Commencement is a celebration to honor Normandale graduates. Held each year in May, commencement immediately follows the end of the spring semester.
Those eligible to participate in commencement include:
All graduates must wear appropriate apparel to participate in the ceremony. See below for participant information, and be sure to apply to graduate before reserving your cap and gown!
Spring Graduation Application Priority Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024
Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Opens: Open now
Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Closes: Monday, April 22, 2024
Distinguished Faculty Award and Staff Award Nomination Deadline: To be determined
Special Accommodations Request Deadline: Monday, April 22, 2024
Veteran's Recognition Deadline: Stoles or cords should arrive by Friday, May 10, 2024
Grad Pack Sent Out: By the week of April 29 - May 3, 2024
This pack will include tickets (3-4 per grad after final grad count), one parking pass for specific parking ramps nearby the venue, a name reader card for you to provide the correct pronunciation of your name at the ceremony, high honors medallions, and program specific stoles or cords for those who qualify.
Commencement Ceremony: May 13, 2024, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, 6:30PM
Ceremony Photo Link Sent: Professional photos taken during the ceremony were sent out Friday, May 17 to the email graduates provided on their name card. If you did not receive a link to your photos, please reach out to Laura Wallace, CEO of Legacies by Laura photography at legaciesbylaura@gmail.com.
The deadline for reserving a cap and gown has passed.
Program specific tassels (Nursing, Dental Hygiene) are available for $5 at http://gradmidwestnormandale.square.site/.
Additional items like stoles, cords, and medallions will be sent out via the Grad Pack the week of April 29 - May 3, 2024.
More information about the ceremony coming soon!
For all other questions or concerns about Commencement, please email the team.
Normandale confers special awards to graduates* with a cumulative grade point average above 3.00. There are two levels of Commencement honors:
Honors: 3.00 - 3.49
High Honors: 3.50 or higher
Honors recipients receive a gold tassel. Additionally, high honors recipients receive a medallion.
For purposes of the commencement ceremony, honors for spring degree candidates are determined by the student’s cumulative Normandale GPA in college-level courses completed through fall semester. The final designation, as it appears on your transcript and diploma, will be based on grades earned in all Normandale college-level coursework.
*Note, honors are not awarded for certificate completers.
We recognize members of Phi Theta Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies at Commencement via stoles and/or cords. Contact the honor society advisor or college representative for information about special items.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor: Renee Cortez, renee.cortez@normandale.edu
Mu Alpha Theta advisor: Julie Nybakken, julie.nybakken@normandale.edu
You will receive one tassel with your cap and gown. It’s yours to keep! Here’s what the different tassel colors mean:
Black & Red: Normandale graduate or certificate completer
White: Nursing
Lilac: Dental Hygiene
Sage: Dietetic Technology
Gold: Commencement Honors
You may purchase an additional tassel from Herff Jones or swap your complimentary tassel at no charge (except for the Honors tassel).
Program specific tassels (Nursing, Dental Hygiene) are available for $5 at http://gradmidwestnormandale.square.site/.
Currently active and veteran service members are invited to be recognized at Commencement. For more information, please email the commencement team.
We invite graduates to nominate a staff or faculty member who made a difference during their time at Normandale. You will receive an email from the Commencement Committee to submit your nominations. The recipient of the award is announced and honored on the evening of commencement.
Faculty nominations include: Instructors, librarians, counselors etc.
Staff nominations include: Academic advisors, administrative assistants, Admissions, Academy of Math & Science advisors, Campus Store/Textbook Depot staff, Center for Experiential Education, Events, Facilities, Financial Aid, IT, Student Life, Student Services, TRIO, Tutoring Center Tutors, New Student Programs, Office for Students with Disabilities, Records & Registration, Veterans Affairs staff etc.
Are you ready to graduate? Find out more about completion requirements, eligibility, deadlines, diplomas and more.
1st Floor, College Services
Hours: M-W 8 am - 5 pm; Th 10 am to 5 pm; F 8 am to 12 pm (Virtual Only on Fridays) Closed weekends and holidays
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