Commencement special events
Our commencement special events honor your unique identity, achievements, and dreams.
Convocation events are celebrations for graduating students to recognize their leadership, successes, and academic accomplishments and to honor the rich cultural heritage, individuality, and inclusion that define our university community. Participation in the convocations is open to all graduating students.
Spring Convocation ceremonies
Asian and Pacific Islander Convocation
The Asian and Pacific Islander Convocation celebrates the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Friday, May 9, 2025 from 8–10 a.m. at du Bois Ballroom
Black Student Convocation
This Black Student Convocation ceremony celebrates our graduates through incorporating the cultural heritage and history of the Asante and Ewe people and their Kente cloth. Traditionally, the Kente cloth honors the rite of passage, occupation, or social position.
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 7:30–9 p.m. at du Bois Ballroom
Hispanic/Latine Convocation
The Hispanic/Latine Convocation ceremony celebrates our graduates by honoring multiple nationalities. The sarape, a blanket-type garment and a symbol of Mexican culture, serves as the sashes for our Hispanic graduates, representing their hard work and dedication, as well as honoring their rich cultural diversity.
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 6–7:30 p.m. at Ardrey Auditorium
Indigenous Convocation
This ceremony celebrates our Indigenous graduates who self-identify as Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian. The stoles and sashes given to our Indigenous graduates at this ceremony honors and recognizes this heritage, depicting regional landscapes and Indigenous images that represent courage, persistence, and wisdom of our students.
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 3–4:30 p.m. at Ardrey Auditorium
Rainbow Convocation
Rainbow Convocation recognizes and celebrates the achievements of graduates who identify in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Lumberjack community.
Saturday, May 3 from 3–5 p.m. at Prochnow Auditorium
Veterans Convocation
The Veterans Convocation ceremony celebrates the leadership, successes, and academic achievements of our graduates who served our country.
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4 p.m. at the Ashurst Auditorium | Presentation of the Colors: 4:30 p.m.
For questions, please contact vets@nau.edu
Convocation FAQs
What are these celebrations?
Convocations are celebrations that recognize graduates for accomplishments at Northern Arizona University. Graduates will be presented with stoles they can wear at the NAU Commencement. Please note that the conferring of degrees occurs at commencement, not at the convocation celebrations.
What will happen at the convocations?
Graduates will hear from various speakers who will recognize their accomplishment of earning a degree, experience cultural performances, and be presented with stoles they can wear at graduation. Please note that the conferring of degrees occurs at commencement.
Who can participate?
The celebrations are open to all students who are graduating or walking in spring commencement.
How many guests can attend?
To ensure we have enough space for all graduates and their guests, students may include a maximum of four (4) guests in their RSVP. If you have more than four (4) guests, please contact inclusion@nau.edu to confirm we can accommodate your request to have more than four (4) guests.
When should I show up for the event?
It’s encouraged that all graduates and guests arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event to check in and find a seat.
Will the event be streamed online?
No, they will not be streamed online.
What accessibility accommodations are available for the convocation ceremonies?
Our various ceremony venues have ADA accessible seating with companion seating for individuals using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and/or seated walkers. For guests and/or students who need additional accessibility accommodations, please contact inclusion@nau.edu at least one week prior to the ceremony so we can address your request(s).
Academic receptions
Our college-hosted academic receptions allow fellow peers, faculty, and guests to honor their students’ accomplishments.
College of Nursing
Pinning Ceremony
Friday, May 9 | 2–4 p.m.
Location: Ardrey Memorial Auditorium
College of Health and Human Services
Athletic Training Banquet
Thursday, May 8 | 5–8 p.m.
Location: International Pavilion
CSD Full Time Track Ceremony
Thursday, May 8 | noon–1 p.m.
Location: Health Professions 101
CSD Summer Track Ceremony
Saturday, May 10 | 8–9 a.m.
Location: Health Professions 101
Dental Hygiene Student Awards
Thursday, May 8 | 1–3 p.m.
Location: International Pavilion
OT Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 8 | 8 a.m.–noon
Location: PBC Campus
PA White Coat Ceremony
Wednesday, May 2
Location: PBC Campus
The W.A. Franke College of Business
School of Hotel and Restaurant Management Grad Reception
Friday, May 9 | noon–2 p.m.
Location: HRM Building
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Anthropology
Thursday, May 8 | 5–7 p.m.
Location: Bushmaster Park
Criminology & Criminal Justice, GPR, and Sociology
Thursday, May 8 | 3–5 p.m.
Location: Castro Building Room 110
School of Communication
Wednesday, May 7 | 5–8 p.m.
Location: Communications Building
Politics and International Affairs
Thursday, May 8 | 4:30–6 p.m.
Location: DuBois Aspen A-C
Psychological Sciences
Friday, May 9 | noon–1:30 p.m.
Location: International Pavilion
Institute for Human Development
Friday, May 9 | 1–2 p.m.
Location: IHD Conference Room
Social Work
Friday, May 8 | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: DuBois Ballroom
College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences
Outstanding Seniors Reception
Thursday, May 8 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Location: Science and Health Building Room, 105
College of Education
Spring Graduates Reception
Saturday, May 10 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Eastburn Education Building
Steve Sanghi College of Engineering
SCE Reception
Friday, May 9 | 7:30 a.m.
Location: duBois Student Union, Aspen Rooms
College of Arts and Letters
Spring Graduates Reception
Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Riles Building, 3rd floor
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