore Drive
Ashland, WI
(715) 682-9095

Super 8 of Ashland
1610 West Lakeshore Drive
Ashland, WI
(715) 682-9377


For additional information on area attractions and lodging:

• Ashland Chamber of Commerce
• Washburn Chamber Commerce
• Bayfield Chamber of Commerce

*Discount when you mention you're attending a Northland College event.